Your customers and employees are demanding better user experiences (UX) as the ISDN shuts down in Europe. Businesses are moving in the right direction, saying goodbye to traditional telephony, and welcoming Internet-based voice, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Let's dive deep into VoIP to make sure you are prepared for the many non-fixed VoIP conversations that you will be having this year.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows voice communications to be delivered in packets over the internet, instead of via physical landlines.
VoIP phones for home, softphones or analog terminal adapters are better than desk phones that are attached to copper wires.
VoIP technology transforms your audio signal into data packets when you make a call. Once it reaches the destination, it will revert to Fixed VoIP numbers which are usually assigned to analog devices located in offices, campus, or hotel phones systems to an audio signal.
Three steps are required to place a call using VoIP:
Data packets are created from the voice.
Data packets are sent via networks (such as the private and public internet)
The packets reach the other end of a network and are then converted into voice.
The CNAM (Caller name) tag transmits information about the caller, including the phone number and caller name. Your CNAM information will be displayed on the recipient's phone as part of their caller ID.
We've now covered VoIP and how it works. Let's look at fixed and non-fixed numbers and what they might do for your business.
What is a non-fixed VoIP number?
Non-fixed VoIP numbers can be numbers that are not fixed and are given to users with any geographic location. You can order virtual phone numbers to establish a local presence in areas where your business isn’t located.
Most smartphones and communication apps, such as Microsoft Teams or RingCentral, use non-fixed VoIP numbers. It's important to remember that users and employees are often moving, so you don’t want their PSTN connectivity “fixed” to one device or address.
If you have a global or hybrid workforce, non-fixed VoIP numbers allow you to match each employee's telephone number with your company's number format. This allows employees to have a number (also called a Direct Inward Dialing number or DID number) that matches their location, without having to use physical lines.
What are the advantages of VoIP that is not fixed?
Because of their simplicity and flexibility, non-fixed VoIP numbers are very popular. Non-fixed numbers are often used by enterprises today because:
Businesses use non-fixed VoIP because it is simple to set up and manage. They are available for new or existing contact centers and can be used to add employees. Many business phone numbers that are accessible through services such as Microsoft Teams or RingCentral can be reassigned to non-fixed numbers. You can quickly reassign numbers that are not fixed if an employee leaves or you need to change numbers.
Globally, you can have a local presence. Your employees and call center agents can call prospects and customers with any country code, or any other format. Find out more about VoIP phone numbers.
With the help of VoIP remote working solutions you can easily scale up or down. No-fixed VoIP lets businesses quickly add new numbers to their team as they grow, contract, or switch to working remotely.
They can lower your costs. You don't have to pay for an office space to link local numbers. This allows you to lower overhead costs and shift from CAPEX towards OPEX. International calling costs will be lower if you use non-fixed VoIP numbers in the country.
What are the downfalls of VoIP that is not fixed?
We have already discussed why non-fixed VoIP is so popular with businesses. Let's now discuss the drawbacks.
Additional requirements for emergency compliance. A fixed VoIP device has a service address that can be used to make emergency calls. Public safety might need to take additional steps to identify the current dispatchable address of employees calling emergency services from a nonfixed VoIP number. These extra steps may be necessary to ensure emergency responders have the correct address to locate your employees in an emergency situation at work.
More fraud. Since a fixed VoIP number is easy to obtain and difficult to trace, scammers and telecom fraudsters often use them. The FCC and service providers have taken steps in order to reduce fraud, spam and robocalling. However, you can still report any incidents to your VoIP provider. Learn more about combating telecom fraud by clicking here.
What is the difference between fixed and non-fixed VoIP?
A fixed VoIP phone number is tied to a business or residential location. Non-fixed VoIP doesn't have a location. They also use multi-line telephone system (MLTS)
Why fixed VoIP numbers are preferred by businesses
We've already discussed the negatives of non-fixed VoIP numbers. Let's now talk about how fixed VoIP can fix those problems.
Caller ID is available. Fixed VoIP numbers are more difficult to obtain, making them less likely to be used for fraudsters. Customers and prospects will be less likely to believe you are spam if they can identify them with caller ID.
Location information is available to emergency responders. An employee can dial 911/112 from a fixed number and the call will be associated with a particular location. This allows the emergency call to be routed to the designated public safety answering points (PSAP). Depending on the phone system, you may need to take additional steps in order to comply with FCC requirements.
What are the disadvantages of fixed VoIP numbers?
Sometimes, a fixed VoIP number is not the best choice for your business and goals.
International calling rates. Long-distance calls can be expensive if your VoIP phone number has local area codes.
You have less flexibility. Because numbers are tied to the location of your offices, you can't establish a local presence wherever your customers or prospects live.
You can use fixed or non-fixed VoIP numbers. Large-scale businesses often use both fixed and non-fixed VoIP numbers for different reasons.
