Visualize a world where there is no need to pay costly bills to make long-distance calls. It might seem untrue. But this is where VoIP integration plays a crucial role.
VoIP Gateway is the reason for this telecom revolution to take place. In simple words, consider VoIP Gateway as a bridge. It interlinks your traditional phone lines with internet-based calls on VoIP.
As per Global News Wire, the VoIP market will soar to more than $55 billion by 2025.
This blog will discuss VoIP Gateway. It helps you understand this amazing device. It also helps in streamlining your business communication.
Definition of a VoIP Gateway
VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Consider it to be a device that acts as a bridge to transform your call traffic. The next thing it does is change them into data packets. This aids them in getting into the internet.
Businesses can make phone calls using the Internet.
While using VoIP, your voice transforms into digital data. It uses the internet for communication. It allows you to call someone or pick up their call using landline and mobile devices.
Different Types of VoIP Gateway
There are two types of VoIP Gateways.
Analog VoIP Gateway
This type of VoIP Gateway has various benefits. It links the traditional telephones of businesses to a Voice Over IP Phone system. They can also link their VoIP phone to the PSTN (public switched telephone network).
There are two types of Analog VoIP Gateway:
FXS Gateway: Businesses can link this from their IP phone system to their PSTN.
FXO Gateway: Businesses can connect their fixed telephone or fax to the PBX system. They can also connect using analog devices and VoIP telephones.
Digital VoIP Gateway
Businesses use this type of VoIP Gateway supporting E1/T1 (ISDN). It acts as a connection between the traditional PBX and the IP network of the business.
How Does VoIP Gateway Work?
The working mechanism of a VoIP Gateway is quite simple. To link analog and digital networks, gateway devices use a phone jack. In technical terms, they call it register RJ11. There are two ways to plug in register RJ11 into your gateway: FXO or FXS.
You will see that the gateway consists of an analog telephone adapter. This adapter can change the signal from digital to analog and vice versa. You will also find the gateway comprising an Ethernet port to link to your internet service.
The first step is to connect the gateway device. This will allow existing hardware to communicate with VoIP or PSTN service. The hardware includes desk phones and fax machines.
Using this, your team can use non-digital hardware. Next, they can connect them to your internet-based phone system.
This assists your team to respond to distinct network phone lines without changing devices.
There are compatible issues with VoIP or FTS gateways on different networks. These networks depend upon the equipment and hardware you are using.
These networks are LAN, TDM, GSM, cloud, and on-premise PBX.
You can convert the data and send it over the internet in two ways:
Starting from a PSTN
First of all, you need to check the traffic on the call. If it comes from traditional or legacy phone signals, convert it into a digitized signal.
You can compress this digital signal with the help of a codec. The next step is to divide it into a series of data packets.
Finally, the encryption process finishes. You move towards transmission and transfer across an IP network.
Starting from an IP Network
Imagine the call starting from an IP network. In such a situation, the working mechanism of gateways will occur in reverse order. This means decompressing the data packets into digital signals.
Next, the signals get converted into analog signals and sent across the PSTN.
How Do Businesses Use a VoIP Gateway?
Here are some of the ways businesses can use a VoIP Gateway to help in their operations.
Call Routing
VoIP call routing is the best thing that has ever happened for businesses. It consists of features like intelligent call forwarding. Speech recognition and virtual phone numbers are the products of call routing.
Call routing helps your call center agents have a real conversation with customers. Especially those customers who are looking for valuable guidance.
AI Integration
VoIP Gateways allows businesses to interlink standard business phone systems with AI integrations. This includes auto-transcription, noise cancellation, and analytics tools.
Features like noise cancellation can improve the experience of customers and staff. It becomes clearer for both parties to hear each other as the background noise reduces.
Jitter reduction can come in handy in scenarios when someone’s communication gets stalled. This can be as a result of a poor connection.
Auto-Transcripts/Analytics
Tools like auto-transcription and analytics are an extension of VoIP Gateway. These tools help businesses add more value to their calls with customers.
Auto-transcript feature allows call center agents and managers to skim through call records. They can do this rather than listen to the entire recording.
On top of this, tools like keyword analysis assist you in finding out the most prevalent issues. These issues are in relation to your business calls.
With the help of this insight, you can enhance the usefulness of your calls. You can then prepare a business strategy for customer care queries like never before.
How to Choose a VoIP Gateway?
While selecting a VoIP Gateway, consider the total number of devices and FXS or FXO ports. Low-intensity hardware consists of less number of ports in comparison to high-density models.
This very reason makes them the premier choice for small offices. One interesting thing about the analog gateway is it provides 4/8/16/24/48 ports.
Here are some of the criteria that will help you choose a VoIP Gateway.
Call Capacity
Choose a VoIP Gateway that can withstand the requisite VoIP voice call capacity. It is imperative to consider the number of calls users will make during peak periods.
A good judgment would be to increase the number by 25% so that you can meet the demands during peak periods.
Compatibility
Check the compatibility of the gateway ports with the PBX device ports.
Price
The price of VoIP Gateways will vary according to their type, brand, and capacity. Here, it would be best if you made the smart choice by opting for the VoIP Gateway product that is affordable.
Also, buy the VoIP Gateway product based on the usage need.
VoIP Protocol Support
You will find that SIP and H.323 are the most prevalent VoIP call signaling protocols. Your VoIP Gateway needs to support these protocols on your network.
Final Thoughts
We are seeing a drastic change in the telecommunication world. You can attribute it to the technological advancements going on over some time now.
Today, businesses have started adopting VoIP Gateway in their operations. Businesses use VoIP Gateway to get the most out of VoIP technology. They also use VoIP Gateway to maximize their existing equipment and IT infrastructure.
If you wish to expand your business with minimal expenses, it is time to opt for VoIP Gateway. It also works as a blessing when you are looking for a professional, high-call quality system.
