What is VOIP?

The ultimate guide to a VoIP Phone System

Apex PBX Logo

Call us: 0800 055 7272

What is VoIP?

A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP phone system) allows users to make voice calls using the internet, rather than a phone line. This results in a far less expensive and far more flexible communication method, enabling a variety of user-friendly features to be introduced alongside the basic call functionality.

Get a quote
Voice Over Internet Protocol

Why Switch From ISDN To a VoIP System?

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a phone system that utilises the public switched telephone network (PSTN). ISDN lines are hardwired, whereas VoIP simply relies on the user having an internet connection. Some of the benefits of making the switch to a VoIP phone system are:
View Solutions
  • ISDN lines will become redundant over the next few years
  • A VoIP phone system offers a far more feature rich environment
  • VoIP solutions have significantly lower call costs
  • Flexibility; making office moves and expansion easy
  • A VoIP phone system can be operated over a variety of platforms

How Does a VoIP telephone system Work?

  • Codecs are compression technologies and have two components: an encoder to compress the files, and a decoder to decompress.
  • VoIP works by converting your analogue voice signals into digital signals which are then transferred as data across your broadband line to the other person on the call
  • So, when you make a call, your voice signals are compressed, sent via an IP and then decompressed almost instantaneously.
Get a quote
VoIP Meaning

VoIP Hardware Or VoIP Software (App)?

VoIP Hardware

You’re likely to have come across a VoIP phone before. While there are different handsets – covering a variety of features depending on your needs – the majority simply look like a standard office phone. This means you’ll be able to transfer calls, access your voicemail, and use short numbers to communicate internally. Some of the hardware options will be more specialist than others; such as handsets specifically designed for receptionists, or IP conference devices.

VoIP Software

VoIP Software

Softphones are becoming increasingly popular. This software-based solution is commonly referred to as a softphone, and can be used on a mobile device or a desktop. They replicate a physical handset in terms of interface to provide a familiar user experience. For the most part, a desktop app will require a headset and microphone, whereas a mobile app experience will be identical to making a normal call from your mobile.

Which VoIP solution is for you?

If you’re predominantly office-based during working hours, having hardware separate to your computer or personal mobile phone might be a preference. As flexibility around working hours and remote working grows, having the ability to handle incoming and outgoing calls while on the go may be more of a priority. This is where a softphone really comes in handy.

Variety is the spice of life, and there’s no reason why you can’t use your physical handset in conjunction with a softphone.
View Solutions
VoIP solution

Advantages of a VoIP system

Work Remotely

As home working becomes more commonplace, having a phone system that supports remote working is integral. VoIP allows users to work from anywhere, so long as they are connected to the internet. This can be via hardware, or using a softphone (mobile or desktop app).

voip scaleability

Scalability And Movability

Unlike a traditional ISDN line, VoIP makes moving office and/or upscaling your business a quick and painless process. Any additional handsets can be added within hours of a request being made.

secure voip

Security And Privacy

A more secure and private method of making calls than using a traditional analogue telephone. VoIP has standardised encryption protocols that make your calls and data more secure than ever before.

voip phone system costs

Cost Saving

VoIP telephony significantly cuts down on the cost of domestic and international calls compared to traditional phone systems.

View Solutions

VoIP And Disaster Recovery

Whether or not a company allows employees to work from home on a regular basis, VoIP can be hugely beneficial in unprecedented situations when a business has to temporarily close its headquarters. In the case of power cuts, internet failure, acts of God or illness, VoIP makes relocating staff a far easier process. VoIP system features such as call forwarding to mobiles, as well as softphones, ensures there is no impact to a company’s ability to communicate internally or with its clients, even in the most exceptional of situations.

Get a quote

VoIP System Key Features

voip softphone

Softphone

Make and receive calls with call features via our user friendly mobile application

IVR Auto Attendant

Create bespoke system menus and call filtering for departments

Call Forwarding

Forward 01, 02, 03 numbers to a mobile or even a softphone application

voip conference calling

Conferance Calling

Create conference rooms for an unlimited number of users

voip call recording

Call Recording

Record calls on demand and download or receive audio files via email

voip voicemail

Voicemail

Create conference rooms for an unlimited number of users

View features

Terminologies

The set of rules that makes it possible to use the Internet for telephone or videophone communication

A private telephone network used within a business

A set of communication standards for simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video, data, and other network services over the traditional circuits of the PSTN

The aggregate of the world’s circuit-switched telephone networks that are operated by national, regional, or local telephony operators

Data stored, managed, and processed on a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet, rather than on local servers or personal computers

The maximum rate of data transfer across a given path
The delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer
A digital media transport system that runs over standard IP networks
The way a computer connects to the Internet at high speeds using telephone lines

A device or program that compresses data to enable faster transmission and decompresses received data
A technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice and DTMF tones input via a keypad
A network protocol for delivering audio and video over IP networks
Enables the end point’s PBX to send and receive calls via the Internet

A piece of software that allows the user to make telephone calls over the Internet

Frequently Asked Questions

Your main telephone number can be forwarded instantly to a mobile number of your choice. For making outbound calls, the mobile application enables you to make calls as if you were working from your physical handset, displaying either your DDI or main number when dialling out.

Yes. When porting numbers, the process normally takes anything between 2-4 weeks. When assigning new numbers, the system can be set up within 3-5 working days based on you having the correct infrastructure in place (internet/cabling/network services etc).

Yes, you can. We can also supply you with ADSL & Fibre broadband.
Overall the process takes between 2-4 weeks. This is dependent on ported (existing) numbers being accepted and engineer availability.
You can do this by informing your account manager that you want to add new handsets.
View all FAQs

Get A Free Quote

Receive a free quote today for our VoIP Phone System. Our helpful team can help find you the perfect VoIP solution for your business, whatever your requirements.

or call us on 0800 055 7272

    See our wide range of VoIP handsets

    View Handsets