VoIP Best Practices Going Into 2023

Voice over Internet Protocol (commonly known as VoIP) enables communication across different locations. The robust system consists of consistent data flow and voice integration. Considering remote and hybrid work arrangements, VoIP’s advantages to businesses are wide-ranging. Conference and group calls provide management, employees, and clients with efficient collaboration avenues. Businesses can also connect clients with customer support better. All these considered, Yahoo Finance estimates VoIP will reach a market value of £89.6 billion by 2026.

For those interested in deploying a VoIP system for their network, we’ve compiled the best practices to bolster your business operations going into 2023.,

  1. Select reliable network components

As seen in our post ‘How to Get Best VoIP Number for Business in 2022’, 61% of companies ended their landline carrier contracts and transitioned to VoIP-operated systems. One of the reasons for this shift is the reduced mobility commonly associated with old-technology hardware phones. VoIP systems, on the other hand, promote flexibility. Despite this, the system still requires reliable and sustainable architecture. For hardware, tap into well-known manufacturers for routers, network appliances, and managed switches.

If you plan on expanding your workforce or have adapted a hybrid arrangement, an article on Business News Daily suggests investing in cloud-based phone applications. Because these boast scalability features, you can easily supply new employees with extra phone lines. Network conditions will vary amongst different employees in terms of hybrid work. With cloud-based solutions, a worker is given complete control over all their devices, desktop apps, and all company numbers and lines. So despite having unstable residential internet, they can simply switch their line to another device. Considering how vital network components are in ensuring productivity, all options must be vetted.

  1. Plan your management strategy

Once you’ve chosen the right network components, the next step is to seamlessly integrate VoIP into business operations. Thinking in Systems encourages companies to think of components as a single whole rather than having separate roles. As such, check that your network monitoring software supports VoIP. Observe if your bandwidth can sufficiently support daily backups. Similarly, ensure your router can adeptly handle QoS (Quality of Service). Your QoS should function well; it assigns a specific amount of traffic to your desired target, like prioritising internet-based calls for crucial meetings.

Those minor details, when left uncatalogued, can impede productivity and cause system failures. Whether in traditional workspaces or hybrid arrangements, implement a VLAN strategy to access and circumvent potential VoIP issues. This method necessitates segmenting devices used by the company. As a result, VLAN prevents VoIP voice packets from competing with data packets for priority. Because you’re streamlining VoIP traffic, weak points become more prominent, and troubleshooting is made simpler. In the long run, your management strategy guarantees all business levels remain smooth-running and in sync.

  1. Prevent network attacks

Recently, there have been instances of call hijacking that target VoIP traffic. An NPR report describes how these attacks have made digital phone lines vulnerable. The internet traditionally didn’t allow for audio to travel in real-time. But with a tsunami of digital traffic, hackers are now launching denial-of-service attacks against mobile phone providers. For businesses, those threats can degrade call quality and uptime and breach sensitive data.

That being said, security considerations have become increasingly important for companies with VoIP. Fortunately, automatic end-to-end encryption is a measure you can apply. With this layer of protection, attackers won’t be able to listen in on private calls or pretend to be someone else. You can also enlist the help of a VPN to enhance your network’s safety. For remote work, privacy issues may arise when employees use their own devices. It’s best to have control and authority over each line your workers use. Ultimately, preventing network attacks helps minimise privacy risks in your company.

Author

Zayne Z

Meet Zayne VoIP Blog's dedicated Content Researcher with 5+ Years Experience. Passionate about VoIP technology, he delivers accurate, engaging articles, keeping readers informed on industry trends with excellence.