Business IP Telephony: Everything You Need to Know

There are many ways to set up business telephony today, from traditional landline telephony to modern business VoIP telephony. In this article, we’ll explain the options step by step and highlight the key differences.
From Landline Telephony to VoIP
Business telephony began with analog phones and a physical phone exchange in the office. Each device had to be physically located at the same site as the phone exchange. Incoming calls were routed through fixed phone lines, and the capabilities were limited.
With the advent of IP telephony, everything changed. Thanks to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), you can make calls over a stable internet connection without needing a physical phone exchange. You can use cloud telephony, where all features are managed in the cloud.
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It enables you to make calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. With a VoIP phone and a cloud-based phone exchange, you can make business calls flexibly and cost-effectively. Benefits include HD quality, simultaneous calls, and integration with tools like Microsoft Teams. This makes business telephony not only scalable but also easy to manage.
The New Standard: Hosted VoIP Telephony
More and more companies are switching to Hosted VoIP as the solution for modern business telephony. Hosted VoIP offers various solutions tailored to your company’s specific needs:
- Virtual Phone Exchange: A virtual phone exchange provides the same functionalities as a traditional exchange but is entirely cloud-based. It’s ideal for companies seeking flexibility and scalability.
- SIP Trunk: If you already have an existing phone exchange but want to benefit from VoIP, a SIP trunk allows incoming and outgoing traffic to run over the internet without completely replacing your current infrastructure.
- Fixed to Mobile: For entrepreneurs who are often on the go,
fixed to mobile is ideal. Your
business number
is forwarded to your mobile phone. This can be done:
- Via an app or softphone on your mobile phone.
- Without extra software, directly to your mobile device. This is our preferred method.
Why Switch to VoIP?
- Lower Costs: No need for expensive lines or hardware.
- Scalable: Easily add users or adjust your subscription.
- Integration: Seamlessly integrates with your CRM system and other business tools.
- Wireless Phones: Connect via Wi-Fi and stay reachable anywhere.
- Flexible Workplaces: Suitable for remote and hybrid working.
Number Retention
When switching to business VoIP telephony, you can keep your existing number. This applies to both landline and mobile numbers. Thanks to clear regulations, you can switch to a new provider without interruption.
The Benefits of Belfabriek
With Belfabriek, you get a complete solution for your business telephony:
- All Features Included: Call recording, menus, and queues at no extra cost.
- User-Friendly App: Available for Android and iOS.
- No New Hardware Needed: Start immediately with your existing devices.
- Attractive Phone Numbers Registration: From local numbers like 010 or 020 to international numbers: 0900, 088, local (010, 020), international (e.g., Germany, Belgium, United States).
Conclusion
With VoIP, business telephony is now more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective than ever before. Solutions like Hosted VoIP, virtual exchanges, and fixed to mobile ensure you’re always reachable. Thanks to number retention and advanced features like call recording and menus, you can future-proof your communication. Contact Belfabriek to discover how we can help you with a tailored business telephony solution.
Frequently asked questions
A quick way to explore how everything works and what to expect.
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It allows you to make phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
A virtual phone exchange is a cloud-based system that lets you manage phone calls without physical equipment. It offers flexibility and scalability.
SIP telephony uses the Session Initiation Protocol to manage voice and video calls over the internet. It’s ideal for businesses with an existing phone exchange.
Yes, with Belfabriek, you can retain your current number and integrate it with our VoIP services.
You need a stable internet connection, a VoIP subscription, and a compatible device, such as a VoIP phone or softphone.
Absolutely! VoIP is flexible and scalable, making it ideal for small businesses looking to grow.
Hosted VoIP means the phone exchange is managed in the cloud by your provider. It’s a flexible and cost-effective solution for business telephony.