Home telecommunication used to be limited to landlines, but with the advent of VoIP, it has become possible for people to use the Internet as their primary means of telephone communication.
This has left those who understood landlines confused about the differences between the two and which would be better for their home and business.
In this article, we will compare the two and explore their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide the best option for you.
What Is VoIP?
VoIP, Voice over Internet protocol, also known as Digital Voice, is a communication technology that allows users to make voice calls and other voice-based services through the Internet instead of a traditional landline phone system.
While still using the familiar telephone or cordless phone, it is cheaper than traditional landline phones and offers features such as conference calls, video conferencing, faxing, and instant messaging. VoIP also allows users to subscribe to unlimited calling plans, both domestic and international, at competitive rates.
VoIP Pros and Cons
VoIP is a phone system that uses the Internet to connect people instead of traditional copper phone lines.
The advantages of VoIP are that it can save money, offer more flexibility and portability, provide better security, and include features such as SMS and instant messaging, voicemails, fax, and video calls.
It also divorces itself from the failing traditional copper phone system which is plagued by quality issues when the old lines get wet or water logged.
On the other hand, VoIP can be affected by power outages, Internet outages, needs a good and steady Internet connection, and can experience latency and jitter issues.
VoIP phone providers utilize the e911 phone system to properly connect customers to dispatchers in emergency situations and can’t support the old school rotary style phones.
What Is a Landline?
Landline phones are a type of telephone service that uses physical copper lines or a network of wires and cables to connect directly to the public telephone network.
The line uses an analog signal to convert sound waves into electrical signals, which are then sent through a network of copper wires.
Landlines are used in homes, businesses, government buildings, hospitals, and schools. They are often referred to as plain old telephone systems (POTS). Landlines are tied into the traditional 911 phone system.
Landline Pros and Cons
The advantages of having a landline phone include that it doesn’t need an Internet connection, is easy to use and practical.
If an old-school phone is used, power is not required so it is ideal for emergency calls and when well maintained, provides excellent sound quality.
However, landlines have drawbacks such as hefty costs, expensive maintenance and installation fees, the risk of receiving unwanted calls, and the need for a physical connection.
Due to high maintenance cost, a loss of institutional knowledge as many phone company workers retire, and changes in legislative requirements, many rural areas are losing their landline infrastructure.
How Do VoIP and Landline Differ?
VoIP is a phone service that uses the Internet to make and receive calls, so it can be used from anywhere with an internet connection.
While landlines are phone services that use traditional analog phone lines to make and receive calls, so it can only be used where telephone lines exist.
With VoIP, customers can make and receive calls from any designated device connected to the internet, while landlines only allow you to use a single device to make and receive calls.
VoIP also offers features such as video calling, voicemail, call forwarding, digital fax, and others that landlines cannot provide.
Additionally, VoIP is notoriously cheaper than landline services, making it a more cost-effective option.
Finally, VoIP calls are more secure than traditional ones because they are transmitted over the Internet instead of through public phone networks.
This makes it more difficult to intercept or listen in on the calls and reduces the time it takes to make the call using wifi or a mobile data plan.
Conclusion
The decision to get VoIP or Landline service depends on the individual’s needs and preferences.
VoIP is usually more affordable and offers more features, such as the ability to have multiple numbers and the ability to use the internet to make calls.
Additionally, VoIP is usually more versatile and can be used with mobile devices and computers.
On the other hand, Landline provides more reliable than VoIP in emergency situations.
If you are relying on one of these telecommunications to be a life line or your sole communication link, stick to the tried and true landline.
But if a lower cost, versatility, and features are what you are interested in, VoIP or digital voice is the best contender.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which service is best for their particular situation.
Conifer Communications is an Internet service provider offering nationwide unlimited calling minutes in the continental US. Our digital voice service (VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol) replaces traditional landlines and routes your existing home phones through your internet connection.
Best of all, our voice service works with our Internet plans. So if you’re looking for an Internet service provider in California, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!
