Voice over Internet Protocol (or ‘VoIP’ for short) technology is where an internet connection is used to replace a landline to host telecommunications. So, instead of your phone operating using a traditional line coming into the premises, it connects to calls using the internet.

VoIP is hugely popular for voice, video & text (chat) among public, private and business users.

Find out more on VoIP-info.org

Using a good internet connection (broadband preferably), the ‘data’ from voice messages are bundled into internet packets and sent to the recipient, where they are then unbundled. The technology is applied to calls, chats, video (web conferencing) such as google chat, Whatsapp, Skype, Zoom to enable reliable, low cost communications.

To explain VoIP in more detail – read up on SIP trunks and how they work

Here are the main differences between a traditional landline phone system (Public Switched Telephone Network /PSTN) and VoIP.

PSTN
Physical dedicated lines or ‘cordless’
Features such as call waiting, Caller ID and so on are usually available at an extra cost
Can be upgraded or expanded with new equipment and line provisioning
Hardwired landline phones (those without an adapter) usually remain active during power outage
VoIP
All channels carried over one virtual line over the Internet connection
Features such as call waiting, Caller ID and so on are usually included free with service. Read about features here
Upgrades usually requires only bandwidth and software upgrades. VoIP systems are highly extensible with the use of free and paid plugins. Find out more about cloud hosted phone systems here.
Power loss, back-ups and failover solutions are built in. Discover how 3CX failover works here.
Customisable dashboard / wall board for analytics
Staff can work from anywhere using their business extension
Save on call costs by lowering mobile & customer service number bills-
Discover even more about the functionality of a 3CX phone system here–
DECT phones
Both PSTN and VoIP can be used with Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phones. These phones normally have a handset, base, cordless functionality and support sound enhancement, answer machine, voicemail, phone book and caller ID.

Poor call quality creates a bad impression for anybody you do business with on the phone. It’s the last thing you want to experience with your phone provider.
SenSys Technology understands your business demands dial tone reliability with crystal clear conversations – so how do we achieve this?

• We partner with world leading SIP trunk and VOIP telco’s that provides the best in class communications.
• SenSys recommend segmenting a section of your broadband bandwidth on your router for the sole use of your phone system
• Tier 1 Irish call routes
• Two independent Irish data centres
• High-quality voice technology
• We recommend high quality voice handsets / headsets

The broadband speed requirement is dependent on the number of concurrent calls.
The following table highlights the typical broadband speeds required when using a dedicated broadband connection for voice. It’s important to note that this is the speed required purely for voice usage. SenSys Technology will advise on the correct broadband connection for VoIP.

Number of concurrent calls	Speed required (upload & download)
1	100.00 Mbps
5	500.00 Mbps
10	1000.00 Mbps
20	2000.00 Mbps
100	10000.00 Mbps

Try this FREE calculator

Lines to VoIP bandwidth Calculator

Need to do more research? Start with these two articles:

VoIP Bandwidth: How Much Do You Need?

How Much Bandwidth Does VoIP Technology Require?

There are numerous providers out there for performing a speed test on your computer. Please take note of both the download and upload speeds.

• Speedtest.net
• Switcher
• Bonkers.ie speed test

Talk to us about getting your own dedicated IT guy and discover how SenSys Technology can manage firewall settings to ensure that your voice call quality is excellent.
Check out our other pages:
Click here to visit our IT Consultancy page
Click here to view SenSys Tech cloud services

The number 1 concern for business customers is availability. VoIP solutions can offer 99.999% uptime ensuring their reliability.
It is only natural to have concerns regarding the reliability of any new service, especially the one that will provide your business communication solutions.

However, if something ever goes wrong with your own broadband connection, SenSys Technology configure your VOIP phone system that it automatically fails over to another branch office or your mobile(s) to keep your incoming calls working.
Discover how 3CX failover works

Yes, there is an agreement with all major telecoms companies that allow you to port in and out numbers.
SenSys Technology work closely with providers to manage the complete migration and guarantee zero down time for your business communications.

• Click here to visit our IT Consultancy page
• Talk to us about getting your own dedicated IT guy from SenSys Tech.