Network Address Translation (NAT) works by selecting gateways that sit between two local networks:
the internal private IP network of your office or home
and the outside network such as the internet.
Systems on the inside network are typically assigned IP addresses that cannot be routed to external networks.
“Externally valid Public IP addresses are assigned to a gateway (router or edge device such as a firewall). That gateway creates outbound traffic from an inside system and makes it appear to be coming from one of the valid external IP addresses. Conversely, it takes incoming traffic aimed at an external IP address and sends it to the correct internal system.
This provides accessibility and routing to and from internal network devices and applications. NAT also helps provide security because each outgoing or incoming request must go through a translation process. This process offers the opportunity to qualify or authenticate incoming streams and match them to the outgoing request.” — Anthony Percivalle, Senior Engineer, United World Telecom.
It’s a useful tool. However, using NAT can sometimes prove problematic for VoIP, especially for a VoIP network that relies on UDP.
And that is where a STUN server comes in. VoIP networks use STUN to communicate between two endpoints located behind NAT gateways. But what is it, and how does it do this? Let’s find out!
What is a STUN Server?
A Session Traversal Utilities for NAT or STUN server is a server-client protocol that allows privately addressed clients within a local network to traverse NAT and set up voice calls to a VoIP provider outside of that local network.
The original full form of STUN is Simple Traversal of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) through Network Address Translators (NAT).
A STUN server can be used in several network implementations by protocols such as SIP and WebRTC. This server enables NAT clients (devices running behind a NAT) to identify:
its public address or public IP,
the type of NAT it is connected to (static or dynamic), and
the port translation done by the NAT (the port other devices outside the network can connect to).
By doing this, it enables high-quality and reliable VoIP calls across private and public networks.
How Does a STUN Request Work?
The STUN server is commonly implemented as a client-server protocol with request (query) and response components and a connection to the third-party server located on an accessible network, typically the internet. These STUN messages travel through UDP packets.
Here’s a quick glimpse into how a STUN request and response works:
Step 1: A device sends an initial request – binding STUN request – to discover its ports and IP. It sends this through the gateway to a STUN server located outside the local network, typically the internet. These servers usually listen on port 5060 or 3478.
Step 2: The STUN server then sends a success response back to the device with the public IP address and port number of the client.
Result: When this device makes a SIP-based VoIP call with the external entity (in this case, the VoIP provider), the provider can send responses back to the public IP and new port, enabling easy communication of data and information between the two endpoints.
This way, a STUN server helps two devices running behind a NAT gateway to establish a UDP connection.
Some businesses will have access to their own STUN server. Similarly, most VoIP applications have their own default servers, so you can check with your providers and vendors which one to use. However, you can also access an online public STUN list and pick one that works best for your needs. Instead of using a default server, you can enter your own custom server from such a list.
You can always reach out to your provider to determine the best for you.
When to Use STUN Servers for VoIP?
Currently, most applications don’t require a STUN server to work efficiently. But, it can come in handy for troubleshooting VoIP call issues.
Alain Rodriguez, our Customer Service and Tech Support Manager, explains that “if your devices are sitting behind NAT, your VoIP provider may suggest using a STUN server to remedy any VoIP issues you may experience with connection, jitter, or latency.”
Troubleshooting VoIP Quality Issues
Using a STUN protocol is just one solution to fixing VoIP problems. However, you can take other remedial measures depending on the issue itself.
When you sign up for a hosted VoIP provider, you’ll rely on your monthly invoices to understand usage and calling charges. But these invoices can look confusing if you don’t understand how your provider bills their service.
To help you understand your VoIP bills, we’ve put together this article on VoIP billing increments.
How are VoIP Calls Billed?
Your VoIP calls are billed based on your provider. Each provider has a different pricing model and different types of costs.
Generally speaking, you can expect two costs:
Monthly VoIP line fee and
Costs for usage (charged in increments)
While the monthly fee is usually obvious when signing up, the cost for usage (billing increments) is more challenging to determine. So, it’s a good idea to ask your new provider how exactly they bill for phone calls occurring over a month.
What are Billing Increments?
Billing increments refer to the unit of time used to charge a particular service, specifically to indicate the minimum and incremental measures of time.
VoIP billing increments refer to the unit used to indicate how a VoIP service is charged and what the customer is billed for.
Most VoIP phone calls incur fees based on a minimum and increment charge set by your carrier. Let’s define these terms:
Billing minimum — the minimum amount of time your provider will charge for each call. Billing increment — the amount of time your provider will charge you after achieving the minimum time.
Here’s an example of VoIP billing increments with a 12/6 rate:
In this case, your billing minimum is 12 seconds and your billing increment is 6 seconds.
So, after the first 12 seconds, your provider will charge you again after every 6 seconds.
Again, every carrier does this differently, so it’s important to understand how your desired provider will charge you.
