How does internet phone service work?

Internet phone systems use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to deliver voice communications and other multimedia through the internet. When you make an internet call, your voice is transmitted from the phone and is then digitized into data packets. Each data packet is sent over the internet to a specific destination and reconverted back to voice to complete the call. A VoIP internet call sounds exactly like a traditional landline call, thanks to advancements in digital and telecommunications technology.

How is VoIP used?

With Voice Over Internet, phone calls can be routed through any internet connection, even Wi-Fi®, and to other phone systems including landlines or cell phones. Did you know that the phone service that many cable companies throw into a bundle is often internet phone service?

VoIP technology can be implemented anywhere with an internet connection, allowing for a wide variety of uses.

Business woman using an internet phone provider at her work

Business

With increased internet bandwidth, businesses are also using VoIP technology into their offices. Companies of all sizes appreciate not having to maintain and house a PBX system on their premise. Plus, a VoIP system is easy to use and add new lines as companies grow. The technology is similar to VoIP (voice over internet protocol), with a few key differences:

  • Single network use: Both data and voice controls can run over a single network, which helps companies of all sizes cut down on infrastructure costs.
  • Softphones: Businesses can use the internet phone features with software on a networked computer that shows a dashboard and a dial pad.
  • Unified communications: VoIP solutions allow businesses to treat all communications under one handset. This can include phone calls, fax, voicemail, videoconferencing and more.
  • Dual-mode phones: As the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, voice over internet protocol technology has bridged the gap between smartphones and desk phones with Wi-Fi® networks. This simplifies communications with fewer devices to manage, and less maintenance and upgrades to plan and execute.

Two reasons to get an internet phone system

Business owners cite two major reasons why they switched from traditional landline phones to VoIP: affordability and more features.

Internet phones reduce traditional phone bills - cutting cord image

VoIP reduces monthly phone bills

Saving money on expensive phone bills may be the biggest reason business owners switch to VoIP. In general, internet phone services like Ooma cost far less compared to traditional landlines.

For business, you don’t have to pay for a lengthy or costly installation process, either. Most of the systems include a do-it-yourself setup, meaning you pay less and can have your phone service up and running in minutes.

VoIP service offers more features

You still get all the features you love like voicemails, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Blocking—but it generally costs much less than landline phone service. The good news is that VoIP phones offer more options than traditional landline phones.

Here are a few features you can expect with Ooma’s VoIP technology:

  • Mobile apps for iOS (Apple) and Android devices
  • Low international calling rates
  • Call Blocking
  • Virtual Receptionist for business accounts
  • Set up Ooma yourself—no need to wait around for a technician

    Ooma makes it easy to set up internet phone service. So easy, that most business customers can begin making calls within 15 minutes of setting up their phones. Chances are great that you’ll be able to keep your phone number. And you don’t need to buy new phones, although nobody will judge you if you want some shiny IP phones to go along with your brand-new service.

    Ready to compare Ooma internet phone service costs and features?

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    Ooma 2602 IP Phone Product Image
    0

    Ooma 2602

    2-line phone with 5-way
    voice conferencing.
    BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE

    https://office.ooma.com/signupv3?source=ooma&country=CA&cart_skus=3405:1;3400:1;69:1&num_users=1&offer=2X2602_CA
    $74.99
    Save: $75
    Ooma 2603 IP Phone Product Image
    0

    Ooma 2603P

    Features advanced HD audio, noise reduction, 5-way conferencing.
    BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE

    https://office.ooma.com/signupv3?source=ooma&country=CA&cart_skus=3437:1;3432:1;69:1&num_users=1&offer=2X2603_CA
    $109.99
    Save: $110
    Ooma T34W Wifi IP Phone Product Image
    0

    Yealink T34W

    Features high-performance Wi-Fi & HD audio, supports USB headsets, 5-way conferencing.

    https://office.ooma.com/signupv3?source=ooma&country=CA&cart_skus=4879:1&num_users=1&offer=NXT34W_CA
    $159.99
    Ooma T31W Wifi IP Phone Product Image
    0

    Yealink T31W

    Features flexible Wi-Fi comms with smart noise filter, 5-way conferencing.

    https://office.ooma.com/signupv3?source=ooma&country=CA&cart_skus=4861:1&num_users=1&offer=NXT31W_CA
    $99.99
    Ooma 2670W Phone Product Image
    0

    Ooma 2670W

    Features superior sound, multi-line, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 7-inch touchscreen, 12 lines.

    https://office.ooma.com/signupv3?source=ooma&country=CA&cart_skus=3851:1&num_users=1&offer=NX2670W_CA
    $329.99

    Subtotals

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    Essentials

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    50+ Standard Features
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    One Toll-free Number
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    Email Audio Attachments
    Desktop App
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    Recommended

    Essentials

    $24.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary
    • Essentials includes:
    • 50+ Standard Features
    • Unlimited Calling in US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico
    • Virtual Receptionist
    • Mobile App
    • 50+ Standard Features, and the features you’re interested in:
    • Also
    Most Popular

