Clear, efficient, and convenient communication is key for organizations looking to streamline workloads and increase productivity. Choosing between a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system or traditional landlines comes down to your enterprise’s unique needs and goals. While traditional landlines are tried and true, VoIP solutions can offer versatility, efficiency, and a wide range of dynamic features by utilizing a broadband internet connection. Technology is continuously changing the communication landscape. Understanding the similarities and differences between VoIP and traditional landlines is essential for optimizing your organization’s communication system.
VoIP vs Landline: Similarities
While the technological makeup of VoIP and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) is very distinct, they have several elements in common.
Voice Communication
VoIP and traditional landlines are platforms for voice communication. Both systems allow users to make and receive calls.
Basic Call Features
Each system has fundamental call features like caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and voicemail.
Conference Call Capabilities
When multiple people need to communicate simultaneously, VoIP and landline systems can facilitate multiple-party communication.
Dedicated Phone Numbers
While the technology behind setting up a phone number for each system differs, VoIP and POTS are assigned dedicated numbers for users.
Voicemail
Whether VoIP vs analog phone, users can receive a voicemail message to their dedicated phone number. Users can also set up personal greetings and manage messages with either system.
Access to Emergency Services
Safety is a priority. In the event of an emergency, POTS and VoIP make it easy to place phone calls to emergency responders at any time.
Privacy and Security
While the technology and setup may differ, VoIP and POTS prioritize privacy and security. For instance, POTS, by nature of its architecture, is a closed system since it doesn’t access the internet. VoIP secures data by encryption because of its internet connection.
VOIP vs Landline: Differences
VOIP and POTS share the basic fundamental functions of voice communication, and that’s where the similarities end. Things get much more exciting once we discover the divergence in infrastructure, features, and underlying technologies. Here are six key differences between VoIP and landline systems:
Infrastructure
POTS requires installing fiber-optic or copper cables for traditional phone lines to work. VoIP only needs an internet connection to get communication up and running, which means users can access the system from anywhere around the globe as long as they can get online. On the other hand, POTS can only be accessed in the location where the phone lines are installed.
Cost
Traditional landline systems rely on circuit-switched networks to complete long-distance calls, which can be a significant expense for organizations. VoIP utilizes internet infrastructure to conduct calls, making it much more cost-effective.
Scalability
VoIP is incredibly scalable, adjusting to the needs of your business at the moment. If your business needs to increase or reduce personnel, virtual VoIP lines are easy to add or subtract as needed. Landlines need to be installed to provide dedicated numbers to additional staff. Conversely, downscaling staff can leave you with unused landlines.
Functionality
VoIP solutions allow you to do more than just talk. You can host video conferencing calls and send messages via multimedia channels like email or text. The voicemail-to-text transcription feature will enable recipients to be notified much faster. Also, you can quickly read and pick out important details without listening to the entire voicemail. POTS doesn’t include these advanced features.
Mobility
VoIP allows users to access services from various mobile devices connected to the internet. With traditional landlines, you can only make or receive calls on-premises.
Reliability
Traditional landlines are known for reliability thanks to their copper or fiber-optic cable connections. With VoIP, if the internet connection is spotty, it can disrupt communication.
Advantages of VoIP Over Landline
Cost-effective
VoIP uses the existing internet structure to communicate, so installing and maintaining on-premises equipment is unnecessary. Voice data is transmitted as data packets online, eliminating the need for physical copper or fiber-optic cables. In most cases, VoIP provides a much lower rate for long-distance and international calls. These lower rates can drastically reduce costs depending on how an enterprise conducts business.
Advanced Features
On-premises landlines only provide basic functions like call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding. You can still access these basic features and much more with VoIP. VoIP offers several innovative ways to streamline your workflow, from virtual assistance to video conferencing to voice-to-email messaging.
Flexibility
As the global workforce shifts to remote work, VoIP offers the flexibility for organizations to support this trend. As long as employees have access to a strong internet connection, they can work efficiently from anywhere they like.
How to Choose Between VOIP and Landline for Your Business
When considering a VoIP vs traditional phone, you have to consider cost, functionality, and reliability. If reliability and consistent call quality are your top priorities—and you have spotty internet service—traditional landlines may be more appropriate for your organization. For enterprises with legacy software or equipment that require legacy communication, traditional landlines are often used. Some organizations that are located in very rural areas with under-developed or unreliable internet will need to utilize traditional landlines since VoIP requires a good internet connection.
VoIP is the best choice if cost efficiency, flexibility, security, and scalability are important to your business’s operations. VoIP systems can integrate seamlessly if you already have legacy systems and hardware, such as credit card readers, alarms, or fax machines. If you need to send a fax, VoIP can help you send it as an email instead. When credit card data needs to be transmitted, you’ll notice improved speeds thanks to a network-connected phone system.
VoIP is the clear winner for organizations that handle a large volume of international calls or benefit from video conferencing. Enterprises that prioritize good customer service can also optimize operations with VoIP. With auto attendants, voicemail prompts, and integration with CMR tools, VoIP can offer callers a good customer experience. While traditional landlines are considered secure, VoIP is a highly secure technology. Unlike landlines, VoIP traffic can be monitored and fully reported by SOC/SIEM providers or cloud VoIP providers, giving clients 24/365 surveillance of the traffic. It may be surprising to some, but VoIP is actually more secure than landlines ever were!
Whether you have a traditional landline phone system you’d like to expand, or you’re looking to start fresh with a VoIP system, Cynergy Technology can help. With over forty-two years of experience, Cynergy can provide you with an IP telephony solution that fits your organization’s unique needs and goals. Contact us today for a free consultation!
