If you’re a business in Australia, you’re likely used to dealing with customers from far and away. Whether you’re based in Sydney, Melbourne, Victoria you need a reliable solution to handling calls and connecting with your customers.
Unless you’re based out in Kiwirrkurra, even small businesses need a system that makes sure they never miss a connection or an opportunity. VoIP services have truly unlocked the power of cloud-based phone systems for solopreneurs and businesses of any size.
Softphones on mobile devices and laptops are great for those on the go. But how much work can you get done sitting at the beach or out by the barbie? Home offices are oftentimes a necessary evil. And for most professionals, a home phone simply won’t do.
For many companies these days, staying connected with remote teams is as important as ever. A recent survey of 2000 Australian workers found that 58% would prefer to work at home and 71% feel just as connected with voice and video calls. Welcome to the world of VoIP phones.
What are VoIP phones?
VoIP phones, also known as IP phones, are devices that employ digital technologies to make and receive data via an internet connection. In fact, VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. VoIP phones come in many shapes and forms.
Some will look, feel and operate like a traditional desk phone with a landline. Others are self-contained in desktop and mobile applications that allow users to turn the device of their choice into a VoIP phone. There are also VoIP conference phones designed for the niche use of virtual meetings between several locations at the same time.
Some of the major players in the VoIP industry include Polycom, Cisco, Unify, Yealink and Grandstream, while providers like RingCentral provide the software and several of the best IP desk phones for businesses of any size.
VoIP and IP telephony, how do they differ?
Oftentimes, VoIP and IP telephony are referred to synonymously. And in most cases, they’re virtually the same. However, there’s one difference between the two digital phone systems.
An IP phone system uses a private data network for making calls. While a business VoIP phone system uses the public internet to make and receive calls. Think of it as the difference between using an exclusive toll road and a major freeway to get to the same destination.
Types of VoIP phones
Today, VoIP has evolved into many forms beyond that of the traditional telephone. VoIP telephony provides businesses with all of the features of a private branch exchange system (PBX) and more.
Hard phones
At first glance, hard phones for VoIP may look like any corded desk or office phone. There’s a handset and a receiver with plenty of buttons beyond a normal consumer-based telephone. There are buttons to pick up lines, hold and transfer calls, speed dial and many others. But the way hard phones connect, access and implement a VoIP system can vary widely.
Desk IP phones
Desk IP phones will look the most familiar to traditional business phone users, looking right at home at your desk in the office. But closer inspection will reveal many more features and controls. Not to mention an LCD display for accessing more features and information. The displays can range from rudimentary to full-colour touchscreens.
Wireless or cordless phones
Rather than being tethered to your desk IP phone, you can opt for a cordless alternative with digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT). Options like Gigaset cordless DECT phones will function similarly to any other desk phone but in a portable and compact package.
This adds the all-important benefit of freedom of movement. And not just around the office, many IP phones can make calls anywhere they can connect to the internet over a Wi-Fi connection.
Conference phones
VoIP conference phones are highly specialised and designed for niche purposes. However, for those businesses that need reliable multi-party phone calls, conference phones can’t be beaten. These types of phones will let several lines connect at the same time. They also use intelligent omnidirectional microphones to ensure whoever is speaking in the room will be heard clearly by all parties.
USB phones
USB phones are simple yet effective. On their own, they can’t do much of anything. But once plugged into a USB interface, they can enhance existing softphones for a more traditional analogue experience.
Softphones
Hard phones have their use cases and benefits that make them the preferred choice for many users. However, VoIP softphones are quickly becoming the choice alternative for businesses everywhere. That’s because softphones are virtual phones that can essentially turn any internet-connected device into a VoIP phone for voice calls.
Softphones from VoIP providers let businesses and their teams connect with flexibility from wherever they work. While out and about, softphones are at the mercy of network connections. Softphone performance is typically best when connected via a desktop app and using a headset. This ensures a more consistent connection and a better two-way audio experience. They also don’t require any sort of connection cable or power supply or AC adapter.
