Many factors can disrupt call quality. This article will outline some key factors affecting your VoIP call quality, such as your internet connection, devices used, and accessories. To help you pinpoint what may be causing your issues, check out Identifying Common Call Quality Issues.
Key Factors Affecting Call Quality
A few simple adjustments can significantly enhance (or diminish) your VoIP call quality. By optimizing your internet connection, configuring your network properly, and choosing the right devices and accessories, you can significantly improve your VoIP call quality.
Internet Connection
Unlike browsing the web or sending an email, VoIP calls cannot "buffer." Any fluctuations in your internet connection, even ones you may not notice when loading a webpage, can disrupt VoIP calls.
Quality of Service (QoS)
To avoid competition for bandwidth between devices, such as computers or video streams, enabling QoS may stabilize your connection.
Wi-Fi Range
Adding a Wi-Fi extender or additional access point can strengthen your signal, especially if you're working remotely.
Devices and Accessories
Handsets, speakerphones, and (Bluetooth) headsets all provide different voice qualities. You may find it beneficial to invest in high-quality headphones.
Optimizing Your Internet Connection
Your internet connection is crucial to the quality of your VoIP calls. Below are some common limitations and practical solutions.
Neighbourhood Packages vs. Office Networks
Residential and commercial internet are not the same. Even if you opt into the highest-speed residential internet package, the infrastructure of a home is different from that of a commercial space.
Residential Internet: Even with a high-speed residential package, home internet infrastructure differs from office networks. Homes often share bandwidth among multiple users and devices, leading to slower speeds, especially during peak hours.
Office Networks: Commercial networks are designed for higher capacity and often have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees consistent speeds and performance.
Solutions for Home Networks
In the new age of remote work, multiple people within a home are often using the internet (computers, TV streaming, mobile usage, etc.). As a result, you may need an internet router with Quality of Service (QoS) enabled.
Invest in a Router with QoS: A router configured for Quality of Service (QoS) will prioritize VoIP traffic over other activities, such as video streaming or web browsing.
Setup Guides: Follow our [How to Set Up QoS] blog for detailed instructions.
Consider Upgrading Your Plan: If bandwidth is limited, upgrading your home internet plan could improve call quality.
Wi-Fi vs. Wired Connections
In the past, VoIP was only run through the local area network (LAN) with wired Ethernet cables. Now, with the increasing number of remote workers, wireless solutions are becoming more widespread.
Wired Ethernet: The Best Option for Stability
Of course, a direct Ethernet connection will always provide the best call quality
Direct Connection: Using an Ethernet cable will always provide the most reliable and stable connection for VoIP calls.
Wi-Fi: Convenient, But with Limitations
Alleviate some common issues so you can reliably depend on wireless solutions.
Security Considerations: Ensure your wireless network is protected with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) encryption, double firewall protection, and denial-of-service (DoS) attack prevention.
Signal Strength: If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, consider adding a range extender or second access point. These can help boost your wireless signal, reducing call interruptions.
Bandwidth Competition: Ensure your router is configured with QoS to prioritize VoIP traffic over other wireless activities.
Mobile Connections: Wi-Fi vs. LTE
Using the net2phone Canada mobile app allows you to make VoIP calls on the go; however, mobile networks can introduce additional factors affecting call quality.
Wi-Fi for Stability, LTE for Mobility
Wi-Fi: Offers a stable connection, but may not be reliable in public places or when you’re in transit.
LTE: If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, switching to LTE may provide a better connection. Remember that moving between cell towers while travelling can cause call drops.
Solutions for Mobile Users
Switch to LTE: When traveling or experiencing weak Wi-Fi signals, switch to LTE for a more reliable connection.
Transfer Calls to Your Mobile Number: If you experience persistent issues, transfer your VoIP calls to your mobile number for greater stability. Learn how to transfer calls from the app to your mobile number.
WiFi Extenders vs. Second Access Points
For those working from home or in a small office, Wi-Fi coverage can sometimes be a challenge. Two solutions can help: range extenders and additional access points.
Range Extenders
Function: A range extender repeats the wireless signal from your primary router, creating a second, expanded network.
Best For: Small offices or homes where the signal needs to cover a greater area.
Second Access Points
Function: An access point connects directly to your wired network and provides more simultaneous connections with fewer interruptions.
Best For: Environments with heavy network use or where stability is critical.
Devices and Accessories: Maximize Call Quality
The devices and accessories you use also have a significant impact on call quality.
Future Considerations
- How much do I expect my business to grow?
- Is customer engagement and success a top priority?
- Do I need accurate data on call performance?
- Will my team rely on mobile devices for work?
External Devices and Accessories
Different devices and accessories provide varying levels of call quality. For example, handsets, speakerphones, and headsets can all offer different audio experiences.
Invest in Quality Headsets: Poor-quality headphones and Bluetooth devices can lead to poor call quality. We recommend investing in a reliable, high-quality headset for consistent performance.
Update Your Devices: If you’re using older mobile phones with many apps running, this could negatively impact call quality. Consider upgrading.
Switch to Headsets: If you’re using a handset in a noisy environment, a headset may help block out background noise and improve clarity.
Manage Notifications: If using headphones with a mobile device, disable app notifications to prevent interruptions during calls.
