5 must do actions in order to ensure call quality

July 18, 2023 15:04

VoIP telephony is demanding in requirements, this is a reality. The main reasons behind VoIP issues are jitter, latency, and packet loss. If these are not under control, the consequence is poor call quality.

Since this is a must for our clients, we have spent a lot of time researching and identifying the main requirements to ensure VoIP performance.

1. Use a cable

When making calls, you can not rely on Wi-Fi. If you want to avoid having issues, use a cable to connect your computer to the internet. Unless your routers are configured to have 100% coverage in your office, you are bound to have drop offs in certain areas.

2. Quality internet

Is not only about internet speed but also about having quality equipment. Even with the fastest connection, if you are using poorly-configured or cheap equipment, the VoIP call quality will be affected.

The IT team should test, evaluate, and upgrade (if necessary) the hardware through which the call will pass and ensure they do not become a bottleneck.

3. Prioritize VoIP

Your network has a lot of traffic going through, but not all of it is treated equally.

VoIP is more sensitive to internet quality, therefore it needs to be prioritized above all other types of internet traffic.

The IT team has the ability to set up this prioritization, known as “Quality of Service”. This is done only once, and it will protect your call quality when someone in the office or at home decides to start a great download.

4. Configure it right

VoIP technology works differently and it needs to be properly set up. For example, Zoom web conferencing or Google Hangouts might calibrate your video to low quality, whereas a VoIP upstream provider might just cut off your call entirely.

5. Simple headsets

Nobody ever suspects headsets and they can cause all sorts of issues. Funny enough, buying expensive ones with a great number of features, does not guarantee voice quality, but rather on the contrary.

Here are a few examples of the problems headsets can cause:

A headset Bluetooth would disconnect every time a microwave was switched on.
The microphone is sometimes disabled when an unusual loud audio signal is detected (such as when placing the headset down on the desk)
An auto-shut-off feature (power-saving mode) can be triggered when a call takes too long or there is a pause in the conversation.