IP Phone Vs Analogue – Is old gold in telephony?

Is there more to a telephone than making and receiving calls? Let’s see what facts this IP Phone Vs Analogue comparison will say hello to!

Phone systems were originally analogue or plain old telephone system (POTS). It could be these landlines have been serving your business well, but you are wondering whether you are missing out by not jumping onto the new-phone-technology hullabaloo bandwagon! This IP Phone Vs Analogue review evaluates the functional and technical differences between the two phone systems. Knowing this, we believe, will help you make an informed decision on whether to tough it out with POTS or to upscale.

What are the Differences Between an IP Phone and an Analogue Phone?

 
IP Phone (Winner)
Analogue Phone
Synonym
VoIP, Internet telephony, IP telephony, broadband phone service, voice over broadband
POTS, Landline
Transmission medium
Internet
Copper wires
Technology
IP technology
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
Power
Needs  Power
Does not need power
Set up and running costs
Low. VoIP to VoIP calls free. Mobile and international calls nominally priced
High. No free calls. Mobile and international calls relatively highly priced.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth required and shared amongst system and computer
No internet/bandwidth required
Movability, add ons , scalability
Easy to move, scale up and add many features.
Moving and scaling up needs on premise changes and more lines, limited add-ons capacity usually at a cost.
Multimedia
Transmits video, voice and other multimedia options
Only transmits voice
Security
Vulnerable to network attacks
Only danger is possibility of phone tapping

The Analogue phone Vs IP phone – How Do They Compare?

Technology

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) or internet calling uses the internet to make calls. The voice signal is transmitted as data packets over the internet. This greatly enhances the call quality making communication smooth.The IP phones use the larger RJ-45 Ethernet plug.

Landlines have their telephones connected to copper wires which run underground, connecting to other landlines through networks known as PSTN or POTS. In order to connect one phone to another, the call is routed through switches from local to international levels. A PBX helps route extension numbers from the main number, in an organization. The technology converts voice/audio signals into electrical pulses which are transmitted through the copper wires. Analogue telephony uses the narrow RJ-11 plug in supporting its phone, fax machine and modem.

Costs

Unless a business already had installed the analogue phone system, the cost of installing the necessary wiring, including a PBX, in a new building is quite high compared to that of installing a VoIP phone system. The greatest expenditure however is the cost of making calls on a day to day basis, especially in a company with many lines. The PBX also needs constant maintenance by an expert.

Some VoIP systems are quite costly. The system’s saving grace is that the devices come in a whole range of prices, from the premium high-end prices to the budget sensitive ones. VoIP phones have potential to lower a company’s phone bill by up to 60%. This is because VoIP to VoIP calls are basically free, while international calls don’t cost higher than the local ones. They use very little bandwidth.

Power

The analogue phone does not need to be connected to the mains. Whatever power it needs, it gets from the line. IP phones however require a separate AC source of power, or the more costly Power Over Ethernet (POE) switch/injector which can use the network cable to send power along with the data packet.

Mobility

It is easy to move IP phones from one desk to another, with them picking up the configuration information while retaining the extension. IP phones using Wi-Fi network can even be carried around the entire building. Unfortunately, analogue phones do not have this luxury.

Bandwidth

Because IP phones share the computer data networks, the bandwidth is thus shared between them and the computers. If either the phone or the computer uses too much bandwidth, the other is affected. It is important therefore to have QoS end-to-end policies enforced on the network. Analogue phones are on a separate network from the computer’s data network, so even if the data network is down, the analogue phone will not be affected.

Security

Whereas the only danger an analogue phone may face, in terms of data security, is tapping of external calls, the IP phone can have network attacks directed to it.

Remote maintenance

IP phones are easily accessed remotely over the internet, which makes maintenance, upgrading and configuration changes simple. For the analogue phone however, maintenance involves a technician coming on site.

Other Features and Add-ons

Both phone systems come with core features that enable you to receive, call and route calls. Unlike the analogue phone system which only supports voice/audio signals, the IP phone system supports a whole range of multimedia signals making possible services like instant messaging, email and video conferencing possible. In addition, enhance the phone’s performance even further, the IP phone system is able to integrate with other systems e.g. integration with google maps can pop the location of a caller.

The Analogue phone Vs IP phone – A Comparison Overview

Analogue Phone

Landlines have been in operation since the 1800s which means the technology is tested and tried. It is therefore stable and reliable. Once installed, it connects without hitches and is not affected by power outages, unless you use a cordless phone. The phone requires minimal maintenance, save for an on-site PBX system which would need extensive maintenance. The phone has basic features like hold, redial, mute and speed dial. Limited add-on features like call conferencing, voice mail and call forwarding may also be available – at an extra cost.

Pros

  • Reliable
  • Stable and secure
  • 100% uptime
  • Minimal maintenance
  • Few add-on features

Cons

  • No multimedia transmission

IP Phone

Since VoIP phones use the internet to make and receive calls, it is important to have a reliable internet connection. Establishing enough bandwidth, download and upload speeds is also necessary. With VoIP, one can use a computer, mobile phone or a desk phone to make telephone calls. VoIP phones come with amazing features and easy to scale-up capabilities. In addition, it can be integrated with many third-party software and tools e.g. email marketing software.

Pros

  • Any device can be turned to a phone
  • Improved call quality
  • Easy mobility and portability
  • Integration with other systems
  • Amazing add on features e.g. anonymous caller, call analytics
  • Multimedia transmission

Cons

  • Affected by power outage
  • Requires stable internet
  • Security and data protection not absolute

Conclusion

Telephone communication is the heartbeat of any enterprise. There is no debate therefore that any business needs to invest in a reliable, stable telephone system. To conclude this IP Phone Vs Analogue comparison, we reiterate that the best telephone system for you depends on the demands of your business.

The analogue phone system has been around since the 1800s and its reliability and stability is therefore tested and tried. Besides, it is not affected by power outages or internet disruptions. It is a good choice for transaction based, high-volume businesses whose communication needs are simple e.g. a retail store. Businesses that require cultivation of customer relationships, or those that need a call center are good candidates for an IP phone system.

Verdict: Which is better – IP phone or analogue?

Whereas landlines have been in existence through the ages, VoIP is the phone for the future. It beats the analogue phone system hands down in terms of features, costs effectiveness, mobility and integration with other systems. The beauty about it is than it comes in a wide range of cost options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between analogue and VoIP?

Analogue phones use copper wires and operate on the plain old telephone service (POTS) to convert voice/audio signal to electrical pulses. VoIP, on the other hand, transmits over the Internet. It translates the voice signal into data packets delivered through the Internet.

Q2. How can I convert my IP phone to Analogue?

A VoIP Adapter or Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) helps convert a VoIP signal into analog which makes it possible to use existing analog devices like a phone or fax machine with a VoIP service. This affords you the VoIP cost-saving without having to replace the existing analog equipment

 

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