What is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol - that is, voice delivered using Internet Protocol. In a nutshell, VoIP enables both cost savings and extra functionality by enabling voice traffic to be converted to the digital format of data packets and delivered over a data network (using Internet Protocol) instead of the traditional public switched telephone network.

Why should I consider VoIP?

Today, IP telephony is taking the world by storm. Throughout the United States VoIP has become the corporate standard due to its cost savings, flexibility and security. By converging data and voice onto one single wide-area network (WAN), companies are changing the way they communicate internally and externally. By 2009, 74% of corporate phone lines are predicted to be IP lines (source: Radicati Group). In Australia, many large organisations are already reaping the benefits of VoIP and, now, with Online dB and ValueNet, all businesses, regardless of size, can enjoy the same benefits.

What are the benefits of VoIP?

The single largest benefit of VoIP is in cost savings. For customers, that will mean significant savings on their telephone bill - from line rental to national, international and mobile calling. For small, medium and large enterprise it will mean the ability to access all the benefits of VoIP to the vast majority of Australian businesses including:

• Convergence of voice and data
By carrying voice and data on the same network, not only do you have a more efficient, cost-effective communications network, but it is simplified and provided by one carrier. The offer of bundled services and packages also saves customers time and money by bringing all of their telecommunication needs under one banner and in one bill.
• VoIP Wide-area network (WAN) with free on-net
calling Companies with multiple sites can easily set up a VoIP Virtual Private Network (VPN) and link all of their offices' voice and data, allowing for a closed-circuit network with shared data and free on-net calling.
• Remote access to main offices
Employees can now communicate from home (and on the road with a soft-phone) back to the head office and to other remote employees for no cost.
• IP PBX With features such as:

  • Unified messaging (e.g. voice mail to email)
  • Call forwarding/call following
  • Enhanced conference calling
  • Scalability and mobility

Isn't all VoIP the same?

No, there are a number of differences that will affect the quality of the calls so you need to be careful selecting your VoIP operator. Things to look for include:

• Ensuring that your calls are carried over a dedicated VoIP network and not just the public Internet;
• That voice traffic is prioritised over standard data, with an industry standard of Quality of Service (QoS); and
• That your network is monitored and available 24/7. These are the levels of service and quality that Online dB has brought to the Australian VoIP market.