Our blog this month will talk about VOIP compatibility and connectivity Issues that can happen to an organization.
Typical Issues – VOIP/Internet Phrases to Ask Your VOIP Provider About
You don’t have to turn into a geek, but you should know what to ask about to avoid problems.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Gives priority in advance to certain packets in network traffic, specifically \ VoIP packets.
- Jitter: Audio that drops in and out is called “jitter.” In technical terms, it is the variation of time that it takes for packets of audio to be received
- Bridge Mode: When your Internet Service Provider (ISP) supplies you with a modem and wireless modem in one device, it may not be compatible with your VoIP phones. Your ISP can put the modem into “bridge mode,” making it only a modem, and turning off NAT system, firewall, and Dynamic.
- Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a client/server protocol that automatically provides an Internet Protocol (IP) host with its IP address and other related configuration information DHCP.
- NAT: Network Address Translation. A NAT router translates network coming and out of private networks (LAN) to the public internet. A NAT is also known as a firewall. The process of data safely going from the public internet into a private network without dropping packets is called “NAT Transversal.”
Compatibility Problems
If you don’t have updated and equipment and systems to handle your VoIP traffic, the transition to a cloud phone system will be far more difficult than it should be. The quality of Voice and data traffic may get compromised by incompatibility, signal strength or connectivity.
Old/Inadequate Routers – QoS Issues 
Delays, choppy sound or Jittery connections may occur IF your VOIP provider doesn’t do their due diligence to ensure that your existing router is compatible and strong enough to handle the traffic.
If your router has been supplied by your ISP, you may need to work with them or obtain another router to insure that you DON’T have issues with Bridge Mode or NAT. If your VOIP Cloud provider doesn’t check on these issues – your system might not work well at all.
Desk Phones
The same issues can occur with even “reliable” desk phones. If your provider doesn’t provide phones that are already configured and ready to “plug and play,” you find that “good enough” phones aren’t working.
Connectivity Issues
Broadband Connection
Bandwidth
Having an inadequate Internet connection can cause major problems. What was good enough for normal internal users, including data transfer, may NOT be robust enough to carry the increased load. Some providers may not bother to find out – but you WILL when the system doesn’t work.
NAT and DHCP Issues may not “automatically” occur, but your Cloud VOIP provider needs to check them to make SURE that no problems crop up.
Alternative Resources
A good provider will make sure that even if your direct internet goes down, you can still be in business. The best providers have multiple connections available. The phones on your desk may not ring, but the calls will be answered and routed through other resources.
The bottom line is that ALL those issues can be eliminated by making sure that you have a qualified Cloud VOIP provider who straightens out any potential issues BEFORE they occur.
About us
Loquantur specializes in making sure that everything in your voice/data communications connectivity is the best value available. Our recommendations are based on optimal quality/optimal price – not “lowest possible cost.” Price is an important component on any business relationship, but it must be balanced against performance. If you want reliable communications, getting the right internet and router capability will produce the best value for your customers, suppliers – and your company.
