TECHNOLOGY
B
y now, most of us have at least heard of VoIP. Your phone number doesn’t change regardless of
The acronym stands for Voice Over Internet where you are.
Protocol—telephone service over the Internet. As • Features: From call forwarding and call wait-
the technology develops and broadband service ing to voice-mail, caller ID, and three-way calling
becomes commonplace, VoIP is becoming a vi- there is usually no extra charge. More features will
able option for businesses, especially small busi- be offered as the technology evolves and VoIP be-
nesses. comes more popular.
CONS
• Broadband Connection Required: Without
a working Internet connection, it’s impossible to
make a call. If the Internet goes down, you’re out
of luck. Land lines, on the other hand, aren’t al-
ways affected, even if there’s a power failure.
• Quality Issues: Some VoIP connections don’t
have the sound quality that we’re accustomed to.
Given its low cost, not to mention unlimited call-
Echoes and fuzzy connections may affect your
ing, VoIP might just be the answer to reducing
call. Some of that depends on the transfer rate of
your company’s telephone bills. Before you make
your Internet service, but some problems remain
that decision, do some research to make sure
the technology’s fault.
VoIP is right for your company. The telephone, for
• Immobility: Mobile phones are still the choice
many companies, is the lifeline of their business.
while physically moving from location to location.
Listed below are some Pros and Cons to using
VoIP service requires hooking up to a broadband
VoIP:
connection.
• No Emergency Service: VoIP doesn’t ful-
PROS
ly support calls to 911 due to its portability.
• Low Cost: With a broadband connection (e.g.,
The industry, however, is working to solve that
DSL, Cable), you can make an unlimited amount
problem by developing e911 service.
of calls within the United States for a reasonable
• Security Concerns: Some experts believe that
monthly fee. This could be a great option for re-
the convergence of voice and data may pres-
ducing the cost of call centers.
ent unique problems with regard to maintaining
• Portability: As long as you have a broadband
data integrity and system security.
connection, it’s possible to make and receive
• No Listings: Many telephone directories do not
phone calls. You just bring your Internet phone
list VoIP numbers.
or adaptor with you, connect to the Internet, wait
Adapted from Pros and Cons of Getting VOIP Right Now by
two minutes, and you’re ready to use the phone.
Ron King and Voice Over IP, The Future is Now! by Rick Parrott
 ThinkBusiness June 2009 
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