People often question: what makes Voip different from a PSTN phone? Is it the look or feel, or is it just a thing about keeping up with the technology? In reality, it is more than just keeping up with the latest technologies that arrive everyday. Though, it won’t be wrong if said that both PSTN phones and VoIP are remarkably alike in terms of quality and sound and the same available features are common among both.
The fact of the matter is that, where there might be two similarities, there are numerous differences between a regular phone and an internet phone. Some of them have been listed below:
Calling Costs
When we talk about Voip, we talk about cost effectiveness. An internet phone or voip is three times less pricey than a regular POTS phone. There are many VoIP service providers out there who are offering outstanding unlimited calling plans meant for both local and long distance dialing at a fixed flat rate which is very appropriately priced and easy on the pockets. Voip service providers offer residential and business calling plans suitable for your needs. Along with these calling plans, many features such as caller ID, call waiting, call blocking, among many others come along absolutely with no additional charges.
Whereas, a regular PSTN phone charges you with a monthly phone bill, which is 70% more than the Voip calling plan charges you with. Apart from that, you are charged per every useful feature that you use, maybe $10 or $20 depending on that you avail. I’m talking about the same feature that you are provided within a Voip service including caller ID and call waiting etc. Also, you are charged for every international call you make with additional taxes.
Upgrading convenience
Talking in virtual terms, all VoIP phones can easily be upgraded with an easy downloading of the latest software available. Simply, check for updates, click on the option and your upgrading starts.
Whereas, in case of a regular landline phone, if you require an upgrade you have to pay for perhaps new or additional equipment and having it configured by a service technician which is a time-consuming process.
Emergency Service
Now, when dialing 911 emergency call from your regular landline phone, your address is easily traceable, and thus, rescue team and police can reach your place promptly.
When dialing 911 from a VoIP service provider, generally the call is routed to the proper PSAP. In case Enhanced 911 service is not available, first the call is routed to the Voip customer center, who then after verifying process transfers the call to emergency help line. This process isn’t as swift as calling from an area where enhanced 911 service is available and can take time in sending the rescue team and police to the destination.
Voip has both its pros and cons, but still nothing can beat its cost-effectiveness, reliability, easy handling and convenience.
Since Voip is constantly under developmental process, it is most likely that the security and other issues will be addressed and handled better in near future.
Yet, with all due respect for traditional phone services, Voip phone services are definitely on the verge of becoming the best telecommunication technology ever created in the history of mankind and nothing can stand in comparison to outstanding voip features and technology.