Advantages of a VoIP phone system
A VoIP phone system has many advantages over a PBX or public switched telephone network (PTSN).
Less equipment
You can use your existing broadband service and softphones to get going immediately. Even if you add a fleet of VoIP hard phones, you won’t need to install any phone lines or other network equipment. Devices can also be set up for PoE (Power over Ethernet) which limits the number of adapters required for office settings.
More flexibility
With softphones, businesses get a huge range of options with how they wish to implement their telephone system. With a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy in place, employees have the freedom to make and receive calls from anywhere and on the device of their choice.
Advanced features
VoIP platforms can do everything a traditional business phone system can do and much more. Advanced features like voicemail transcription, video meetings, and call recording are just a few of the most useful features.
HD Audio
VoIP allows for nearly twice the fidelity of traditional business phone solutions. When given a stable and reliable connection to the internet, users can experience the crystal clarity of HD audio (and video).
Cost-Effective
The monthly fee per user is usually considerably less than the installation and equipment costs associated with a traditional PBX. Additionally, VoIP business phone systems are maintained and upgraded automatically in the cloud with no IT resources required from your organisation.
Our top picks – phones for every kind of business need
We’ve scoured the galaxy for the best VoIP phones on the market and compiled a list of the stars which shined the biggest and brightest. Let’s take a look.
Unify CP600
The Unify Openscape Desk Phone CP600 is built for office collaboration and interoperability. It comes with a 4.3-inch colour display for navigating menus and advanced features. The phone allows you to connect hands-free sets with full-duplex capabilities as well as connect devices via Bluetooth or a headset port. You can also add up to four expansion modules for more analogue controls.
Other features include:
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- Tiltable graphical TFT colour display, 4.3-inch (480 x 272 pixel)
- LED backlight
- Notification LED
- 5 context-sensitive soft keys with LED (red/green/amber)
- 2 fixed feature keys (Menu/Out-of-office)
- 4-way navigator, plus OK-key
- 3 audio keys (Mute/Speaker/Headset) with LED (red or green)
- Volume control +/-
Pricing: $602.00 or $25.00/month
Unify CP700
In many ways, the CP700 may feel like the younger sibling of the CP600. Most of the core functionality is here, but the aim of this IP phone is simplicity with minimal onboarding. It comes with a superior 5-inch graphical display with a resolution of 800×480 that allows for better readability. The set also comes with connectivity for Wi-Fi for a convenient and easy setup.
Other features include:
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- Bluetooth pairing is automatic and supports 2 simultaneous audio streams.
- Notification LED (green, amber, red), visible from the front and behind
- 6 permanent free programmable and 6 free programmable favourites with LED
- 7 fixed function keys: menu, presence, voicemail, hold, transfer, conference, and redial
- 5-way navigation key
- 3 audio keys: mute, loudspeaker, headset keys and Volume +/-
- Open listening/hands-free talking (full-duplex)
- Can add up to 2 expansion modules
Pricing: $533.00 or $22.00/month
Unify CP400
The CP400 is a reliable mid-tier option from Unify. It comes with a humble 3.7-inch monochrome display that’s easy on sore eyes that have been staring at screens all day. The phone is all about customisation with 16 free programmable feature keys with LEDs that can indicate red, green or amber. This can be expanded by adding up to two CP key modules.
Other features include:
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- 4-way navigator, plus OK-key
- 3 audio keys (Mute/Speaker/Headset) with LED (red or green)
- Volume control +/-
- Open listening/hands-free talking (full-duplex)
- Headset port (DHSG/EHS)
- LED backlight (white)
- Notification LED (red/green/amber)
- 4 context-sensitive soft keys with LED (red/green/amber)
- 2 fixed feature keys (Menu/Out-of-office)
Pricing: $499.00 or $21.00/month
Cisco 8861
Cisco has quite a reputation for telecommunications equipment. The 8861 conveys this in an affordable executive IP phone. The phone supports the OPUS codec to guarantee HD voice and audio quality. It also boasts a 5-inch high-resolution (800×480) widescreen backlit colour display and full-duplex speakerphone.
