VoIP is becoming the major communication platform of choice for organisations around the world. With the rate of advancement of technology, we are used to hearing new buzzwords or seeing fashionable strategies emerge and sweep through the business community as everyone is eager to implement them. However, some of these technologies stick around to become the ‘norm’ and drive significant changes in our day-to-day lives and workplace processes. Think of email; it is so much a part of our lives and so ubiquitous in every home and office that it is difficult to imagine a time when we didn’t use it.
In the same way, VoIP is no passing trend and is widely regarded as a game-changer for business communications. Organisations who are looking to implement it now will have a few questions to ask. We can help by looking at the key factors to consider when choosing your VoIP service provider. It is important to choose a reputable firm that meets your specific needs, ensuring that you save money, time and effort. So, what do you need to know when stepping into the world of VoIP for the first time?
What to look for in a wholesale VoIP termination provider
Quality
Call quality in the early days of VoIP was sometimes variable, but it has now improved to the point at which the calls sound as good or perhaps better than a standard PSTN call. The quality that you experience will vary with providers and depends on a wide range of factors including your internet connection’s speed and bandwidth, the codecs used, and other equipment. The best providers will assess your network to advise as to how you can obtain the best quality voice calls before they even connect you to their service.
Reliability
This covers everything from the frequency of scheduled outages and unscheduled downtime to the effectiveness of procedures for disaster recovery. Check that your provider offers a comprehensive service-level agreement (SLA) that specifies quality, uptime and fallback procedures. Poor call quality can be caused by your own equipment or internet connection but also by things out of your control, to which a good vendor will react quickly.
Price and Features
The price you pay for VoIP can vary between suppliers and also depends on the level of service you are looking for. The features and prices for the package that will work best for you will depend on the nature of your business. You need a vendor who can understand your individual circumstances and tailor a package around them.
Security
This should be a top priority in protecting your business from fraud and security failures. Your provider must have effective network and system security in place.
Support
High-quality customer and technical support needs to be accessible around the clock via multiple channels. Issues and outages never occur at a convenient time!
Choosing a VoIP supplier does not need to be complicated. Reputable firms such as IDT have long established relationships with partners around the world, ensuring optimum routing, reliability and pricing.
