{"id":5058,"date":"2017-05-02T09:50:45","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T15:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.eu\/eu-nl\/?p=5058"},"modified":"2018-12-05T14:22:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-05T21:22:00","slug":"hidden-truths-to-know-about-voip-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.com\/eu-nl\/blog\/hidden-truths-to-know-about-voip-providers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Truths to Know About VoIP Providers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What current promise has the business world gushing? \u00a0Free conference calls.<\/span> \u00a0Sounds way too good to be true, right? \u00a0We all know, nothing’s actually free… but boy, do we want to believe it.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"AWell, on the surface, free conference calling does appear to be free. \u00a0And it’s made possible by VoIP providers – those businesses who now offer conference calls through Internet Protocols. \u00a0(VoIP is the acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol.)<\/p>\n

The question, then, is how does VoIP “make” conference calls free?<\/strong> \u00a0How are these VoIP providers taking advantage of the internet to offer this awesome – albeit, mysterious – service? \u00a0These questions tickled my inner investigator. \u00a0So, donning my finest fedora and trenchcoat, I went out to get some answers.<\/p>\n

After spending many hours in research, I’ve put together some information that I hope will give you a clearer picture of VoIP providers and their services.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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So, what is VoIP?<\/span><\/h2>\n

VoIP became relevant a little more than a decade ago. \u00a0And it’s been instrumental in changing business communications.<\/p>\n

So what exactly is VoIP in layman’s terms?<\/strong>\u00a0 When you have a VoIP conversation, your computer or phone passes what you say (voice data) along to software programs (audio codecs) that convert your voice into bits of information. \u00a0That information passes over the internet on networks that use protocols to relay the message to the right phone number or computer IP address. \u00a0Software on the receiving side then converts the bits of information back into voice. \u00a0Put all of the pieces together, and you have everything needed for a VoIP transmission.<\/p>\n

Let’s compare VoIP to a special toll road (to simplify things). \u00a0You’re trying to get from Point A (Denver) to Point B (Paris). \u00a0You pick up a pass at the toll booth in Denver and then hop on the highway. \u00a0Our special highway transforms your car into a bit of light, making it possible to get from A to B in seconds. \u00a0When you arrive in Paris, there’s another toll booth awaiting you, which registers the pass and converts you back into a car. (The combination of the toll booths, the pass, the highway, and the information about your car, are all necessary for a VoIP transmission.)<\/p>\n

VoIP suddenly made possible an entirely new form of communication. \u00a0People could call each other over the internet. \u00a0Pair VoIP with video codecs and you get the basics for Skype and FaceTime.<\/p>\n

Of course, communications over VoIP aren’t faultless. \u00a0There are three key quality issues:<\/strong>\"voip<\/p>\n

Jitters\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

The most common issue with VoIP, Jitters<\/strong> occur when packets of voice information are sent on different paths and wind up arriving in the wrong order.<\/strong> \u00a0For example, there are instances in which a statement “A,” made chronologically before statement “B,” arrives after B during a VoIP call. \u00a0Makes things a bit confusing.<\/p>\n

Latency<\/span><\/h4>\n

Latency, or the delay in audio transmission, is an inevitability of all remote communications.<\/strong> \u00a0The bigger issue is that VoIP creates particular issues: Handling and Queuing delays.<\/p>\n

Handling delays result when large amounts of information are being grouped into packets by VoIP protocols and an error occurs, slowing the transmission. \u00a0The ultimate handling delay occurs when the information packet never arrives. \u00a0(Your “pass” came with bad a faulty GPS.)<\/p>\n

Queuing delays occur when an interface is overwhelmed with incoming packets and fails to deliver them timely. \u00a0(Imagine that the second toll booth is congested with traffic.)<\/p>\n

Bandwidth<\/span><\/h4>\n

There’s no escaping it. \u00a0VoIP will always be dependent upon bandwidth. \u00a0Consequently, if your\u00a0internet provider’s a little spotty, you may wind up with callers who cut out over and over again. \u00a0Or vica versa – listeners may never be able to hear you!<\/p>\n

Fortunately, these ailments are curable. \u00a0Jitters can be cured by using jitter buffers. \u00a0VoIP routers help to resolve latency.<\/p>\n

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How Providers Factor In<\/span><\/h3>\n

Those VoIP providers offering free conference calls enter the game when a transfer between digital VoIP and analog telephones is required.<\/p>\n

VoIP providers use systems to migrate a VoIP call back onto a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) by converting IP addresses<\/a><\/span><\/strong> into phone numbers. \u00a0Basically, it’s a translation of digital information into analog signals.<\/p>\n

