What Is VoIP and Why Use It?

In the last few years there have been many rapid changes and developments to the telecommunications industry. These continuous developments have been driven by the need for business phone systems to be as efficient and as user friendly as possible. This has been progressively achieved by the increase in easy broadband access and the use of IP (internet protocol) networks.

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol originally evolved from the need to send data communication or "packets" of data from one location to another over an IP network. After some development and integration of the system, the opportunity to send voice communications using the same packet sending technology was implemented. Hence the term Voice over Internet Protocol.

VoIP is now an essential part of integrating voice and data communications between businesses and locations throughout the UK. For a business looking to upgrade or build a business phone system having a VoIP network setup can have a number of benefits

• "Free" internal calls to all departments of the company that share and use the computer network.

• Simpler infrastructure - with VoIP you can simply add phones and capacity without going through the process of installing new cabling.

• Reduced costs - a much more centralised network of resources such as voicemail, switchboards and network management.

• Increased productivity - full telephone functionality with easy office to office calling and call transfer.

• Wireless compatibility - WiFi standard handsets and IP phone allow for a completely wire free business phone system.

• Flexibility - VoIP allows the set up of a fully functional office wherever there is a broadband connection.

Nick Boulton is a senior member of staff of Channel Communications in Bristol. Channel Comms are a business phones systems provider for small, medium and large businesses. Our office phone system solutions include business VoIP phones, phone lines for business, IT services and corporate phone systems. The business phone equipment that we supply includes Aastra, Avaya and Mitel phones. We have numerous offices situated throughout the UK including London, Bristol, Cardiff, Reading and Cheltenham. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.channelcomms.co.uk