Different VoIP Billing Increments and Pricing Models
Each VoIP carrier offers a different pricing model. And some even offer multiple models, so you can choose what works best for your particular situation.
Here are some of the billing increments currently present on the market:
6/6 billing increment — minimum billing 6 seconds and subsequent billing 6 seconds — talk for 8 seconds, pay for 12 seconds
12/6 billing increment — minimum billing 12 seconds and subsequent billing 6 seconds — talk for 14 seconds, pay for 18 seconds
30/6 billing increment — minimum billing 30 seconds and subsequent billing 6 seconds — talk for 34 seconds, pay for 36 seconds
60/60 billing increment — minimum billing 60 seconds and subsequent billing 60 seconds — talk for 62 seconds, pay for 120 seconds
Affordable VoIP Phone Services
United World Telecom offers competitive and cost-effective cloud communication solutions. Learn about how to install VoIP and how we can help your business grow and expand internationally. Call us at 1 (877) 898 8646 or chat with us online!
In this post, we explain what dual-tone multi-frequency, or DTMF, is and how it is central to voice calling. This is a telecommunications technology that works under or inside your phone system. So, it is not an extra feature but should come with your phone service.
What is Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency?
Dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) produces touch tone sounds heard when pressing a number on a phone’s keypad.
When you press a number key, DTMF sends the following:
signal to your phone company indicating that you want to make a call and
command to the switch.
And it does this by sending two tones – a high- and low-frequency tone – for every number key pressed.
You can learn more about the history and evolution of DTMF here.
How Does DTMF Work?
The dual-tone multi-frequency technology assigns 8 different audio frequencies to the rows and columns of a keypad. The columns have high-frequency signals, and the rows have low-frequency signals. Here’s what that looks something like this:
When a user presses a key (number or symbol), a tone generates by combining the high and low frequency of the number. For example, when you press the number ‘7,’ frequencies 852 Hz and 1209 Hz are combined.
The DTMF technology then sends this combined signal over phone wires to the local phone exchange. Once there, the exchange decodes the signals to determine the entire number the user wants to call. Once identified, the call automatically routes to the desired number and destination.
What is DTMF Used for? Common Use Cases
Besides ensuring that your dialed numbers actually place calls, DTMF technology has revolutionized the way users interact with an outgoing call. For this reason, this technology has many benefits for businesses and contact centers with high call volumes. Let’s look at some use cases:
Navigational Tool
The most common use case for dual-tone multi-frequency technology is its influence on interactive voice response systems (IVR). IVR is an automated call handling system that answers incoming calls, interacts with callers, and directs them to their destination.
DTMF tones are the dominant signaling protocol for interacting with an IVR. An IVR typically provides users with menu options such as Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Billing, etc. With DTMF technology, callers simply press a number key to be routed to the desired department.
Information Entering Tool
Another way to use DTMF tones is to let callers input (or dial in) numbers to verify their identity.
For example, they could input their account number, the last 4 digits of their card, their order number, and so on. Then, the auto-attendant or agent can use this information to help them faster.
In some cases, the IVR can collect information before the agent joins the call. In other instances, the auto-attendant may just provide the caller with the necessary response. Such as the familiar: You have a pending balance of $XX; would you like to pay now?
Self-Service Options
Finally, you can also use dual-tone multi-frequency technology to let calls complete certain actions, like:
United World Telecom provides DTMF with our Advanced IVR feature for both IVR menu and input options.
As you build out your phone system within our IVR editor, you can assign departments and agents to different numbers. Callers can then press those numbers on the keypad or enter specific extensions and codes to reach their desired department.
However you want to design your business’ call flow, our voice solutions are here to help! Call us at 1 (877) 898 8646or chat with us online!
Why Should Your Business Set Up a VoIP Phone System?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows your business to make and receive phone calls using an internet connection and packet switching technology. This tech replaces the physical lines of a traditional phone system with digital pathways – making VoIP more efficient than PSTN and landlines.
• Reduced Overhead Costs – Save on international and long-distance calling fees as well as the cost of routine maintenance and equipment upgrades.
• Ability to Scale – Make changes to your system (such as adding or removing users) as you see fit without applying major changes to your network.
• Increased Mobility and Flexibility – Enjoy access from any location or IP-enabled device. This means you can place and receive business calls from smartphones, tablets, computers, and more. And, you can use Voice over IP to connect your widespread and remote teams.
• Access to Advanced Features – Use advanced communication features like call recording, IVR, and routing. These allow you to customize and build a better phone system that increases caller experience.
• Improved Reliability – Access failover functionalities and ensure your system’s reliability – even during power outages or severe weather conditions. Failover options typically come with a VoIP service.
• Manage Communication in One Place – Manage and access your core communication channels like voice, video, text, and more through one centralized platform. You no longer need multiple services to manage your business’ communications.
