While VoIP's history starts with ARPANET in the 1970s, the technology didn't start taking off until the 2000s. With the rise of remote work, more companies have started switching from a landline to VoIP.
Does switching phone systems take a lot of time, though? Will swapping to a new system interrupt business operations? How long will it take to get Voice Over Internet Protocol running?
The process doesn't have to upend your business. In fact, you can make the switch almost seamless. We'll cover the basics of switching to a business VoIP phone system.
Business VoIP service providers allow you to port your number as long as you remain in the same geographic area. The FCC requires phone number portability, so if you find you can't get your number ported, consider contacting your local public utility commission. Some businesses have waivers for this requirement.
You should find out in advance whether porting your number to your new phone service provider costs money or adds lead time. Knowing how long the process takes and what it entails will make the switch smoother.
Keep your old phone service while you start the switching process. Your landline phone isn't going anywhere, and if you cancel early, you could throw your phone and internet service into chaos.
Make sure you check for early termination fees, outstanding balances, and other service fees with your current phone provider. You don't want to deal with a surprise bill while you're switching from landline to VoIP.
When it seems as though you have everything ready to go, contact your new provider and confirm that all transfers have finished. You can then cancel your old phone service.
FCC rules state that companies must complete normal porting processes within a single day. Don't rely on this, as it applies to single-line systems and can have exceptions. Larger systems can take a week or more to change over.
Always contact your new provider and insist on a clear answer about the timeline.
VoIP phones rely on the same bandwidth that your internet service does. If you want to commit to technological evolution in your business, you'll need to look into better network service alongside your VoIP service.
You'll want at least 100 kbps of upload and download bandwidth per VoIP line you intend to use. The more lines you want, the better a connection you'll need. If you need other services that use a lot of bandwidth, you should improve your network service before switching to VoIP to make the transition smoother.
A transition from landline to VoIP can reduce costs, improve remote access, and enable you to scale your phones alongside your business. Nevertheless, you can't accomplish such a transition overnight. Make sure to lay the groundwork for a seamless transition before you start looking at new phone providers.
If you're looking for help with VoIP transition, web design, and other managed IT services, contact EnvisionIT Solutions. We offer web development and new logo design as well. New customers can also get a free network assessment.
