Understanding Internet for Business
What is Internet Phone Service?
Commonly called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), internet phone service provides today’s businesses an alternative to traditional land-line systems administered by local providers. This technology allows people to make calls using a broadband internet connection, which opens a range of possibilities for non-centralized phone services that can adapt to modern working conditions.
With a VoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter, callers place calls just as they would normally. VoIP phones can be widely dispersed beyond the office, enabling remote workers to have a business line in their home office. Users can also use their computer to make calls with the appropriate software installed, and they can often conduct conference and video calls, depending on the provider. VoIP also provides standard features like call forwarding, caller ID, and voicemail. In some cases, VoIP providers limit calls to certain areas and impose long-distance charges for calls outside the area, but each provider has different limitations and inclusions.
Setting up internet phone service offers businesses many advantages, but it involves more than simply plugging a phone into a wall jack. At DakotaPro, our team of experts understands how to set up internet phone service that works seamlessly. Contact us to learn more about our outsourced IT services.
Benefits of Internet Phone Service
- Lower overall costs vs. traditional phone systems
- Ease of adding new phone numbers
- VoIP lines can be used anywhere, including work-from-home setups
- The ability to integrate with other business applications
- Availability of advanced features like auto attendant and call queuing
- Spam call blocking
Key Considerations Before You Move to VoIP
VoIP is an excellent example of how small and medium-sized businesses can use the internet for business services, but before a company moves forward with this service, there are some critical points to examine:
9-1-1 Calls: VoIP must be properly configured for 911 calls to provide full information to first responders. The FCC recommends that you provide accurate physical addresses to VoIP providers to help ensure emergency services can be dispatched to your location. This is generally offered through E911, or Enhanced 911, service.
Power Outages: Using an UPS (uninterrupted power supply) may provide sufficient power to keep VoIP running during a power outage, but in many cases internet phone service is disrupted by outages.
Internet Connection Strength: If you have the bargain internet plan, VoIP may not work well, as it depends upon strong broadband. Weak internet causes VoIP to function poorly, cutting out, echoing, and dropping calls. If the internet goes out entirely, you’ll also lose your VoIP.
Equipment Purchases: You may need to purchase VoIP phones, adapters, a new router, back-up power supply, or other hardware.
Internet phone services provide many benefits for businesses, but only when set up and installed correctly. DakotaPro’s team understands what’s required to make VoIP work so that your team can enjoy all the benefits of the internet phone service without any issues.
At DakotaPro, we believe business owners should be able to turn their attention to the tasks that grow their business instead of spending countless hours deciphering IT needs. That’s where we come in. Our team isn’t just technically proficient—they’re able to communicate in plain language without acronyms or dense computerese. We pride ourselves on putting the human touch in technology, so our customers always feel valued, respected, and understood.
