7 mins read
Call quality is a determining factor when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Period.
Studies and experts strongly suggest that businesses engaging with customers over voice calls must maintain industry benchmarks for VoIP call quality.
How do we make sure that happens?
That’s a question we answer here. We investigate issues that cause hindrances in VoIP call quality and best practices to optimize it. When implemented regularly, this approach will ensure your business meets customer expectations and stays ahead of competitors.
Read the article “What is a VoIP Phone System?” here
How to assess VoIP call quality?
We must look at several factors like bandwidth, network congestion, hardware quality, latency, and packet loss to assess our VoIP call quality. We can use tools to measure things like jitters, delays, voice clarity, and Internet stability. We can also make test calls at different times for a full analysis.
Issues That Impact VoIP Call Quality
Network bandwidth, Internet speed, congestion, and hardware quality are important for maintaining optimal VoIP call quality. When network bandwidth is low, callers may face bad audio quality or dropped calls. Network congestion can lead to delays and interruptions.
Using poor hardware may also cause distorted voice signals. High latency and packet loss may create choppy audio that interrupts conversation. It is important to address these problems to ensure the best VoIP call quality and smooth communication.
Read this blog “ VoIP vs Landlines” here
Network Bandwidth and Internet Speed
Network bandwidth and Internet speed are very important for the best VoIP call quality. Good bandwidth helps in sending voice data smoothly. This reduces problems like packet loss and delays. You need a stable Internet connection with enough speed for clear and nonstop voice calls.
If the network bandwidth is insufficient, it brings down the audio quality, like broken voice and dropped calls. To improve VoIP calling, focus on having a reliable Internet connection for a better communication experience.
Network Congestion
Network congestion can hurt VoIP call quality. This leads to problems like disruptions and poor sound. When your network gets congested, data packets that carry voice signals might be delayed or lost.
You can improve VoIP communication by checking your network for congestion. Use your bandwidth wisely too. Setting up Quality of Service (QoS) can help. It allows you to give priority to VoIP traffic, which helps keep call quality high even during congestion.
Hardware Quality
Investing in good hardware is very important for the best VoIP call quality. Make sure your devices like headsets, phones, and routers are upgraded and work well with your VoIP system. Old or incompatible hardware can cause sound issues, connection problems, and bad overall VoIP call quality. When you focus on hardware quality, you can really improve your VoIP calling experience and reduce technical troubles.
Latency and Packet Loss
Latency and packet loss are critical factors that can affect VoIP call quality. While latency is the delay in sending data and packet loss is when data packets fail to arrive at their destination. In one hand, latency causes gaps and interruptions in conversation. On the other hand, packet loss leads to voice distortion during the call.
You can improve your VoIP call quality by watching and reducing latency and packet loss. This can be done with better network setups and investing in good equipment. Regularly testing your VoIP calls helps spot and fix problems quickly.
To make calls clearer and more stable, it’s good to prioritize VoIP traffic and reduce interference.
7 Best Practices To Improve VoIP Call Quality
Network Optimization
To have the best VoIP call quality, you need to optimize your network. For that, you must:
- Prioritize VoIP reliable traffic on your network.
- Reduce interference and select the right codec for better call clarity.
- Use high-quality equipment and avoid relying on Wi-Fi for stable calls.
- Regularly test call quality to identify and resolve network issues promptly.
This way, users can enjoy clear communication. VoIP technology is always changing, so keeping your network optimized is important for businesses that want great call quality.
Avoid Wi-Fi
Using a wired Ethernet connection is a better choice than using Wi-Fi for VoIP calls. Using a Wi-Fi connection can cause problems like interference and changes in signal strength. This can disrupt the flow of voice data during calls.
With a wired Ethernet connection, your Internet connection becomes stable and consistent. This helps lower the chances of any VoIP problem. Making this small change can greatly improve the reliability and clarity of your VoIP call quality.
Read this blog “VoIP vs Wifi Calling” here.
Choose the Right Codec
To have the best VoIP call quality, picking the right codec is very important. Codecs are used to compress and send voice signals over the network. This affects how clear the audio is and how much bandwidth is used. G.711 is a popular codec that gives high quality but uses more bandwidth.
In contrast, the G.729 codec saves network bandwidth but may lower the quality just a bit. It is vital to know what your network can handle and find a balance between quality and how efficiently bandwidth is used. Choosing the right codec for your VoIP system can greatly improve your VoIP call quality.
Invest in Quality Equipment
Invest in good equipment to greatly improve VoIP call quality. High-quality headphones, microphones, and routers stand out. Choose devices made for voice communication to get clear audio. Good equipment helps lower the chances of call quality issues. When you focus on top-notch tools, you create smoother voice calls and better overall VoIP performance. Investing in reliable equipment is an important step to reach the best VoIP call quality.
Prioritize VoIP traffic on your network
By giving priority to VoIP traffic on your network, you can keep communication smooth. You should use Quality of Service (QoS) settings to make sure voice packets get priority over other data. This helps avoid delays and keeps VoIP calls steady, even when the network is busy.
When you prioritize VoIP traffic, you reduce the chance of call quality issues that come from network congestion. With the right setup, your VoIP system can provide reliable and clear voice calls to meet your business communication needs.
Reduce Interference
To reduce problems during VoIP calls, keep electrical devices away from your networking equipment and use shielded cables. Place your hardware far from anything that can create electromagnetic interference. You must also set up your network to use different frequencies. This helps avoid conflicts.
Test VoIP call quality regularly
Regularly assessing VoIP calls is crucial for optimal experience. Use VoIP speed tests to check how stable your connection is and how clear your audio sounds. Make test calls inside and outside your organization to check voice clarity, delays, and other problems.
By frequently assessing call quality, you can spot and fix issues early, helping everyone communicate without problems. Maintain a record of these tests to see improvements over time, further ensuring quick fixes to calling-related issues.
The Bottom Line
Fluctuating VoIP call quality can determine your calling experience. To improve your VoIP experience, you should follow best practices. Focus on key factors like bandwidth, choosing the right codec, and optimizing your network. Regularly testing your connection is important. Invest in quality equipment and prioritize voice traffic to ensure the best VoIP call quality.
Make sure you have a reliable VoIP service provider and watch out for any problems. This will help you get steady, high-quality VoIP calls for both business and personal use. Remember, it’s all about having a smooth communication experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VoIP better quality than landline?
VoIP usually gives better call quality than traditional landlines. This is because of new technology and clearer connections. However, things like Internet speed, network stability, and equipment can affect this. Think about how much you need reliable service and clear sound when choosing between VoIP and landline options.
What is a VoIP Phone System?
A VoIP phone system uses the Internet to make calls. It does not rely on traditional phone lines. Instead, it changes your voice into digital signals to send them. This gives you savings on costs and more flexibility. You can find out more about VoIP systems in this section.
What are the types of VoIP phones?
VoIP phones have different types. There are hardware phones that look like old desk phones. Then, some softphones run on software. You can also find mobile apps for smartphones. Each type has its features to fit what users like.
How to measure VoIP call quality for my business?
To check the quality of your VoIP calls for your business, use tools like MOS scores, jitter tests, and latency tests. Look at packet loss rates and how clear the audio is. Keep an eye on network performance all the time to ensure good VoIP quality.