Getting Started with VoIP
Whether setting up VoIP within a small business or enterprise, you’ll need a few components to get started. It’s worth noting that your setup may look different depending on your existing infrastructure. But to properly power this technology at its most basic level, you’ll need:
A strong internet connection and adequate bandwidth (equipment needed: a modem, router, Ethernet cables to connect everything, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP))
IP-enabled devices such as desktops, tablets, smartphones, and IP phones
Or media gateways to connect legacy phone systems
A reliable VoIP provider (more on this later).
Preparing to Set Up VoIP
Before configuring VoIP, you must define your communication needs, assess your existing system, and do your research. While these steps are not mandatory, it helps streamline your transition. Let’s break these steps down further.
It’s important to start preparing for your VoIP installation by determining your needs. This information should guide you through the decision-making and transition process – ensuring you stay on track to the best solution. And it will make the selection process more efficient since you’ll know exactly what to look for.
So, how do you define your business communication needs? Start by asking yourself:
What are you planning to use VoIP for exactly? Inbound calling? Outbound calling? Or both?
What is the budget? How much are you willing to spend on equipment, a provider, features, and other add-ons?
What features are “must-haves” for your business and teams? And which ones could you live without, but would be nice to have?
Do you have an existing communication infrastructure? If so, are you planning on completely replacing it? Or do you want to modernize your legacy phones by upgrading them with VoIP? And based on these answers, how do you plan on deploying VoIP? (more on this later)
Are you looking to port your existing business phone number, or will you choose a new one? And if you select a new number, will it be a local, toll-free or international phone number?
How many lines or users do you plan on having?
What is your current average number of calls, or how many calls do you expect to receive? And how does call traffic typically behave (does it spike, or is it consistent)?
Defining the full scope of your communication needs helps you find the best service and setup for your business.
Audit Hardware and Satisfy VoIP Requirements
Auditing your hardware means assessing your equipment and IT infrastructure to evaluate its life cycle and current ability to perform its job. These audits help businesses identify outdated or broken equipment, prevent double-purchasing, and determine what equipment still has value. Once you have a good idea of your infrastructure, you can select a VoIP deployment model (see below) and decide if additional hardware purchases are necessary.
During your audit, it’s also worth evaluating your IT infrastructure to ensure it can support the solution you envision. In other words, make sure your system meets the minimum requirements for installing VoIP. This way, you get the best possible call quality and VoIP performance.
Ensure your infrastructure has:
• Adequate Bandwidth for VoIP – Check that you have an adequate amount of bandwidth available to power your devices and services. Your minimum bandwidth speed for one call or SIP channel should generally be 100 kbps.
• Low Latency – VoIP relies on the internet to transmit calls. So, you need a strong and reliable internet connection. Opt for wired Ethernet connections over Wi-Fi, as it increases internet speed, lowers network latency, and offers a more stable connection. And, perform a VoIP speed test to evaluate your network speed and stability.
• Data Prioritization Options – A congested network leads to problems with VoIP errors. Because of this, make sure your router has data prioritization capabilities like Quality of Service (QoS). This capability will allow you to prioritize and optimize your network traffic – ensuring that VoIP calls receive enough bandwidth.
Satisfying these network requirements will set you up for success with most VoIP services, but double-check your selected provider’s specific requirements.
Explore VoIP Deployment Options
Part of the preparation process is research and information gathering. So, let’s review the different options for VoIP deployment. This way, you understand what is available to your business.
• On-premise Solutions
With this deployment model, you install VoIP infrastructure at your business’ physical location. Companies must purchase hardware like servers, switches, and IP phones. And, you’re responsible for routine maintenance, monitoring, and upgrades. As such, you’ll experience higher overhead costs with this setup.
Best For: Large businesses or enterprises, businesses with high communication needs and a large amount of phone lines, companies with infrastructure already in place
• Hosted Solutions
A hosted VoIP solution means your provider installs VoIP equipment and manages the system for you at their locations. So, you receive cloud phone services without the hassle of routine maintenance, system upgrades, or network routing.
Luke Genoyer, Business Development Manager at United World Telecom, says,“It’s much easier to set up VoIP when you’re going through a hosted provider. This is especially true when compared to installing a PRI or POTS system or even wiring together an on-premise PBX.”
Not only does your business save on costs associated with purchasing and maintaining equipment, but you also avoid the hassle of installing complex hardware. And, your business gains greater mobility and flexibility as hosted VoIP solutions are accessible from anywhere.
Best For: Remote and distributed teams, businesses of all sizes, companies looking for affordable communication solutions
• Hybrid Solutions
The hybrid deployment model allows businesses to plug VoIP solutions into their legacy phones via a gateway. So, the VoIP service is hosted while the equipment is on-premise.
Best For: Businesses looking to migrate to VoIP while keeping and upgrading their legacy phones.
