Is Your Internet Connection Good Enough to Deliver VOIP?

What To Consider When You’re Looking To Implement VOIP

Have you been thinking about a VOIP phone system for your business communication needs? If so, you’ll be aware of the advantages that Voice Over Internet Protocol can offer. With the looming PSTN switch-off in 2025, businesses looking to future-proof their communications and stay ahead of the curve may want to consider a digital solution sooner rather than later. Many businesses have already made the switch to keep ahead of competitors and future-proof their business communications.  

With VoIP communication solutions causing an increased reliance on internet connectivity, it’s important to consider how successfully your current connectivity solutions can support VoIP. We’re going to take you through some key factors that your business will need to assess your current internet connectivity solutions. 

What is VOIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol is a communications technology that converts analogue voice signals – such as the ones received by standard landline phones – into digital signals via an internet connection. These voice signals can then be better managed, transferred or otherwise manipulated by those receiving the call, making them far more versatile and easy to transfer or save. As VoIP is powered entirely by an internet connection and does not rely on outdated phone lines, businesses utilising VOIP communications systems will still be able to make and receive phone calls – among other impressive advantages – when the PSTN switch-off happens in 2025, making it an ideal solution.

What is the PSTN switch-off?

In 2025, Openreach will be deactivating the traditional telephone lines that have sustained landlines and communications systems for decades. This is because these lines are no longer suitable to uphold the considerable data pressures created by people and businesses in the 21st century – meaning people will need to switch to digital forms of communication powered by the internet if they wish to keep their communications working. While many consumers have already connected their landline phone to their household broadband, some businesses are yet to make the move to a digital, VoIP-based communications offer the alternative that will allow them to remain connected post-2025.

How Much Data Does VOIP Need to Work?

The size of your business and how many concurrent calls you need will determine the bandwidth needed to deliver an appropriate VOIP solution.  One of the common VOIP call protocol solutions requires approximately 64kbps and you can have approximately 12 concurrent calls for each 1Mbps of bandwidth. So, if your company needs to support 120 concurrent calls, you’d need 10Mbp service. Keeping in mind this is just for your communication needs, all your other internet requirements would be on top of this. 

While speed is a factor, speed alone is not enough. Having a provider that delivers appropriate bandwidth that takes into account latency and other issues will stop jitter and poor call quality. Swapping to a more modern, quicker internet solution such as FTTP, provides the speed, reliability and connection quality to successfully support VoIP communications. Whilst FTTP isn’t available across the whole of the UK yet, the Openreach rollout is expanding at a fast pace, so the ability to have a speedy and improved connection available will soon be more and more common. 

How Can I Improve My Business Broadband to Work With VOIP?

If your business broadband is in need of improvement and you fear the bandwidth you’re working with at the moment won’t be enough to sustain a VoIP communications system, there are several modern options available to you:

Ultrafast Broadband

If the broadband speed capabilities you have at your business premises currently isn’t meeting the mark, upgrading your setup with Ultrafast Broadband using fibre cables could be the solution. Full Fibre, or Fibre-to-the-Premises, utilises fibre optic cabling and no copper wiring, meaning it will still be operational after the PSTN switch-off. As it can provide speeds up to twelve times faster than standard broadband, it is ideal for businesses seeking to make the move to digital communications systems that require a consistent connection and reliable speeds, like VOIP.

Leased Lines

To truly set your business apart and to have the most consistent and resilient connection possible, consider investing in leased lines with Elite. Rather than having to share your bandwidth with others, which can affect your own speeds and connection at peak times, Leased Lines offer a dedicated broadband connection to your business – and your business only. Thanks to the exclusivity of leased lines, you can benefit from a consistently reliable connection, along with very impressive download and upload speeds – ideal for businesses utilising a lot of data at all times.

How A VOIP Solution Can Benefit Your Business

Experience Increased Mobility 

More and more businesses are adopting flexible remote working policies, which allow their employees to work away from the office using an array of different devices. With a VOIP system, you only need a Wi-Fi connection to be contactable anywhere on the same number. 

Studies have shown that 74 per cent of office workers believe working flexibility has boosted their productivity, so it’s no surprise that more companies are looking to adapt their technologies to allow it.  

Easily Scalable

When investing in new technology, many businesses, rightly, choose to focus on improvements that can grow as they do. In the case of VOIP, it is easy for businesses to add new employees to the company communications system that is powered by VOIP.  It is usually the case that a new colleague may simply be given an account and the correct login details before being able to use the VOIP communications system, with no need for expensive new phone installations or other hardware. However, should a company reach a limit on how many users they are allowed on their existing deal with their VOIP provider, they can simply get in touch and request more users to be added. This can often be done in a matter of minutes, significantly cutting downtime when compared to more traditional alternatives which may require days of waiting or the installation of new technology on-site.

Decrease Overheads 

Local and international calls are significantly cheaper, considering VOIP uses the internet to send and receive calls, meaning businesses can make substantial savings and almost immediate return on investment. In comparison to traditional phone systems, a VOIP solution doesn’t require specialised hardware, therefore you may not have to replace your existing phones. 

Device Versatility

Along with increased mobility, VOIP communications systems are also infinitely more accessible than traditional communications systems. As VOIP systems are often cloud-based, the platform they run on can easily be installed on several digital devices – including laptops, tablets and smartphones, for ultimate versatility. This negates the need for hardwiring new phones into office setups – instead, new users can simply take the device of their choice, install the appropriate software, log in and get to work – all in a matter of minutes.

Future Proof Your Business 

Many businesses worry that their investments in technology and infrastructure will be rendered useless within a few years with the rapid advancements in tech. This can be seen with past investments in phone systems, as parts or replacements can become difficult to find and calls become costly. However, VOIP can future-proof your communication needs with minimal outlay. 

Gain a Competitive Advantage 

Opting for a hosted VOIP system will mean that you enjoy enterprise-level features, monthly cost savings, increased mobility and flexibility and avoidance of your investments becoming obsolete. You will also be able to program features to improve communications, both internally and externally. 

For most of today’s modern enterprises, a reliable business broadband connection is the essential starting point. Whether you are a small start-up, or a growing enterprise, Elite Group’s business broadband and FTTC packages can be tailored to your specific business requirements. Our broadband packages are easy to manage, with a fixed monthly bill and access to our expert team.  Having a reliable internet connection is the starting point for improved digital communications. Once you have a reliable solution in place the rest is relatively simple to implement. 

Make the Move to VoIP with Elite Group

Talk to an expert to gain a better understanding of how VOIP can improve your communication needs. Elite has an experienced team that can assist with the perfect digital solution for your communication needs, including VoIP, amongst a host of other services and IT solutions. Need help preparing your internet connection for VoIP? We have a range of connectivity solutions and a team of connectivity experts ready to help!

Elite Group is one of the UK’s leading unified communication providers, supplying reliable and professional IT and telecom services to organisations seeking Business Mobile, Cloud, Networking, Connectivity, and Telephony solutions.  With decades of experience and a list of satisfied, thriving clients, we’re proud to be highly-accredited technology experts who deliver quality advice and solutions every single time.

For more information on how Elite Group can power your unified communication solutions and transform your connectivity, call us or request a quote today.