Most VoIP phone systems provide the ability to perform teleconferences over the internet. You can have somewhere between four to twenty people share the same phone call, and the discussion can be managed through an online interface. Videoconferencing options during the phone call are often available as well.
This type of online teleconferencing is generally accomplished through one of the following methods:
The first is to send the phone calls over the internet to special conference hubs that are operated by an independent business. These phone calls do not have to interface with local exchange providers and generally support a large number of codecs. The company making the phone calls does need to have a router or Session Border Controller in place so it can terminate the circuit when the conference call is completed and provide network management and support.
You can also directly interconnect the MPLS carrier and phone provider to a carrier cloud. Quality of Service is maintained throughout this process since there tends to be automatic overflow into the public switched telephone network if data issues should occur. This method also requires much less equipment and the conference calls can be protected by firewalls for extra security.
Each of these teleconferencing techniques are generally less expensive than their traditional counterparts. You don’t have to dial into an 800 number, and the people taking part in the conference call aren’t subject to long distance rates. The conference call is simply performed over the internet and relies on the available bandwidth in order to function smoothly.
VoIP phones also tend to have special teleconference features available for users. These can help to save time during the meeting and improve the general experience of the conference call. Some of the more common ones include:
Before it became a necessity during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many companies had already begun realizing the benefits inherent in embracing remote work. These benefits are substantial and signal that (even when the pandemic is but a memory) remote work will continue to flourish and become a mainstay in the redefined workplace - particularly when it comes to VoIP. This guide will demonstrate how the workforce is changing and leaning toward remote work as a permanent business choice, explain the critical role VoIP will continue to play in supporting remote work, and highlight some of the new trends and innovations coming in 2021 for VoIP. more