IP Phone Systems

An IP phone system is a telephone system that uses Internet Protocol (IP) technology in its operations. It uses the internet to send and receive voice calls, fax, video calls, instant messages, voicemail, and other forms of data communications.

A traditional phone system uses analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines to carry voice calls. An IP phone system converts voice data and communication into digital signals, which travel as data packets via internet connections. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a subset of IP technology – it refers to the transfer of voice calls over the internet.

An IP phone system can be location-based or cloud-based. In the former, you have the hardware and servers in your business location, while the latter is hosted in the cloud and managed by third-party vendors. Cloud-based IP phone systems like Ringover are more flexible, scalable, portable, and cost-effective than traditional telephony.

An IP phone system refers to a telephone system that transfers voice calls and other data communications over the internet. If you choose a cloud-based IP phone system, your need the following:

• Internet connection: Since IP phone systems use the internet for data transfer, you need a stable internet connection.
• IP phone service: Cloud business phone systems are owned and operated by third-party vendors, so you need to create an account with an IP phone service provider.
• Internet-enabled devices: For IP phone systems to work, you need internet-enabled devices like laptops, desktops, smartphones, tablets, or VoIP desk phones.

If you convert analog phones to the IP phone system, you will need additional equipment like Analog Telephone Adaptors (ATAs) and ethernet cables. Likewise, you can go for an on-premise IP phone system. In that case, you will require the hardware and equipment to install the phone system within your business premises.

Yes. With some extra hardware and equipment, you can use an IP phone as a landline phone.

Typically, IP phone systems work on internet-connected devices like desktops, laptops, and smartphones. However, if you already have a landline system, you don’t have to ditch your analog phones. You can enjoy IP capabilities on such devices with Analog Telephone Adaptors (ATA) or VoIP adaptors.

The adaptor acts as a bridge between your analog phones and the IP phone system. It connects with a router or modem using an ethernet cable. Once configured, you can plug it into your landline phone to enjoy IP capabilities on it.

Alternatively, you can use IP desk phones – these look exactly like standard landline devices but with internet calling features. Once connected with the internet and your service provider, they work like landline phones. You can also port your current landline numbers to IP phone systems.

Many companies offer IP phone systems for businesses of all types and sizes. They offer hosted IP phone services – that is, they are third-party vendors that provide cloud-based business phone systems on monthly subscription fees.

Ringover is a leading IP phone system provider for small, medium, and enterprise-level businesses. It is a cloud-hosted system that acts as a unified communications platform with functionalities like VoIP calls, internet fax, SMS, video conferencing, and others. You can subscribe to a monthly plan that starts as low as £17 per user and use it on laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.

Here is a full list you can consider for cloud IP phone systems:

1. Ringover
2. Quicktalk
3. RingCentral
4. Nextiva
5. Vonage
6. Ooma
7. 8x8
8. Grasshopper
9. Dialpad
10. magicJack
11. GoTo Connect
12. CallHippo
13. CloudTalk

Those who are looking to set up on-premise IP phone systems instead of a cloud-hosted one can consider the following providers:

• 3CX
• Mitel
• Avaya IP Office
• Cisco
• FreePBX

You will often see the terms IP and VoIP used synonymously. Though they both refer to internet-based communications, there is a technical difference between them.

IP stands for Internet Protocol and refers to technologies that transfer voice, video, and multimedia sessions over the internet. It is a broad category that includes the internet-based exchange of voice calls, video calls, fax, instant messages, and other forms of communication.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the technology for transferring voice calls within IP telephony. In other words, VoIP is a sub-category of IP telephony that you can use to make and receive calls over the internet.

So, the main difference between IP and VoIP is in the type of data they transfer. While IP is a broad term for telephone systems that transmits digital data over the internet, VoIP is a specific subset of IP that exclusively transmits voice data.