Other features include:
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- Two USB 2.0 host ports for charging mobile devices
- Monitor presence – up to 8 colleagues (72 with expansion modules)
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- Bluetooth 3.0 Headsets and wifi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac connectivity
- 3.5mm stereo headset port
- PoE support
- Ten line keys
- VLAN-capable dual switched Gigabit Ethernet ports
Pricing: $429.00 or $24.00/month
Unify CP205
The CP205 is an entry-level VoIP desk phone that will fit the purposes of most users. It’s less about bells and whistles and more about functionality and ease of use. The monochrome graphical screen simply displays two lines of information. But don’t let that distract you, this phone delivers superior audio quality and is ideal for users with UC/CTI support.
Other features include:
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- Notification LED (red/green/amber)
- 4 free programmable feature keys with LED (red/green/ amber)
- Pre-programmed: Call Log, Directory, Forward, Redial
- 5 fixed feature keys, 3 with LED (red or green) for Hold, Transfer, Conference, Settings, Messages
- 4-way navigator, plus OK-key
- 3 audio keys (Mute/Speaker/Headset) with LED (red or green)
- Volume control +/-
- Open listening/hand-free talking (full-duplex)
- Headset port (DHSG/EHS)
- PoE- IEEE 802.3af Class 1
Pricing: $365.00 or $16.00/month
Cisco 8851
The Cisco IP 8851 is an advanced business phone that looks and feels like the 8861. The beautiful 5-inch display has a rich 24-bit colour display. And this phone comes with ten line keys that are VLAN-capable dual switched Gigabit Ethernet ports. Also included are a USB and 3.5mm stereo headset port.
Other features include:
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- Call handling- Call transfer, hold, one-touch speed dial, call waiting, three-way conferencing and more
- 10 illuminated call appearance line buttons with tricolour LEDs
- Five-way navigational buttons
- Four soft-key buttons
- Music on hold
- PoE support
- Remote management, phone and user configuration, and software upgrades directly from the provider
Pricing: $351.00 or $15.00/month
Yealink T48S
Telecom equipment company Yealink focuses on providing collaboration tools for businesses that operate globally. The SIP T4 series of VoIP phones are one of their more premium offerings. The T48s comes with unified firmware and a powerful CPU that makes upgrading and maintenance virtually effortless.
This particular Yealink VoIP phone features a gigantic and beautiful 7-inch (800×480) backlit touchscreen display. Smartphone and tablet users will feel right at home as soon as they power on the T48S. Navigation and use are extremely intuitive with little to no learning curve.
Other features include:
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- 29 touch keys supporting up to 27 users on the phone display
- Rich one-touch soft keys allow for convenience and increasing productivity
- Supports the corporate directory feature
- Two-port Gigabit Ethernet switch
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- USB port support for Wi-Fi and USB recording features
- Quality of service (QoS) support
- Adjustable base height
Polycom VVX 450
Now part of Plantronics, Polycom is a global leader when it comes to business communications solutions. The VVX 450 is a one-size-fits-all IP phone for any business or organization. It specializes in handling large call volumes efficiently with its 12 programmable line keys. With expansion modules, the phone also supports up to 102 lines for presence monitoring.
Other features include:
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- More natural and lifelike calls with Polycom HD Voice and Acoustic Fence technologies
- 4.3-inch colour LCD (480×272 pixel resolution)
- Flexible line appearance (one or more line keys can be assigned for each line extension)
- Individual volume settings with visual feedback for each audio path
- Support for OPUS codec
- Dedicated RJ-9 port for headsets
- Shared call/bridged line appearance
- Local three-way audio conferencing
- Two USB ports
Pricing: $335.00 or $18.00/month
Polycom VVX 350
The VVX 350 business IP phone is a perfect option for more advanced users like those in management or those who handle high call volumes. As such, it is packed with practical features and comes with six lines built into the phone. And with two Gigabit Ethernet ports available, businesses can expect cost savings and performance benefits.