The conversion makes it possible to host hundreds of participants – if not thousands – on calls using both VoIP and traditional telephony.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Truth about VoIP Providers & Free Conference Calls<\/span><\/h2>\n

Misconstrued Information<\/span><\/h3>\n

There’s an adage I’ve always appreciated: There are no free lunches.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The same is true when it comes to VoIP providers offering free conference calls. \u00a0They make their money by getting a cut from larger telecom carriers like CenturyLink, Verizon, AT&T, and so on. \u00a0How does it work? \u00a0Well, VoIP providers route calls through toll lines<\/em> to connect with telephony users. \u00a0The toll costs that would normally be incurred by the hosting business during a call, are passed off to everyone else on the call – all the participants.<\/p>\n

\"VoIPThere\u2019s the catch.\u00a0 You may reap the benefits of a free call, but your participants may be annoyed they\u2019re covering the charges.<\/strong> \u00a0Worse still, most calls are recognized as long distance, which will up the bill for those who join your calls. \u00a0(Imagine how bad this gets for international individuals and teams who may wind up paying several dollars per minute per person!)<\/p>\n

When you have important calls that help close deals, it may not be in your interest to have a prospective client foot the bill\u2026. Can you imagine taking a potential customer out for a nice dinner, wine and dine \u2018em a bit, and then leave the table when the waiter comes with the check?\u00a0 Not a good look.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The simple fact is that despite their claim, free conference call services don’t provide free calls.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0They just redistribute the costs. \u00a0Taking the burden off a business hosting the call misconstrues the fact that these calls can wind up being quite expensive in the end.<\/p>\n

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Questions of Quality Remain<\/span><\/h3>\n

Quality issues will also remain in question with VoIP. \u00a0No matter how providers improve VoIP, the quality will always be susceptible to problems with bandwidth. \u00a0A bad internet connection will make for a glitchy, staticky conversation.<\/p>\n

There are other, more important factors that can fundamentally impact the quality. \u00a0See them below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Providers’ Codecs<\/span><\/h4>\n

As mentioned above, audio codecs are needed to convert voice into digital information (and back into voice). \u00a0The codecs used by providers can vary. \u00a0And the audio quality will differ based on the codec.<\/p>\n

Certain codecs <\/span>process and compress information more quickly. \u00a0Others consume less bandwidth. \u00a0These differing codecs have received grades (Mean Opinion Scores – MOSs) for the quality of the voice transmission. \u00a0If you decide to go with a VoIP provider, make sure you know which codec they use. \u00a0(Check out the link<\/a><\/strong><\/span> here for an overview of audio codecs.)<\/p>\n

VoIP Tech\"VoIP<\/span><\/h4>\n

The simplest way to manage quality issues is to fully invest in VoIP technologies. \u00a0Though you don’t necessarily need to purchase a full VoIP phone system, there are some necessities.<\/p>\n

Specialized VoIP Routers<\/span><\/h4>\n

VoIP routers help eliminate latency and jitters by prioritizing VoIP over your network. \u00a0The costs for such routers can range widely, anywhere between $200 to $3,000.<\/p>\n

High-Speed Internet<\/span><\/h4>\n

The quality of your VoIP will always be dependent upon your bandwidth and internet speed. \u00a0Therefore, having the highest speed business-class internet really is a necessity.<\/p>\n

Analog Telephone Adaptors<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you have an existing PSTN (traditional) phone system, you will need an Analog Telephone Adaptor to connect with a VoIP network.<\/p>\n

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Factoring in all of these factors reinforces the fact that free conference calling via VoIP…isn’t actually free. \u00a0 The costs just wind up being picked up elsewhere. \u00a0(Sorry to disappoint.)<\/p>\n

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Final Thoughts on Free Conference Calls<\/span><\/h2>\n

While free conference calling may not actually be free, it does remain a viable option for businesses that are just starting up or those that make few conference calls.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Businesses that go the free conference call route just need to keep in mind that costs will be put on participants. \u00a0If that cost exchange won’t impact your business deals, then choosing amongst VoIP providers may be the right option to help your company keep costs down.<\/p>\n

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Balancing Your Conference Call Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are certainly instances where VoIP may be the best option for your business. \u00a0But it’s very important to consider all your options. \u00a0There are other factors that can weigh into the equation.<\/p>\n

To help you better understand your conference calling options, review the below use case considerations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Traditional Audio Conferencing Use Cases<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the challenges you face going with a VoIP provider is the lack of ensured services. \u00a0Many providers simply facilitate calls. \u00a0Some providers do not offer:<\/p>\n