Businesses continue to evolve, and so do the technologies at work within them. One of the most significant innovations in the recent past within communications has been VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP phone systems revolutionize how businesses can connect with one another and customers internally, through flexibility, cost savings, and high-quality service.
In the article, we’re going to discuss how VoIP works and why it’s a great choice for your business, with some of the best VoIP service providers in 2024.
How VoIP Works
VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a technology that enables voice communication and multimedia sessions over the internet, rather than through a conventional telephone line. Essentially, VOIP allows users to make voice calls using a broadband internet connection instead of a traditional analog phone line.
With VoIP, the voice can be channeled over the Internet rather than conventional telephone lines. This is effected not through a dedicated circuit, but by converting the sound into digital packets that are then transmitted through your connection to the Internet. In the case of a call, these packets are then transmitted to the receiving device, which then reassembles them as audio that allows for real-time voice communication.
This system not only grants greater flexibility but also reduces the need for complex and expensive hardware.
At its core, VOIP converts your voice into digital signals. Here’s how it works, step by step:
Analog Signal Conversion: When you speak into a VOIP phone or softphone, your voice is first converted from an analog signal (the natural sound of your voice) into a digital signal. This transformation is carried out by a device called an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) or built directly into your VOIP device.
Packetization: After the voice signal is digitized, it is divided into small data packets. These packets contain not only the audio but also information about the sender, the receiver, and how to reconstruct the audio signal upon arrival.
Transmission: These packets are sent across the internet using Internet Protocol (IP). IP is the same technology used to transmit any kind of data on the web, whether it’s a webpage, video stream, or email.
Reconstruction at the Destination: Once the packets reach the recipient, the VOIP service reassembles them into an audio signal, allowing the person on the other end to hear your voice. The whole process happens in real-time, often faster than traditional telephony.
Why You Should Use a VoIP Phone System for Your Business
What was supposed to be true about the migration to VoIP phone systems burdened a number of benefits that could even help acquit business operations and generally enhance efficiency. Below are some main reasons why businesses switch to this telephone solution more often.
Cost Savings
Traditional systems usually cost a great deal, especially for international calls. On the contrary, VoIP is much cheaper as most of the time it requires merely a flat rate in return for unlimited calls, both locally and internationally. Moreover, they eradicate costly hardware and long-term maintenance expenses too.
High Sound Quality
One of the most common myths about VoIP include the idea that it sacrifices sound quality. On the contrary, with a good, reliable internet connection and a sophisticated VoIP service provider, businesses get crystal-clear sound quality, often superior to that of traditional phone lines.
Suitable for Remote and Hybrid Teams
VoIP systems are extremely flexible. Because they work over the internet, employees can take their business numbers with them wherever they go, whether they work at home, in a coffee shop, or while traveling.
Integrations with Sales and Customer Support Tools
These days, VoIP services can actually include much more than calls. Most of the best VoIP services nowadays will integrate smoothly with the most popular CRM platforms and even helpdesk software. These integrations alone can boost productivity by offering teams the ability to track calls data, automate tasks, and make on-platform communication between departments smooth.
Additional Built-in Features
VoIP providers offer a variety of built-in features that traditional phone systems simply cannot match. These can include:
- Call forwarding
- Voicemail-to-email transcription
- Auto-attendants
- Call analytics and reporting
- Video conferencing
These tools can significantly improve customer interactions, internal communications, and overall business efficiency.
“VoIP technology is more than just a cost-saving tool—it’s a powerful platform that enables businesses to streamline communication, integrate with key systems, and offer unparalleled flexibility for remote and hybrid teams. At NobelBiz, we specialize in delivering VoIP solutions tailored for contact centers, ensuring high call quality and advanced features that enhance both productivity and customer experience.” – Michael Mcguire Chief Sales Officer Nobelbiz
Top VoIP Phone Service Providers
Choosing the right VoIP provider is essential to ensure your business maximizes the benefits of internet-based communication. Here are some of the top VoIP service providers in 2024.
NobelBiz enjoys the position of a trusted leader in the VoIP industry due to its strong infrastructure and quality voice services. NobelBiz has brought a VoIP solution for contact centers that is designed with advanced capabilities, which promise smooth communication and improvement in customer experience. On one platform, NobelBiz offers call routing, analytics-everything required to operate your business. NobelBiz Voice Carrier also assures global coverage, so it fits best for international operations.