How to Set Up a VoIP Phone System
After completing the necessary preparations, it’s time to install your VoIP network. Let’s break it down into 4 steps:
Choosing a reliable VoIP provider
Setting up hardware and software
Configuring your phone system
Testing your network
1. Research and Choose a VoIP Provider
It’s crucial to analyze multiple VoIP providers and services before selecting one. This research guarantees that you get the best solution for your business. Compare your communication needs with each provider’s offering.
Specifically, look at:
• Pricing & Hidden Fees – Review each provider’s pricing options and compare them with your budget. Be aware of per-user, per-month pricing models, as these tend to be more expensive than a flat monthly price. And double-check if they have any setup or hidden fees.
• VoIP Requirements – Ask about the provider’s specific VoIP requirements. Can your system support their solution as is? Or will you have to modify your current infrastructure to run the service?
• Activation Times – Consider how long it will take to get your service setup and if it meets your timeframe requirements.
• Available Features – Compare the provider’s range of available features with your list of must-have and nice-to-have features.
• Uptime & Network Reliability – Assess each provider’s network reliability. Start by looking at their uptime guarantee and crisis management initiatives. And take into account how many Points of Presence (PoPs) they have to fall back on in case of service disruptions.
Customer Support – Pay attention to their customer support offerings. Does the provider offer support in your time zone, region, and desired language? And does your account come with a dedicated account manager?
While this step requires quite a bit of research, it’s worth it in the long run as you’ll end up with a trusted provider and solutions that fit your specific needs. Take your time with this step. With the right provider, you can successfully install VoIP and maintain your system with minimal roadblocks.
2. Set Up VoIP Hardware and Software
Once you’ve activated your service, you’re ready to set up your equipment and install the VoIP system. The specific setup of your system depends on your provider, existing infrastructure, how you plan on deploying VoIP, and what equipment you want to use.
If you plan on using softphones to make and receive business calls, the setup process is quick and easy. Simply download your provider’s softphone to your desired IP-enabled device. Then, connect it to your phone service using your login information.
You can also purchase hard phones, also known as IP phones, that connect directly to your VoIP server. While these phones look like regular deskphones, they have Ethernet ports instead of phone jacks. To set this hardware up, connect the IP phone to your router via an Ethernet cable. Then, assign the device to the appropriate user or extension.
For those planning on upgrading legacy phones with VoIP, you’ll need to purchase a gateway. This bridges the gap between the PSTN and digital networks. Start by connecting your legacy phone to the gateway using the phone jack, also known as a register jack-11 (RJ11). Then, connect the gateway to the internet using an Ethernet cable.
For additional equipment like headsets and microphones, simply plug these directly into your computer, phone, or device. Or connect them via Bluetooth if they are wireless.
3. Configure Business Phone System
After setting up your equipment, start adding your users and configure your desired communication features. Which features you choose and how you go about configuring them depends on your business communication needs. But if you defined them earlier, you’ll know exactly which feature you need to configure.
Consider the following:
Create call flows and set up an IVR to handle incoming calls and guide callers through your system – ensuring they end up at the appropriate destination.
Implement different routing strategies for after-hours calls, holidays, 24/7 global support options, or to match the caller with their preferred time zone and language.
Incorporate failover strategies such as failover forwarding to guarantee all calls get answered, even if the first location doesn’t pick up. This is also great for disaster recovery, as it redirects calls to an available destination.
Equip call recording on all or a fraction of your calls for training, quality assurance, or liability purposes.
Establish ring groups to effectively manage call volumes and reduce wait times for callers.
4. Test Your New VoIP Network
At this point, you’ve fully installed VoIP, and it’s almost ready to use. But before you start making and receiving business calls, test your system and lines for issues.
And make sure any features you’ve configured operate how you want them to.
Gregory Porras, Senior VoIP Engineer at United World Telecom, explains that VoIP issues can occur for any number of reasons, which is why it’s important to test your system before going live. He suggests testing your system from your internal, external, Wi-Fi, and VPN networks. Greg adds that call quality should be a top priority – so he recommends double-checking your router’s firewall, QoS, and SIP ALG settings. And, open ports on your router to your provider’s recommended settings.
While setting up VoIP may seem daunting and complex to some, it is possible to do on your own. Simply follow the steps above and start using your new VoIP phone system.
And with the right provider, you’ll be able to tackle any issues you run into along the way. United World Telecom offers dedicated account managers and 24/7 global support to all users. While some providers charge a “professional services” fee to help with implementation and training for employees, we include it for free with any of our business plans.
Speak with our telecom experts to understand how we can help you set up a VoIP phone system for your business. Call us at 1 (877) 898 8646!
Are you looking for a phone system that offers affordability, flexibility, modern capabilities, and so on. Or perhaps you’re planning on modernizing your current communication setup.
Either way, the solution is simple – hosted VoIP.
In this article, we’ll define hosted VoIP, how it works, its benefits, key business features, and use cases.
