FAQs VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
Q: Is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) suitable for businesses?
A: Yes, it is now. Call quality, repair times, support and security are now of business grade quality. However, to get the same level of support and call quality as traditional landlines, additional service wraps and bolt-ons will be needed.
Q: Is it true that I can make significant savings by putting my calls over the Internet?
A: It all depends on what is right for your business. Lots of VoIP providers make headline claims to save you money. At the end of the day it is “horses for courses”. A quick chat with us and we’ll be able to advise whether VoIP can offer you the savings you seek.
Q: What VoIP networks do you sell?
A: We sell VoIP networks provided by BT, COLT, Inclarity Uniworld, Viatel, Frontier and Voicenet.
Q: What is the difference between VoIP suppliers?
A: There are many different VoIP suppliers in the market and we have evaluated over 20 or so. The key differences we have found are:
- Financial stability
- Support infrastructure, processes and staff
- Resilience of core network
- Security Management
- Good supply agreements with manufacturers of Hardware
- Influence over BT for fault resolution
- Service guarantees.
Q: What VoIP hardware do you sell?
A: We work with all the leading manufacturers you’d expect. For individual details of companies, please see the FAQ’s within the specific product sections.
Q: Do I get a Service Level Guarantee (SLG)?
A: We recommend you pay a little more for this. We would not recommend moving your business to such a new technology without these guarantees. Please beware of companies offering to give you money back if they cannot repair faults within a certain timescale also known as Service Level Availability (SLA). A few hours reimbursement does not justify your sales team being out of contact with your customers for days on end. There is a very big difference between an SLG and an SLA.
Q: I have had many demonstrations from Vendors, how do I tell them apart?
A: This is another good reason to work with us. We will know the strengths and weaknesses of all UK VoIP providers and we are fully independent and impartial.
Q: How do I ensure I have no bottlenecks in my communications infrastructure?
A: This is down to the quality of the service we provide. We will consider how your business works and the technologies you use. Not only do we perform “real-time” analysis of your IT traffic, but we regularly review your infrastructure for changes in traffic profiles and volumes.
Q: I'd like to introduce VoIP throughout my offices only we've just bought a new phone system?
A: VoIP introduction can be staircased to ensure you get optimum return. If you purchased your phone system within the past 30 months, you can modify it to implement a company wide VoIP network. We can also supply adaptors to connect older, more traditional type phone systems.
Q: What options are there for receiving bills?
A: Bills can be supplied in various formats: Paper, disc and on-line. Bills can be set up by cost centre and by individual. Another great benefit will be the reduction in administration for home workers as these bills can now be billed straight to your central account.
Q: Can I use my existing telephone numbers?
A: Yes, you can.
Q: Should I cancel all my incoming lines when I move to VoIP?
A: Lots of companies say yes… we say no… You need conventional lines to make 999 calls if there is a power cut. If mobiles are readily available, then this does not represent a problem.
Please do not hesitate to call us on 08700 420 484 if you have any further questions or need any additional advice.