Key Features:
- Omnichannel Communication (Omni+ Platform): NobelBiz’s Omni+ platform supports voice, email, SMS, chat, and social media, providing a truly integrated experience for contact centers. This enables agents to interact with customers across multiple channels seamlessly.
- Call Routing and Forwarding: Smart call routing and forwarding options to ensure calls are directed to the right agents based on skill and availability.
- Call Analytics and Reporting: Provides detailed real-time analytics and reporting, including call duration, customer interaction history, and performance tracking.
- Call Recording: Automatic call recording for quality assurance and training.
- Compliance Tools: Built-in compliance management tools that help contact centers meet regulatory standards, particularly in industries like finance and healthcare.
- Cloud-Based Solutions: NobelBiz offers cloud-based VoIP, reducing the need for hardware and enabling flexibility for remote or hybrid teams.
Integrations:
- CRM Integrations: NobelBiz integrates with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce, Zendesk, and Microsoft Dynamics, allowing contact centers to track customer interactions, access call history, and manage leads all in one place.
- API Integration: Provides an API for custom integrations, enabling businesses to develop tailored communication workflows.
- Helpdesk and Ticketing Systems: Seamlessly integrates with ticketing and helpdesk systems like Freshdesk, allowing customer service teams to streamline issue resolution and enhance customer support.
Aircall is a VoIP, cloud phone that puts heavy emphasis on ease of use and how well it can integrate with various services. Because of this, it boasts seamless integrations with the most popular CRM and helpdesk tools while setting the bar for sales and customer support teams. Besides, Aircall has simple setup, meaning your team will be up and running in minutes without requiring extensive IT support.
Key Features | Integrations |
---|---|
Call Management: Features like call queuing, call forwarding, and shared call inboxes. Ideal for managing large call volumes in sales and support teams. | CRM Platforms (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive): Seamlessly integrates with top CRMs to track calls, log data, and manage customer relationships within the platform. |
Call Routing: Directs calls to the right agent based on skill set, customer location, or time of day. | Helpdesk (Zendesk, Freshdesk): Integration with helpdesk software allows teams to manage tickets, track customer issues, and link call data to support cases. |
Voicemail-to-Email: Automatically transcribes voicemail messages and sends them to agents via email. | Slack: Connects with Slack for internal communication, enabling agents to notify teams about calls, share data, and collaborate in real time. |
Call Analytics: Provides detailed analytics on call duration, missed calls, and response times. | Shopify and Intercom: Integrates with e-commerce and support platforms, enabling teams to communicate directly with customers and track order or issue history during calls. |
Click-to-Dial: Built-in functionality allowing agents to dial directly from their CRM or support software. |
RingCentral
RingCentral is among the oldest names in VoIP, providing a host of communication tools other than voice calls: messaging, video conferencing, and even proper analytics in one place. That makes it a perfect choice for enterprises which need an all-in-one solution that will be able to grow with an expanding company.
Key Features Integrations Unlimited Calling & SMS: Free calling and texting within the U.S. and Canada. CRM Platforms: Integrates with major CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho, allowing users to manage customer relationships and track calls within the CRM platform. Call Management: Features like call forwarding, screening, and parking for efficient call handling. Microsoft Teams: Allows users to make and receive calls directly from Microsoft Teams, utilizing RingCentral’s calling features. Team Messaging: Built-in messaging platform for team collaboration and chats. Google Workspace: Syncs with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive, enabling streamlined workflow management. Voicemail-to-Email: Transcribed voicemail messages sent directly to email inboxes. Video Conferencing: High-quality video meetings with up to 200 participants. Auto-Attendant: Automates call routing, making it easier for callers to navigate departments.
Dialpad is known for its feature-rich artificial intelligence. It provides voice recognition, real-time transcription, and AI-powered call insights to make it way more than just a simple call service for business, thus making it such a valuable tool. Because of its ease-of-use platform and solid integrations, Dialpad works great for the tech-forward company, too.
