Using VoIP to call internationally

VoIP can be significantly cheaper than regular landline telephone calls; a cost saving that becomes even more significant when compared to using mobile phones. This difference is even bigger with international calls. VoIP calls are made via an internet connection, which is a cheaper technology than that used by telephone operators meaning VoIP providers can offer lower prices.

Three groups tend to benefit most from using VoIP to call internationally. These are expats, holiday makers and businesses. More people are living in a different country to their birth than ever before, and the majority of these want to keep in touch with family and friends back home. This can be much cheaper on both sides if they have access to VoIP, especially if VoIP is being used on both sides of the conversation. Tourism is a big industry and this is something that is likely to be exploited by VoIP providers in future. Much like people who have moved abroad, the lower cost calls can be very beneficial to this group. Generally it is easier for people around the globe to keep in touch these days, and VoIP makes this cheaper as well.

Business is the biggest area that can benefit from international calls made via VoIP. With the number of international companies now,Business VoIP is a big industry. Business can have customers and suppliers anywhere in the world. Significant savings are possible especially for businesses that make a large number of international calls. Many call centres have turned to VoIP is recent years. The more calls that are made, the bigger the savings are compared with other options. This has allowed call centres to utilise cheap labour. For example, many UK companies have moved their call centres to India, where labour is cheaper. It is cheaper for them to pay people in India and use VoIP to call internationally back to the UK, than to pay workers locally.

One of the disadvantages of VoIP is that it is usually not as easy as picking up the phone. A computer is often needed, although VoIP phones and adapters to use regular telephones are available. These are usually used with Business VoIP, but it is not so easy for tourists, who may find it much more convenient to use their mobile phones. However, with the increase of wireless and internet café’s the use of VoIP is becoming more convenient. VoIP is still rare over mobile, but this is likely to change over the coming years. The other negative of VoIP can be its quality. This used to be a major disadvantage but this is much improved, although it can still be a concern. The quality is always improving so this negative could eventually be insignificant.

Andrew Marshall ©