Understanding Hosted VoIP and How it Works
Before delving into hosted VoIP, you must first understand VoIP on its own. Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) digitally transmits voice calls over an IP network. This allows you to make and receive business calls through the internet.
To accomplish this, it uses packet switching technology, which converts your voice data into digital packets. These packets are then sent to the receiver via the internet. And once they arrive at the destination, the packets reassemble into voice. This process occurs in a matter of seconds and allows callers to communicate seamlessly.
Now, this brings us to hosted VoIP. There are two general ways to deploy VoIP: hosted or on-premise.
With hosted VoIP, a third-party provider “hosts” and manages the infrastructure on their premises. They then supply cloud communication services to your business through a network connection.
This deployment model allows you to access hosted VoIP services from any IP-enabled device or location. Additionally, this setup is far more affordable than on-premise solutions. This is because you don’t have to worry about routine maintenance, monitoring, and upgrades.
With an on-premise model, your business owns and manages all VoIP infrastructure. In other words, the equipment typically resides on-site. While this option offers full control, it is expensive to set up and maintain as it requires plenty of free space, energy, monitoring, and upkeep.
How Can Your Business Benefit from VoIP?
Many companies choose VoIP as their business phone solution because of its many advantages and capabilities. Here’s how your business can benefit from hosted VoIP services:
• Substantial cost-savings – Save on additional equipment and routine maintenance while avoiding costly international and long-distance calling fees.
• Increased flexibility and mobility – Accessible from any location or device, providing more mobility than traditional deskphones.
• Highly scalable – Upgrade or downgrade your service when needed without changing your entire system.
• Enhanced call quality – Experience clearer sound and better call quality, since VoIP calls travel faster than over traditional phone lines.
• Easy configuration – Integrate it within your existing system, as no additional equipment is required.
• Improved functionality – Enhance your business phone system’s functionality with features only accessible through the cloud.
Hosted VoIP Key Features
As mentioned above, many VoIP providers offer users a number of advanced cloud features with their services. This way, you can effectively manage and improve your business’ communication. Let’s take a look at the top hosted VoIP features:
Phone numbers (local, international toll-free, etc.)
Call recording
Caller ID management
Advanced IVR
Call flow designers
Call routing and forwarding
Failover capabilities
Softphones or mobile apps
Voicemail to email
Call detail records and analytics
Integrations / APIs
4 VoIP Use Cases
With a clear picture of hosted VoIP and its capabilities, let’s discuss how companies can use this technology to grow their business.
1. Expand Globally
IP telephony is not tied to a specific location. So, you can use it to expand globally, enter new markets, and access a broader customer base. The best part? You can do this without opening a physical location or increasing overhead costs. Simply set up cloud phone numbers in your desired countries or markets. Then, forward incoming calls to your business headquarters.
2. Improve Network Reliability
With access to hosted VoIP’s failover strategies, you can build your network’s redundancy by minimizing downtime and preparing for potential outages. So if your system experiences an interruption, calls are automatically rerouted to an alternate, predetermined location.
3. Offer 24/7 Global Support
Cloud communication services are typically fully customizable to your business’ unique needs. This includes predetermining routing rules and features like time-based or location-based routing. You can use them to offer customers 24/7 global support, increasing customer satisfaction and accessibility.
4. Connect Distributed Teams
You can manage hosted VoIP services in one centralized location and from any location or device. This means teams can communicate via smartphones, computers, tablets, and desk phones. These capabilities make it the perfect solution for connecting local and distributed teams.
Get Started with Hosted VoIP
As you can see, hosted VoIP helps keep costs down, improve business communications, enhance call quality, and much more. All you need to get started:
United World Telecom provides enterprise-grade VoIP phone services for businesses around the world. After 26 years of telecom experience, we’ve established long-term relationships with reliable Tier-1 carriers across the globe. This enables us to deliver users with high-quality voice services.
Reach out to learn more about our reliable service and if we are the right VoIP provider for you. Speak with our dedicated telecom experts at +1 (561) 276-7156 or chat with us online today!
This opens up the space for more advanced communication technology such as VoIP, UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS, and more. So, how do you decide what solution is best for your business?
This article will look specifically at VoIP versus UCaaS, so you can better decide what phone system will improve your team’s productivity.
Building a Business Phone System: VoIP versus UCaaS
As a network professional, you’ve certainly heard about VoIP before. Voice over internet protocol and IP telephony solutions replace traditional PSTN by using the internet to route calls.
On the other hand, unified communications as a service (also known as UCaaS or UC) groups together various communications technologies into one centralized platform.
You’ll notice in the comparison below that both VoIP and UCaaS have very similar benefits. However, the main difference lies in how they are built and how you can use them.
One way to understand the difference between these services is that VoIP makes UCaaS solutions possible.
VoIP, for example, refers to one specific communication technology, whereas UC is an umbrella term for many different types of communication technologies. Therefore, it is not an easy, 1-1 comparison.