Other features include:
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- Polycom HD Voice and Acoustic Fence for an industry-leading audio experience
- 3.5-inch colour LCD display with 320×240 pixel resolution
- WebKit-based browser
- Two USB ports for media and storage applications
- Local three-way audio conferencing
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- Hearing aid compatibility ITU-T P.370 and TIA 504A standards
- Two-port Gigabit Ethernet switch 10/100/1000Base-TX across LAN and PC ports
Pricing: $295.00 or $13.00/month
Yealink T46S
The Yealink T46S is similar to its T48S cousin but with a smaller footprint and fewer multi-line capabilities. There’s a reduction from 29 voice lines to a pragmatic 10 voice lines. Instead of a larger touchscreen, users are greeted with a backlit 4.3-inch 480×272-pixel colour display. Those who desire more can add a high-performance attendant module with a 160×320 graphic LCD, 50 additional feature keys, and 20 physical dual-colour LED keys.
Other features include:
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- 10 programmable line keys
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- USB port allowing Bluetooth headsets, Wi-Fi access, and call recording
- Share a single network connection with your phone and PC using the integrated Gigabit 2-port Ethernet switch
- Individual volume settings with visual feedback for each audio path
- QoS support
- Integrated PoE support
Pricing: $279.00 or $16.00/month
Cisco 7841
The Cisco 7841 series VoIP business is cost-effective and energy-efficient. Medium-sized businesses and larger organizations will enjoy its packaged local language support and its power-saving mode. It comes with OPUS codec support for HD voice and also features four programmable lines.
Other features include:
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- Backlit 3.5-inch 396×162 pixel graphical display
- Fixed function keys provide one-touch access to service, messaging, directory, hold/resume, transfer, and conference features
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- Share a single network connection with your phone and PC using the integrated Gigabit 2-port gigabit Ethernet switch
- Integrated PoE support
- Voice activity detection (VAD) with silence suppression
Pricing: $269.00 or $15/month
Unify CP200
The CP200 is an entry-level IP business phone. It delivers plenty of features and a high-quality audio experience for users without breaking the bank. It comes with a two-line, monochrome graphical display and is an ideal solution for users with UC/UTI support.
Other features include:
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- 4 free programmable feature keys with LED (red/green/amber)
- Pre-programmed: Call Log, Directory, Forward, Redial
- 5 fixed feature keys, 3 with LED (red or green) Hold, Transfer, Conference, Settings, Messages
- 4-way navigator, plus OK-key
- 3 audio keys (Mute/Speaker/Headset) with LED (red or green)
- Volume control +/-
- Open listening/Hands-free talking (Full-duplex)
- Headset port for DHSG/EHS
Pricing: $248.00 or $10.00/month
Polycom VVX 250
The VVX 250 is an entry-level option from Polycom for businesses looking for a reliable business phone with enterprise-grade sound quality. As always is the case, users will enjoy a rich audio experience led by Polycom HD Voice and Polycom Acoustic Fence. This can be especially useful for busy environments like office cubicles or for heavy-knowledge workers like IT professionals.
Other features include:
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- 2.8-inch colour backlit display
- Four line keys
- Four softkeys
- In-call keys: call transfer and hold
- Illuminated audio keys
- One USB port
- Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Integrated PoE support
- Call forwarding enabled
Pricing: $225.00 or $9.00/month
Yealink T42S
This lower-tier offering from Yealink is a feature-rich business desk phone likely to meet the needs of most any professional or setting. As with all Yealink phones, HD voice and sound is guaranteed by the use of the OPUS codec. With six lines, programmable line keys, and presence, users will be able to handle plenty of calls simultaneously.
Other features include:
- Backlit 2.8″ 192×64 pixel LCD display
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- USB support for Wi-Fi and recording features
- Share a single network connection with your phone and PC using the integrated Gigabit 2-port Ethernet switch
- Individual volume settings with visual feedback for each audio path
- QoS support
- Integrated PoE support (Class 2)
Pricing: $199.00 or $12.00/month
Unify CP100
For those with more basic requirements, Unify has provided the CP100. The simple monochrome display with three lines relays plenty of information and is adequate for easy menu navigation. This phone will have cloud PBX users up and running in minutes.
