In today’s growing digital age, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is becoming an emerging communication alternative for organizations for being fast and expeditious. It portrays VoIP as a reliable communication solution that helps businesses connect with clients and their staff to maintain their business operation smoothly and productively.
VoIP witnessed its growing acceptance among organizations for offering numerous advantages such as higher scalability, portability, accessibility, etc. This is the reason why VoIP gains a competitive edge over Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which seems to be losing its relevance in today’s digital world.
If we talk about PSTN, which includes dedicated copper lines for handling a large volume of voice traffic. With the changing of the time, PSTN got digitalized and fiber optics cable replaced the old copper lines. More and more, many established PSTN providers like AT&T, Verizon, and others are catering to clients with technology deployment, including PRI, SIP, etc.
Meanwhile, PSTN is still a popular option for businesses and most of the organizations never wish to abandon the same. It fuelled the debate like PSTN vs VoIP and created a lot of difficulties for those deciding whether they should go for the first one or later.
Differences between PSTN vs VoIP
Let us solve the puzzle of PSTN vs VoIP and understand the right option among these two based on the following comparison. Take a look.
Cost
Well, while comparing PSTN and VoIP, it’s good to start with cost to help you make an informed decision. You can make the selection of the right option based on your budget.
VoIP
Call charge for landlines and mobile phones with the use of VoIP solution is relatively less than the PSTN.
PSTN
PSTN is expensive compared to its rival. Those who use PSTN need to pay higher fees for both international and domestic calls. The average monthly cost that users need to pay for PSTN ranges from $25 to $35.
Scalability
Scalability is the second most crucial factor that helps you make the right decision between these two options.
VoIP
VoIP switch makes it possible for more line connections and upgrade requires software update, apart from additional bandwidth.
PSTN
When it comes to PSTN upgrades, the entire process is associated with the installation of several lines and purchasing hardware. It clearly reflects that the upgrading process of PSTN is highly expensive compared to VoIP.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, you will hardly find any similarities between VoIP and PSTN.
VoIP
With VoIP, users get the liberty to avail of the flexibility of connecting their call anytime. All they need to ensure is that they have a fast internet connection.
PSTN
PSTN, on the other hand, requires only a landline to let users connect with others.
Meanwhile, both VoIP and PSTN have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, when it comes to connectivity.
Features
Both VoIP and PSTN have their own set of features. Going through the following features will help you decide the right option for you.
VoIP
VoIP includes the following crucial features.
- Forwarding calls
- Holding calls
- Voicemail
- Follow Me
- Do Not Disturb
- Efficient Call Management
- Mobile Features
- Collaboration
- Auto-attendant
The above features are crucial to help your businesses grow and enhance your customer service.
PSTN
As far as PSTN is concerned, it includes only making and receiving calls. In other words, it comes with limited features and thus not as useful as its rival VoIP.
Emergency Calling
Emergency calling is the most crucial feature that businesses often expect from the communication system that they rely on.
VoIP
Users face several issues when it comes to emergency calling with VoIP since there are only limited service providers who are unable to make perfection of highlighting the exact location of callers. Besides, it also comes with a potential threat to those of emergency calls.
PSTN
Emergency calling with the PSTN network is smooth and can be easily traceable. Users do not face any problem in making emergency calls with the use of PSTN.
Conclusion
So, which is a good PSTN or VoIP?
Well, after going through the above discussion, you are now expected to have a clear understanding of the actual differences between PSTN and VoIP. Both have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. So, make the selection of the right option that matches your business needs.
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