VoIP is typically a voice service that handles inbound and outbound calls. UCaaS, in comparison, brings all communication channels (voice, video, messaging, chats, etc.) into one platform and enables them using IP.
Because of this key difference, VoIP is less encompassing than Unified Communications.
Let’s look at these solutions more closely.
What is VoIP and How Does it Work?
VoIP was designed to provide a landline’s functionality along with cloud-based service’s flexibility and capability. This enables phone calls through an internet connection, removing location-related restrictions.
And since VoIP is software-based, you can easily integrate it with other similar cloud communication software and build a wholesome phone system.
What can you do with VoIP?
Place and receive calls online
Forward calls from a desk phone to a mobile phone
Access call recordings and logs
Utilize voicemail to email forwarding
Access advanced calling features such as IVR, caller ID management, and more
UCaaS solutions go a step further than VoIP by bringing more than voice to your phone system. As mentioned above, it gives you access to multiple communication channels and apps under one cloud-based roof.
This way, your teams can communicate with each other and customers through the channels they prefer.
And by streamlining communication through one platform, your teams can be more productive as everything they need is located in one place.
What can you do with UCaaS?
Integrate email, SMS, video conferencing, chat apps, etc., into your phone system
As you can see, there are benefits to both VoIP and UCaaS solutions.
However, which solution you need depends on your requirements and resources.
For instance, enterprise-level businesses might find more use in a UC solution that supports their teams and provides more communication and collaboration options. However, if you’re an SMB that needs only voice support across local and remote teams, then a VoIP solution will meet your needs.
One important thing to note is that both solutions will allow you to centralize and scale your solutions as needed. VoIP lets you consolidate different local, regional, and global voice carriers under one carrier (i.e. your VoIP provider). And UCaaS lets you consolidate different communication channels and apps under one service provider.
In fact, you can even add a VoIP service to your UC stack for voice support. By consolidating, you reduce your overall total cost of ownership (TCO) across different channels or providers.
So, whether you start with VoIP or UCaaS, you can grow your communication stack at your own pace via integrations and APIs. The real question is — what do you need right now, and what can support your plans for the future?
Learn how to scale with VoIP by speaking with one of our telecom experts today! Call us at +1 (561) 276-7156 or chat with us online!
In this post, we’ll go over the ANI telephony feature and how businesses use this feature to provide better support and sales.
What Does ANI Mean in Telephony?
In telecommunications, ANI refers to Automatic Number Identification. This phone feature, offered by many cloud telephony and VoIP providers, works in conjunction with call data and is used primarily for billing purposes. Let’s find out how:
What is Automatic Number Identification?
Automatic Number Identification allows the recipient of an incoming call to determine and display the number of the phone that originated the call. In other words, it displays the number of the person dialing or placing the call.
Before ANI, telephone operators manually requested the phone number of the person calling, especially for a toll call. But now, telecom providers can use this service to help users (your business) understand and analyze their call data, volume, and traffic.
Are ANI and Caller ID Services the Same?
This feature is often understood in relation to caller ID services; however, they’re not the same since they utilize different underlying technology.
Automatic Number Identification is the Billing Telephone Number (BTN) used by carriers and assigned by the telco switch. Caller ID, on the other hand, is the display number provided by the caller’s equipment (VoIP or PBX setup) or originating carrier (outbound calling service).
Users can change the outgoing caller ID when making outbound calls. However, one cannot change or block the ANI number.
How is ANI Used in Businesses and Call Centers?
1. Use call detail records for billing purposes:
Automatic Number Identification is especially useful in cases where incoming calls (toll and toll-free) are charged based on the caller’s (your customer’s) number and location. For example, toll-free costs for incoming calls vary depending on where your customer is calling from or where the call originated from.
By identifying where your calls come from, you can better understand your VoIP phone bill. This includes:
local, regional, and international call charges
how much you pay as a customer
and, sometimes, what your VoIP provider owes its own carriers.
ANI systems and reports keep track of your call data. And in some advanced reports, you can even see specific charges for each call. Based on this information, you can then make adjustments to your phone service accordingly.
2. Use call data to improve customer experience:
Such call data can also give you key insights into where your calls come from and, by extension, where your customers are located. Once you’ve analyzed this call data, you can decide how to serve them best.
For instance, say you have a lot of international clientele. With advanced call routing, businesses and call centers can route calls based on a variety of preset rules. So, you can forward calls from specific regions to a call center or support team closer to the destination — all based on the caller ID and area code of the caller.
Or, if you have enough after-hours call traffic, you can outsource those calls to a remote agent or your personal phone. Such time-of-day routing lets you offer 24/7 support.
How United World Telecom Can Help
United World Telecom uses ANI in our system for billing purposes. This enables our customers to see the caller ID of their callers. And our call detail records and billing reports can help you understand call traffic and identify new growth opportunities. Additionally, they also have access to features like location-based routing so they can serve customers wherever they are located.
