What is VoIP and how does it work?

Ever wondered how does VoIP work, and why so many businesses are switching to it? If you're still using a traditional phone line, you've probably heard the term but never had it explained properly. So, let's answer the question that brought you here: what is VoIP and how does it work?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In plain terms, it means making and receiving calls over the internet instead of through old copper phone lines. No separate phone cabling, no bulky exchange box in a cupboard somewhere. Just your internet connection doing the work.

 

So how does VoIP work in practice?

When you speak into a VoIP phone or app, your voice is turned into small data packets. These packets travel over the internet to the person you're calling, where they're turned back into sound. It all happens in a split second, so the conversation feels just as natural as a normal phone call. That's how VoIP works, whether you're calling a colleague down the hall or a customer on the other side of the country.

 

How do VoIP phones work?

You've got more choice than you might think. How VoIP works on your end depends a bit on the device you use. You can pick up a physical desk phone that connects to the internet instead of a phone line. You can use an app on your laptop or smartphone. Or you can call straight from your browser. Whichever you choose, your number and your settings travel with you. That's the real appeal: one number, on any device, wherever you happen to be working.

 

Why businesses choose Xelion for VoIP

At Xelion, we've been building cloud telephony for over 36 years, and we've kept things simple on purpose. You get one licence, and everything you need is included in it. There's no juggling separate modules or wondering what extra you'll be charged for.

With Xelion you decide exactly how calls come in. Set up hunt groups so the right team picks up. Add call queues so no one gets a busy tone. Use an auto-attendant menu to point callers to the right department straight away. And if someone's away, call routing sends the call wherever it needs to go, so fewer calls get missed.

You also get a clear overview of what's happening across your business. Real-time reports show you call volumes, wait times and team performance, so you always know how reachable your business really is.

Xelion is built in-house with specialist partners, and it's fully GDPR-compliant, so your data stays safe and your calls stay reliable. Over 15,000 companies already run their calls through Xelion, from small teams to larger contact centres.

 

Frequently asked questions 

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It's a way of making and receiving phone calls over the internet instead of a traditional phone line.

Your voice is turned into small data packets that travel over the internet to the person you're calling, then turned back into sound on their end. It happens instantly, so the call sounds and feels like a normal phone conversation.

You can use a physical desk phone connected to the internet, an app on your computer or smartphone, or your web browser. Your number and settings stay the same, no matter which device you pick.

Not really. A decent internet connection is the main thing. From there, you can use existing computers and smartphones or add desk phones if your team prefers them.

Yes, as long as your internet connection is stable. With Xelion, you also get features like call queues and call routing, so calls still get answered even during busy periods.

Usually it works out cheaper, since you don't need separate phone cabling or hardware, and everything runs through your existing internet connection.

Yes, in most cases you can keep your existing number and move it across to your new VoIP set-up.

Ready to see it for yourself?

Now you know how VoIP works and why it's worth making the switch. If you'd like to see how it would work for your business, request a demo and one of our team will walk you through it. 

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