As businesses increasingly rely on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to stay connected, ensuring high-quality VoIP calls has become a critical priority. Call quality issues can be frustrating, disruptive, and even detrimental to your success.
However, there are many ways to improve VoIP calls and elevate your communication experience to new heights. From optimising your internet connection and router settings to using quality headsets and ensuring proper network configuration, a combination of technical adjustments and best practices can significantly enhance the clarity and reliability of your VoIP communications.
In this blog, you will gain insights into the common factors causing poor VoIP call quality and discover best practices for improving call quality in VoIP Phone systems.
The Culprit: What Hinders VoIP Phone Call Quality?
VoIP call quality refers to the clarity, responsiveness, and overall experience you have during a call made over the Internet. Unlike traditional phone lines, VoIP calls travel as data packets over a network. Several factors can contribute to a less-than-ideal VoIP experience. Here are the common factors hindering call quality:
- Network Issues: VoIP relies on a stable and robust internet connection. Jitter (variation in packet arrival times), latency (delays), and packet loss (data packets failing to reach their destination) can all disrupt call quality, resulting in choppy audio, dropped calls, and echoes.
- Insufficient Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over your internet connection at a given time. VoIP calls require a specific bandwidth for smooth operation. If your bandwidth is overloaded with other internet activities like streaming or video conferencing, it can starve VoIP calls of the resources they need, leading to poor quality.
- Hardware Limitations: Outdated or faulty equipment, such as routers, modems, or VoIP phones, can hinder call quality. Using a low-quality headset can also introduce background noise or muffled audio.
- Software Misconfigurations: Incorrect settings on your VoIP software, router, or firewall can block or prioritise the wrong type of traffic. This can lead to one-way conversations, dropped calls, or difficulty connecting altogether.
Read more: Common VoIP Problems & Ways to Troubleshoot Them
10 Tips to Improve VoIP Call Quality
VoIP technology has transformed the way businesses communicate. Among the various VoIP audio quality standards available, G.722 is preferred for high audio quality and bandwidth. And, with G.711, users can enjoy good voice quality without excessive bandwidth requirements.
However, ensuring optimal VoIP call quality remains paramount for a seamless communication experience. Here are the best practices to enhance VoIP call quality:
Assess Your Network Infrastructure:
Before integrating VoIP into your network, it’s crucial to conduct an evaluation of your network infrastructure. This assessment involves examining the topology of your network, which essentially maps out how all your devices are connected.
Understanding your network’s layout helps identify potential bottlenecks or points of congestion that could affect VoIP performance. Additionally, analysing router configurations is essential, as routers manage the flow of data between devices on your network.
Implement Quality of Service (QoS):
Quality of Service (QoS) is important in ensuring high-quality VoIP communications. Essentially, QoS is a set of protocols and procedures that prioritise certain types of network traffic above others. Voice traffic must be prioritised to enable clear and uninterrupted communication over VoIP. Implementing QoS entails configuring your network devices, such as routers and switches, to prioritise VoIP traffic. This prioritisation ensures that VoIP calls remain high-quality and clear even during times of high network congestion.
Allocate Sufficient Bandwidth:
Bandwidth allocation is an ongoing task that needs constant attention. VoIP calls demand a specific amount of bandwidth to uphold their quality. If there’s not enough bandwidth, it can lead to dropped calls, fuzzy audio, or delays. To manage poor call quality effectively, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your network’s usage patterns.
Using monitoring tools, you can pinpoint applications or services that hog bandwidth and might interfere with VoIP traffic. By adjusting bandwidth allocations as needed, you ensure smooth VoIP performance, even during times of high network activity.
Optimise Codecs:
Codecs are pivotal in shaping the audio quality and efficiency of VoIP calls. While codecs like G.711 offer a good balance between compression and audio fidelity, explore newer codecs or proprietary algorithms developed by VoIP service providers.
These can include enhanced bandwidth usage, superior error correction, or the ability to adapt bitrates according to network fluctuations. By fine-tuning codecs, you not only boost the overall quality of VoIP calls but also make the most out of available bandwidth resources.
