Are VoIP phone systems reliable?

Are VoIP phone systems reliable?

Yes, VoIP phone systems are generally reliable, but their reliability depends on several factors, including internet quality, the VoIP service provider, and the business's network setup. Here are the key factors that affect the reliability of VoIP systems.

How bandwidth affects the reliability of VoIP systems

VoIP calls require a stable and sufficient internet bandwidth. If your network is overloaded or has limited bandwidth, it can cause calls that drop out, delays, or poor call quality so make sure that you have good bandwidth.

Does power and internet affect VoIP reliability?

What happens if the power was to go out? If you were using a traditional landline phone, it would still work in the event of a power cut. As VoIP systems need an active internet connection and power supply, you need both in order for your VoIP to work unless there is some sort of back up plan. The best solution to avoid this is to make sure that your business has a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) and internet redundancy solutions. For example, having multiple internet providers or 4G/5G backup to make sure that your VoIP phones stay online in case of power/internet failures.   

Service Provider Quality

So how Reliable is your VoIP? That depends on the quality of your service provider. A question we often get is 'how can you tell if it is a good service provider?'. Usually good service providers will have a good reputation which most likely means they invest in data centres and failover systems (back up in case something was to fail). To maintain a consistent service uptime, good service providers will most likely offer service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee a certain amount of up time.

Does network security affect VoIP?

VoIP systems, like any internet based technology, are a security risk. Some examples include hacking or call interception if they are not properly secured. These security threats can disrupt the system. It's reasonable to invest in security measures, such as encryption, secured passwords , firewalls and network monitoring to help keep your VoIP system safe. 

Call Quality and Reliability Enhancements 

Let's talk about the quality of the service first. Quality of service (QoS) is a networking technology that prioritizes the VoIP over other internet traffic , this ensures that voice calls are receiving enough bandwidth to make sure it's a high quality call even if the network is busy. 

How does latency affect VoIP quality?

You need to make sure that you have low latency to make sure you have the best caller experience. VoIP systems transfers your voice data in packets. If the packets arrive at different times (usually caused by network inconsistencies ), this can cause the jitters (distortions) that make the call break up and lower the voice quality. 

What happens when your VoIP call loses too many packets?

This will lead to either the call being cut off completely or the sound being garbled (distorted beyond recognition). The best solution for this is to invest in high speed reliable internet make sure that VoIP traffic is prioritised on the network.

SD-WAN and Flexibility

Some businesses use SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) to better the performance of the VoIP system by dynamically routing (find the best route) the voice traffic through the best available internet connection.

Backup & Redundancy Options

Most modern VoIP systems have built-in failover options that redirect calls to another phone number (such as a mobile phone) in case the primary system fails. The solution would be to ensure your VoIP provider offers call forwarding, mobile app integration, and other failover options to keep your communication running in case of system or network issues.

How reliable is VoIP overall?

In most cases, VoIP systems are highly reliable if they are set up correctly with the right infrastructure and internet connectivity. Many businesses have switched to VoIP systems without experiencing any significant reliability issues, thanks to advancements in networking technologies.

If you are interested in switching your phone systems to VoIP, or would like to switch VoIP system provider, please get in touch with our experts to discuss.