What Is A VoIP Caller? 7 Things You Need to Know in 2023
As the world becomes more and more digitized, it’s no surprise that phone calls are following suit.
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, is a type of calling that uses an internet connection instead of a traditional phone line.
While VoIP has been around for a while, it’s only recently that the technology has become mainstream.
With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the trend of working from home, people will likely be using VoIP much more in the coming years.
With many great VOIP providers on the market, there’s never been a better time to switch to VoIP.
But what is a VoIP caller?
And what do you need to know before choosing a VOIP provider?
In this article, I’ll go through everything you need to know about VoIP callers, from how they work to the benefits of using VoIP for your business.
Specifically, I’ll cover:
- Getting Calls From “VoIP Caller”.
- VoIP Service Providers.
- Benefits Of Using A VoIP Service.
- Types Of Businesses Using VoIP Technology.
- Using VoIP Phones Internally Within A Business.
- VoIP Features Compared To Traditional Phones.
- VoIP Fraud.
Let’s dive deep into this topic.
Getting Calls From “VoIP Caller”
Many people started realizing that they were getting calls from what appeared to be a VoIP caller only after their phone service providers started displaying “VOIP” on the caller ID.
Having incoming calls that display “VOIP caller” on your caller ID doesn’t mean that anything suspicious is happening.
There’s no need to be concerned if it’s a VOIP Caller – while a call made over a traditional phone line will show the caller’s phone number, a VoIP call will typically show the VoIP service provider’s name.
VoIP Service Providers
Caller identification is not the only area where VoIP and traditional phone lines differ.
When you make a VoIP call, the call is routed through your VoIP service provider’s network before reaching the person you’re calling.
This means that, depending on your provider, your calls may be routed through different parts of the world.
A VOIP service provider uses an internet protocol to send your voice data digitally instead of using a regular telephone line.
Benefits Of Using A VoIP Service
As a business, making phone calls using an internet connection can have many benefits.
The functionality also extends to personal calling, where one can use VOIP to make low-cost or even free calls to other people.
The following are some of the key benefits of using VOIP.
VoIP Callers Combine Quality Communications
IP phones have been designed to offer high-quality audio that rivals traditional phone lines.
Making outbound calls from a VoIP system will lead to high-quality audio, giving your business a professional edge.
Grow Your Reach
Telecommunications are no longer limited by location.
With VoIP, businesses can have a virtual presence in any country with an internet connection.
Many VOIP phone services allow you to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
Easy Maintenance
VoIP systems are easy to set up and maintain with minimal downtime using a standard broadband internet connection.
While traditionally, telephone systems required a certain amount of physical infrastructure and cabling, companies can also set up VoIP systems quicker and easier.
Constant Uptime
A VOIP Phone System can have higher uptime than a traditional phone line.
With an internet connection not reliant on a single physical line into your premises – as internet service providers can deliver this over multiple broadband lines or even wireless data – there’s no reason not to have close to 24/7 internet as standard in a business.
For businesses, making voice calls using a wired connection or wi-fi is often more reliable than a copper line.
Simple Call Routing
Having telephone numbers that can be routed to different parts of the world can significantly benefit businesses.
With VoIP, businesses can have local numbers in multiple countries that ring through to the same phone.
This also makes it easy for customers to call you no matter where they are located.
Providing Voicemail Services
As opposed to a regular phone line, VoIP phone systems can provide voicemail services that, in some situations, are automatically emailed to you as an audio file.
This can be a big time-saver, as you can listen to messages on your own time and don’t have to worry about missing a call.
Business owners with customers in different time zones can also take advantage of this feature by getting voicemails delivered in one go and at a convenient time.
Making Long-Distance Calls
While having a local number with a local area code is essential for local businesses, VoIP services make it easy to make long-distance calls.
No physical location setup is needed to connect to a VoIP network, so businesses can also receive calls from anywhere.
With traditional telephony, businesses would have to set up a long-distance plan with their service provider to make calls outside their local area.
Types Of Businesses Using VoIP Technology
Using a VOIP phone number has become increasingly popular among small businesses and startups.
It’s not just the cost-savings that are appealing, but also the mobility and features that VoIP systems offer.
Here are some types of businesses that can benefit from using VOIP technology:
- Sales teams: VOIP calls can be forwarded to any device, which is ideal for sales teams that need to make large volumes of calls.
- Customer service: Using VOIP Phone Numbers for customer service can be a great way to provide a local presence for businesses that have customers in different time zones.
- Startups: Since VOIP services come with a phone number that can be forwarded to any device, they are perfect for businesses that are just starting out and don’t have an office yet.
- Virtual offices: The voice over internet protocol is also perfect for businesses with employees working remotely that, similar to startups, don’t run their business from physical offices.
Using VoIP Phones Internally Within A Business
Having an internal business VOIP system is something that many are taking advantage of.
There are several reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that it can be a great way to keep employees connected, no matter where they are located.
With various apps that run on a standard cell phone providing the ability to video call, record calls, and even screen share, VOIP provides an excellent way for employees to collaborate without being in the same physical location.
Phone companies are also creating specific multi-line phone systems that have been designed for internal business use.
These phones can connect to a VOIP network and provide beneficial business features.
There is also the concept of a softphone, a software-based VOIP phone and runs on a computer or mobile device.
This can be an excellent option for businesses that want to save money on hardware costs.
VoIP Features Compared To Traditional Phones
A business that wants to use VOIP could expect to get more features when compared to a traditional phone system.
This is mainly because VOIP systems are software-based, which provides the ability to add a wide variety of features that wouldn’t be possible with traditional phones.
Companies can also use a business phone to maximize the features available.
These phones offer various features, including:
- The ability to put calls on hold.
- Transferring calls.
- Conference calling.
- Caller ID.
- Voicemail.
- And more.
A business can also use an adapter to connect their current phones to a VOIP network, which would allow them to use VOIP without having to replace their existing phone system.
Since there’s no need to have a desk phone specifically made with VOIP in mind, this can be an excellent way for businesses to save money.
As you can see, the VOIP phone features far exceed those found in traditional phones.
VoIP Fraud
I must also mention that there is such a thing as VOIP fraud.
A scammer may use a victim’s phone number to make calls or send text messages to get money from that person.
From a business perspective, when someone calls your phone number without your permission and with bad intent, it is considered unauthorized usage of paid communication services.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken action against VOIP fraudsters in the past, so this type of fraud is something to be aware of.
Features such as VOIP lookup can help you if you believe a scam is happening.
Here you can look for the CNAM of the caller ID to see if the number is registered to a business or residential address.
This is similar to the caller ID of a traditional phone, but it can usually provide more information.
You can do all of this to ensure that you don’t get scammed out of money.
VoIP Caller – FAQ
What Is An Analog Telephone Adapter?
An analog telephone adapter (ATA) is a device that connects an analog phone to a VoIP network.
This allows businesses to keep their current phones and still use VoIP.
Digital signals from a VoIP network are converted into analog signals that can be used by an analog phone.
The ATA also converts the analog signal from the phone into a digital signal to be sent over the VoIP network.
What Is The Best VoIP Phone For Small Businesses?
The best VoIP phone for small businesses depends on the company’s specific needs.
There are many different VoIP phones available, so it’s essential to determine what features are most important before purchasing.
What Is SIP-Based VoIP?
SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol.
It is a VoIP protocol used to initiate, maintain, and terminate communication sessions.
SIP is responsible for signaling and control of VoIP calls.
What’s A VoIP Caller Id?
A VOIP caller ID is a number displayed when someone makes a VoIP call.
This number can be different from a traditional phone number, and it may include the name of the person or business that is calling.
What Does PBX Mean?
PBX stands for Private Branch Exchange.
It is a telephone system that is used within a business or organization.
A PBX system allows internal calls to be made without using the public telephone network.
Do You Need A Particular Router To Make Business VoIP Work?
You do not need a particular router to make business VoIP work.
Any router that can connect to the internet will work for VoIP.
However, some routers are specifically designed for VoIP and may offer features to improve VoIP call quality.
Wrap Up.
Advancements in the telephone network industry mean that VOIP is becoming more and more popular.
As technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more businesses and individuals using VOIP for their communication needs.
Having a landline is no longer a requirement, and VOIP offers several advantages over traditional phone service.
If you’re considering switching to VOIP, keep the above information in mind.
It will help you determine if VOIP is right for you and your business.
Do you currently use VOIP?
What has your experience been like?
Let me know in the comments below.
Further reading on AdamEnfroy.com: Besides having a solid VOIP provider in your business, knowing which conference call services to use can add an extra layer of efficiency and professionalism to your organization.
If this is something you’re interested in, check out my full review of RingCentral vs. Zoom, two of the most popular conference call services today.
Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by Adam Enfroy
