VoIP vs. Landline
What is a Landline? — a phone connected via a phone cord to an external phone line. Landlines are quickly decreasing in use due to cost and lack of mobility.
What is VoIP? — think of it as an “internet phone.” Skype, Facetime, and other voice calling programs are examples of VoIP that you might use in your daily life.
While VoIP may seem like the best option for your business, don’t discount landlines just yet. Here are the pros and cons of both systems.
Cost
VoIP is cheaper than landlines on most occasions.
VoIP requires minimal installation and less maintenance, which lowers cost immediately. Also, less cabling has to be installed to get VoIP phones to work.
VoIP also has two main costs:
- Cost of service each month
- Cost of handset
Landlines available to businesses may try to bundle phone services with other “amenities,” such as cable television, internet, and more that can add onto the cost.
Advantage: VoIP
Reliability
If you need to make a phone call during severe weather and the power is out, your VoIP may not work. A landline will handle power outages and allow you to talk to the outside world.
Landlines also don’t falter if there is an internet outage or if too many people bombard a network. For many businesses, phones will have dedicated lines with extensions. That means all users have their own dedicated line.
Some VoIP services are starting to implement call forwarding that will allow a call to continue with an alternate number if the power goes out. However, landlines can continue on the same phone number with no problems, keeping your calls secure.
Advantage: Landline
Portability
Landlines are stuck to a stationary point unless you enable call forwarding to your cell phone. VoIP phone service can happen at a desk, but can also extend outward.
If you have a mobile phone and you are bringing it into a building with VoIP, you can connect the phone onto the network.
Advantage: VoIP
Features
Potential landline features include:
- Call waiting
- Call forwarding
- Voicemail
- Caller ID
- 4 lines that can ring at the same time if one number is called
- 3 way calling
- Call blocking
- Non-listed number
- Non-listed name
Potential VoIP features include:
- All landline features
- Customized phone rings
- Add different forms of hold music
- Extension forwarding
- Call screen
- Transcription services
- Call tracking
- Data tracking
- Instant messaging
- Virtual numbers
VoIP also has new features that are being created every day. You can easily integrate new features into pre-existing VoIP plans.
Advantage: VoIP
Sound Quality
VoIP calls are secure and offer high-quality sound for calls. However, landlines have the same great quality and do not have to contend with potential data conflicts. If internet service slows down for some reason, you may be forced to drop a call. Landlines offer the same clarity and excellent security for your calls.
Advantage: Landline
Versatility
VoIP calling can migrate across multiple systems. VoIP calls can be accomplished using many different tools, including:
- Apple’s Messages
- Apple’s Telephone
- Skype
- Yahoo Messenger!
- Google+ Hangouts
- ooVoo
- Viber
Additionally, cloud-based VoIP technology can allow for easy migration of contacts across technology. Your contacts and conversations on one device can easily be carried to a mobile device or another computer.
Landlines keep that info off of the cloud. Any communications and contacts must be migrated manually through either a contact transfer or just writing them down.
Advantage: VoIP
Overall Verdict
VoIP is superior due to versatility in migration across different platforms. Landlines offer greater security and assurances that calls will finish, but if dropped calls are rarely an issue, then VoIP will work best for you.
