VoIP: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Save with VoIP Phones
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a much more widespread technology than you might think, and you're probably already using it on your mobile phone, for example, by making audio calls via WhatsApp. VoIP is also becoming the most popular technology in the fixed network market. Discover all the useful information for saving on VoIP phones in this guide.
If you're looking for a fixed-line subscription that saves you money, you can easily find it on internet-offer.ch!
What Does VoIP Mean?
VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to make and receive calls over the internet connection. VoIP is a very popular alternative to traditional calls that use the analog network to transmit audio; in this case, the audio is transmitted via the protocol in the form of digital data.
How Does VoIP Telephony Work?
To make a call using a VoIP landline phone, you'll need to have:
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A landline or cordless phone.
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An internet router to connect the VoIP device or its charging base.
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A fixed-line subscription that allows VoIP usage.
Once all four conditions have been met, you'll be able to receive VoIP calls on your home phone and make outgoing calls to landline or mobile numbers.
If you want to make a VoIP call using your mobile phone, all you need is an app that allows this type of call and to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network or use the mobile network signal.
VoIP Phone: The Device for Making Calls Over the Internet
To use VoIP telephony, we've already highlighted that you need to have a compatible device that can be installed on your internet router. The choice among the various models of VoIP phones is usually based on the following criteria:
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Price: As always, for those looking to save money, price is a fundamental factor to consider, and for those without professional needs, this criterion alone is sufficient.
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Design: VoIP phones can come in various shapes and sizes, with or without wires. The choice may be related to the installation environment and how you plan to use it. Using a cordless phone can be very convenient for those living in larger homes to be able to carry it away from the internet router.
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Additional Features: Standard telephone devices may have only one type of cable to connect to the router and a few other functions. If you want to use speed dial buttons, create a phone book, and choose your own ringtone, you'll need to opt for a premium phone.
Which VoIP Phones to Choose
On the market, you can buy various models of VoIP phones produced by different brands. Each model stands out from the others for some specific features, price, and additional functions.
Among the best cordless phones, we can list the following lines:
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Yealink Cordless Phones: The price of a Yealink cordless phone ranges from 100 CHF to 150 CHF. The battery charge allows for up to 30 hours of talk time, and the range is 50 meters from the charging base.
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Gigaset Cordless Phones: The price of a Gigaset cordless phone varies from 70 CHF to 160 CHF. In addition to Bluetooth 4.2 and different audio profiles, Gigaset offers the option to activate ECO mode to limit radiation exposure.
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AVM Cordless Phones: FRITZ!Fon cordless phones are an excellent compromise between quality and price. With an essential design and the white color of the device, these ergonomic cordless devices have a price ranging from 60 CHF to 85 CHF. The audio quality is good even in speakerphone mode, and they also allow you to answer emails, receive radio via the internet, and listen to podcasts.
Among the best desktop phones from the manufacturer Yealink designed for business customers, we find:
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Yealink SIP: This line of desktop phones can be purchased at a cost ranging from 156 to 280 CHF. The design is a typical office phone with a black and white or color display, from 21 to 29 speed dial keys, and USB 2.0, WLAN, and Bluetooth inputs.
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Yealink CP: This VoIP phone is ideal for conference rooms as it supports HD audio, offers access via Ethernet and LAN, and has a built-in WLAN interface.
How to Install a VoIP Phone
To install a VoIP phone, follow these steps:
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Choose the VoIP provider: Research and select a reliable VoIP provider that meets your communication needs.
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Register an account: Access the provider's website and register an account. Fill in all the required details.
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Set up the device: Use a SIP-compatible IP phone or install a VoIP app on your smartphone or computer.
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Internet connection: Make sure you have a stable and fast internet connection to ensure optimal audio quality during calls.
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Configure the credentials: Once you have obtained the credentials from the VoIP provider, enter them in the settings of the device or VoIP app.
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Test the VoIP phone: Make a test call to verify that the VoIP phone is functioning correctly.
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Technical support: If you encounter any issues during installation, contact the technical support of the VoIP provider for assistance.
By following these steps, you should be able to properly install a VoIP phone and start enjoying its benefits.
VoIP Providers in Switzerland
Most internet providers in Switzerland also offer a fixed-line telephony service associated with VoIP. The main VoIP operators in the market are: Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, Wingo, M-Budget, iWay, SAK, TalkTalk, and TeleKing.
