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VoIP (Voice over IP) is a way of making phone calls over an Internet connection. As the voice data is sent over the Internet, the technology can effectively make a phone call anywhere in the world, with the price being much cheaper than a standard landline call.
BENEFITS
- Need a home phone on the NBN?
- Get the best VOIP internet deals from leading Internet providers.
- Scroll down to see an in depth VOIP plans Australia comparison.
MORE INFORMATION
Internet phone, or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a way to talk on the phone using the Internet and if you have a home phone bundle with your NBN plan, it’s VoIP you’re using.
With VoIP, your voice is turned into digital data and sent over the Internet and it’s the go-to technology for home phone calls today. It's not just for talking – you can also use it for video calls with a webcam and a headset.
VoIP works well for both long-distance and local calls, and the technology has gotten so good that you can have clear calls anywhere in the world without any interruptions. It's a convenient option for anyone who makes phone calls.
Mobile VoIP means you can use VoIP while you're on the move, basically having a VoIP service on your mobile phone, usually a smartphone. To get started, just download an app with the right software onto your phone. Popular VoIP apps for this are WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
What sets VoIP apart?
VoIP, landline, and mobile phones share similar principles but differ in connection methods. But what sets VoIP apart from the rest?
Landlines rely on physical copper wires. Once a reliable choice, it lacks high-definition call quality. Service interruptions due to weather or line damage can lead to extended wait times for restoration, too.
Mobile utilises radio waves to connect with nearby towers, transmitting audio, text, video, and Internet. Quality depends on equipment and service provider and mobile services can be upgraded swiftly with technology advancements.
VoIP operates over the Internet, independent of landlines. It enhances mobile service, allowing calls through any Internet connection—wired, Wi-Fi, or 4G. VoIP ensures seamless continuity, as business numbers and features work across wired and mobile devices without caller awareness.
What are the benefits?
VoIP offers cost-effective, high-quality phone service with various advantages, including:
- Scalability. Easily adjust the number of lines using simple controls in the admin panel - especially handy for businesses.
- Flexibility. Unlike on-premise systems limited to one location, VoIP opens doors to global remote talent so if you’re hiring people, you aren’t limited when it comes to communication.
- Advanced features. There’s easy access to features like caller ID, call transfers, holding, and auto attendants that work seamlessly across the organisation.
VoIP also integrates smoothly with productivity software, making team monitoring and performance improvement straightforward for business owners.
There are a couple of disadvantages to using VoIP. It may require a reliable Internet connection for clear communication which can be hard depending on your upload and download speeds. The quality of VoIP services depends on the competence of the provider, including its security measures and backup solutions.
It's also important to understand that VoIP doesn't handle emergency calls the same way traditional landlines or mobile phones do. Since VoIP users can be anywhere globally, the service may not automatically connect to local first responders in case of emergencies.
What is HD voice technology?
In recent years, phone call quality has significantly improved with the help of HD voice technology. Unlike traditional voice calls, HD voice offers a notably enhanced audio experience, reducing background noise and providing clearer, crisper voice calls with improved word and sound recognition.
HD voice also transmits more data in less time, resulting in superior audio quality. This technology captures a broader range of sound frequencies, including higher and lower tones, enabling detailed sounds often missed in regular phone calls.
This compressed audio is transmitted over a wideband network without loss of quality, and upon reaching the recipient's phone, it is decompressed and played back at a higher quality than traditional voice calls.
How can VoIP be customised?
One of the perks of VoIP is that you can customise it and most larger VoIP services offer custom options that can be changed as and when you feel like it. Here’s how:
Custom audio
If you’re using VoIP for business, you can customise your hold music and reinforce your brand image as a result. This offers any caller a good listening experience, and you can change it as often as you like.
Customise messages
Answering machines are still a thing, even with VoIP. You can customise your messaging system to reflect you personally, or your brand if you’re using it as part of a business. You can choose a tone that aligns with your brand image and show off a little.
Developing a sound signature
VoIP allows you to create a recognisable auditory identity using distinctive music or specific sounds that will remind people of your brand.
How to find cheap VoIP plans Australia
If you're worried about high phone bills or love long chats without cost concerns, VoIP plans are a great fit. When exploring options, check if bundling with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is available.
