3 Steps to Take When Call Quality Drops

Call quality is a prime consideration for anybody looking to get the most out of their phone system. Nothing is more frustrating than a bad connection with a client or lead during an important phone call, and though VoIP systems have many business benefits, they have also created a new set of obstacles to overcome. Because VoIP systems rely on a fast connection on both ends, a weak connection could mean a disturbance in audio or visual quality. While we have limited control over what happens outside our networks, some things can be done internally to ensure the quality of your VoIP phone systems.

Here are five steps you can take to improve your phone call quality.

1. Calming the Jitters

VoIP delivers voice information through network packets. When functioning correctly, they are evenly spaced and delivered in a constant stream. However, network malfunctions can lead to communication delays, or the audio can be scrambled, making it hard to understand.

Minor jitters can be fixed by replacing an Ethernet cable. Using a category six cable transfers the information between networks faster, which reduces the likelihood that data will arrive out of order.

For more severe problems, installing a jitter buffer can briefly store and organize voice packets to make sure it plays them in the proper order.

2. Reduce Bandwidth Usage

The amount of bandwidth being used on a network will impact audio during a call. Monitoring your network traffic is the easy and cost-effective route to audio improvement. Start by minimizing the amount of data streamed across your network during important calls, which means staying off apps like Pandora or Netflix—they’re bandwidth killers! Another easy way to free up bandwidth is waiting till after work hours to update computers or run backup programs and file transfers.

3. Invest in Equipment Upgrades

It’s not surprising to hear that using poorly made equipment causes audio quality to suffer. One excellent business investment is a VoIP headset. They come in different prices ranges with an array of product features. However, keep in mind wireless headsets with Bluetooth connectivity are affected by other wireless devices nearby.

Buying a VoIP router is another technology upgrade worth considering. VoIP routers play an essential role in call quality. What makes them different from your standard at home router is these routers prioritizes VoIP traffic over other types of internet data. They work great at calming jitters and controlling bandwidth. Before buying a router, check to see if the router has a feature called Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP is a good factor for VoIP solutions because it improves reliability when sending and receiving data.

Regardless of the system, problems can arise. After all, many factors can interfere with a communication system. VoIP, however, is unique in that call quality issues are easy to diagnose and a simple fix. Being aware of what makes a VoIP system function can lead to improved client satisfaction and help businesses explore new opportunities.