| Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a phone | | | | owning. It would certainly cost more initially but |
| system for receiving incoming calls and making | | | | the distinct advantage is you retain the flexibility if |
| outgoing calls using the Internet instead of the | | | | you are uncertain what your phone needs will be |
| conventional methods. Today, there are three | | | | in future. With the Hosted VoIP version, your can |
| different types of Business VoIP systems | | | | have the business phones and enjoy all the |
| available in the market and they are called - | | | | features of VoIP phone service. But you may |
| House VoIP, Hosted VoIP and Hybrid VoIP. | | | | have to sacrifice the privileges that come with |
| House VoIP is more aimed at established and | | | | owning an IP-PBX. In this instance, the IP-PBX is |
| successfully running business whose | | | | not installed within your premises but you buy all |
| communication needs will be larger and who can | | | | the IP phones you need - one for each employee |
| also afford to buy the House system. Hosted | | | | just as you have to do with House VoIP. You pay |
| VoIP is meant for businesses that are relatively | | | | a monthly license fee to your Hosted VoIP |
| new or businesses that are opening new branches | | | | provider for each and every IP phone that is |
| and wish to postpone any long term phone | | | | functional. |
| equipment lease. Hybrid VoIP, as the name | | | | The third version is the Hybrid VoIP which is |
| suggests, is for those businesses that want to | | | | meant for businesses that wish to combine the |
| continue with their existing non-VoIP phone | | | | conventional phone system with VoIP to enjoy |
| systems but want to avail the benefits of the | | | | the benefits of both worlds. The fact is many |
| VoIP system. | | | | businesses are quite satisfied with the functioning |
| As stated earlier, most well-established businesses | | | | of their existing phone systems and are only |
| would straightaway opt buying House VoIP also | | | | interested in VoIP for its extra advantages. They |
| known as IP-PBX. It may be stated that House | | | | wish to opt for Hybrid system if it can bring |
| VoIP will basically resemble the conventional phone | | | | down their overall phone, data and Internet bills. |
| system and every employee will have a standard | | | | Because of the huge costs involved in obtaining |
| telephone instrument on his/her desk and there | | | | the old-fashioned non-VoIP dial tone, businesses |
| will be a PBX installed in some corner of their | | | | are interested in the new Hybrid VoIP phone |
| office. As the IP PBX equipment is installed within | | | | services. |
| the premises, business owners can exercise direct | | | | However, the writing on the wall is bold and clear. |
| control and ownership of the entire system. In | | | | Inasmuch as digital television has succeeded in |
| other words, once a business invests in a House | | | | replacing analogue television in a phased way, |
| VoIP by installing an IP-PBX in-house, they will | | | | most businesses will soon opt for VoIP dial tone |
| virtually become the phone company for all their | | | | dispensing with the conventional systems. It is |
| remote offices and home offices by being able to | | | | expected that companies now selecting the |
| provide Hosted VoIP services to all of them. | | | | Hybrid system may eventually switch over |
| Hosted VoIP is more popularly known as | | | | straightaway to House system and will not favor |
| 'Pay-As-You-Go' as it more hiring the system than | | | | going in for the intermediate Hosting system. |