If you want to compare the best fixed-line subscription offers in Switzerland, you can access the comparison on internet-offer.ch by clicking the following button.
What is the Best VoIP Subscription?
If you're looking for a VoIP subscription without constraints, here are our top 3 recommendations:
The best VoIP subscriptions for fixed-line telephony available in Switzerland are as follows:
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iWay Home Flat: CHF 12.00/month. Included VoIP calls: unlimited. VoIP phone starting from CHF 64.90.
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Teleking KingPhone +: CHF 12.00/month. Included VoIP calls: 3000 minutes. VoIP phone not included.
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SAK Telefon M: CHF 15.00/month. Included VoIP calls: unlimited. VoIP phone not included.
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Sunrise Up Phone International: CHF 15.00/month. Included VoIP calls: unlimited. VoIP phone not included.
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TalkTalk Voice Smart: CHF 29.95/month. Included VoIP calls: 1000 minutes. VoIP phone not included.
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Swisscom blue Telefon L: CHF 35/month. Included VoIP calls: unlimited. VoIP phone starting from CHF 89.00.
Key Advantages of VoIP Telephony
VoIP offers several advantages for both customers and telephone operators. Among the various benefits of VoIP, we can mention:
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Lower call costs: Calls made via the internet protocol have more advantageous rates compared to those made on traditional networks, especially for national and international calls.
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Easier installation: Unlike analog fixed-line telephony, VoIP uses the same network infrastructure as the internet connection. Therefore, installation only requires connecting the VoIP phone to the internet box, and you can start making calls without any further setup.
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Additional features: With a VoIP phone, you can benefit from some additional free services not available with an analog fixed-line phone, including call forwarding to your mobile while you're away from home, setting up a spam filter, and managing the phone via an app.
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Multiple phone numbers: With a VoIP subscription, you can obtain more than one phone number to use on the same VoIP line by simply paying a small monthly supplement.
Can I Make International Calls via VoIP?
With a VoIP phone, you can make international calls to landline numbers at very convenient prices. There are VoIP subscriptions with a per-minute rate for international calls and VoIP subscriptions with international calls already included. On average, a VoIP subscription that includes calls to international numbers costs between CHF 20 and CHF 30 per month.
Remember: When calling abroad, it's important to dial the country code before the recipient's phone number.
FAQ VoIP
What does VoIP stand for?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that allows making voice calls over the Internet instead of traditional telephone lines.
Can I use VoIP with my mobile phone?
Yes, you can use VoIP with a mobile phone through dedicated apps or integrated settings on the device.
How can I get VoIP?
To get VoIP, you need to register with a VoIP operator and, after subscribing to an internet and fixed-line telephone plan, configure an IP phone or a VoIP app on the desired device.
How much does VoIP cost?
The cost of VoIP varies depending on the provider and the offered tariff plans. Monthly or usage-based payment options are often available. In Switzerland, a VoIP subscription costs on average between 10 and 20 CHF per month.
Why is VoIP necessary?
VoIP offers multiple advantages, including lower call costs, greater flexibility, and access to advanced features. These characteristics make VoIP the best technology for both home and business fixed-line telephony.
What are the main disadvantages of VoIP?
Disadvantages include dependence on the Internet connection, the possibility of audio quality loss in case of unstable connection, and the need for electrical power for operation. To ensure sufficient network bandwidth, it's advisable to perform a speed test before making a call.
Is VoIP or WiFi Calling better?
It depends on individual needs. VoIP uses the Internet for calls, while WiFi Calling utilizes WiFi networks to extend cellular coverage. The choice depends on the availability of Internet connection and the quality of the mobile network.
How much data is used for VoIP calls?
Data consumption depends on the call duration and quality, but typically, a VoIP call uses about 1 MB of data per minute. Therefore, a fiber optic internet connection of even 20 Mbps is more than sufficient for using a VoIP phone.
Learn and save on VoIP with internet-offer.ch
Now that you're informed about VoIP usage, you may want to consider activating a new fixed-line telephone subscription or a combined internet subscription to make calls via the internet protocol. In this case, move to the comparison section:
If you still have any doubts, we recommend reading all the guides on internet-offer.ch.
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Author: Lapo Zarina
First Published: March 2024
Sources: Wikipedia Voice Over IP page and official websites of VoIP operators and manufacturers mentioned | WIX Images