The telecommunications industry is a rapidly changing market. Its central focus in the past was on landline phones; however, with technology advancing today, it’s replaced by VOIPs that are starting to take over the conventional phone option.
Thus, raising the question: is it worth your money?
This is crucial to ask since we are surrounded by internet technology, and with most of our lifestyle revolving around the internet, it is essential to gauge the situation accordingly. Hence, to avoid any kind of confusion, let’s explore the differences along with the benefits and drawbacks of using the two different types of phone communication tools – landline and VOIP. And find which is best for your home.
At a Glance
Starting with landline phones, these are still present due to their highly useful nature. But more than that, they bring the family together as well, with the entire household unified under a single landline number. Now while that may sound sentimental, landline offers irreplaceable features that it is credited for. Despite its steadfast service feature, many Americans are letting go of the wired piece of tech and choosing VOIP as a replacement instead.
While the landline phone is a functional piece of tech, its use has drastically reduced in the past few years or so, especially with the rising popularity of VoIP. A major reason for this is the way landlines are structured – they offer a channel of communication that’s set over copper wires. In comparison to this, VOIP utilizes IP packets for data transfer, which is only possible if a robust and reliable internet connection is available between the two points of the exchange.
No wonder the first thing that anyone searches before moving to a new address is the best internet providers in the area, especially if VOIP is their go-to option. While it may be considered over the traditional landline phone option yet landline phones are still a viable option, especially in remote locations where infrastructure is scant and requires much help and assistance from the federal government. In this case, landline phones are handy, for they are easily available despite the rapid spread of internet tech in the country.
Landlines & VOIP – Greater Differences Besides the Basic Ones?
Besides the obvious differences between the two, their infrastructure makes them set apart as well. Firstly, landlines use an analog system in comparison to VOIP, which needs the internet to function without a hitch. This means that with VOIP, users can have more than one device, whereas, in landline phones, there is just one phone set involved. For businesses, a VoIP phone system for small business enhances communication and provides additional benefits for efficiency.
However, VOIP is a more flexible mode of communication, for it allows convenience and comes with better features like security, instant messaging, voice mails, and even video calls. Nonetheless, customers are always advised not to just have VOIP at home. Especially if your area is prone to regular power outages or has consistent internet-related issues, then it can prevent the VOIP from making calls or just, in general, prevent it from working properly.
Coming to landlines one of its major advantages is that it is ideal for emergencies as these are not dependent on an internet connection, making it an exceptionally user-friendly option. Landlines normally have great call quality. However, they can often be pricey, especially if they are the only option available in the area where you live. In addition to this, most landline phones require physical installation and extra costs for add-ons, like those of maintenance and installation, which are often high.
Which One Should You Consider – Landline or VOIP?
As we come to the end of this article, it is often difficult for customers to figure out which service they should select for their home. However, it ultimately depends on the needs of your family. VoIP is ideal if you have family living abroad and you are prone to making long-distance calls regularly, say almost every two days or even every day.
What further makes it a great option is that it allows more than one user to join the conversation, so it becomes easier for multiple users to communicate without any hassle. However, if your area is known to have outages, both power or internet-related, then it is best not to be completely dependent on VOIP. And consider landline phones as well.
On the other hand, the traditional landline phone is a great backup, especially if you have consistent internet issues. But this is not all. The pricing point of each phone system is another feature that makes a user consider either one before they invest in it for their home.
The traditional landline phone is a considerably pricier option than VOIP. And it is mostly because of the infrastructure and the maintenance involved in it. For instance, VOIP is expected to be set up under an estimated $1000 in comparison to the traditional landline phone, whose setup may exceed $1000 and even more. However, if you are thinking of getting a landline phone for your home, then it is best to check out the top home phone service providers near you and see the latest deals and bundles available to you!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which one is better – VoIP or Landline?
VOIP is a relatively better option as it is much fast and considerably more reliable than your traditional landlines, which makes it an ideal option for the average American home.
Should I expect any drawbacks with VOIP?
With VOIP, you need an uber-fast internet connection if you want this kind of service to work without a hitch! However, if your internet service is prone to consistent issues, then it’s always best to have a landline for backup.
