--- title: What Does VoIP Mean and What Does it Do? description: What does VoIP mean and how can you use this technology to improve your business? Get the answer to these questions and more in our latest blog where we take it back to basics for a change. image: https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/admin-ajax%20copy.jpeg --- [![votacall-white-logo](https://blog.votacall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Votacall_Logos/votacall-white-logo.png?width=160&height=60&name=votacall-white-logo.png "votacall-white-logo")](https://www.votacall.com/) [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/30ece5fb-d161-4a2b-a2fa-e09ea591c83f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/30ece5fb-d161-4a2b-a2fa-e09ea591c83f) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348) ** ** ** [![votacall](https://blog.votacall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Votacall_Logos/votacall-no-tagline-215.png?width=134&height=50&name=votacall-no-tagline-215.png "votacall")](https://www.votacall.com/) [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794) [![Support](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/2fadc0c9-dda6-4a11-be0f-2e56531ee33c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/2fadc0c9-dda6-4a11-be0f-2e56531ee33c) ** ** ** #### Platform #### Call Center #### Solutions #### By Industry #### Get Started Wanna subscribe to our blog? 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We'll send you updates once a month. **Menu** ** ** [![Get Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/48d526f3-8bfa-4ea3-9e1e-8b8b59046794) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/0de441db-f9fd-4d66-9809-384192c56348) ![](https://blog.votacall.com/hubfs/admin-ajax%20copy.jpeg) # What Does VoIP Mean and What Does it Do? Written by [Andrew DeAngelis](https://blog.votacall.com/author/andrew-deangelis) November 26, 2018 ![what does voip mean](https://blog.votacall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/admin-ajax%20copy.jpeg?width=300&name=admin-ajax%20copy.jpeg)We write about VoIP on our blog a lot. We mean, a LOT. And while we’ve covered everything from [how private schools can benefit from VoIP](https://blog.votacall.com/4-ways-that-private-schools-use-hosted-voip-to-communicate-across-campus), to how business owners can use VoIP tech to improve ROI, we think it might prove beneficial to go back to basics for a change. On that note, today we’ll be looking at defining some common phone system terms and explaining in plain English, what does VoIP mean and what will it do for your company? ### **Definition of VoIP** VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In the practical sense, that means VoIP phones operate through the internet (digitally) as opposed to traditional phones signals that travel through landlines. Information conveyed through VoIP phones is converted into [binary “packets”](https://www.techopedia.com/definition/17052/binary-code) that the system first interprets and then transmits. This process happens more or less instantaneously. ### **Advantages of VoIP** So why is it better to use a phone system that’s connected to the internet than one that operates in the “conventional” manner. First, there’s the issue of cost-savings. Since VoIP phones run through a digital network, businesses don’t get charged when their employees make calls to each other –– or when they make long-distance calls through the system. In addition, VoIP systems are reliable; as long as you have an internet connection, your VoIP phones will work perfectly –– regardless of poor weather or other circumstances. Lastly VoIP systems are beneficial to businesses because they boast a number of features that other communication networks can’t replicate. For instance, through a typical VoIP interface, employees can [set up hunt groups](https://blog.votacall.com/what-is-a-hunt-group-and-how-does-it-work), voicemail-to-email security backup, and access vital info through a CRM integration. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. ### **VoIP Quality vs Landlines** If you run a business that relies on regular over-the-phone interactions with consumers, it’s understandable to question the sound quality of VoIP phones. Again, as opposed to analog (landline) systems that send messages through physical copper wiring, VoIP phone calls occur digitally. As such, VoIP systems require a level of bandwidth (internet connection) that landline phones don’t. When that connection is compromised in some way, it’s possible for team members to [experience issues with phone calls like lagging or latency](https://blog.votacall.com/problems-with-voip). However, the good news is, if your business has its own internet connection, you can adjust the settings to account for a higher volume of calls. Remember, that while most businesses don’t encounter many issues with their VoIP software, providers like Votacall offer 24/7 tech support regardless. ### **The Bottom Line** Because of their digital nature, VoIP systems are flexible, scalable, cost-effective, and easy-to-use. If those sound like qualities you value in a product, then [contact the Votacall team today](https://www.votacall.com/contact-us). We’re different from other VoIP vendors because we make sure to support your team through installation, integration, and remain available to take on technical difficulties as they arise. Don’t just take our word for it, though. [Download our free eBook here](https://www.votacall.com/choosing-the-right-hosted-voip-partner-ebook) and learn how to find the perfect VoIP provider for your office:[![Debunking Hosted VoIP Myths eBook download](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/468097/347f5d00-9488-4385-bc29-f1198119968e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/468097/347f5d00-9488-4385-bc29-f1198119968e) ** ### Subscribe by Email Previous Story [← How Does a PBX Phone System Work?](https://blog.votacall.com/how-does-a-pbx-phone-system-work) [** ](https://blog.votacall.com/) Next Story [Mobile Strategy as a Way to Improve Work Performance (Infographic) →](https://blog.votacall.com/mobile-way-to-improve-work-performance) ## No Comments Yet Let us know what you think ### Votacall, Inc ##### **HEADQUARTERS** 550 S ANDREWS AVE SUITE 740 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301   ##### **SERVICE AND SUPPORT CENTER** 1504 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY SUITE 19 NORWOOD, MA 02062   Call us: 866-303-8600 Email: [corporate@votacall.com](mailto:corporate@votacall.com) [Find Us on Google My Business](https://g.page/r/CVUVqZdO40XjEBM/review) ### Contact Us © 2019-2026 Votacall, Inc. 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