Construction manager talking on mobile phone and looking at laptop

Which to choose – landline service or VoIP?

When considering telephone and communication service, businesses are frequently presented with a choice between landline service and VoIP (voice over internet protocol). Learn about these two options below.

Landlines are the legacy solution

Landlines sends analog voice signals, converted to electrical pulses, over a dedicated system of wires and cables connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Landlines are traditionally made of copper wires, but these are being replaced by a fiber optic network in some areas. Landlines require physical installation.

Businesses with a landline need a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) in order to switch calls between users.

Some positives about landline service are:

  • Copper service does not require electricity to operate
  • Does not require an internet connection
  • Highly reliable with consistently good call quality
  • Devices used to place/receive calls are usually simple in operation

  • Easier to use for emergency services as landlines can easily be traced to a specific location

Some drawbacks to landline service are:

  • Typically includes only basic features like call waiting, caller ID, voicemail and call blocking

  • Requires physical installation and takes up physical space

  • Higher cost to install and maintain

  • Less secure, as signals are routed through the PSTN

  • Growing and/or changing can be time consuming and expensive

VoIP is the newer technology

VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, uses the internet to place and receive communications. Instead of sound being converted to electrical pulses, it’s converted into data packets.

VoIP systems allow you to make/receive communications across multiple devices, and usually offer additional, value-add features. Most VoIP utilize SIP trunking, or session initiation protocol, which supports phone, text and video communications.

Some positives about VoIP service are:

  • Can utilize a variety of phones and devices to communicate

  • Some providers allow for seamless switching between devices while communicating

  • More portable as you can make/receive calls on any connected device anywhere, not just while at your landline location

  • Faster scalability and modifications

  • VoIP phones and phone systems offer a wide range of features

  • Usually cheaper to install and manage

Some drawbacks to VoIP service are:

  • Requires electricity to operate

  • Requires a good, steady internet connection

  • May encounter issues when calling for emergency services

Compu-Gen Technologies can help you determine the best service for your business

We can assess your needs and recommend the best service.

We partner with multiple leading telecommunication manufacturers, and can design, install and maintain an entire communications system that supports your business, today and in the future.

And, we offer an entire suite of solutions to create a holistic business support system including managed IT services, video and other security systems, point of sale and merchant services and more.

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