To learn more, call us today at 1 (877) 898 8646 or chat with us online!
When setting up a new VoIP phone system, you must equip the right voice codec to ensure reliable and clear call quality. The type of codec you need depends on your provider and phone system.
In this article, we’ll go over the G.711 codec and why it is the preferred codec for VoIP calling.
VoIP Codecs and Why They are Important
VoIP codecs are designed to convert analog voice signals to digital packets (compression) and then reassembled back into audio (decompression) when they arrive at their destination.
In doing so, they establish and maintain VoIP call quality and determine bandwidth use for incoming and outgoing calls. So, to ensure your teams can communicate effectively through your VoIP phone system, you will need to use the right codec — one supported by your provider.
You can adjust these voice codecs depending on what you need, such as better quality, evenly distributed bandwidth, etc.
What is G.711?
G.711 is a commonly used VoIP codec that converts voice signals to digital packets with an output of 64kbit/s.
This codec uses packet loss concealment (PLC) to minimize the effect and impact of packets dropped during transmission. It was established in 1972 as the default pulse code modulation or PCM standard for IP PBX and PSTN networks.
There are two main algorithms for the G.711: The μ-law codec used in North America and Japan and the A-law codec used in the rest of the world. Additionally, G.711 μ-law offers more resolution to higher range signals. And the G.711 A-law offers more quantization at lower signal levels.
Why Choose the G.711 Codec for VoIP?
While there are a few different codecs for VoIP, the G.711 is the most preferred and most commonly offered by VoIP providers. And there’s a good reason for that. Here are a few reasons why the G.711 is one of the best codecs for VoIP calling:
Two variants for worldwide usage (μ-law and A-law)
The other popular voice codec is the G.729 codec, which uses less bandwidth since it compresses packets. But this also means it sacrifices quality due to compression.
Why Do You Need to Care About Bandwidth for VoIP?
Since VoIP calls travel over the internet, they require a certain amount of bandwidth to efficiently transmit voice data packets back and forth. This means your VoIP calls will compete with other internet traffic. And if you don’t have enough bandwidth or wisely distribute traffic across your network, your call quality will be affected.
So, how much bandwidth do you need? This depends on how many calls you expect to run concurrently and what else your teams use the internet for.
Consider these numbers:
Number of Concurrent Calls
Bandwidth Recommended
1
100 Kbps
5
500 Kbps
10
1 Mbps
15
1.5 Mbps
20
20 Mbps
Typically, the bandwidth needed for each concurrent VoIP call resides anywhere from 85-100Kbps. And the G.711 codec consumes 87.2kbps of bandwidth.
Codec
Bitrate
Bandwidth Usage
G.711
64 Kbps
87.2 Kbps
G.722
48-64 Kbps
80 Kbps
G.723.1
5.3 Kbps
20.8 Kbps
G.726
32 Kbps
55.2 Kbps
G.728
16 Kbps
32 Kbps
G.729
8 Kbps
31.2 Kbps
So, if you have an internet connection of 500kbps, you can theoretically run at least 5 calls simultaneously.
VoIP Codec Supported by United World Telecom
United World Telecom supports the G.711 codec (both μ-law and A-law), and our call quality has an average MOS of 4.3. We can help you set up a VoIP phone system that works best for your communication needs, guaranteeing high call quality and network reliability.
To learn more, call us today at 1 (877) 898 8646 or chat with us online!
Tons of businesses are switching to VoIP for its numerous benefits — from affordability to flexibility. But many new users wonder if VoIP is dependable for business calls, especially since internet-based calling earned a bad reputation in the past.
In this article, we will answer commonly asked questions about voice over IP solutions, including — is VoIP reliable?
Reliability of VoIP
Voice over IP (VoIP) is an internet protocol that converts audio into digital packets and then transmits these packets to the destination. By doing so, VoIP enables users to make and receive calls using the internet.
But many users worry that this is not a dependable solution. This fear stems from a time when these internet-based tools weren’t developed enough, resulting in quality issues.
So, is VoIP reliable? Yes, VoIP can be very reliable, despite concerns surrounding cloud-based calling.
In fact, with how cloud calling has evolved over the years, VoIP phone systems are often preferred over traditional POTS because they offer crystal-clear call quality and high uptime.
But, to enjoy this, you need to take the proper steps to minimize downtime and keep your system running efficiently. This often involves both the provider and the user. Let’s look at the client-side and provider-side factors.
Client-Side Factors
So, what can you do as a user to ensure your VoIP phone system runs smoothly? Here are some key factors to consider:
Bandwidth requirements:
VoIP requires adequate bandwidth to ensure calls travel uninterrupted. This means you need a stable, high-speed internet connection with enough bandwidth dedicated to voice calls. When deciding how much bandwidth you’ll need, consider the following:
Similarly, you want to make sure your router is optimized as well. This means investing in a high-quality internet connection, whether WiFi or wired connections. It also means adjusting your router’s settings to prioritize VoIP calling (and voice packets) over other traffic (such as streaming and browsing). You can use quality of service or VoIP QoS to adjust traffic priority.
