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Ofcom, the UK's telecommunications regulator, has announced that the country's landline network will be shut down by 2025. This means that all homes and businesses with landlines will need to switch to VoIP phones.
VoIP phones can be used for personal or business purposes, and many service providers offer a variety of features and plans to choose from. Getting a personal VoIP phone is a great way to save money on your monthly phone bill, as well as enjoy a number of other benefits.
How Does VoIP Work for Personal Use?
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a digital phone service that uses the internet to route calls. It's similar to a regular landline phone, but instead of using copper wires, it uses your home's internet connection. This means you can make and receive calls from any device that's connected to the internet, whether it's a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
You can also use VoIP to make international calls at a fraction of the cost of traditional phone service. And because VoIP runs over the internet, there are no lengthy contracts or hidden fees. All you need is a high-speed internet connection and a personal VoIP phone.
What are the Pros of VoIP for Personal Use?
Lower Costs
One of the big advantages of VoIP for personal use is that it can save you money. If you're just using your personal VoIP phone for calls and not running a business, then you can get away with a much lower monthly bill. This is because personal VoIP phones only need a few features, so you don't need to pay for extras that you'll never use.
In addition, personal VoIP phones often come with free calling plans that include local and long-distance calls. This means that you can save even more on your monthly phone bill. As a result, VoIP is a great option if you're looking to save money on your personal phone calls.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the main pros of VoIP for personal use. A personal VoIP phone can be set up anywhere there is an internet connection, which means that users can take their phone with them when they travel. VoIP phones often have features that allow users to customise their caller ID, voicemail, and other settings. This can be helpful for people who have difficulty hearing or remembering phone numbers.
Personal VoIP phones also usually offer a variety of international calling plans, which can be beneficial for people who frequently make international calls. Overall, personal VoIP phones offer a lot of flexibility and customization options that can be helpful for users with different needs.
Higher Scalability
One of the main reasons to use a VoIP phone for personal use is that it scales very well. That is, as your personal or business needs grow, you can easily add more phone lines without having to replace your entire system. This is in contrast to a traditional landline phone system, where adding additional phone lines requires costly hardware upgrades.
Additionally, VoIP phones are often able to work with existing Internet and broadband connections, so there's no need to invest in additional infrastructure. As a result, VoIP phones offer a high degree of scalability, making them an attractive option for personal or small business users.
Clearer Quality
One of the biggest advantages is the improved call quality. VoIP calls are digital, which means they aren't subject to the same line noise and degradation that can happen with analogue signals. That means you'll always enjoy clear, crisp calling, even if you're in a location with poor cell reception.
Landlines Shutting Off
In just a few years, landlines in the UK will be a thing of the past. The switch to VoIP is inevitable, and most people have already made the switch. However, there are still a few holdouts who cling to their landlines, either out of nostalgia or because they're not sure how VoIP works. If you're one of those holdouts, now is the time to switch to VoIP. Otherwise, you risk losing your phone number when the landlines are finally shut down in 2025.
On the other hand, VoIP is a futuristic technology that is constantly evolving, which means that it is likely to offer even more features and benefits in the future.
What are the Cons of VoIP for Personal Use?
Reliable Internet Connection Needed
One of the drawbacks of VoIP is that you need high bandwidth and a reliable internet connection to make calls. If you're using your personal computer to make calls, you might not have high bandwidth or reliable internet connection. This can cause problems with VoIP calls, and you might not be able to hear the person on the other end clearly.
Also, if your internet connection is not reliable, the call might drop out altogether. For personal use, it's important to consult with your internet service provider to ensure that you have the bandwidth and reliability needed for clear calls.
Potential Latency /Jitter
Jitter and latency are two potential downsides of using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for personal phone calls. Jitter is a term used to describe the fluctuation in the quality of a VoIP connection, which can lead to choppy or distorted audio. Latency, on the other hand, refers to the delay between when a call is made and when it is received. While both jitter and latency can be frustrating, there are ways to minimise their impact. For example, using a personal VoIP phone that is specifically designed for clear calling can help reduce jitter, and connecting to a VoIP network with a strong signal can help reduce latency.
Location Tracking Unavailable
With VoIP, the location of your personal phone may not be precise. This means that in an emergency it can take longer for responders to find you because they don't know where exactly their signals are coming from! Make sure and provide them with a physical address so they will have faster access when needed most-it's truly important during times like these.
Is Using VoIP for Personal Use Worth it?
VoIP technology is becoming more and more popular each year. The benefits of using VoIP for both personal and business use are many.
If you have yet to make the switch to VoIP, we highly recommend doing so – especially if you’re looking for a way to save money on your phone bill.
