Businesses looking to set up phone lines can choose from two types of technology: systems that transfer calls over the internet using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and those that use traditional phone lines. 

The former option is the better choice in the vast majority of cases. It is easier to set up, cheaper, and far more future-proof. 

So… what is a VoIP phone system?

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system is a way of transmitting calls over the internet. It turns the call data into digital packets that can be sent online. 

Many businesses already use this technology to power their phones. Even if yours doesn’t, you’re probably familiar with the technology due to the call functionality on common apps like Skype or WhatsApp. 

In the early days of VoIP phone systems, call quality was inconsistent because the internet infrastructure wasn’t as developed as it is now.

But more recently, these systems have caught up. They now offer equal quality to wired lines. 

VoIP phone systems have significant benefits

It’s not just the quality of the calls that make VoIP phone systems an attractive proposition. 

There are many other reasons why businesses are making the switch.

  • Easy set-up

Setting up a VoIP system is super easy. If you’re starting out, you just need to choose a provider that meets your needs. With the right call center software to go alongside your VoIP tech, you can have a basic call center set up in hours.

Using VoIP is slightly more complicated if you have existing copper phone lines that you want to switch over. In this case, you’ll need a way to bring your phone numbers and systems into your new tools. 

But even this isn’t too problematic. And most VoIP call center providers will help you make the switch. 

  • They’re cheaper

There are two reasons why VoIP systems are cheaper. 

The first is that the cost of making calls is far lower on VoIP phone systems than on wired systems. 

This low cost means many businesses can now offer outbound calling as a service when previously they were restricted to inbound calls. 

The second reason is the cheaper setup. 

You don’t need to go through the costly process of installing the infrastructure you need to make wired calls because everything takes place on your computer. You don’t even need to buy headsets or physical phones!

  • Simple scaling

VoIP systems are easy to scale. You can start with just one or two connected agents, and then add more seats as your business grows. You can typically add more agents with a click. 

Easy scaling is a huge benefit for startups and growing companies. But it’s also good for companies that have to deal with seasonal demand. They can add and remove seats as needed.

  • Location flexibility

One of the biggest benefits of VoIP systems is how flexible they are. Because the calls take place on the internet, you aren’t restricted to handling them in a single location.

This has two main benefits. 

  1. Remote work. Agents can log into your call center software and start handling calls from anywhere in the world. This makes it possible to create a virtual call center without a central office.
  2. Remote hiring. With VoIP systems in place, you can hire people from anywhere in the world to handle your calls. Access talent in new places, or hire in areas with a lower cost of living. 

One more reason to switch to VoIP: You may soon have to

We think the above points make a pretty compelling argument for signing up for a VoIP phone system. 

But, there’s another big reason to make the switch: support for traditional phone lines is ending. 

Countries around the world are switching to internet protocols. The U.K. will turn off support for traditional phone lines in 2025, while Germany and the Netherlands have already made the switch. The U.S is also going through the process of ending support.

If you don’t want your business to suffer from disruption, you should at the very least be making plans for how to make the switch.

babelforce is the #1 most powerful platform for contact center service. Their No-Code toolkit puts customer experience into the hands of people who live and breathe it every day; make service easy for customers, easy for agents, and easy for you