Employ a Jitter Buffer:
Jitter, the variation in packet arrival times, can significantly impact VoIP call quality by causing delays, packet loss, and choppy audio. Employing a jitter buffer can mitigate the effects of jitter by temporarily storing incoming packets and playing them out at a steady rate, smoothing out fluctuations in packet arrival times. This helps ensure consistent audio delivery and reduces disruptions during VoIP calls, enhancing the overall user experience.
Use of Quality Headsets:
The choice of headset can significantly impact VoIP call quality. Opting for headsets specifically designed for VoIP use ensures features such as noise-cancelling microphones and wideband audio support, which are essential for clear and uninterrupted communication. High-quality headsets minimise distractions like background noise, static, or echo, ensuring that VoIP calls maintain their clarity and quality.
Invest in a Quality Service Provider:
Selecting a reputable VoIP service provider is crucial for guaranteeing high-quality VoIP communication. When comparing providers, consider network coverage, dependability, scalability, and customer service. Look for VoIP providers who provide Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that ensure uptime and call quality, as well as proactive support services like network monitoring, repair, and optimisation. Choosing the right internet service provider can have a big impact on the overall quality and dependability of your VoIP network.
Reduce wireless interference
Stability is key to VoIP call quality. While wireless connections are convenient, they can be easily disrupted by other devices using the same radio frequencies in your office. Thus, to minimise interference, position your router away from other electronic devices, such as microwaves and cordless phones, and ensure it is placed in a central location for optimal coverage.
Additionally, for a smooth and uninterrupted VoIP experience, switch to a wired Ethernet connection. This provides a dedicated and stable data path for your calls, minimising the risk of interference and maximising call quality.
Implement Echo Cancellation:
Echoes on VoIP calls can be distracting and degrade call quality. Implementing echo cancellation technology helps remove or lessen echo effects, improving overall call clarity for all participants. Echo cancellation algorithms work by continuously monitoring the audio stream for echoes and adjusting parameters dynamically to cancel them out effectively. This process ensures that VoIP quality remains free from unwanted noise and distortion, providing a smoother and more enjoyable communication experience for all participants.
Prioritise Security Measures:
In VoIP setups, security is crucial in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining better call quality. By incorporating strong security measures like encryption protocols and firewalls and conducting routine security audits, you establish a fortified VoIP environment.
This not only ensures the integrity of data but also preserves the clarity and reliability of calls. Prioritising security measures is crucial in mitigating the potential risks of security breaches, thus guaranteeing a dependable and protected VoIP communication infrastructure.
Also Read: How to set up VoIP phone system for small business?
Is VoIP sound quality better than landline?
The sound quality of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls can be comparable to or even better than traditional landline calls. However, it depends on various factors, such as the quality of the internet connection, the network infrastructure, the hardware and software used, and the codecs employed.
VoIP technology has significantly advanced over the years, and with a high-speed and stable internet connection, crystal-clear voice quality is possible. Many VoIP service providers use high-quality codecs that can deliver HD audio, providing a superior calling experience.
What is the quality score of VoIP?
The quality score of VoIP, often referred to as the Mean Opinion Score (MOS), measures the overall voice quality experienced during a call.
Here’s a breakdown of the MOS scale for VoIP calls:
- MOS 1-2.9: Poor call quality with significant interruptions, choppy audio, or dropped calls.
- MOS 3-3.9: Fair call quality, with occasional glitches or background noise. This is generally considered the minimum acceptable quality for business calls.
- MOS 4-4.9: Good call quality with clear audio and minimal disruption.
- MOS 5: Excellent call quality, indistinguishable from a traditional landline call.
While MOS serves as a general guideline, remember that perceived quality is subjective. Factors such as listener preference and background noise may influence individual experiences.
Conclusion
Clear communication is the cornerstone of successful interactions, whether in business negotiations or remote collaborations. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can significantly enhance the clarity, reliability, and effectiveness of your VoIP calls.
Remember, a keen understanding of the root causes of sound quality issues empowers you to troubleshoot problems proactively. Regularly assessing network performance, updating equipment, and staying informed about industry practices will help users stay ahead of potential issues and maintain high standards of communication excellence.
At NSWITs, we provide reliable, cost-effective VoIP services designed to streamline communication, boost productivity, and enhance collaboration across your organisation. From initial consultation and system setup to ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting, we’re committed to ensuring that your VoIP experience is seamless and stress-free. Contact us today and experience the benefits of high-quality VoIP service for your business.
