The right phone service provider can help make your Olivet, MI business a great success. Most businesses, both small and large, have an online presence, but the telephone is still the first way that customers get in touch with a company they would like to do business with. Because of this, the right phone service is essential for anyone who owns or operates a business, so you will want to make sure you find a phone service provider that gives you the service that you need. The company you choose should be both affordable and reliable and able to provide you with different features. Before you make your final decision as to who you want to use, evaluate the service types available in your area. You'll find that analog service and VoIP service are the two types that are the main ones near you. Each one has different features and qualities, so it is important to compare the two before you decide which one is right for your business and for your budget.
| Provider | Plan Details | Monthly Rate* | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | RATED #1 BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
| $19.99 | Details  142 Reviews |
 | Business phone service - no internet required
* 8.3% discount if paid for the year upfront | $17.41* | Details  7 Reviews |
 | Engineering for the Small Business
* per user per month | $9.95* | Details 1 Reviews |
 | Alliance
* 12% discount for subscribing and paying for a year upfront | $19.97* | Details 13 Reviews |
_2.png&contenttype=png "Talkroute Logo") | The phone system built to do business anywhere
* $5 per additional user | $19.00* | Details 1 Reviews |
_2.png&contenttype=png "Verizon logo") | Get 99.99% network reliability with Fios.
* Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges. | $69.00* | Details  11 Reviews |
VoIP phone service is not as complicated as one may think. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and is simply a relatively new way for phone companies to provide reliable service. VoIP has been around for more than ten years but is only now becoming more well-known and popular among business owners who want to use the latest technology within their company. This service allows calls to go over your Internet connection at your business and is exactly the same as a traditional phone line. Many new companies, especially start-ups, choose this service for their communication needs. You will only need a reliable Internet connection to receive the best call quality with VoIP. To check to see if your current business Internet provider supports VoIP, use our Wirefly Internet Speed Test. However, most Internet providers support VoIP.
The biggest contrast between VoIP and PSTN is the way calls are carried. PSTN calls are carried by use of an analog signal, while VoIP calls are digitized and run through an Internet connection instead. Many business owners choose VoIP connections because running data through an Internet connection is actually less expensive than a traditional phone network; plus, most companies already have a connection that they are already paying for. VoIP service providers also charge less for long distance and international calls, and many providers have flat rate packages that will keep your costs down. This is perfect for businesses that make a lot of international calls but need to stick to a budget. You won't be hit with surprise charges that are through the roof with a VoIP phone service.
Olivet, MI VoIP phone service providers will also offer customers a number of calling features that may be helpful for their business. You'll receive access to features such as caller ID, remote access voicemail, call forwarding and voicemail to email. You'll also be able to set up as many phone extensions that you need. You may be a local candle business with one location and only need two extensions for your space. Some business owners may be head of a large corporation who will require thousands of extensions for all of their employees to use. Either way, there are VoIP services that can fit your needs without breaking your budget. This is especially helpful for a business owner who may be starting off small and needs to watch their finances carefully.
In Olivet, MI, VoIP has recently become very popular, as more and more business owners are realizing the benefits to this type of service after comparing it to traditional analog services. This means there are many providers that sell VoIP packages and who will compete for your business. This may seem confusing at first, but it is actually something you can use to your advantage, as you won't have to settle for just one company.
To begin, decide what features you absolutely have to have for your business. This may depend on how much you can spend for your phone service; if you think you will be expanding in the near future you will want to have the right add-ons. You'll definitely want to include call waiting and caller ID on your list, as these are basic features most companies need to use.
Look up the different offers from various VoIP phone service providers in Olivet, MI. See what features they offer, how much they cost, and how well their company is doing. Consider their reputation before you make a decision. Having a working phone system in place is extremely important for your company, so you will always want a provider that has a good reputation and provides excellent customer service.
A traditional phone service carries all calls over the PSTN. This stands for public switched telephone network and is generally what most consumers think of when they think phone service providers. This system has been around for nearly 100 years and is made up of cables, telephone lines, satellites and mobile networks. This was the very first type of phone network to ever be used.
However, the PSTN actually is more expensive than VoIP, because of how old and large the PSTN infrastructure is. It requires very regular maintenance and that cost gets passed onto consumers. PSTN is analog, so it is harder sending data over longer distances.
When someone makes a long distance call to or from a Olivet, MI business using the PSTN, the data stops at different places along its journey. The equipment that is in use is also owned by various companies, making these types of calls more expensive. While most of the infrastructure that carries and routes these calls has become digital, the “last mile' is not. The connection between the caller and the local central office is still analog.
Most Olivet, MI businesses use a private branch exchange, or PBX, to route the calls that come through their company. The PBX is what allows the company to enjoy the different calling features, such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding and more.
When a company uses a traditional PSTN phone system, they must have a PBX, which can be located either at the company or at a remote location. But it doesn't matter where the PBX is located in terms of cost, as it is still very expensive to use. When you first need to set up the whole phone system, you'll be required to purchase a number of pieces of hardware. Your initial investment could cost at least $1,000, if not more. Other necessary steps, such as installation, configuration and future maintenance, will not be included in your initial purchase price. Therefore, if you need to hire a service technician to fix a problem, you will be paying at least a $100 an hour for them to come out to you.
Additionally, a traditional PBX system in Olivet, MI may need upgraded or expanded in the future, which can be both difficult and expensive to do. Since many PBX systems don't support more than a few different phone lines, if you need more extensions in the future you will be required to pay for the hardware to install them.
A PBX system can also experience breakdowns and issues after being installed. If it does, you will again be responsible for paying for the repairs and any hardware costs that your company needs. There is also the chance that your system could become obsolete at any time, forcing you to replace it.
