South Africa looks to VoIP

South Africa has the highest telecommunications costs of any where in the world. Using technology correctly could be the simple but effective answer that companies need to bring these costs down.

Many of South Africaʼs firms have been looking into Voice over Internet Protocol as the technological tool they need. VOIP routes calls over existing computer data lines. Analysts have been talking about this convergence of computer systems and telecommunications systems for years.

VOIP would be especially useful to the larger companies with offices in several locations. It would allow these multi-locations to use their existing data networks to carry their calls. The new links would virtually eliminate the need for traditional telecommunications or even cell phones.

The VOIP service that has been offered to these companies so far has been disappointing because of a lack of quality and reliability. Even the promise of lower costs is not enough to lure them over. The calls will have to be consistently clear and without any delays or dropped calls or jitters on the line before companies are likely to make a switch.

VOIP is not only less expensive, but it also offers a more secure system than traditional telephone lines. Even with the added safety, the large companies are not liable to abandon their existing switchboard systems until the quality and reliability issues are addressed with satisfaction. The old systems are not currently VOIP ready.