There are many different factors to consider when using VoIP (Voice over IP) phones and working from home. This article will talk about some of the things people need to think of when they are trying to figure out the best solution for voice over IP phone service for home, so you can work more efficiently and productively.

The great thing about a VoIP phone is that they don’t require a traditional phone line, which is something that many have done away with in modern times.  All you need to make phone calls is an Internet connection.

What is VoIP (Voice Over IP)?

Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP for short, refers to the ability of a user to make telephone calls by using data packets that are transmitted through an internet connection. This type of phone call can be initiated from anywhere in the world as long as there is access to the Internet.

Chances are, you may have been using VoIP in your office, and not even realized it, since a physical VoIP phone, often called a hard phone, looks just like a regular telephone.

VoIP Soft Phones vs Hard Phones

When it comes to your VoIP phone, there are really two main choices: VoIP soft phones and VoIP hard phones.

A VoIP soft phone is what most people think of when you say “VoIP”. The best way to describe the difference between a VoIP hard phone and VoIP soft phone is that it’s like the difference between an office desk lamp for your living room. A VOIP hard phone will have all the features, buttons, and controls

The advantage of a soft phone is that it’s much easier to take with you when working from home or traveling, since it is just a piece of software. It also has the benefit of not requiring any extra hardware, as all you need is your laptop and an internet connection.

Some prefer to have a physical device as a phone, that is dedicated to their work use. In this case, a VoIP hard phone is a great option, but it is not uncomplicated.

You will need to plug the phone into your laptop or computer. Be sure the phone you select comes will all of the cables you need, and be sure to check what input ports you have on your computer that are available.

Common VoIP Issues at Home

There are some common Voice over IP issues at home, that you simply won’t run into at the office. Let’s take a closer look at two of these common issues, and how to fix them.

Voice over IP phones and VPN

Sometimes, there can be some trouble when it comes to VoIP phones at home and connecting through a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The biggest issue in these cases is usually a reduced sound quality.

The VPN is just trying to create a secure connection between your home and the office, but if you have too many hops or packets of data that need to be sent over this network, then bandwidth can get bogged down. This reduction in quality could mean not being able to hear someone on one end very well.

If you are having issues with this, it is best to call your Helpdesk. They likely have a solution, and can guide to to proper usage of your VoIP phone while at home.

Issues using a VoIP and Video at the same time

If you have issues using a Voice over IP phone and video at the same time, this is usually because of the inability to allocate enough bandwidth. Try making sure other items on your computer are not using bandwidth at the same time.

For example, pause file syncing and downloads while on a video call. This will free up bandwidth and allow for you to use the VoIP phone hopefully without any issues with quality or clarity.

There are many great things about VoIP phones and many different options.  They can be an extremely important part of your work from home office configuration. It’s important to consider finding a voice over IP phone service for home.

Find more posts from Melissa here!