In this blog we will discuss:
- What is a VoIP Phone Number?
- Traditional Phone Number vs. VoIP Number
- How Voice Over IP works
- How Does VoIP Ensure End-to-End Call Security?
- Features of a VoIP Number
- The Benefits of using VoIP numbers
- Requirements for VoIP
- How to Get a VoIP Number
- FAQs About VoIP Phone Number
What is a VoIP Phone Number?
Voice over IP or VoIP numbers allow businesses to make and receive calls using the internet. In other words these numbers replace the physical lines of traditional phones with digital pathways. It’s unique in that it’s assigned to a specific person or account, not a single device, unlike a landline or a SIM card.
Traditional Phone Number vs. VoIP Number
Traditional phone numbers and VoIP numbers look identical to one another as they both use the same numerals and formatting but the truth is they operate quite differently
Traditional numbers are typically assigned to a fixed device or phone line which ties them to one location. Whereas VoIP numbers are the exact opposite as they are not linked to any specific device or line location instead these cloud-based numbers are assigned to a user’s account.
While call routing is limited to the nearby areas with a traditional line VoIP allows you to route calls to any device or location.
These key differences are what set VoIP apart as a go-to communication system for businesses with the flexibility, scalability, and affordability. This service offers businesses can expand globally, connect distributed teams and improve caller experience.
Explore More: What Is a Branded Caller ID and its Requirements, Security Framework, and Benefits
How Voice Over IP works
Voice over IP capable instruments include traditional looking telephones, VoIP desk phones, cordless phones, Wi-Fi cordless phones, decked phones, and applications on smartphones or computers.
In many organizations, traditional desk phones connect to a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch which provides both network connectivity and power to the phone. In a decked setup, the phone connects to a base station, and the base connects to the network. Whereas Wi-Fi phones use a battery and communicate over Wi-Fi.
Voice over IP can also run as an application on a phone or computer, which is why many contact centers use VoIP for their agents, because it is easy to manage and agents can work from anywhere.
An analog terminal adapter takes a network connection and creates an old style POTS output (plain old telephone service), allowing organizations to leverage legacy equipment while still getting the benefits of voice over IP.
When a person initiates a phone call, a protocol called session initiation protocol (SIP) handles the setup of the call. SIP acts like air traffic control, managing how the call gets established to the destination.
After the far party answers, secure real time transport protocol (SRTP) handles the flow of the media. SRTP encrypts the voice packets. SIP manages setup and teardown, while SRTP moves the encrypted voice data packets.
This traffic runs over user datagram protocol (UDP). While speaking, the voice is sampled 50 times per second, about every 20 milliseconds, creating small data packets that travel over wired, Wi-Fi, 4G, or 5G networks to the destination as fast as possible without checking if every single piece arrives safely. During the transmission process, if due to speed any packet drops it’s simply gone, UDP does not set the missing ones again.
When listening, the process is reversed. small packets are received and converted back into analog audio.
This process applies whether it is a desk phone, ATA, cordless phone, Wi-Fi device, smartphone app, or laptop.
How Does VoIP Ensure End-to-End Call Security?
Voice over IP can be encrypted using TLS (Transport Layer Security) and secure RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol). To protect the communication data from interception or hacking VoIP conversation is encrypted that scrambles data during transmission. Traditional plain old telephone service is easier to tap whereas VoIP can be secured from the sender’s receiver to the listener’s earpiece if installed properly. A properly configured system with secure RTP and TLS ensures strong communication security
Features of a VoIP Number
Having a VoIP number gives you access to a huge range of features, especially if you’re a business. Let’s discuss these features below:
Low Initial Investment
They have a low initial investment. To get started, all you need is a suitable device and an account with a VoIP provider.
Flexibility
More broadly speaking, they offer great flexibility for their users since they enable voice calling from pretty much any device with a microphone and an Internet connection and from any location. So users are not anchored to a single device and location.
Multi-Device Ringing
Any incoming calls can be set up to ring on multiple devices so the calls are less likely to be missed.
