The success of any modern business relies heavily on its ability to communicate over a range of different channels.
Using the same infrastructure as your internet, VoIP is now an industry standard in the world of corporate communications thanks to the many benefits it offers. By implementing VoIP, you can reduce overheads and enjoy far greater scalability and flexibility than you could ever hope to achieve with a landline system.
However, using the internet for handling your calls can present some challenges when it comes to audio quality. Fortunately, by paying heed to the following tips, most of these issues are easily solved.
#1. Invest in Quality Headsets
Cheap headsets might cost only a few dollars, but you get what you pay for. With poorly insulated cables and microphones that don’t support noise cancellation, audio quality will suffer. On the other hand, there’s not really any need to spend hundreds of dollars on a luxury headset.
For most uses, a corded USB headset with a noise-canceling microphone, a short and well-insulated cable and large earcups should be perfectly adequate. Wireless Bluetooth headsets are another option where mobility is a priority, although sound quality tends to be less consistent than it is with a corded headset.
#2. Manage Network Traffic
Just like any other online activity -- whether that’s downloading files, streaming videos or even just browsing the web -- VoIP consumes bandwidth.
When there’s a lot of network traffic, that means there will be less bandwidth available for calls, which translates into reduced call-quality as your VoIP software competes with other users on the network. However, most business routers, particularly those designed with VoIP in mind, allow you to manage and prioritize network traffic so that a portion of your available bandwidth is reserved for VoIP.
#3. Eliminate Interference
Annoyances such as buzzing, static and other interference are common problems with VoIP, but most of them are easily solved. These issues are normally caused by other devices in the vicinity transmitting a signal that interferes with the handset or headset.
Interference is far more likely to be a problem when using wireless devices, so you should always use a corded connection whenever one is available. However, if wireless operation is a priority, you should install DECT phones, since they use their own radio frequencies, making them far less susceptible to interference than smartphones and other wireless devices.
#4. Tweak your Wireless Network
If you’re using a wireless network (WLAN) for VoIP, you may want to consider reducing the frequency. Most modern routers support two frequencies: 2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz. The 2.4-GHz band covers a longer range, although it transmits data at a slower speed than the 5.0-GHz band.
Using the 2.4-GHz band tends to be preferable for VoIP thanks to its increased range and stability. Some high-end routers even allow you to set up two wireless networks with one for each band. This allows you to take advantage of the increased reliability of the 2.4-GHz band and the greater speed of the 5.0-GHz band.
#5. Reduce Jitter
VoIP transmits audio as packets of data, which are then decoded upon reaching the receiver. However, sometimes this data ends up being scrambled, causing the phenomenon known as jitter. Issues such as network congestion, poorly optimized VoIP software, improper queuing and low contention rates may all be responsible for reducing call quality.
One way to fix most issues, however, is to use Category 6 Ethernet cables, which transmit data at 250 MHz, as opposite to 125 MHz with the previous-generation Category 5 cables. If this doesn’t work, another option is to install a jitter buffer, which your VoIP vendor should be able to provide.
Overcoming the challenges of implementing a reliable VoIP solution doesn’t have to be difficult. That’s why Founders Technology Group provides hosted VoIP solutions providing excellent call-quality and limitless scalability. If you’re ready to take your business communications into the future, contact us today.