With Business VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, companies can communicate via voice calls over the Internet rather than typical telephone systems, meaning more flexibility, scalability, and cost. For any UK business, having a trustworthy VoIP service provider should not be difficult.
What Is a Business VoIP System?
A business VoIP system converts voice into digital signal transmissions over the Internet. Instead of transmitting voice through standard telephone communication lines, VoIP utilises broadband connections undertaking more complex features such as video calling, voice-to-email, and call forwarding. Switching to a VoIP phone system is the most reasonable option for many organisations and even start-ups because it is compatible with many business applications.
Why Choose VoIP Over Traditional Phones?
VoIP does not just save small businesses money, but it streamlines communications with both clients and internally. Here we outline some of the reasons why VoIP can be more beneficial than traditional phones:
Best Places to Purchase a Business VoIP System in the UK
BT business is the leading VoIP system across the UK, however, there are multiple companies offering more competitive packages and using the BT line. Below are our top recommendations for VoIP providers in the UK:
bOnline
bOnline has some of the most economical VoIP systems for UK small businesses and offers excellent customer care. Being well known for its customer support and having a national network, bOnline would be a great option for companies looking for a reliable provider.
BT Business
BT has reliable VoIP solutions that can be tailored to a customer’s needs, with them having solutions for small businesses as well as enterprise-grade solutions. Many companies are satisfied with the services provided by BT Business, which is one of the largest VoIP providers in the country.
Gamma Telecom
Gamma offers hosted VoIP solutions that put a huge emphasis on business continuity and security. Their platform offers a high degree of resilience and features rich call features that are especially suitable for large companies or companies that have lots of call traffic.
Vonage Business
Vonage is largely known due to its availability of low-cost and great flexibility in VoIP plans, which are ideal for small companies and home offices. Moreover, it provides linkage to some of the key business software such as CRMs for better customers service and workflows.
Other Popular VoIP Providers
Other key providers ranking high in the UK include RingCentral and Voipfone; they also have extra features such as contact centres, applications or high-resolution videos.
Weighing these options may determine the most appropriate one to use subject to the business requirements.
Can I Use My Existing Phone with VoIP?
Most analogue phones can still be used on VoIP systems. An Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA), for instance, enables the connection of the phone to a router or modem which translates these signals into a digital format, allowing for VoIP calls. However, to leverage some of the advantageous features of VoIP such as high-definition voice or video calls, most enterprises choose to acquire IP phones that are specifically manufactured to be used with VoIP. IP phones are directly networked and highly advanced systems that rank above the rest in terms of VoIP compatibility, call handling and more.
Key Features to Consider
There are many great features that come with VoIP phone systems and below we have outlined some of the most important ones to look out for to benefit your business:
Quality of Service Quality of Service
Quality of Service Quality of Service (QoS) should be a given when aiming to maintain good call quality. In basic terms QoS manages voice traffic and gives it priority over other types of traffic on the network, therefore reducing delays, call drops, and jitter which have negative effects on voice. High QoS means the users enjoy clear and audible sound even when the network is congested.
Customer Support
Search for providers that guarantee full customer support including 24/7 service, whether or not your firm works with VoIP frequently. The ability to address any connectivity problems, software updates, or technical issues quickly avoids service interruptions, which is extremely important for any business.
Advanced Features
Apart from the basic calling features, VoIP services usually offer additional services like video conferencing, mobile applications that allow remote access, and integration with CRMs and other business applications. These enable better collaboration, facilitate communication and bring convenience, especially in a hybrid or remote work environment.
