Traditional landline phones to become obsolete

Technology is evolving at breaknecking pace. Something that we used to heavily rely on in the past can be phased out really quickly, even before we start to realise it. Remember the days of floppy disks, dial-up internet, and fax machines? Today, office equipment is constantly being upgraded, improved and revamped. 

What about the old-fashioned telephone? Every business needs to have a way for customers and clients to call in, but for most, the era of the landline seems to have passed. So, has the traditional telephone system really become a relic of the past, much like the others mentioned above? 

This shift has already happened in many households, where smartphones have replaced the telephone as the primary means of contact. But it’s inevitable that the switch in methods of communication will impact businesses as well. Experts predict that copper-based networks will be obsolete by 2020 as telecommunications providers adopt newer systems. According to a Daily Mail article, which reported on PwC’s decision to switch off landlines in 24 UK offices last year, more than 10 million businesses were using fixed-line phones in 2010; however, that number has decreased to just 6.4 million. The demise of landlines will bring about major changes for businesses, who will need to adapt or be left behind in the race of technology.

Whether you are happy with your telephone system or not, you might be asking: why switch to VoIP? There are multiple reasons businesses should consider getting rid of their hard-wired telephones. For most businesses, the copper landline has become less effective and secure due to increased cable theft, weather interference, confusing menu options, and disconnected calls. This could cause many businesses to lose out on valuable sales or jeopardise the quality of their customer service. 

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has become synonymous with efficiency for smaller to medium and large businesses that want to break down communication barriers. It offers a flexible, user-friendly, maintenance-light solution that improves the business-client interaction. And it is already increasing in popularity. A report by Transparency Market Research estimates that the global VoIP services market will reach a subscriber base of almost 348.5 billion. 

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Depending on the size or nature of your business, you can tailor the features of VoIP to suit your requirements. You get more powerful functionalities than the traditional landline, such as call queues, call forwarding, skills based routing, multi-office integration, auto answering, and conference calling. 

All of these without a large telephone bill. Where traditional office landline systems rely on the expensive hardware and complex installation routines, it’s possible to set up a VoIP connection in minutes. And, solutions with added features or convenience usually incur additional charges. But, when you shift to a VoIP phone system, the cost of installation is next to nothing and you will only pay for the broadband as the system connects to your internet connection. The VoIP service provider will be responsible for software upgrades and maintenance, so you will never need to worry about calling in technical support or training your employees over time. 

With that level of convenience in store for adopters, there’s really no reason why businesses should wait for the time when landlines no longer exist before they tap into the power of VoIP. And the companies that postpone their VoIP integration until the last minute are the ones losing out on a smoother transition. Nashua, which is bringing high-speed internet to businesses, can help them act fast in the migration rush with flexible, cost-effective VoIP systems that will enhance their communication.