IP Telephony vs VoIP: What is the difference?

What is the difference between IP telephony and VoIP?  

Most businesses probably won’t notice a great deal of difference between IP telephony and VoIP, and with good reason. The two technologies are extremely similar. In fact, they are so much alike that many IT professionals use both terms interchangeably.

However, there are some differences, albeit subtle. In a nutshell, VoIP is a specific technology that uses an IP network to send voice traffic. IP telephony on the other hand is actually an umbrella term that encompasses VoIP as well as any other communication service that is like a telephone and is carried over IP. This means that services like text messaging and fax could also fall under IP telephony.

What is IP Telephony?

IP telephony covers all the services, products, and technologies that enable not just voice calls, but other related services like voicemail, faxing, video calling, messaging, and video conferencing. The feature that sets it apart from other types of phone technologies is that the services use the packet-switched connections of IP.

Traditional phones used dedicated circuit-switched connections to transfer information. These connections were carried over the public switched telephone network, or PSTN – but most people know it as “telephone service.” IP telephony converts that call or message information into data packets that are carried over computer network lines, allowing them to route around the PSTN tolls.

What is VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol, better known as VoIP, is a specific set of technologies that have been standardized to deliver voice calls using a private IP based network or the internet. It falls under the umbrella of IP telephony and is a narrowly focused voice over IP only service. It does not include other types of communication services like text messaging or fax.

Pros and Cons of IP and VoIP

IP telephony as a whole tends to offer much more attractive cost savings than the traditional phone and messaging services. VoIP costs much less than a regular phone service and does offer some great features that regular phone service does not.

IP is much more portable, it offers more features for a lower cost, it’s more flexible, and offers greater accessibility. You can integrate many IP telephony products with other apps to broaden its features.

The challenges that the technology does present are typically easy to remedy. For instance, voice quality and call quality can be corrected by using high-speed internet. It is dependent on power, so if the electricity goes down, so does your phone. However, if you have emergency backup power that remedies that issue.

Most businesses feel that the lower costs, better scalability, and streamlined infrastructure outweigh any negatives that the technology may present.

Phone Store Depot offers a wide range of VoIP and corporate communication solutions.

We can help you choose the right solutions for your needs and budget, and we’ll provide all the support you need to get the most out of your investment.

Contact us today to learn more or to get a free quote for your business.

Phone Store Depot is an Allworx Authorized Dealer

If you are ready to take the next step and give your business the reliability and money-saving benefits of IP telephony, we have you covered. At the Phone Store Depot, we have everything you need to get your business up and running with VoIP and reap all the benefits of IP telephony. Call today and talk to one of our friendly, knowledgeable service representatives to find out how you can get started with IP telephony for your business.