How to Improve Your VoIP Network for Business Communications

• Run a connectivity test.

Firstly, run a connectivity test to check the efficiency of your VoIP network. These tests determine how quickly your date is traveling. Here are some suggested tests you can run; Nextiva speed test, RingCentral connection test, netmeter.co.uk, fast.com. For RingCentral and Nextiva, you will have to download a small application. The process will take less than 2 minutes and help determine your VoIP network efficiency. Make sure to know the minimum bandwidth requirements for VoIP to avoid lags in call quality on the network.

• Identify issues with your VoIP network.

After running it through a connectivity test, you need to identify the issue with your VoIP network. These issues may include latency, jittery, packet loss, and upload/ download speed. Such problems are common as millions of data packets are assembled and disassembled per minute to ensure that a smooth voice is communicated back and forth.

• Upgrade your VoIP cabling.

Foremost of all, upgrade your cabling! This is a no-brainer, but it is something that can drastically improve your VoIP network. Mostly small businesses have a single gigabyte by default. If you want to enhance your VoIP network, try switching towards ether networks of 10 gigabytes per second or more. Peterson advises businesses to invest in Cat 6 cables, but if you cannot afford that, ether networks are an affordable alternative.

• Buy good VoIP equipment.

You can also improve your VoIP network by upgrading your hardware. VoIP networking issues may arise if your hardware is not updated. The more high-end hardware you have, your call quality will increase.

• Check your internet connection.

The quality of a VoIP network and the call quality directly depend upon your internet connection. Switch from mobile internet networks to wifi. Try going for standard high-quality ISP instead of local ones.

• Ensure that you have sufficient bandwidth.

The higher your bandwidth is, the better will be your call quality. Your voice is converted into data and then further into voice packets. Bandwidths ensure this process takes place smoothly.

• Check for hubs on your LAN.

Make sure that your LAN is not connected to many hubs. If your VoIP network has too many ethernets for a single cable, your VoIP network will suffer a lot. Every device must have a separate link to ensure a good VoIP network.

• Change routers and switches.

If it has been a while since you last upgraded your VoIP router, then doing an upgrade can boost your VoIP network and improve your communications. Newer models have a more solid central processing unit CPU which is better for a strong connection. When buying new routers, look for the following features; dual and tri-band frequency, MU-MIMO, wifi five or wifi six, and most importantly, the QoS capabilities. This will help you prioritize voice traffic.

Train staff to make the most of VoIP network capabilities. From remote teams linking into a leading voice and data hub to management communications, VoIP phone systems offer multiple ways to stay connected on one platform that can integrate email, mobile devices, and the desktop. Businesses that want to make the most out of a VoIP network should train all employees on essential functions, technical issues, and ways to best use interconnected communications to serve customers and resolve problems.

While VoIP network call quality has improved since the early days, problems and challenges may still arise because VoIP phone systems are highly dependent on successful network connections. Challenges with a VoIP network can lead to garbled communications, dropped calls, and distorted communications, but there are proactive ways for a business to improve call quality. Troubleshoot, analyze and communicate issues related to call quality to VoIP vendors and resolve these before they become costly problems.

Integrate voice and data onto the same network. The cost-savings argument for the best VoIP networks has always pertained to combining the bills associated with web, local, and long-distance calling into one. Choose a solution that allows video, email, chat, voicemail, and traditional voice calls to be made on one platform.

Acquire the tools that can add value to your VoIP network. Solutions include management tools, such as those for the customer contact center, that can track data, analyze calls’ content, and deliver vital information to help management teams make crucial decisions. VoIP phone systems are an established technology for making voice calls, but as a full-service telecommunications solution for the enterprise, it is still a self-improving and emergent technology. Keep pace with the tools that will deliver cost savings and long-term innovation.

With cyber threats on the rise, they can significantly affect your VoIP network. Have good firewall policies and antivirus to protect your VoIP networks against such attacks and weakening. VoIP security is improving each year, but it is important to have protection protocols in place to protect your communication systems.

Every business hopes to grow, but with that growth comes telecommunications challenges. A VoIP network is a significant investment for any business and should come with full scalability to take on additional future users.

If you are a business looking to move to VoIP or improve your current VoIP network, make sure that you have a high-end hardware system and a good internet connection available to ensure the smooth operation of the VoIP network.