Cell Phones Vs. Land Lines Vs. VoIP in Corporations

VoIP is a family of digital technologies that allows you to use a computer with an Internet connection as a phone. The advantages of VoIP are mostly cost-related, as VoIP connections can use your existing Internet connection for phone service and cost significantly less than cellular or landline phone service in most areas, particularly for long-distance calls. VoIP, however, depends on both electrical power and an Internet connection to function, making the service less reliable during service disruptions, and it sometimes has trouble connecting users to local directory assistance and emergency switchboards unless they frequently update their physical address information in their on-line VoIP account. Lastly, VoIP also is subject to delays and decreased sound quality if users do not have reliable Internet connections, a potentially embarrassing factor for client relations in a business.

Undoubtedly, the great advantage of cell phones for a business is mobility. Cell phones allow you to make and receive calls anywhere your business and its employees need to go. Depending on rates in your area, cell phones can also be somewhat more affordable than land lines. Nonetheless, despite recent technological innovations to improve reception and expand signal coverage, cell phone reception and sound quality decreases drastically in remote areas, a serious problem for businesses that depend primarily on cell phone contact.

While it may be tempting to assume that the landline phone will be obsolete in the near future, the fact is that the landline is still the most dependable form of phone communication. Particularly for businesses that make frequent calls to clients, landlines usually have very high sound quality, are physically connected to local emergency switchboards and directory assistance centers for faster connections, and can easily incorporate new phones and multiple users on a single line. The infrastructure that makes landlines so dependable also makes them more expensive, often the most expensive option in communications markets.

Redundancy is not a favorite term in a business climate more concerned with efficiency, but, considering the unique strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities of each of the three services, many businesses would be well advised to use at least two different services in order to create multiple channels for communication. Especially in businesses that require frequent logistical communication between employees or close coordination with clients, investing in communication services is unlikely to be a bad decision and will guarantee that employees are well-connected and clients feel they can reach the business with concerns and new business.