Having Problems with VoIP? 3 Ways to Ensure High Quality of Service

At Votacall, we are obviously believers in the power and efficacy of Hosted VoIP solutions. And we’re not shy about the fact that we think VoIP technology is great for businesses across industries. However, that doesn’t mean there are no problems with VoIP systems whatsoever. Like any other tech upgrade, VoIP technology isn’t perfect and it has limitations. With that in mind, today we’re going to take a look at some common issues associated with VoIP systems, how you can mitigate against them, and the best ways to ensure high quality of service with VoIP phones:

Fixing VoIP Latency

VoIP technology is much more sophisticated than traditional landline alternatives. But as a result, sometimes lags or “latencies” occur in conversation while using VoIP phones. In layman’s terms, latency measures the amount of time it takes for a person on one end of a phone line to hear and respond to the other. With VoIP technology, a certain amount of latency (or lag) is acceptable –– anything under 150 milliseconds (ms). On the other hand, when latency reaches 300 ms or more, conversation is impossible since the lag between response is too great. Latency can occur for a number of reasons including: insufficient bandwidth, improper codecs, too much VoIP traffic, or old hardware. Your VoIP provider should be able to help you determine the issue and fix it in most cases.

Fixing VoIP Jitter 

Similar to latency, VoIP jitter is typically characterized by “choppy” or “glitchy” conversations. In this instance though, the problem is less about VoIP phones receiving information too slowly, but rather those information “packets” arriving out of order. That’s why the call audio on conversations affected by jitter may sound spliced or scrambled. The good news is, jitter buffers are a quick and effective way to prevent this occurring in your system.

Addressing Insufficient Bandwidth

Plain and simple, VoIP systems rely on an internet connection to work properly. So if your internet goes down, your VoIP system will also be rendered ineffective. What’s more, the speed of your internet connection can also have an impact on your VoIP tech’s performance. If a business isn’t using a high-speed connection, it’s possible for a high number of calls to derail the system. As such, it’s critical for businesses that use VoIP phones to ensure their internet connection is secure and functioning at top speed at all times. Remember also to set up your internal network to prioritize VoIP traffic –– otherwise you could be accidentally shooting yourself in the foot!

Final Thoughts

VoIP systems provide cost-effective and highly reliable communications solutions to companies in nearly every field. Indeed, it’s no wonder that so many business owners value VoIP technology and its many features like voicemail-to-email security, CRM integration capability, and remote connectivity. The real measure of a VoIP vendor then, should be their ability to respond to customer queries and offer solutions in a quick, efficient manner. At Votacall, customer service is our number one priority. But don’t just take our word for it –– contact us today and begin to experience the difference for yourself. We’re not like other VoIP providers because we take the time to address your issues when they happen so you can get back to work and quit worrying about tech problems. To see the proof with your own eyes, check out our free eBook and make the call for yourself!