Key Features | Integrations |
---|---|
AI-Powered Transcriptions and Insights: Provides real-time call transcription, making it easier for agents to reference conversations or take notes. | Google Workspace and Microsoft 365: Seamless integration allows users to schedule calls, access contacts, and collaborate on documents within their preferred productivity suites. |
Voice Intelligence: Live coaching and feedback during calls, improving agent performance by suggesting tone adjustments or highlighting missed points. | Salesforce Integration: Full integration enables agents to manage customer information, track call data, and handle CRM tasks directly from the Dialpad interface. |
Call Routing and Forwarding: Smart routing based on agent availability to ensure efficient call handling. | Slack and Zendesk: Integrates with Slack for team collaboration and with Zendesk for enhanced customer support, ensuring easy access to call data and customer interactions. |
Unified Communications: Combines VoIP, messaging, and video conferencing into a single platform. | HubSpot: Integration allows sales and support teams to track leads and customer calls directly from HubSpot’s CRM platform. |
Call Recording and Monitoring: Records calls for quality assurance, coaching, and legal compliance, with easy access to recordings from the dashboard. |
Other major participants in the VoIP space include 8×8, which provides an all-inclusive solution covering voice, video, messaging, and contact center features. It boasts of extensive global reach and is thus suitable for multinational companies. With its powerful security measures and flexible pricing plans, 8×8 is a solid choice for businesses of all sizes.
Key Features | Integrations |
---|---|
Unlimited Global Calling: Provides unlimited calling to 48 countries, ideal for businesses with international clients. | Salesforce: Seamlessly integrates with Salesforce, enabling agents to manage customer records, call logs, and analytics in real time. |
AI-Powered Voice Quality: AI-driven technologies ensure high call quality, even during network congestion. | Zendesk: Connects with Zendesk for efficient ticketing and customer support workflows, speeding up issue resolution. |
Team Messaging: Built-in messaging platform for internal team communication. | Microsoft 365 & Teams: Full integration allows businesses to manage internal and external communications using Microsoft 365 and Teams. |
Call Center Features: Advanced features include auto-dialing, call recording, and skill-based routing, perfect for call centers. | Slack: Integration with Slack enables teams to start voice or video calls directly from the app for real-time collaboration. |
Voicemail to Email/Text: Converts voicemails to email or SMS for easier access and added convenience. |
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‘The technology aspect of NobelBiz stood out compared to the competition, and also the great team! All the way from onboarding to support to troubleshooting has been great throughout this journey!’
What to Consider When Choosing a VoIP Provider
Selecting the right VoIP provider involves considering several factors, including:
- Cost: Compare pricing plans to ensure they fit within your budget, especially if your business makes a lot of international calls.
- Features: Look for a provider that offers the features you need, such as call analytics, auto-attendants, or video conferencing.
- Integration Capabilities: Choose a provider that integrates seamlessly with your existing business tools, like CRM and customer support software.
- Sound Quality: Ensure the provider guarantees high sound quality, even during peak internet usage.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you’ll want a VoIP solution that can scale along with it.
Why Choose NobelBiz Voice Carrier?
NobelBiz stands out due to its specialization in contact center solutions. The NobelBiz Voice Carrier service offers unparalleled reliability and a range of advanced features tailored for businesses looking to optimize their customer service operations. With a global network, NobelBiz ensures top-notch call quality across multiple regions, making it a prime choice for businesses with an international footprint. Moreover, NobelBiz provides deep insights through analytics, empowering companies to improve their customer interactions.
Switch to a VoIP phone service, and it can really modernize the way your business communicates, while you save money on calls, enjoy better sound, and have flexibility for a hybrid remote working team. Some of the top providers in 2024 include NobelBiz, Aircall, RingCentral, Dialpad, and 8×8-so whatever one works best for different types and sizes of business can be found.
For companies requiring a contact center-specific solution, NobelBiz is clearly the premier choice with added reliability and additional features to really enhance customer experience.
Michael McGuire is a contact center industry expert with almost two decades of experience in the space. His experience includes roles as Director of Contact Center Digital Transformation at NobelBiz, and as Director of Operations at FLS Connect, managing multiple call centers. As President of Anomaly Squared and Targeted Metrics, Michael successfully transitioned companies into remote operations and significantly boosted revenues. With a strong background in customer service, leadership, strategic planning, and operations management, Michael excels in driving growth and innovation in the call center space.
Mike is also a proud Board Member for R.E.A.C.H Trade Group, promoting consumer protection and satisfaction and Co-host of the Off Skripted Podcast – a show about Life, Call Centers and everything in between.