Backup power and internet sources:
As part of your disaster recovery plan, you will also need backup services in place to get your system up and running during outages or other disasters. Plan to have a backup mobile connection and power sources.
Equipment:
Finally, you must make sure you have the right equipment to make and receive VoIP calls effectively. This covers everything from routers to softphones and headsets.
In most cases, your VoIP provider can make recommendations. But it is a good idea to invest in high-quality, echo-canceling headsets for your agents and use softphones offered by your provider to make calls from your devices. On top of that, ask your provider about the router and internet settings needed to support your VoIP calling needs.
Provider-Side Factors
You also want to ensure your provider is prepared to offer you quality service with a trustworthy support team.
So, what makes a VoIP provider reliable?
99.999% uptime:
Your provider should supply you with more information that determines the quality of the service your provider will deliver. This must-have information will outline the expected uptime, call quality, troubleshooting assistance, and other essential information pertaining to your service.
Global and local servers:
Most VoIP providers servicing enterprise-level organizations usually have their own VoIP infrastructure with points of presence (PoPs) spread across the world. This ensures calls are distributed reliably, even if one route fails. But some providers work with a vast network of local and regional operators to bring you the same level of service reliability. When choosing a VoIP provider, ask how they route their local and global calls and if any areas are not covered within their network.
Dedicated account management:
Another key factor that determines your VoIP service quality is having a dedicated account manager who understands your business communication needs well and works to ensure you get the best out of your service. Choose a provider who offers an account manager for no extra charge. This way, you know your service is in good hands.
24/7 technical support:
Similarly, you also want a provider with a responsive tech support team in case of emergency situations. Look for a provider with multiple support options such as live chat, 24/7 phone support, email, trouble tickets, troubleshooting guides, etc.
Regular monitoring:
Additionally, your provider should constantly monitor their networks and servers. This is the best way to ensure calls travel accurately and quality remains high. Most providers use a quality monitoring service or software to keep tabs on their voice network. Ask your provider how they monitor quality and how they can guarantee uninterrupted service.
Is VoIP More Reliable than POTS?
Most VoIP newcomers wonder how exactly VoIP is more reliable than POTS. But VoIP is statistically a better choice than PSTN for small to medium-sized businesses.
To better understand why businesses prefer VoIP over landline systems, you must look at their differences.
VoIP is more cost-effective than PSTN. In fact, cloud telephony providers can offer better quality and more features at a lower cost than traditional landlines.
You have access to advanced voice calling features with VoIP. PSTN is relatively limited.
VoIP use has steadily increased while landline use has steadily decreased over the past two decades – especially in the US.
Internet-based calling allows users to use any IP-enabled device to place calls, adding geographic mobility.
With redundancy and failover capabilities, you can ensure your VoIP system is up and running, even during a power or internet outage.
VoIP infrastructure continues to evolve while PSTN is being phased out.
And finally, VoIP offers more flexibility, growth, and scalability than a PSTN setup.
So, the question remains, do you want to base your communication system on a technology that may not be as functional or reliable 10 years from now?
Source: Bullseye Telecom
When is VoIP the Better Choice?
VoIP can help you increase productivity, reduce costs, communicate effectively, and run your business from anywhere. But how do you decide if your organization can benefit from this switch?
According to our Sales Manager, Luke Genoyer, here is when VoIP is the right choice for a business:
Young companies who want to set up a reliable and easy-to-manage phone system can benefit from month-to-month services with no obligation as well as a fast, inexpensive, and easy setup.
For businesses that need to scale or plan to grow — in size or global reach — in the next few years, VoIP makes it easy to add and remove users and numbers easily.
Businesses that need access to call center data to analyze their call traffic and build a more responsive support team to improve customer experience.
Use international calling to establish a local presence around the world with various local and international phone numbers.
How to Choose a Reliable VoIP Service Provider
While there are many VoIP and cloud telephony providers on the market, you want to find one that meets your communication needs and budget. Finding this provider will take some effort and research on your part. Here’s a quick checklist of things to consider when looking for a new VoIP service:
Determine communication needs and budget.
Evaluate features and pricing.
Review inventory and global coverage.
Check uptime and carrier reliability.
Read reviews and customer testimonials.
Try for free, if available.
Get VoIP with United World Telecom
United World Telecom has offered VoIP services to businesses for over 25 years. Our experience in the telecom industry has resulted in strong relationships with Tier-1 carriers around the world. This means we can provide businesses of all sizes with high-quality and reliable VoIP phone services.
Want to learn more about our cloud telephony services? Reach out to our telecom experts and chat with us today!
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