FEATURE VS. FEATURE

VoIP vs. Landline: Which Is More Reliable?

Looking for the best calling tool for your business? Dive into the world of business communication, explore the differences between VoIP vs. Landline, and choose the best solution for your company. 

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Landline

VoIP

Difference between Landline and VoIP

Parameter

Landline

VoIP

Equipment

Relies on traditional phone equipment like corded phones and analog systems.

Utilizes internet-based equipment such as IP phones, softphones, or computer-based systems

Features

Basic features include call waiting, caller ID, and voicemail.

Offers advanced features like virtual numbers, video conferencing, and integrations with other business applications.

Costs of Phone Hardware

Typically incurs higher costs for traditional phone hardware.

Cost varies, but often more cost-effective with a range of hardware options.

Cost of Subscription

$15-50 per line

Varies; check our pricing for customized plans.

Cost of Upgrades

$10 to upgrade to a higher-tiered plan

Cannot upgrade service

Installation/Set-up Fees

$0-200 (depending on installation rates at your location)

$0

Internet Reliability:

Not dependent on internet connectivity; provides stability.

Relies on a stable internet connection; may be affected by outages.

Scaling and Maintenance

Scalability may be limited; maintenance typically involves hands-on repairs.

Highly scalable with easy addition of agents; requires minimal hardware maintenance.

Best For

Ideal for businesses prioritizing reliability, security, and consistent call quality. Suitable for those with an established landline network, especially if no plans for growth or scaling are in place, and advanced VoIP features are unnecessary.

Perfect for small businesses seeking snazzy features or frequently making long-distance calls through an internet connection. Well-suited for companies with remote or mobile agents, offering cost-effective international calls and smooth scalability for call centers.

Worst For

Businesses requiring advanced features, international calling, or scalability.

Businesses without a reliable internet connection or concerns about potential disruptions.

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What Is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is the technology that lets you make calls online with nothing but your personal smart device (phone, tablet, computer) and an Internet connection. This makes VoIP very cost-effective, quick to deploy, easy to use, and customizable with various other digital tools.

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How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP uses your device’s microphone to pick up your voice – an analog signal and transform it into a digital one using specialized codecs. Your digitized voice is then divided into individual packets and sent over the Internet to the receiver’s device, where it’s put back together and transformed back into audible sound. 

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What Is a Landline?

Landlines are the traditional form of phone communication, as they use physical wires and circuit-switched networks to transmit analog voice signals. This makes them very reliable in terms of connection and call quality but also causes them to be much more expensive, difficult to deploy, and limited in terms of customization.

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How Does a Landline Work?

Landlines use copper wires to physically connect a singular device to a localized access point. After dialing a number, a signal is sent out and processed by a Central Office, which forwards it to the receiver. Once connected, the handheld processes your voice as electrical signals and turns them into audible sounds on the other end. 

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Landline vs. VoIP: Which is best for your business?

If your focus is on growing your business, VoIP is the best solution for you. The technology can support global expansion with international numbers and affordable call rates while giving you an easy way of onboarding more agents and streamlining efficiency with advanced features.

However, if you’re happy with where you’re at and just want to improve connections and call quality for a localized workforce, you should opt for landlines. Although restrictive and expensive in terms of devices, they’re able to deliver the best possible clarity with little to no risk of dropped calls, echo, or jitter.

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Let’s talk about
pros and cons

Landline

Reliability when you need it most

Traditional landlines boast exceptional reliability and consistent connections through wired infrastructure, making them crucial for uninterrupted business operations.

Consistent Quality for your business

In areas with unreliable internet service, a landline ensures superior sound quality and call stability, eliminating the risk of dropped calls and improving interactions.

Security for your customers

By transmitting data through dedicated lines, landline systems offer enhanced security and reduce susceptibility to interception or hacking threats compared to VoIP.

Emergency resilience

Landline phones don’t require batteries to work and are associated with physical locations, making them invaluable for outages and contacting emergency services.

Technology that’s behind the curve

As the world shifts towards digital, landline telephony lacks the flexibility offered by VoIP to make calls globally at any time, which is vital for business success.

Higher Costs Can be a Burden for Your Business

Landlines are more expensive than VoIP systems, especially due to taxes, extra fees, and additional features like voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID.

Spam Calls That Annoy Your Customers

Landlines lack specific regulations against telemarketing calls, so users may face increased susceptibility to spam calls compared to VoIP or mobile numbers.

VoIP

Save Money on International Calling 

VoIP allows you to avoid expensive long-distance calling charges with automation and features like International numbers and save both your own and customers’ money.

Embrace Freedom With a Remote-friendly Solution

VoIP lets you break down geographical barriers and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. This possibility is invaluable for remote teams.

Adjust Your Calling Software As You Grow

VoIP adapts to your needs, no matter the size. The highly scalable and adjustable software helps you grow seamlessly both in terms of teams and tools.

Diversify Your Communication Approach

VoIP facilitates unified communications across various channels, such as voice, video, messaging, and conferencing, which improves collaboration and efficiency.

You Need a Reliable Internet Connection

VoIP relies on a stable internet connection, so you may experience delays, packet loss, and reduced call quality if your internet connection falters.

Location Tracking May Be Limited

VoIP technology may fail to provide accurate location information to emergency services due to not being able to transmit accurate geographic data.

You Can Face Security Threats

Depending on the provider, VoIP can be vulnerable to security threats and cyberattacks like hacking, eavesdropping, and other malicious activities.

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FAQs

Is the call quality on VoIP better than on landlines?

Call quality on VoIP can be comparable to or even better than traditional landlines. However, it depends on various factors such as your internet connection quality, network congestion, and the VoIP service provider’s infrastructure. In ideal conditions, VoIP can offer high-definition audio, but poor internet connectivity or network issues may result in call quality degradation.

Is a VoIP system as reliable as a landline?

VoIP systems have significantly improved in reliability over the years but may still face occasional issues related to internet connectivity, power outages, or hardware failures. Traditional landlines, on the other hand, are generally considered more resilient during emergencies as they don’t rely on the internet or power. However, with proper setup and redundancy measures, VoIP systems can offer reliability comparable to landlines for most users.

Can I keep my landline phone number if I switch to VoIP?

Yes, in many cases, you can keep your existing landline phone number when switching to a VoIP service. This process is called number porting, and it allows you to transfer your current phone number to your new VoIP provider. However, the ability to port your number may depend on your current provider and local regulations. Your VoIP provider should be able to assist you with the porting process.

Can I use a VoIP phone as a regular phone?

Yes, you can use a VoIP phone just like a regular phone for making and receiving calls. VoIP phones are designed to work with VoIP services and connect to the internet instead of a traditional phone line. Some VoIP phones resemble traditional landline phones, while others may have additional features like touchscreen interfaces or support for video calls. Additionally, you can use VoIP adapters to connect traditional analog phones to a VoIP service.

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