    Pro

    $29.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary
    • Everything in Essentials
    • Desktop App
    • Text Messaging
      up to 100 per month Need more messages? Contact Sales for complementary quote. 877-353-5185
    • Videoconferencing
      (up to 25 participants)
    • Call Recording
    • Everything in Essentials, and the features you’re interested in:
    • Also
    • And More!
    Best Value

    Pro Plus

    $34.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary
    • Everything in Pro
    • CRM Integration
    • Text Messaging
      up to 400 per month Need more messages? Contact Sales for complementary quote. 877-353-5185
    • Videoconferencing
      (up to 100 participants)
    • Team Chat
    • Hot Desking
    • Call Queuing
    • Everything in Pro, and the features you’re interested in:
    • Also
    • And More!
    Most Popular Best Value

    Essentials

    $24.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary

    Pro

    $29.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary

    Pro Plus

    $34.95

    Per User / Per Month
    No Contract Necessary
    50+ Standard Features
    Virtual receptionist
    Ring groups
    Music on hold
    One Toll-free Number
    Digital Fax
    Mobile App
    Email Audio Attachments
    Desktop App
    Videoconferencing
    Call Recording
    Enhanced Call Blocking
    Voicemail transcription
    Caller Info Match
    Dynamic Caller ID
    Google and Office 365 Integrations
    Call Analytics
    Call Queuing
    Salesforce Integration
    Hot Desking
    Find Me, Follow Me
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    Ooma Office Essentials Ooma Office Pro Ooma Office Pro Plus
    Subscription Plans
    Price per User /Per Month (No Contract Necessary)

    $24.95

    $29.95

    $34.95

    Key Calling Features
    Unlimited Calling in U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
    Low International Rates
    911 Service
    FREE Number Transfer
    One FREE Toll-Free Number 500 minutes of inbound calls per month 500 minutes of inbound calls per month 500 minutes of inbound calls per month
    Main Company Number
    One Direct-Dial Number Per User
    Easy Installation
    Administration and Support
    User Management Portal
    Multi-site Admin and Management
    Bulk User Import
    24×7 Customer Support
    Call Management Features
    Virtual Receptionist
    Virtual Receptionist with Unique Greetings, Menus and Actions
    Analog Fax Machine Support
    Call Park
    Call Park for Desktop App
    Music On Hold
    Transfer Music
    Extension Dialing
    Extension Monitoring
    Call Forwarding
    Virtual Extensions
    Voicemail
    Call Transfer
    Company Directory
    Call Logs
    One Conference Bridge per User
    Forward Calls During Device Outages
    Virtual Fax
    Distinctive Ringtones
    3-Way Calling
    7-Digit Dialing
    Call Blocking
    Intercom
    Overhead Paging
    Paging Groups
    IP Phone Paging
    Flexible Numbering
    3-Digit Extensions
    Enhanced Call Blocking
    Voicemail Transcription
    Call Recording
    Dynamic Caller ID
    Hot Desking
    Find Me, Follow Me
    Shared Voicemail Boxes
    Call Screening
    Mobility Features
    Desktop App for Windows Yes (without calling)
    Desktop App for Mac Yes (without calling)
    Desktop App for Google Chrome Yes (without calling)
    Mobile App for iOS
    Mobile App for Android
    Simultaneous Ring
    Voicemail-to-Email Audio Files
    Extension Dialing to App
    Call Transfer from App
    Call Flip
    Virtual Fax
    Team Collaboration
    Conference Calling Up to 10 participants Up to 25 participants Up to 100 participants
    Videoconferencing Up to 25 participants Up to 100 participants
    Microsoft Office 365 Calendar Integration
    Google Calendar Integration
    Simultaneous Screen Sharing
    Videoconferencing Recording
    Online Whiteboarding
    Team Chat
    Team Presence
    Text Messaging
    Text Messaging 100 messages per month 400 messages per month
    Bulk SMS Packages Call us at 866-343-7929 for Quote Call us at 866-343-7929 for Quote
    Scheduled Messages
    Messaging Templates
    One-to-Many Messaging
    Customer Engagement
    Ring Groups
    Caller Info Match
    Contact Us Website Widget
    Call Queuing
    Online Bookings
    Shift-to-Text
    Auto Dialer
    Integrations
    Salesforce
    Microsoft Dynamics
    Zoho
    Freshdesk
    NexHealth
    Clio
    AgencyZoom
    HubSpot
    Square
    Jobber
    QuickBooks Online
    Analytics
    Call Analytics
    Call Leaderboards
    Message Analytics
    Fax Analytics

    Customer feedback about VoIP

    When researching VoIP service providers, find out what customers say regarding their experiences. For example, PC Magazine surveys its readers every year and Ooma has won the Business Choice Award for Best VoIP System for 10 years running. The survey asks readers about overall satisfaction, installation, cost, reliability, ease of use, tech support, call quality, system management, mobile support and likelihood to recommend. See what other reviewers say about Ooma:

    Frequently Asked Questions