Caller ID Management
Caller ID management allows you to hide or mask your phone number by displaying another in its place so you can display recognizable business numbers when calling customers from an alternate device line or location. This feature is great for outbound calling as it increases response rates and protects your team’s privacy
Soft Phones
Soft phones are web dialers that allow you to place and receive calls from an IP enabled device offering your business full mobility and flexibility
IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
IVR or interactive voice response allows you to manage your incoming call flow create custom greetings and set up menus to ensure callers reach their desired destination within your system
Advanced Call Routing
When coupled with advanced call routing your business can route calls from one destination to another located anywhere in the world to better serve your customer
Call Recording
Call recording lets you automatically record inbound and outbound calls on your lines. You can save these recordings for future uses such as quality assurance training liability protection and more
As we have seen the advantages that VoIP numbers offer are completely unlike traditional telephone line solutions. In fact, U.S. companies have deployed more than 35 million VoIP numbers in just eight years.
The Benefits of using VoIP numbers
Let’s discuss what are the specific benefits that convince so many businesses to switch from traditional landlines?
VoIP allows agents to work with devices they’re already familiar with, and it makes their job even easier by providing them with features like click to call, call forwarding, call queuing and many, many more. Plus, they can make and take calls anywhere and any time they need to. This has led to a significant increase in remote work, employee satisfaction and better customer service.
Since companies no longer need to build expensive landline powered call centers, they can grow and expand their business internationally for lower costs. According to a study, call centers can save up to 50% of their costs just by switching to VoIP. And due to encryption, they don’t need to worry about their sensitive data being leaked either.
Requirements for VoIP
One of the downsides is that they need a pretty powerful connection to work properly. So make sure you can even run a VoIP before choosing a provider.
Bandwidth Requirements (Per Concurrent Call)
Regarding bandwidth, generally speaking, you need at least one megabit per second for every ten concurrent calls. So 20 concurrent calls requires a minimum of 2 megabits per second, for example, 30 requires 3 megabits, etc., etc.
Low Latency
Next is latency or lag on the line. Basically, it measures in milliseconds how much of a delay there is between the sender’s device requesting a connection and it being established at the recipient’s end. Generally speaking, anything under 100 milliseconds is considered excellent.
Low Jitter
The next important measurement is jitter and this essentially measures how stable the connection is across time and if the connection is likely to drop out during a call. A number ranging from 15 to 20 milliseconds is considered good, but the lower the better. Anything above could result in choppy sounding audio.
How to Get a VoIP Number
First, find a reliable provider. There are many providers with various features and price points. purchase a plan and pick your device. Once you’ve found a solution that you like, all you need to do is select the plan that has everything you want and start the initial set up process. Typically, a good provider will let you choose what device you would like to use and walk you through the installation. They should also give you the option of picking between a local and a toll free number, which will allow you to shape callers expectations.
After you find a provider and plan, browse through their phone number inventory and select the phone number that best fits your needs, then sign up for the service and wait for the number to be activated.
Once your line is activated, you can make and receive calls and set up your desired features. You can sign up for a business VoIP number with providers that offer a cost effective feature-rich infrastructure along with redundancy support and transparent billing, and consult with telecom experts to find the right choice for your communication needs and budget.
FAQs About VoIP Phone Number
1. What Is a VoIP Number
Voice over IP or VoIP numbers allow businesses to make and receive calls using the internet. In other words these numbers replace the physical lines of traditional phones with digital pathways. It’s unique in that it’s assigned to a specific person or account, not a single device, unlike a landline or a SIM card.
2. How Does Voice over IP (VoIP) Actually Work?
The communication takes place over user datagram protocol. When a speaker speaks, the system converts voice signals into digital signals and transmits them over UDP in the form of packets. When a person initiates a phone call, session initiation protocol (SIP) handles the setup of the call. It controls and manages how the call gets established to the destination. After the far party answers, secure real time transport protocol (SRTP) handles the flow of the media. SRTP encrypts the voice packets.
3. Is VoIP Secure Compared to Traditional Phone Lines?
Yes, Voice over IP can be encrypted using TLS (Transport Layer Security) and secure RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol). To protect the communication data from interception or hacking VoIP conversation is encrypted that scrambles data during transmission. Traditional plain old telephone service is easier to tap whereas VoIP can be secured from the sender’s receiver to the listener’s earpiece if installed properly. A properly configured system with secure RTP and TLS ensures strong communication security
4. What Features Do Businesses Get with a VoIP Number?
VoIP numbers provide following features:
- multi-device ringing
- caller ID management
- softphones
- IVR
- advanced call routing
- call recording.
