If you tend to call abroad a lot, VoIP is ideal for international calling. That’s because it sends calls over the internet instead of copper wires, meaning higher call quality but potentially substantial cost savings too. Here we take a look.
Cost Savings
Traditional phone calls over landlines or mobile phone networks can be expensive for international calls due to long-distance charges. Don’t forget too that landlines will be switched off permanently in the UK by the end of 2025 anyway.
Compared to landline phone calls, VoIP calls often have lower or even no additional costs for international calls beyond your regular internet service. For instance, you can often add a ‘bolt-on’ international calls package in addition to your usual monthly subscription. This would likely only be a few extra pounds a month, and as many of these bolt-ons offer unlimited international calls it’s possible to make huge savings. For example, BT currently charges up to £1.55 per minute to call the USA from a UK mobile, but if you can get unlimited calls for around the £5-£10 a month mark you can really see the difference.
Flexibility
VoIP allows you to make calls from any device with an internet connection, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers. All you need is either Wifi, 4G or 5G. This flexibility means you can make international calls wherever you are as long as you have internet access. This is ideal for working on the go, or if you don’t have a fixed base to work from.
Quality
As technology is advancing, VoIP call quality has improved massively. While the quality may vary depending on your internet connection, it’s generally comparable to or better than traditional phone calls. Bear in mind that VoIP call quality is always best when using a fibre broadband connection. This is particularly if you need multiple people to be using the internet at once, as fibre connections offer much more bandwidth.
Features
VoIP services tend to come packed with business-friendly features that you don’t get with landlines or mobile phones. These features are particularly useful if you’re running a business, helping you to avoid missing important calls (especially if working across different time zones) and give a professional look. Features often include call forwarding, voicemail, access to data analytics, video conferencing, hold music and more.
Global Accessibility
VoIP services are generally not bound by geographical location. You can use the same phone number and access your VoIP service from anywhere in the world, again as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it easy for travellers or businesses working internationally to stay connected.
Integration
VoIP services can often integrate with other communication tools and software, such as email clients, messaging platforms and CRM systems. This makes it easier to manage international communication within wider business workflows.
