Disadvantages of VoIP

Though VoIP has a number of advantages over the traditional phone system, it also has several disadvantages:

Sound quality
Reliability
911 calling
Integration with other systems
Calling some 800 numbers
Upfront costs

Sound Quality

The traditional phone system still sets the standard for telephone sound quality. Though top VoIP providers generally offer sound quality that’s nearly as clear as that of traditional phone systems, network traffic and other issues can make voices on VoIP calls sound computerized or garbled.

Reliability

VoIP service is not as reliable as traditional telephone service for a number of reasons:

Electrical dependence: Unlike traditional, noncordless phones, VoIP phones won’t function during a power outage, though some VoIP phones have a battery that gives them short-term life if the power goes out.
Network dependence: VoIP requires an “always on” broadband internet connection. If your internet service fails, so does your VoIP service.
Computer dependent: A softphone is only as reliable as the computer on which it’s running. If the computer crashes or slows down, the softphone performs poorly. In addition, if you overload the computer’s processor by using demanding applications, or by running many applications at once, your VoIP service may suffer.
Bandwidth issues: VoIP calls consume bandwidth, which can slow down your other internet applications. For instance, if you’re on a VoIP call while downloading a large file, the file will transfer more slowly than it would if you were not also using VoIP.

911 Calling

The traditional phone system associates all phones lines with a physical address. This means that if you call 911 from your home phone, the emergency operators who receive your call automatically know your number and location. If you’re unable to speak or your call is dropped, the operator still knows your phone number and location.

The Original Problem with VoIP and 911

For technical reasons, it isn’t possible to attach specific addresses to IP addresses. In VoIP’s early days, this meant that 911 calls would not provide 911 operators with an address or callback number.

E911 and a New 911 Problem

Leading VoIP providers solved the 911 problem by having all users register their home addresses and phone numbers. VoIP calls now include that data, so that when the operator receives a 911 call, he or she knows the caller’s address and callback information. VoIP providers call this enhanced 911 service E911.

If the caller is at a location other than the one registered to his or her phone, though, help may be dispatched to the wrong address. Also, while most phones provide direct access to 911 call centers, softphones do not.

The Bottom Line on E911

Before signing up for VoIP, make sure that E911 service works in your region. If it doesn’t, you may want to consider keeping a basic landline, in addition to VoIP, for 911 calls.

Integration with Other Systems

VoIP service may not be compatible with systems in your home that use a phone line, such as a DVR or home security system. Most DVR systems, such as TiVo®, now work over VoIP, but many security systems don’t. Check with your prospective VoIP provider in advance to find out whether phone-dependent systems in your home are compatible with VoIP—or how they can be made compatible.

Calling Some 800 Numbers

Some 800 numbers work only in specific geographical regions. But VoIP calls travel over the internet without regard to geographic region. Therefore, even if you were to make a call from a location that should be able to access a certain 800 number, your VoIP call would likely appear “out of state” and not be connected.

Upfront Costs

Though some providers give away the hardware you need in order to switch to VoIP, others charge a fee. In addition, most VoIP providers charge an installation fee for starting up your service. Before you sign up for any VoIP plan, make sure you know the upfront costs. You should also factor those costs into how much you’ll save by switching to VoIP.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer