VoIP Telephony: Taking the Plunge

Technologically speaking, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony isn't anything new. Still, businesses today are really just now taking notice of all that VoIP has to offer. This surge in popularity has led experts to predict that the number of VoIP users will continue to increase by 15.3% each year, until the year 2017. By that point, it is expected that VoIP will have completely replaced landline phone systems.

So what's the big deal with Internet-based communications? And what are the actual differences between traditional landline phone systems and VoIP phone systems? Taking the time to understand what truly sets VoIP apart from other options will help you to feel comfortable with taking the plunge and introducing Internet telephony to your hotel.

Landlines vs. VoIP Telephony

Landline (also known has standard PSTN) phone systems have been around for decades. Because of their reliability and functionality, hotels have been happy with the communications services offered by these types of communications networks. In recent years, though, VoIP has proven itself to be a worthy contender, providing hotels and businesses with a dependable phone system that goes above and beyond the capabilities of the public switched telephone network. 

But why is this, exactly? In order to understand why VoIP telephony is superior to landline phones, it's important that you understand how each works, and what their key differences are. 

As you are probably well aware, a landline phone system must be physically connected to the PSTN in order to transmit voice data. A phone will connect into the legacy network via a phone jack in the wall, which then enables the call to be connected to the final destination via various circuit switches.

VoIP, on the other hand, makes use of a virtual connection to transmit calls. VoIP phones will work to convert the sound of the caller's voice into data packets which are then sent, via the Internet, to the target destination. 

You'd be surprised how much of a difference this can make for your hotel's phone system. Ultimately, it is the differences between landline and VoIP telephones that enable the latter to offer so many benefits to users.

Advantages of VoIP Telephony for Hotels

When you take a look at the wide range of advantages that a VoIP phone system has over a traditional landline network, it should be obvious that your hotel would be best served by an upgrade. Here's a look at a few of the key perks:

• Cost Savings - Because VoIP telephony is far cheaper than relying on local or national telecom providers, you can drastically cut down on your costs, freeing up much needed capital for your hotel.
• Reliability - Most VoIP phone systems come with a disaster recovery plan, so that even if you lose power, your phone system will transfer to a backup and connectivity isn't lost.
• Clear, Fast Connection - Generally, VoIP phone calls can be transmitted faster and more clearly than calls made on a landline network. 
• Fast, Remote Service - In the event that something goes wrong with your phone system, you don't want to have to wait for days or weeks for your service provider to send someone out to repair it. With VoIP phone systems, your network provider can access your equipment remotely to address your needs right away.
• Non-Specific Vendors - Now you can get VoIP phone systems that are non-proprietary, offering even more cost savings by not tying repairs and upgrades to a specific vendor.

There's no reason for you to stay stuck in the ways of the past when the world around you is making the decision to push forward and take advantage of new communications technologies. Upgrading your hotel’s phone system can make a huge difference in your functionality, guest experiences, and regular expenses. 

Are you ready to take the plunge and choose a VoIP phone system for your hotel?