Faster connections allow us to do more

Ever since the internet became mainstream, technology companies have been figuring out how else we can use the increasingly faster connections that come into our homes and offices for other purposes. While it's nice to be able to download our e-mail and view web pages at a decent speed these days, a fast connection also means that sophisticated communication methods (involving both audio and video) can utilise the same technology. That's why we've recently seen an explosion in the use of online video sites, much greater use of webcams and instant messenger etc and the widespread use of Voice Over IP by companies and individuals.

VoIP = Telephone services via your internet connection

In its simplest form, Voice Over IP allows telephone calls to be delivered via an internet connection (of at least home broadband quality). This means that instead of a select few companies (such as BT) offering restricted traditional style telephone services via your old style telephone line, thousands of companies worldwide (including etl) are able to offer you innovative, amazing value and genuinely useful telephone services via your broadband connection.

It doesn't matter where you are or where you want to be

One of the things to note (and sometimes one of the hardest things to get your head around) is that your location is no longer important when using VoIP. What do we mean by that? Well, imagine you're based in Torquay and ask BT to install a phone line for you. They'll give you a phone number with an 01803 dialling code for Torquay. Alternatively, if you call etl and ask us to supply you with a VoIP Telephone Line we'll give you a choice of any dialling code in the UK and even allow you to use a number from one of 30 countries worldwide!! So, somebody could call a Glasgow number and without the need for diversion (or similar services), your phone will ring in Torquay. The caller would never know you were 600 miles away and will pay their normal rate for a call to Glasgow.

VoIP gives you free calls between multiple locations, shops, offices etc.

Now imagine a scenario where a business has two or more locations and frequently makes calls between the two. As VoIP connections travel via your internet connection, calls are free if your call doesn't have to go via a normal telephone network. Therefore, VoIP makes it easy for multiple locations to keep in touch with unlimited free calls. That can mean a business with two shops or a hundred!

Expensive phone systems are a thing of the past...

Previously, even small businesses would be forced to pay hundreds, often thousands of pounds for a decent phone system to be able to handle their communication requirements. These days, you don't even need to have a PBX (phone system) in your business. All the functionality and services can be delivered via the internet. By way of an example, consider the following real-life example that etl installed for a Torbay accountancy firm...