In this post, we’re going to take a look at the options your business has for free VoIP phone service.
At Network Telecom, we’ve been in the telecommunications industry for more than 40 years, and we’d love to share our expertise with you.
This post will provide you with lots of helpful information about PBX, the difference between business and residential phones, and how you can get a business phone system. So, let’s jump right in.
Learn about the free VoIP phone service options for your business
Is a Free VoIP Phone Service Truly Free?
The answer is “it depends.” If you are starting totally from scratch, then no, a VoIP phone service isn’t totally free. That is because you’ll need the type of device that is capable of handling a VoIP call and you will need internet service to transmit the call. If you already have these things, then you could argue that VoIP is a free service, however you will need to continue paying for your internet in order to maintain your service.
You Need a High Speed Internet Connection for Free VoIP Phone Service
VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. What that means is that a VoIP phone call requires an internet connection in order for it to take place, just like a traditional landline requires a phone line in order for it to take place. If you have access to free WiFi, you may be able to get your VoIP for free, but that isn’t the most convenient method for receiving phone calls.
If you are at home or you have a business, then you will want to have your own internet connection, which will require a monthly fee. As a business, if you are switching from a traditional landline PBX system to a VoIP system, you may need to upgrade your internet access so that it is able to handle the amount of calls that you make and receive; and that your call quality doesn’t suffer.
If you are switching your landline system to a VoIP system then you may have to upgrade your internet speed
You Need VoIP Capable Devices for a Free VoIP Service
A regular landline telephone isn’t able to make a VoIP phone call. That is because it is designed to handle analog signals and VoIP uses digital signals. In order to make VoIP calls you will either need to have one of two different types of devices:
A Soft Phone: A soft phone simply refers to a software program that you install on your computer that allows you to make VoIP phone calls. This is a quick and easy way to start using VoIP however, the call quality usually isn’t as good as using a proper VoIP phone and using it may not be as easy as picking up a receiver.
An IP Phone: An IP phone looks very similar to a regular landline phone, however it connects to your network instead of a landline phone jack; and is able to make and receive calls over the internet instead of over your landline. A VoIP phone can take the analog voice signal and convert it into a digital format and vice versa, so that it can be sent over the internet.
Learn more about how a VoIP system works
Benefits of VoIP
Lower Cost: One of the biggest advantages of using VoIP is the cost savings. By using the internet instead of traditional phone lines, the VoIP phone avoids the usual telephone charges, so it can end up saving you on your monthly bills.
Availability for Your Customers: According to a Google study almost 70 percent of cellphone users will click on the “click to call” link when they are searching for a business to contact that business. You need a VoIP phone service in order to have this ability. If you don’t, you might be missing out on extra business.
A Wide Variety of Systems Available: A wide variety of VoIP phone systems are available to businesses and organizations. This variety makes it possible to choose the system that is best suited to your organization. Network Telecom’s business partnerships allow us to install and maintain products from Avaya, Panasonic, Bell, and others. Avaya can also work with Nortel legacy systems. Contact us for information about the telephone handsets and systems we offer.
Phone Number Portability: Number portability is a useful advantage offered by VoIP telephony. If you move to a new location, you do not have to call the phone company in order to keep your existing phone number. Your VoIP phone device can operate virtually anywhere it has internet connectivity. This allows business people to take their phones with them when they are traveling, and continue to use their business phone number.
Free VoIP phone service: Network Telecom can help you choose your best option
Free VoIP Phone Service: What’s Available?
If you are looking for a free VoIP phone service that you can use on your business computer, there are many to choose from. They offer free and free trial VoIP programs, but as a busy business owner you probably don’t have the time to try out each one to determine which one is the best for your needs. Here are some of the more popular ones:
Skype: Skype is a quick and easy to learn free VoIP phone service. It has an effective instant messaging feature that is a great tool for communicating within your business. Occasionally you may experience dropped calls but re-connecting is relatively simple and you do have to pay if you are calling a landline.
Google Hangouts: Google Hangouts is completely free and it has great audio and video quality. If you are already a GMail user, you’ll like the fact that you can connect to Google Hangouts right from your GMail. One disadvantage is that you can’t edit, delete or reword a message once you’ve sent it.
You can access Google Hangouts in your GMail – Image source: Google Hangouts
Zoom: The great thing about Zoom is that it allows more than one participant to share their screen. It does require that you install a plugin to use it so some clients may have restrictions about installing plugins and won’t be able to join the call. It’s free for 40 minute calls for up to 100 participants, but you need to pay a monthly fee for longer calls.
UberConference: Uber’s video and call quality is very good plus they have the best “on-hold” music of any other app. You really need to try it just to listen to their song. You don’t need to install a plugin as it is completely web-based. It’s free for up to 10 participants, but you need to pay more for larger calls.
Cisco Webex Meetings: Cisco’s call quality is excellent and it has a great scheduling feature that let’s you easily set up meetings and keep people informed. They have a free trial, but you need to pay a monthly fee after that.
We’ve put together a great summary of the top choices along with their pros and cons to help you choose in our post called “Free VoIP – What’s Available and Which Ones Are the Best“. The comments have been taken from business people, who have already used the software in an actual business setting and have given reviews on the G2 Crowd website, so you can learn from their experience. Check out the post here.
Multiple users can share their screen with Zoom – Image source: Zoom
Network Telecom: For Great Advice on Free VoIP Phone Service and Other Telecommunications Products
Network Telecom is your telecommunications experts for free VoIP phone service and all other telecommunications products. If you need to update your current business phone system, partner with Network Telecom. We will help you choose a phone system that is perfect for your business. Whether you are looking to have a new phone system installed or your current system updated, you can trust Network Telecom to offer you the expert advice you require.
Network Telecom can also help you with video conferencing solutions that will meet your business’ particular needs. In addition, if your phone system is not working as it should, our trained technicians are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We carry a huge selection of parts in order to quickly solve any components issue you are experiencing. If you are having a telecommunication or networking issue, we can resolve it quickly and professionally.
In addition to our accredited and certified technical expertise, we offer:
- Consultative Sales
- Cloud Services
- Ongoing Support
- Voice Mail Systems
- System Design + Consulting
- System Admin + User Training
- PA Systems
- VoIP Specialist
- Network Cabling
Contact us today for all of your telecommunication questions and concerns; we’d be happy to help you.