Whether you’re running a small or big company, shifting away from the traditional telephone system can offer you great benefits. At present, one of the popular options for businesses is VoIP, which is available in two types: non-fixed and fixed.
Generally, VoIP is a method of communication that uses an Internet connection to transfer data. With today’s technology, you might have already used a VoIP service, especially if you’ve already tried WhatsApp or Skype, which are both VoIP solutions.
When compared to the traditional telephone systems that transfer data using copper wires, VoIP converts voice data to individual packets, which are transferred through the Internet. That’s the reason why Internet speeds may impact the call’s quality. For instance, problems including poor packet latency or packet loss may result in delays and interruptions. But, such problems are rarely experienced. This is because most VoIP services guarantee quality voice calls and some features like video calling.
If you’re planning to take advantage of how VoIP service works, make sure to know the pros and cons of non-fixed VoIP before you look for a reliable service provider. No matter what kind of business you’re running, whether or not you’re just getting started in the market, VoIP can be an ideal solution for your communication needs. To determine which type of VoIP service is best for your business, read below.
What To Know About Fixed VoIP
A fixed VoIP is attached to a certain address. Although it’s still an online-based phone line, it has a real address assigned to it, as well as an account owner. The address can be a company’s office or a residential one.
One of the things you should know about fixed VoIP numbers is that they can be moved easily via a process called porting. With this process, these numbers are less likely to be used by scammers and fraudsters because it’s more challenging to mask their identity.
Fixed VoIP also makes subscriber locations match the phone’s user. It means that your company’s loyal call recipients will be more inclined to answer all your calls. In addition, fixed VoIP sends the exact location to a public safety answering point, which means that a call to emergency hotline 911 can be easily traced.
Pros
There are some benefits you can enjoy from using fixed VoIP as your business communication system. These include the following:
- You may quickly port the numbers from your old telephone provider to a fixed VoIP system, which is challenging with a non-fixed VoIP.
- It’s much easier to make an emergency call with fixed VoIP because your address will be traced.
- Fixed VoIP is more secure, unlike other alternatives, since scammers or hackers can’t sign up without having a physical address.
- Fixed VoIP can also be set up on various devices as long as the user is associated and authorized with the provided physical address. Users can connect their tablets and smartphones as long as they’re within the region or country.
- Since fixed VoIP is easier to trace, criminals often avoid hacking this system.
Cons
There are some downsides to fixed VoIP that you should be aware of, and these are as follows:
- In some cases, taxes tend to be higher on a fixed VoIP system.
- It’s a problem for your global clients since they’ll have to pay an international calling fee just to reach your company.
- International calls can be expensive, so it can be a struggle for businesses with overseas customers.
What To Know About Non-Fixed VoIP
Unlike fixed VoIP, non-fixed VoIP isn’t attached to any physical address. This is the reason why it’s sometimes referred to as a virtual phone number. Since it doesn’t need a fixed address, non-fixed VoIP can be used in different locations. For businesses serving customers around the world, it’s a perfect solution, regardless of their communication needs.
Non-fixed VoIP is best for global communications and remote teams. This is especially true if you have call centers or teams that work from home. Non-fixed VoIP is also much easier to get and often issued by low-cost and free service providers, which may mean that it can be a popular target for scammers and fraudsters.
In case of an emergency, a non-fixed VoIP number must be your last resort. The reason behind it is that non-fixed VoIP isn’t traceable.
Pros
If you want to use non-fixed VoIP, here are some of the advantages you can enjoy:
- Taxes are low in a non-fixed VoIP technology.
- Startups or small businesses won’t have to enter any personal details during the process of registration, which means that there’s less information for hackers to get your confidential data in case there’s a data breach.
- It’s efficient and quick to sign up for non-fixed VoIP, so you don’t have to wait before you can make a call.
- It’s cheap and easy to receive and make international calls, which means you’ll be able to connect with more clients from across the globe.
Cons
Although non-fixed VoIP has nice things to offer for business owners, there are some drawbacks to using this system, and these include:
- It’s quite impossible to access emergency hotline services without a physical address. That’s why it can be useless to use non-fixed VoIP in emergency situations.
- Since security breaches are inevitable, non-fixed VoIP phone numbers are disposable.
- Anybody can easily sign up for non-fixed VoIP, making it a perfect breeding ground for cybercriminals and hackers because they’ll be untraceable and quite impossible to catch.
Wrapping Up
There’s no doubt that VoIP is a great way to cut down on maintenance and installation costs. It also helps businesses save some amount of money from the international calling charges. If you’re still confused between fixed and non-fixed VoIP, make sure to determine your business needs first.
If you have no plans of expanding overseas and you want to focus on your connections within the region, fixed VoIP is the best choice for you. However, if you’re planning to expand worldwide, establish more connections with your international customers, or connect with your remote employees, a non-fixed VoIP is the perfect option to empower your company’s communication system.
