How To Get Better VoIP Call Quality From Your Home Internet

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that delivers voice communications through an internet connection. Among its many notable features, the bypassing of traditional phone lines enables users to access their phone system from anywhere with an internet connection, making it the perfect tool for telecommuters everywhere. However, the key to a successful VoIP solution isn’t necessarily within the product itself. Rather, it’s the quality of your internet connection.

With the tremendous progression of innovative technologies and broadband infrastructure networks, home offices have become more sophisticated than ever before. It’s typically recommended that you have at least 80 kb/s of bandwidth (upload and download speed) to support a quality VoIP solution, which is well within the capacity of most home broadband connections. However, while the whole neighbourhood is working from home, streaming Netflix, and downloading podcasts, no home office is immune to the occasional lost signal or outage. If you’re preparing for a more permanent work-from-home setup, and want the best call quality, you don’t necessarily need to make any major internet changes! Here are our best tips to get the best possible voice quality within your current infrastructure:

Use cabled internet over wifi

VoIP devices have both an Ethernet port as well as a built-in WiFi option, which requires a wireless access point to connect and register with a service provider or PBX. While the benefits of using WiFi are notable (who needs another cable in their life, right?), in choosing WiFi as your connectivity source you are likely compromising your call quality. WiFi connections in and of themselves are typically less reliable, especially when compared to an Ethernet connection. If you’re already operating off a WiFi network with a slow connection, your call quality will undoubtedly suffer. Simply put, a hardwired Ethernet connection is a direct connection, therefore it will provide superior quality. Should you prefer using browser-based calling or a softphone over a desk phone, the Ethernet connection will still result in better quality.

Invest in a home router

While the typical home router may support your home’s everyday internet connectivity needs, the addition of your business technology may require a more powerful device. Determine if your router has the functionality dedicated to providing traffic shaping and policy-based management. Traffic shaping prioritizes a small portion of your bandwidth specifically for your VoIP service which helps regulate network data flow without affecting your other internet activity. Therefore, no internet activity, including downloading and streaming applications, will interfere with your call quality. Any net2phone Canada client can contact our Canadian-based support team (dial 6-1-1 off any net2phone Canada device) to purchase and install a NetGear router for traffic-shaping!

Leverage mobility features

Should you find yourself constantly on the move or want to escape the city and work remotely from a cottage, you don’t have to worry about packing your desk phone. net2phone Canada users have 2 alternative calling options in addition to their desk phone.

Mobile App: The SONAR App is available to download for both Android and iOS devices in the App store. The App allows you to take your business phone extension with you wherever you go, meaning you’re able to provide and maintain a single point of contact for clients, colleagues, and partners while you’re at the office or working from home. Please note that when switching to devices such as the SONAR Phone or Mobile App, you must add the new devices into the queue to be able to receive queue calls.

SONAR Phone: SONAR Phone is net2phone Canada’s softphone feature. Through the SONAR Phone, you can access your extension anywhere using your pre-existing login credentials without needing any additional software. It provides the full functionality of the SONAR Mobile App but allows users to call directly from the SONAR portal inside any web browser using a headset, headphones, or computer audio with no physical phone or other device required. SONAR Phone is included in all net2phone Canada plans, is easy to use, and requires little set-up. To improve the voice quality, try setting up your workstation as close to your WiFi router as possible and reduce downloading and streaming applications like Netflix, Apple Music, etc.

Prepare your business for a seamless and effective remote work setup with net2phone Canada’s award-winning phone service. Check it out now!