If you’re considering switching to VoIP, you probably are already aware of the many rewards that this modern alternative to traditional landlines can bring to your business. VoIP is designed to streamline business voice communication, offer cost savings, better call quality, and multi functionality to name a few (in a previous article Four ways VoIP can benefit your marketing, we explored more advantages in detail). That being said, you may not understand quite how this system functions, aside from that it connects your telephone system to your wireless or fibre internet to make and receive calls. Which brings us to this fixed and non-fixed comparison. 

As with many business decisions, you’ll have to decide which VoIP version will work best for you. Luckily, understanding the difference between fixed and non-fixed is simpler than, say, the difference between a proxy server and a firewall, but it is nonetheless in your best interest to be informed, especially if you’re upgrading to VoIP for the first time. 

As the name implies, fixed VoIP is tied to a physical location. This means that service providers can only offer this solution to businesses in the same country. Thus, in order for them to issue you with a telephone number when you sign up, a physical address is required, which is not unlike traditional landlines. Fixed VoIP does not mean your telephony service is immobile; in fact, you can connect it to any device and take it with you if you move office as long as you update your address with your service provider.    

The reason many businesses sign up for this option is that it provides better reliability and security. The fixed VoIP number assigned to your business is linked to a network that encrypts your calls. This way, you won’t have to worry about anyone listening in on your conversations. Since your number is verified and can easily be tracked back to a physical address, criminals are less likely to use your number for spam and fraudulent activities. 

On the other hand, you can sign up for a non-fixed VoIP service using just an email account from anywhere in the world as this option is not associated with a physical address. A well-known example of a non-fixed VoIP service is Skype, which allows users to make free or low cost calls over the Internet to other Skype users, their cell phones, VoIP and landlines. Non-fixed VoIP better suits teams that work remotely or businesses that don’t have a physical location in areas where they serve customers. 

This option is easier to set up and access to these services tend to be free of charge. All you need is a computer, a headset, the VoIP number, a software program for making telephone calls, and your internet connection. Non-fixed VoIP is a good option to have at hand if your business makes lots of international calls without wanting to incur charges for long-distance calling. However, if you’re serious about VoIP, it is not recommended that you choose non-fixed as primary telephony service as these accounts are not easily traceable and are therefore more susceptible to scams and fraud.

A fixed VoIP line can provide the essential features that your business needs such as call flip and call queuing in a safer digital environment. On top of that, being associated with a physical address can make your company appear a lot more authentic and reinforce your professional reputation, especially if you’re a large organisation with a lot of phone lines. Whilst non-fixed has its advantages, it is generally better for personal use or startups/small businesses who require an inexpensive and basic calling service. 

There is no denying the convenience VoIP has over traditional landlines. While you evaluate your options, take some time to learn about Nashua’s Voice offering to understand the possibilities of VoIP so you can make the best decision for your business.