A VoIP phone needs an Internet connection to function. An Internet connection sounds like a really simple thing to ask for, however, like in any situation there are always a number of different variables. There are different levels of Internet connectivity which offer different speeds and capacity. Capacity can be shared with other users in the local area or be dedicated to specific user / business.
For a VoIP phone to function effectively all of these factors need to be taken into account. Whilst a poor quality connection may be suitable for other IT activities it becomes instantly noticeable with a VoIP call.
Selecting the correct Internet connection for your business becomes a balancing act between quality, cost and service level agreements that operate on the connection.
Connecting the Internet to your business is the router, this is also a crucial piece of equipment. To ensure that your router is fit for purpose please contact a member of the Adepteo team.
These are the major different types of broadband available. As more features are added in, the cost increases.
This is the most basic of Broadbands with the lowest upload speed. There are no service level agreements in place over copper lines which means the business could be at risk of extended downtime. The sorts of business that have these lines in place have up to 10 users. However, if the business is using large or significant cloud based applications this line would be unsuitable. This is the cheapest type of broadband.
This is the next level of broadband available. This is the best value for money in relation to the upload speeds vs cost. There are no service level agreements in place, so again the business could be at risk of extended downtime. The sorts of business that have these lines in place have up to 20 users. However, if the business is using large or significant cloud based applications this line may be unsuitable.
This is cheapest level of broadband that has a service level attached to it. Service level agreements should mitigate your risk of the business being subjected to extended down times. The sorts of business that have these lines in place have between 20 and 80 users. If the business runs a large or significant number of cloud based applications, additional capacity can be added can be added for additional cost.
This sort of line means the bandwidth available is dedicated to a single location. The upload and download speeds with this line are the same. This is important if your business uses large or significant numbers of cloud based applications. Leased lines are all subject to enhanced service level agreements which should mitigate your risk of the business being subjected to extended down times.
This is similar to a leased line in terms of capability. However, a leased line is underground and a microwave connection uses a line of sight radio link and is not available in all locations. This connection is fast to install and where available may be cheaper than a leased line.
To determine which broadband is most suitable for your business in terms of functionality vs cost, please contact a member of the Adepteo team for advice.