Phone Systems for Small Businesses in Canberra

What is a VoIP business phone system?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP phone service (sometimes referred to as broadband phone service or digital phone service) is a phone service that operates by using your high-speed Internet connection. There are two types of VoIP services: phone-based and computer-based. These services allow you to make phone calls using either your regular phone, an app on mobile devices, or a softphone client on a computer (via a headset with a microphone). As opposed to traditional landlines, VoIP uses your phone or computer to call the number via the Internet. The call is converted to data packets and sent over the Internet instead of through the copper wires that make up a standard PSTN network.

Business telephone systems can be referred to under many names - perhaps you are familiar with terms such as;

• PABX or PBX System
• Commander or Key System
• VoIP or Converged System

Whilst there are a number of different types of business phone systems, each with different features, options and technologies (these differences can be significant or very slight), they are all designed to offer your business with the necessary infrastructure top provide 3 basic services:

• Make calls to customers through the networks of carriers (such as Telstra and Optus)
• Direct and manage calls into and within your organisation as efficiently as possible
• Optimise internal communication

With a phone-based service, you use VoIP the same way you use a regular landline: by picking up the phone to answer it, or dialing a number to place a call. On a mobile device, you can use a VoIP-enabled app to connect. Select providers have their own mobile apps for ease of convenience. And with a computer-based service, you can use a softphone to make or answer the calls with a headset, complete with a microphone.

Most providers allow you to call any phone number in the world, whether that number be a local, long-distance, mobile, or international number. However, some computer-based providers may limit you to only other subscribers on that service (commonly known as "User to User"). For your convenience, we list only those providers who allow their customers to call numbers that can be accessed via the regular phone network. VoIP even allows you to talk to multiple users at once! A cool feature that most VoIP providers offer is "Conference Calling " or "Three-way Calling." For business VoIP systems, certain providers also offer Conference Bridges, which can allow for calls between more than three users. Plus, business VoIP phone systems offer other calling features like hunt groups, find me/follow me , and more to ensure that you are always connected.

The quality of VoIP voice has dramatically improved over the past few years. Currently, VoIP calls have voice quality that is at or above the quality of a landline phone.

Please note, though, that voice clarity can differ from provider to provider, and usually depends on the speed (and quality) of your broadband connection. If you want to find out whether or not your current broadband connection supports VoIP, test your connection via our speed test.

Before signing up, you may wish to consult other VoIP users by visiting our forums or checking user reviews for specific providers to see how they match up. Oftentimes, you can also sign up for trial periods through select VoIP providers in order to test out their service.

No, you do not need a computer for phone-based VoIP services. However, you do need an existing broadband Internet connection. You can also purchase a dedicated IP phone; but this is not necessary, as most providers offer a BYOD option. An ATA (sometimes provided free of charge through your VoIP provider) can be connected to your existing phone to a high-speed internet connection. With a computer, one can manage and use different features offered by the provider, but owning a computer is not required for VoIP service.