7 Tips For Improving VoIP Quality

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become a popular communication tool for businesses and people alike. It enables calls to be made over the Internet by transferring amounts of data over a broadband connection.

Unlike the conventional phone systems, VoIP technology is far more flexible and reliable, while still being affordable. Gone are the days where long-distance and international calls cost a fortune, VoIP makes it possible at a fraction of the price.

While it has become the go-to choice for communication, it doesn’t come without a few challenges. The quality of your VoIP call can be influenced by a multitude of factors which could impact your overall experience.

What Can Influence The Quality Of VoIP Calls?

In order to deliver crisp audio calls, VoIP relies heavily on a strong Internet connection. If your bandwidth is unable to support VoIP, you may experience poor audio or dropped calls altogether. 

This also applies to network congestion. If multiple users are on the Internet at the same time, VoIP calls can become distorted.

When it comes to using VoIP, you may also hear about latency. This refers to the time that it takes for your voice data to travel from its original location to the receiver. The higher the latency, the more noticeable the delays will be in your conversation.

Another factor is packet loss. VoIP works by breaking down voice signals into smaller ‘packets’ of digital data which is then reassembled on the receiver’s end. If these packets are lost in transit, your call may have some words missing.

The hardware that you use also play a major role in the quality of your VoIP calls. If the headsets are not good quality, or are outdated, the clarity of your calls can be affected.

7 Tips For Improving VoIP Quality

Keeping these factors in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways in which you can ensure smooth VoIP calls.

1. Upgrade Your Internet Connection

The first thing you can do is check your bandwidth and whether or not it will be sufficient for VoIP calling. If it’s not, or if you have multiple devices that use one network, you may need to upgrade your plan to accommodate this.

Wi-FI signals can also be inconsistent from time to time, so it may be worth using an Ethernet connection instead.

Regularly testing your Internet speed can also help to maintain the quality of your calls. The standard is at least 100kbps per VoIP call so check your upload and download speeds often.

2. Limit Network Congestion

If numerous users need to be connected, try to limit the number when VoIP calls are taking place. This can free up some of the bandwidth and allow calls to take place with minimal interference.

It can also help to schedule software updates or large file transfers for outside of work hours when there are less people online and consequently, less Internet traffic.

3. Use QoS (Quality of Service) On Your Router

QoS settings will prioritise VoIP traffic over other data using the network to ensure smoother voice calls.

You can do this by checking the QoS options on the router itself and assign VoIP traffic higher bandwidth priority. You can also set bandwidth limits for other apps to stop congestion from happening.

4. Upgrade VoIP Hardware

Investing in good quality VoIP hardware will always be highly beneficial especially for businesses. Some headsets have noise-cancelling options to block out any outside noise to allow for better call clarity.

While you can use landlines or mobile devices for VoIP calls, it is better to use dedicated VoIP phones as these offer better quality calls.

5. Monitor Any Latency or Jitter

Fibre-optic Internet providers can offer low-latency connections to support VoIP calls while a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to optimise VoIP traffic.

If you are experiencing jitter during your VoIP calls, check if your system allows you to adjust the jitter buffer. This can help to smooth out the delivery of the packets of voice signals.

6. Keep Your VoIP Software Updated

VoIP service providers will often release new software updates to help improve performance and fix any issues experienced by users.

Regularly updating your software when an update is available will make sure that your system is benefitting from the new improvements. Similarly, your router firmware will also need to be updated often to maintain its compatibility with the VoIP system.

7. Always Choose A Reliable Service Provider

The overall experience that you will have with VoIP will largely depend on your service provider. It is always recommended to choose one that is reputable with a 99.99% uptime guarantee to avoid regular dropped calls.

Check if your desired service provider has a free trial period first before you make any long-term commitment and confirm if they have a dedicated 24/7 support team for troubleshooting any issues.