Telephone Services

Insights for Business VoIP – Ethernet (Metro E) Internet Service

In this post we continue our foundation series for successful implementation of Business VoIP.  We will review Ethernet (Metro Ethernet, Ethernet over Copper) internet services provided from competitive phone companies.  We will also review internet speed and reliability with a focus on implementing an IP Phone system.

Ethernet – (Metro E) is a high-speed internet service which is delivered into a business as an MPLS Ethernet connection over copper services.  This dedicated internet service is a two-way bi-directional (upload and download) equal Internet services.

Speeds – Ethernet (Metro E) internet speeds start at 10 Meg through 100 Meg.  Some carriers are touting they can provide speeds up to 1 Gig. (Differs by Carrier)

Reliability – Ethernet (Metro E) internet service seems to be very reliable.  With this type of internet service your business is provided a contract which guarantees you a refund if the service is down for a period of time. (99.999%)

Positives – Reliability and speed.  With this transport it allows the pricing for dedicated internet (same up and down speeds) to decrease on a per Meg basis.

Negatives – Price and Availability.  Just like any dedicated internet product, this is a higher priced product for business customers.   Also since this product is only offered in certain areas, it is not available in all areas yet.

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Insights for Business VoIP – DSL Service

In this post we continue our foundation series for successful implementation of Business VoIP.  We will review traditional DSL service in relation to internet speed and reliability with a focus on implementing an IP Phone system.

DSL – DSL (digital subscriber line) is a service provided to businesses from the traditional phone company.  This is a bi-directional service (different speeds for upload and download) works over a traditional phone line.

Reliability – With the DSL products you get two different speeds (upload and download) for your internet service.  You also get a “best effort” contract which means they will do everything possible to provide you the best internet service possible.  (Basically no refund for downtime)

Positives – The DSL products offer businesses low cost internet.  This product is stable and it is helping hundreds of thousands of businesses with their internet needs.  With so many customers, DSL is an incredible choice for business VoIP implementations.

Negatives – DSL is a distance sensitive product, (the distance is from the closest serving central office) so the service might not be available.  (Even if you get local business lines from the phone company.)  Another limiting factor of the DSL product set is a speed limitation which is distance driven as well.

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Insights for Business VoIP – CLEC Internet Service options

In this post we continue our foundation series for successful implementation of Business VoIP.  We will review T-1 services provided from competitive local exchange phone companies.  We will also review internet speed and reliability with a focus on implementing an IP Phone system.

T1 – T1 internet is a dedicated service provided to businesses from the traditional and competitive phone companies.   This is a bi-directional service (same speeds for upload and download) which brings in 1.5 Meg of internet service for each T-1 implemented.

Speeds – T1 speeds are implemented in speeds of 1.5 Meg.  The traditional T-1 speeds utilized are up to 9 Meg.

Reliability – T-1 service is a very reliable service for internet.   With this type of internet service you are provided a contract which guarantees you a refund if the service is down for longer than a period of time.

Positives – Reliability, plain and simple.  For many years T-1 internet service has been the staple of the business community.   You can feel pretty confident your T1 service will be reliable and working internet.

Negatives – Price and Speed.    Each T-1 has a  top speed of 1.5 Meg so you are basically capped out with this transport medium.   Since T1s are delivered over traditional phone company infrastructure, they are going also to be costly on a per Meg basis against cable products.

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Business Telephone Tips For The Relocating Business

Few will debate that relocating your business can be unnerving and when technology is factored into the equation, the anxiety is only heightened. Any significant telephone or data downtime can result in lost business opportunities, angry clients and frustrated employees. To help you navigate through your business relocation and the telecommunication requirements associated with it, we would like to share with you the following steps to make your office relocation as smooth as possible.

Plan Early

Planning is the first and, arguably, the most important step to ensure your office relocation is as smooth as possible. Once the decision to move is made, you should immediately identify your communications needs and goals. Will there be additional users in the office? Are remote capabilities a priority? If yes, VoIP solutions are a cost-effective, seamless way to link remote workers to the office from anywhere. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to evaluate all options. Ideally, you should plan at least 90 days in advance to ensure adequate time to strategize and implement.

Pick a Savvy Partner

Every organization has communications needs specific to their industry. Make sure to partner with a team that understands your operations. Their expertise will likely be the difference between having a system that simply works, and one that works for you in your new location.

You want to pick a partner that takes care of all the little details for you including helping to define overall requirements, developing the right customized technical solution, and ultimately managing project implementation.

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Telephone Conference Call Service: Why It Is Essential For Your Business

If you have a business, whether it is a full blown business that has been around and successful for years or one that is just getting started and off the ground, you are going to want to incorporate telephone conference call service into your business.

By using a telephone conference call service or international conference call service, or both, into your business you will be maximizing its potential and ensuring that it is profiting as much as it possibly can. With a telephone conference call service you will be able to communicate with employees and clients quickly and easily, anytime, anywhere.

The First Step

The first thing that you are going to have to do is decide on a telephone conference call service provider. There are literally hundreds out there today to choose from so you will definitely not be lacking in terms of choice here, but you will need to ensure that you are choosing just the right provider for your business and needs.

Reaping the Benefits

Of course in order to take full advantage of your conference calling services you are going to want to make sure that you are aware of all the benefits.

Globalization has led companies to recruit talents from all around the world and although this has definitely proven to be productive and beneficial, at the same time it posed problems, at least at the beginning. Employers and clients were simply unable to meet up all the time when they needed to, and this meant that a lot of potential profit was going ungained.

However, when conference calling came around it allowed people to meet up and have a conversation anytime, anywhere, and made it extremely easy and convenient for everyone involved. All the participants get told a specific number and they then telephone that number at the time and date given, and are allowed to get in on the call with the rest of the participants.

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