How is Hosted VoIP Different From Traditional Calling?

Hosted VoIP is becoming the industry standard for business phone systems for multiple reasons, including cost and versatility. 

How is Hosted VoIP calling different from a traditional phone line? Traditional phone lines use physical copper wires to transmit voice signals. Hosted VoIP converts voice information into digital signals that travel over the internet. The virtual nature of Hosted VoIP makes it much more economical – and customizable – than standard phones. 

When you consider the newer technology of Hosted VoIP vs traditional phone systems, the reasons to make the switch are too compelling to ignore. It’s cheaper to install and scale up or down. You can also use your service from any device with an internet connection. 

The WOW! Business team has all the information and resources you need to understand your options and get the right small business phone service. Contact us to discuss our Hosted VoIP for business solutions. 

Understanding the Technology Behind Each Option 

Traditional phones and Hosted VoIP both allow you to make calls. But the technology they use to do this is quite different, including the way calls are transmitted and the infrastructure required to make it work. 

Traditional phones use physical copper wire connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Every phone line needs physical wires to work. For businesses that need multiple lines, the work to set up the phone system adds up. 

Hosted VoIP uses the internet to transmit voice data using digital packets. With a sufficiently robust broadband connection and the right quality of service (QoS), you can add 10, 20, or 100 voice lines. The system doesn’t need extensive on-site hardware. It uses the cloud and only requires an internet connection and devices at the end-point, like computers, smartphones, and IP phones. 

Setup, Equipment, and Maintenance: What to Expect 

Traditional Phone Systems 

Setting up traditional business phone systems requires a lot of physical work, materials, and equipment. Technicians need to install physical phone lines, a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system, and more. 

As you can imagine, having technicians working on-site at your business for days to install all of these things is expensive. How expensive it is will depend on the rates charged by the phone company, the cost of the materials like copper wire, and the cost of the equipment like the PBX system. 

Maintaining this system is also expensive. When something goes wrong, a specialized technician has to come out and make repairs. These can include repairs to the copper wiring, various connections, and the PBX server. Technicians with the right training to do this work are becoming rarer, so you can expect to pay a premium for their assistance. 

Keep in mind that adding lines, such as if your business expands, will be expensive. Each line requires installing copper lines to the PBX server. 

Hosted VoIP Systems 

Hosted VoIP systems are much easier to set up than traditional phone systems. It requires very little hardware and mostly relies on an internet connection and a subscription to a Hosted VoIP provider. The provider manages all of the resources necessary for the system to work, like servers and data centers. 

You can use these systems with as little as an app you download to your device to make calls. However, businesses tend to prefer certain equipment for ease of use and improved functionality. These include equipment like IP phones (physical phones that use Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and softphones (software installed on devices like laptops and smartphones). 

These systems are relatively easy to maintain because most of the things that make them work happen on the side of the provider. IP phones can break, of course, just like laptops and other hardware. But fixing problems is pretty easy and often doesn’t require a technician visit. If a tech is required, their work is usually quick and straightforward. 

Adding lines is easy and inexpensive. What size business is Hosted VoIP best designed for? Any size, really. Basic systems are best for small and mid-sized businesses, but with advanced network and QoS additions, Hosted VoIP can serve the biggest businesses. 

Features and Flexibility: How Each System Supports Your Business 

Hosted VoIP for business has many features and advantages that make it the right choice for most businesses. 

What features does Hosted VoIP for business offer that traditional systems do not? It costs less and is more flexible and scalable than traditional phone systems. You can add lines with minimal cost, and you can use the service on any device with an internet connection. That means you can get calls from your business on your personal phone at home if you like. It also means that remote work is easier because the business phone system can be utilized anywhere. 

There are a few situations where traditional phone systems are a better choice. If you don’t have access to broadband internet, Hosted VoIP is not going to work. If you need emergency phone services at all times, such as in medical care, traditional systems are a better option. They don’t lose service when the power goes out (Hosted VoIP includes backup batteries).

Partnering with WOW! for Business-Ready Hosted VoIP or Phone Solutions 

WOW! Business offers both traditional and Hosted VoIP phone services. We can help you find the right fit. 

Ready to switch to a smarter calling system? Let WOW! Business help you move to Hosted VoIP with confidence.