VoIP Pros and Cons

The VoIP pros and cons debate was once a stand off between those arguing for "free phone calls" and the everyone else bemoaning poor "voice quality".

Let's consider the current state of the VoIP Pros and Cons debate.

The Pros

1. Extensions or termination points can be located anywhere that a connection to an IP network can be made. This means that "internal" calls including those to and from remote offices do not have to be routed via the public switched network with associated costs.

2. Voice quality is as good or better than provided by traditional phone systems.

3. VoIP PBX features are equal to or better than those available from a TDM PBX. Furthermore, they are continuing to get better, while the TDM PBX has reached the end of the road.

4. VoIP PBXs are cheaper than equivalent TDM PBXs.

5. Circuit based TDM technology is at the end of its life cycle, while VoIP is at the starting line. On the one hand support for TDM technology is becoming more expensive and difficult to find, while on the other hand the availability of support for VoIP PBX software is increasing and becoming more competitive.

6. VoIP uses the same packet based IP communications technology as data networks. This means that office cabling does not have to be duplicated for voice and data networks. It also means that VoIP phone systems can be accessed via 802.11 WiFi enabled handsets, including WiFi cell phones.

7. Because VoIP phone systems are IP based there is no boundary between voice and data. Voice and data applications can operate collaboratively. The same people can also manage both IT and voice systems.

8. The VoIP softphone is an example of an IP application that is changing the way in which we use business phone systems. See also: SIP softphones.

9. Complimentary applications such as VoIP recording and VoIP call accounting are more viable and cost effective than equivalent options under TDM technology.

10. The ease of making adds, changes and deletes (ACDs) in a VoIP PBX environment makes for greater flexibility and cost effectiveness. Extensions can usually be added or changed by administrative staff without the involvement of technicians.

From a big picture perspective VoIP is a business enabling technology. It promotes better business communication between employees, partners and customers, no matter where they are located.

The Cons

1. Because the VoIP PBX phone system is based on IP technology it has the same security vulnerabilities as data networks. VoIP phone systems are potentially vulnerable to attacks from: viruses, hackers and associated threats.

2. The cost of the Cat-5 PBX wiring required by VoIP phone systems can be substantial.

3. As a consequence of VoIP's potential security vulnerabilities some organizations elect to duplicate cabling so as to isolate voice and data networks, but resulting in additional cost.

4. VoIP business phones are more expensive than analog handsets. The cost difference can eliminate the cost advantage of a VoIP PBX over a TDM PBX.

5. VoIP consumes significant bandwidth. In order to maintain acceptable VoIP voice quality (QoS), it's necessary to continually monitor and review the adequacy of bandwidth.

6. While circuit based TDM PBXs require little attention apart from ACD maintenance, that's not the case with a VoIP PBX. Like all computer systems a VoIP PBX needs to be managed and maintained. At the very least, software needs to be kept up to date and the system regularly backed up.

7. As the cost of VoIP phone systems falls and competition becomes more intense there is an increasing prospect of a shakeout amongst the players, which may result in loss of support for affected products.

VoIP Pros and Cons Summary

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