Other features include:
- Backlit 2.8-inch 192×64 pixel LCD display
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- Share a single network connection with your phone and PC using the integrated Gigabit 2-port Ethernet switch
- Individual volume settings with visual feedback for each audio path
- QoS support
- Integrated PoE support
- Wall mountable out of the box
Pricing: $199.00 or $8.00
Cisco 6821
The Cisco 6821 is a highly-capable entry-level VoIP phone that supports the use of two lines. Users can expect Cisco’s enterprise-grade sound quality and high reliability. It’s an ideal phone for shared or common areas like hallways, lobbies, and breakrooms. The phone is simple to connect to your VoIP network and quickly adds phone coverage to your office.
Other features include:
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- 2.5-inch backlit monochrome LCD graphical display
- 2 line keys
- Opus support with HD voice
- Built-in speakerphone and microphone
- A 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection
- PoE Support
Pricing: $139.00 or $6.00/month
Polycom VVX 150
The VVX 150 is Polycom’s entry-level two-line IP phone. It’s a perfect device for the shared or common areas of any business or for those with home offices. Despite its low price and plain looks, the 150 still support Polycom technologies for a consistent and cutting edge audio experience.
Other features include:
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- 132×64 monochrome backlit display
- Two-line keys
- Dedicated RJ-9 headset port
- Integrated PoE support
- In-call keys: call transfer and hold
- Wideband audio
- Two 10/100 Ethernet ports
Pricing: $125.00 or $7.00/month
Polycom OBi302
When you make the switch to a VoIP business phone system, you likely already have existing hard phones in place. An analogue telephone adapter (ATA) like the Polycom OBi302 makes it easy for you to hook your existing equipment up to your IP network. With an ATA, your team members will be able to answer and place calls with their traditional desk phones or those placed in common areas.
In addition to desk phones, the OBi302 lets you connect cordless phones and fax machines to your cloud-based network. It also supports the latest TLS 1.1/1.2 security protocols so you don’t have to worry about data protection.
Pricing: $109.00 or $5.00/month
Features to look for
When looking for the right solution for your Australian VoIP business phone system, you will want to look out for the most important features.
Easy install and setup – the best VoIP phones available today require little to no setup. More advanced phones may require some onboarding, but otherwise, they should be seamless to connect to the internet and then plug-and-ring.
Multi-line support – depending on your business size and the individual roles, you will want enough lines to streamline call handling.
Expandable – look for phones that are easy to upgrade with modules that can scale with growth.
High-quality HD audio – only go with a phone that supports the best technologies for reliable and clear calls.
Programmable and customizable buttons – whether hard or soft buttons, make sure there are plenty to fit your needs. This will allow your team members to optimize the way they work on their own devices.
Get started with RingCentral today
At RingCentral, we’ve got your business VoIP phone solutions covered. We provide much more than a cloud-based phone system. Our platform is a leader in the 2021 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for UCaaS report for good reason. To start, you can keep your existing local and international business numbers. And you can add any freephone or vanity phone numbers as needed so your customer can reach you as easily as possible.
With a RingCentral phone system expect the most advanced features in VoIP telephony including:
- Presence and head-up display
- Call delegation, call screening, call forwarding, cal park
- Call flip for seamless device switching
- HD voice and audio conferencing
- HD video conferencing and cloud telepresence
- Team messaging and other collaboration tools
- Single sign-on for users from an RC device
- Enterprise-grade security
- Analytics portal with tools like QoS Reports, Live Reports, and Meetings Dashboard
- Admin tools- number porting, dial-by-name directory and more
- International numbers and international calling for global business
And all that is just the tip of the iceberg. We haven’t even got into our iOS and Android apps for smart devices. Not to mention all the custom and third-party integrations that let you connect our service to apps like Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams.
Alongside our industry-leading platform, we can also provide the best VoIP phones on the market.
Originally published 30 May, 2022, updated 03 Jun, 2022
