VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, it can also be referred to as IP telephony.

It allows you to make telephone calls over the internet from either your computer or a tradtional desk phone.

A softphone (on your computer) or a VoIP handset will convert the analogue audio into digital signals to be transmitted over the internet.

A full featured telephone system that is hosted at a data centre so no expensive telecom hardware is required on site.

All that is needed on site is the handset(s).

A SIP trunk allows you to retain existing telecoms hardware or manage your own IP hardware whilst saving money by routing your calls over the internet.

No. As long as you have a good quality broadband connection into your office you should not notice any difference in quality between an analogue call and an IP call.

If you do experience call quality issues, this can be usually be solved by setting up QOS (Quality Of Service) on your router. This will prioritise voice traffic.

Another alternative is to get a dedicated broadband line that is only used for VoIP traffic.

In comparison to a standard analogue telephone system there are huge savings to be made using VoIP.

Initially the saving can be made in the cheap set up cost, as there is no need for costly hardware to be racked up on site.

The equipment is generally hosted at a data centre and all the hardware you will need on site is a VoIP enabled handset.

The next saving can be made through cheap telephone calls to UK and international destinations.

Unlike BT and other analogue telephone providers, Orbtalk bill per second and not per minute and will not charge a call set up fee.

These are both costs, sometimes hidden costs that are associated with standard analogue telephone phone systems.