Compare this to standalone providers for potential savings. Analyse your bills to understand your call patterns—local, national, or international—and choose a plan based on your current needs. To use your phone for VoIP calls, you'll need a VoIP modem. You can buy one with VoIP capabilities or get a separate device to make your current modem VoIP-ready. Keep it simple and save on your phone expenses with VoIP.
Contact Compare Broadband to get set up
Looking for the right VoIP home phone service? Compare Broadband is a free Internet comparison service for everyone in Australia. If you need help with VOIP or any broadband plans, contact us.
We've got a 5-star rating from customers and a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews. Call our friendly consultants at 1300 106 571, or do it yourself by entering your postcode and clicking "Compare Plans."
FAQs
What is VoIP?
VoIP, often referred to as Voice Over IP, stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. The term VoIP alludes to any kind of telephonic communication that is connected via the internet, or any method of converting analog audio signals into digital data that can then be transmitted over the internet. These online transmissions are specifically voice communication based, but not strictly, as they will often also involve multimedia technology. So VoIP is basically an internet phone, that sometimes had video capabilities; VoIP is often used for video calls (you may have heard of Skype) using a webcam and a headset, but it is equally suited to ordinary local calls with a VoIP phone handset plugged into a VoIP enabled modem. VoIP is suitable for anyone who makes phone calls, and its technology has now improved to the point where you can make crystal clear calls, all over the world, without interruption.
What is mobile VoIP?
As it sounds, Mobile VoIP is VoIP you can keep on you as you’re mobile; simply put, it’s a VoIP service that is kept on a mobile phone (most commonly a smartphone). Typically, you’ll need to download an app with the appropriate software application to your phone, and you’re good to go. Some of the more popular VoIP apps include Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook Messenger and Nextiva.
What are the advantages of VoIP?
In short, VoIP is easier and cheaper than traditional telephonic communication. VoIP is also easy to set up and easy to use. You won’t be charged more for a longer call, and you won’t be charged more for international calls. A VoIP phone call to you neighbour for two minutes will cost the same as a VoIP phone call to Germany for two hours.
What are the disadvantages of VoIP?
Many VoIP users will testify that once every so often, the quality of a VoIP call may be less than optimal. VoIP quality may suffer due to vast distance and/or poor reception. However, the technology is improving all the time, and depending on what service you use, after the call, you will often be asked if you would like to rate it, so that the server can keep tabs on the quality of the control and make strides to improve their VoIP service.
In order to experience the best quality calls, VoIP requires a stable internet connection such as ADSL2+, Cable or NBN. VoIP plans can be as simple as downloading free software onto a computer and using a headset to make calls, or plugging a handset into a VoIP modem to make and receive calls, just like an ordinary landline. Some VoIP plans only offer the ability to make outgoing calls, while others offer a DID (Direct In Dial) number, so you can also receive incoming calls.
How to find cheap VoIP plans Australia?
VoIP plans are ideal for anyone concerned about large phone bills, or who want to chat for as long as they like without worrying about the cost. When shopping around for a VoIP plan, see if you can bundle one in with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Compare this price with a standalone provider, who may be able to offer better value. Take a look at your bills and try to work out whether you make more local, national, or international calls, and select a plan based on your current usage.
If you want to use your telephone handset to make and receive VoIP calls, you will also need a VoIP modem. You can either buy a modem with VoIP capabilities, or you can purchase another device that will enable your current modem to work with VoIP.
How to find the best service for VoIP home phone?
Looking for the best service for you VoIP home phone? Compare Broadband is a free internet comparison service to anyone in Australia, so if you require any assistance whatsoever in researching VOIP plans (or indeed, researching any kind of broadband plan), get in touch with us to make your job easier. We’ve been independently rated 5 stars by our customers, with a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews. You can either call one of our friendly consultants on 1300 106 571, or if you prefer to do it yourself, you can find all the information relevant to you if you pop your postcode in the white box and click “Compare Plans”. Our algorithm will ask you some quick follow up questions to find out what kind of data and speed your household needs, and then it will give you a list of the best plans and providers best suited to you location and internet requirements.
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