Choosing between a fixed or non-fixed VoIP phone number to replace your existing landline or setting up your business phone system may look like a complicated decision. But it does not have to be.
Like numerous other industries, VoIP has its terminology and language. Utilizing common terms makes it simpler for all groups to understand the discussion. But only as if you know what they mean! Tragically, the side effect is that outsiders might have no idea what is going on.
If you are an employer and want to upgrade to VoIP, you need to understand industry language. What is the difference between fixed and non-fixed VoIP? For what reason you should consider a virtual number? What type of business features you can expect from VoIP services? Before we get into that subject, let us take a look at general terms of phone systems.
Regularly, a business phone system implied landlines and the PSTN. It was costly and, in this way, out of reach for many small businesses. You needed to invest time in installation and maintenance.
Current business phone systems utilizes VoIP model instead. They are more cost efficient, flexible, and offer impressive new features. So, what is VoIP and what does a small business phone seems like today?
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, as you can figure from the name, it implies sending voice signals utilizing data networks. You could likewise hear it called virtual calling, internet calling, and so on. However, the industry appears to have chosen on the standard utilization of the term VoIP for multiple types of internet-based calling.
How does VoIP System Work?
The old traditional phone system we are all used to has been around for a really long time. It was reliable and yet, did not change a lot. It could not keep up with the general demands of businesses and consumers. In this old phone system setup, calls made over copper lines and switches.
VoIP does not require the above said copper lines and switches. It just require a data connection, and this overall improves business connectivity. The same network that carries your files, email, pictures, and documents can likewise carry voice. So, when you make a phone call using a VoIP system, it travels over the internet to reach its destination.
You can promptly see the benefits when you switch to a modern VoIP phone service. It utilizes an existing network, so calls are significantly less expensive. Calls made by in-house employees within your business network are free since they do not leave your internal network. It does not matter if your business offices are scattered across the planet. You do not have to maintain two different networks for business communication.
With certain types of VoIP, you do not have to purchase or install any sort of hardware at all!
Fixed Vs Non-Fixed VoIP
Fixed and non-fixed VoIP likewise turns up very often in the industry. What exactly is the difference between these two VoIP’s.
What is Fixed VoIP System?
One of the basic differences between a VoIP number and traditional phone numbers is that the previous is independent of location or device. It implies that your VoIP number is assigned or allotted to you by the service provider. You can utilize it on any device. You can take it with you when you travel. But not all the VoIP numbers share the similar attributes.
A fixed VoIP number is connected to a specific location. While you can utilize it on any device, you need to provide a physical location for the account. Regardless of whether you have a smartphone, the service provider needs a physical location. Hence, VoIP numbers are mostly offered only to subscribers within the respective country as the provider.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fixed VoIP
There are advantages to getting fixed VoIP even if it does not show up. For example, if you would like to port available numbers from your old provider. Your business invested a lot of time in building up customer trust with the old numbers. So, you would rather not change any billing or contact information. In this circumstance, a fixed VoIP number is a good choice.
Having a fixed VoIP number makes it simpler to access emergency services. Numerous VoIP vendors provide E911, as long as you give physical location for the number. So, your in-house employees can help someone even if they cannot provide their address since the service provider already has it.
A fixed-VoIP number is generally safe. Scammers and cyberpunks cannot simply sign up for one without a proper address. They are quicker to trace, so hackers usually avoid these fixed types of VoIP numbers.
However, calls are more costly with fixed VoIP. This is especially true for distance calling. You cannot get a fixed VoIP number in another country if you do not have a physical office there. That implies your local customers will have to make international call to contact your business.
What is Non-Fixed VoIP System?
As you can guess, non-fixed numbers do not have any physical address. You can simply sign up for one online utilizing just your email address and authorized credit card. They are far more flexible than fixed VoIP numbers. Businesses can purchase non-fixed numbers with any area code they want. You do not require to have a physical location or office in that respective country.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-Fixed VoIP
It is extremely simple to get a non-fixed VoIP number. You do not have to submit any documents or provide physical location. You can sign up for one in a moment and start making calls. This is a huge benefit for small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
Non-fixed numbers are more adaptable and less costly than their counterparts. A business can purchase numbers with different area codes and allot them to any in-house employee. You get cheaper calling rates for local and distance calls with non-fixed VoIP system numbers.
On the other hand, you cannot access E911 services without an actual location. Your in-house employees can still dial 911 the standard way. However, if someone is handicapped or incapacitated, there is no way for the responder to send help. Another disadvantage is the absence of safety. Since anybody can sign up for non-fixed numbers, they are impressive for scammers. Individuals call them disposable numbers for this outcome.
Differences Between Fixed VoIP and Non-fixed VoIP
1. Fixed VoIP Phone:
Fixed phone system is a cloud-based phone system to send and receive phone call having an IP network. A fixed VoIP phone system is constantly linked with physical location. In businesses these VoIP systems are mostly utilized because of security reasons. That is the justification for the contact information mostly remains safe and more private.
Advantages of Fixed VoIP Phone:
The most important benefits of VoIP phone system is security. On account of leaks of any information and communication details the business can go public digitally. There is one additional benefits of fixed VoIP telephone phone system is connected with your physical address so that when we dial any crisis number, the calls were diverted to the emergency calling center in your locality.
Disadvantages of Fixed VoIP Phone:
- International calls are costly in fixed VoIP phone system.
- We possibly utilize the VoIP phone number when we are in a specific country, we cannot get that service when we are in out of our country.
- High charges are applicable when we get any international calls.
