{"id":32536,"date":"2022-05-30T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2022-05-29T22:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rcblogau.wpengine.com\/au\/en\/blog\/?p=32536"},"modified":"2022-06-03T19:31:33","modified_gmt":"2022-06-03T09:31:33","slug":"voip-phones-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/au\/en\/blog\/voip-phones-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"VoIP Phones Australia: Top Picks for Business VoIP Phones"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re a business in Australia, you\u2019re likely used to dealing with customers from far and away. Whether you\u2019re based in Sydney, Melbourne, Victoria you need a reliable solution to handling calls and connecting with your customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019re 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019t do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For many companies these days, staying connected with remote teams is as important as ever. A recent survey of 2000 <\/span>Australian workers<\/strong><\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are VoIP phones?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"What<\/p>\n

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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. <\/span>VoIP phones<\/a><\/strong> come in many shapes and forms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

VoIP and IP telephony, how do they differ?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Oftentimes, VoIP and IP telephony are referred to synonymously. And in most cases, they\u2019re virtually the same. However, there\u2019s one difference between the two digital phone systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

An IP phone system uses a private data network for making calls. While a <\/span>business VoIP<\/a><\/strong> 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of VoIP phones<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"VoIP<\/a><\/p>\n

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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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hard phones<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At first glance, hard phones for VoIP may look like any corded desk or office phone. There\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Desk IP phones<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Desk IP phones<\/a><\/strong> will look the most familiar to traditional business phone users,\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wireless or cordless phones<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conference phones<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

USB phones<\/strong><\/h4>\n

USB phones are simple yet effective. On their own, they can\u2019t do much of anything. But once plugged into a USB interface, they can enhance existing softphones for a more traditional analogue experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Softphones<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Hard phones have their use cases and benefits that make them the preferred choice for many users. However, <\/span>VoIP softphones<\/a><\/strong> are quickly becoming the choice alternative for businesses everywhere. That\u2019s because softphones are virtual phones that can essentially turn any internet-connected device into a VoIP phone for voice calls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Softphones from VoIP providers let businesses and their teams <\/span>connect with flexibility<\/a><\/strong> 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\u2019t require any sort of connection cable or power supply or AC adapter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages of a VoIP phone system<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A VoIP phone system has many advantages over a PBX or public switched telephone network (PTSN).<\/span><\/p>\n

Less equipment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

More flexibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advanced features<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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\"The<\/p>\n

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VoIP platforms can do everything a traditional business phone system can do and much more. Advanced features like voicemail transcription, <\/span>video meetings<\/span><\/a>, and call recording are just a few of the most useful features.<\/span><\/p>\n

HD Audio\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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).<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost-Effective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our top picks – phones for every kind of business need<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve 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\u2019s take a look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unify<\/span> CP600<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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\"Unify<\/p>\n

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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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other features include:<\/strong><\/p>\n