VoIP Phone Systems: Is It Time to Upgrade Your Business Phones?
Evaluate whether your business should upgrade to a VoIP phone system including cost comparison, feature benefits, internet requirements, and practical considerations for Maine businesses.
What VoIP offers over traditional phone systems
- Lower monthly costs compared to traditional phone lines, especially for multi-location businesses.
- Features included at no extra cost: auto attendant, voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, mobile apps.
- Easy to add, remove, or move users without a technician visit or wiring changes.
- Calls between locations are free. Remote and mobile staff use the business phone system from anywhere.
What you need for VoIP to work well
- Reliable internet with enough upload bandwidth for simultaneous calls. Each call uses about 100 Kbps.
- A network configured to prioritize voice traffic so calls are clear even when the internet is busy.
- PoE switches to power VoIP phones over the network cable, eliminating separate power adapters at each desk.
- A backup internet connection or cellular failover so phones keep working during an internet outage.
Questions to ask before switching
- Can we keep our existing phone numbers?
- What happens to phone service if the internet goes down?
- Do we need new phones or can we use softphones on computers and mobile devices?
- How does pricing compare to our current phone bill over 3 years, including any equipment costs?
Common VoIP mistakes to avoid
- Switching to VoIP without first verifying your internet connection can support it reliably.
- Not configuring quality of service on your network, leading to choppy calls when the network is busy.
- Forgetting about fax lines, alarm systems, or elevator phones that may still need traditional phone lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VoIP reliable enough for a business?
Yes, when properly implemented with a reliable internet connection, quality of service configuration, and backup connectivity. Millions of businesses use VoIP as their primary phone system. Reliability depends more on your network and internet than on VoIP technology itself.
How much can a business save by switching to VoIP?
Savings vary but many businesses reduce their phone costs by 30-60% compared to traditional phone lines, especially when they have multiple lines, long-distance calling, or multiple locations. Features included with VoIP that would cost extra with traditional systems add to the value.
Need help?
Maine CyberTech helps Maine businesses evaluate, select, and implement VoIP phone systems. Contact us for a phone system assessment and cost comparison.
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