2. Non-Fixed VoIP Phone:
Non-fixed VoIP phone system does not require to link with any physical address. It especially can be linked into geographic location in all over the planet. It comes about the international communication; the non-fixed VoIP numbers have an extremity. It lacks much of authentication control touch that would generally works with the community of business network. Non-fixed VoIP phone was typically used for personal uses or by individuals. Non-fixed VoIP phone numbers were typically belonging as a virtual phone numbers.
Advantages of Fixed VoIP Phone System:
The most significant benefits of the non-fixed VoIP phone system is we are globally connected with individuals very easily and practically free of charges. Its valuable for those businesses which has branches of worldwide or companies that makes them to go for worldwide extension.
In non-fixed VoIP numbers, in every area or in physical location they assigned specific code. So, when someone calls, the identification is known local due to area code.
Disadvantages of Non-Fixed VoIP Phone System:
There is an alternate where the calls can be fraud, who can logically hack our accounts. Basically, these sort of phone system were accessed by internet connection. So, that the server is not secure in anyway.
Those numbers are effectively can be hacked by skilled hackers or something bad might happen. And we can put confidential data through this type of phone system, cause of risk that cyberpunks can reach it.
| Fixed VoIP | Non-Fixed VoIP |
|---|---|
| Fixed VoIP got costly in international calling. | Non-fixed VoIP has almost free of cost in calling. |
| The contact details in these phone system is more secure and private. | In non-fixed phone system contact details may be hacked by cyberpunks. |
| Fixed VoIP is linked to physical location or address. | Non-fixed is not linked or connected to physical address. |
| It is normally utilized publicly. | It is normally utilized for individuals. |
| Local numbers provide validness of authenticity and trustworthiness. | These numbers can be cheaper for long distance calls. |
| It is a good fit for stable business. | It is good fit for growing business. |
| This includes Broad Voice, Cox, and Vonage. | This includes Skype and Google Voice. |
| Easy access to emergency services and its response time is speedier. | Does not support emergency services and response time is slower. |
| Fixed VoIP numbers are traceable. | Non-fixed numbers are not traceable. |
| In fixed VoIP monthly or yearly subscription for use. | In non-fixed VoIP, it is basically free. |
| Fixed numbers from a VoIP provider will offer better feature for business. | Non-fixed phone system only offer one to one calls and less stringent security. |
VoIP Number Use Cases
VoIP numbers are also known as Virtual Phone Numbers and DID (Direct Inward Dialing) phone numbers are widely utilized by both businesses (small and large) and people as they provide the best features at low costs for the following use cases. The use cases given below are as seen by pmtt.us over an extensive stretch of time. Many of the prerequisite of these use cases are met by a VoIP number however, not by a conventional phone number like mobile or landline phone number.
If your business has a similar requirement, you register your potential account for free with us and then you can promptly start utilizing our services incorporating purchasing and using one or more VoIP numbers.
- Virtual Presence in a Different Country or Region
Unlike traditional phone line, VoIP line is not bonded with a physical address so it can be utilized anywhere you have access to the internet. As employers want to stay abreast and are looking to cut costs and or seeking finest services, they want to shift their operations to minimal expense locations often to a different country or region. In such case, clients or those employers do not have to call an international number but a VoIP number local to them bringing about more elevated levels of client satisfaction and significant level of credibility.
- User Versatility Across Geographies
Users of VoIP numbers can easily move across geographical locations such like a different country or region and still will not be missing their incoming calls as long as they are connected to the internet. Mobile numbers provide some limited amount of versatility through the given roaming service, but it would be expensive, if not restrictive, assuming you want international roaming to be accessible to you. Users of VoIP numbers can utilize their smart mobile phones (via free downloadable mobile applications) to make and receive VoIP calls even when they are traveling and have internet access.
- Use in Regions Not Served by Traditional Landlines and Mobile Service Providers
As cities are becoming overcrowded, these tend to expand outwards into new regions along the existing peripheries of these urban areas. It has now turned into a reality that these recently evolved areas get access to the broadband internet even before any conventional phone services providers or even mobile service providers reach those specific regions to provide their services. VoIP Number and VoIP services come to the rescue of such clients in these regions. It is amazing that these regions may never get traditional phone line services as those suppliers will not be able to compete with minimal cost VoIP service provider.
- High Volume Concurrent Calls
Fast growing businesses mostly need to make and receive a high volume of concurrent calls in circumstances like sudden increase in demand or during the new service or product launch promotion occasions and so on. VoIP service suppliers can rapidly scale up to the needs of likewise businesses without charging them any additional expenses or asking them for long haul commitments.
- Eliminate Hardware Devices Used in Communications
Owning and keeping up multiple hardware devices for voice communications is not only costly but creates a great deal of clutter in your workspace. VoIP number empowers you to use your existing devices like your computer desk or smart mobile phone for your voice communications. For those individuals who want to utilize dedicated hardware desk phone, you can still lessen the quantity of hardware phones to only one by utilizing VoIP while you can have maximum number of VoIP numbers, possibly of various countries, sending your inbound calls to the same respective device.
- Latest Call Features
VoIP numbers provide many latest features which are generally not accessible in traditional phone numbers. One such illustration of the latest features offered by PMTT VoIP numbers is “User defined working hours” based inbound call routing.
- Network Convergence
Businesses that are looking to unite their voice and data networks should transform to standard based VoIP service providers. Every single employee of these businesses can have their dedicated VoIP number while still have the option to make free calls, even across geographies, by dialing short defined extension numbers.
To Wrap Up
Switching over to VoIP for your voice communication needs always result in huge savings in costs while providing elevated levels of call quality and latest feature solutions to your voice calling needs. You do not have to be a large corporation or heavy user to take benefits of these savings and services.
