Includes 1 UK Number
VoIP, which is short for Voice over Internet Protocol, is the ability to transfer voice communications over IP networks. Essentially it lets you deliver voice and sound over the internet rather than a standard phone line.
VoIP is also referred to as IP telephony and internet calling.
You’ll find people discussing cloud-based phone systems in the
same breath, as the technologies go hand in hand.
VoIP allows users to make a phone call over the internet, without
the need for a traditional landline. VoIP has come on a long way
in recent years, with both the software and hardware evolving. It
means that VoIP can offer high-quality calls on the go, without
tying you down to a desk phone or an office.
VoIP is an incredibly flexible solution, as it can offer you voice
communications without a fixed location. You’ll be able to access
your phone calls with no hassle and avoid the overheads of
installation costs and hardware.
Basically, VoIP is the flexible and cost-effective alternative to
public switch telephone networks (PSTN) and you should be
considering it for your business.
A VoIP service works a little differently from a PSTN. When you transmit your voice via IP you aren’t sending it down a phone line, you’re converting it into a digital packet then transmitting it via IP.
It’s a simple process of convert, transmit and unpack. It works something like this:
A codec converts your data into a digital ‘packet’. This compresses your voice signals and converts them into digital signals.
The packet is then transmitted via IP. This is either done locally over a Local Area Network (LAN) or else online via the internet. This transmission is instantaneous.
The data packs arrive at their destination. More codecs will unpack the data and convert it back into voice or audio signals.
The great thing about VoIP systems is that they can often work within your existing systems. The recipient doesn’t have to have a specialised device and nor do people who are calling you. The final packet, once it’s converted back, will run along a standard phone line. You can even get hardware that’s enabled with software for VoIP. These VoIP phones are just like other desk phones you may have had in the past, but with access to more features.
CircleLoop lets you access your VoIP phone system through apps on your computers, but still gives the option of physical business phones if you need them.
Codecs are used twice in the VoIP process. They convert the audio into a digital packet before they’re transmitted and then convert them back to audio at the other end. A codec is a piece of hardware or software that compresses, encodes and then decompresses data. In terms of VoIP, this data is the audio packets.
The transmission stage needs a little explanation. When your data packets are transmitted it’s done over one of two systems. If you’re making an internal call it could be done through your LAN intranet, but if you’re making or receiving an external call, it’s likely to be transferred online.
When this call is being transferred online the data will be carried by either a Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) or a Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP). These are the same, but an SRTP is encrypted. All CircleLoop communications are done securely with an encrypted SRTP.
One of the best things about VoIP is its low point of entry. Not only do you not need a physical phone line and hardware, but the line rental costs are low and the installation costs are non-existent.
This means that business VoIP phone systems are incredibly affordable. Our own service, for instance, starts at just £5 per user per month and comes with a wide array of features that you have to pay extra for on a landline. Call charges can be a lot lower, and some packages come with inclusive minutes.
As there’s no need for an engineer to come out and install your phone system or a need for purchasing expensive hardware, VoIP is a cheap communication solution for any business.
See our pricingSetting up a new VoIP phone system is simple. As you don’t need an engineer or hardware to be delivered you can do it at the click of a few buttons. With CircleLoop all you need to do is sign up and download the app, then you’re good to go.
Before you switch though, it’s worth doing a few things:
Check you have a strong, reliable internet connection and that you can optimise your router for voice
Put aside some time to train your team on your new system
Test your new system with a free trial
CircleLoop lets you port your old numbers and, if you’re using an address book tool like Office 365 or one of the many CRO tools on the market, you can import all your contacts directly into your VoIP phone system. Check out our tool integrations for more information.
A traditional office phone system relies on a landline. These analogue phone systems rely on a physical landline that connects to a phone socket and then a handset. Many businesses combine this with a private branch exchange (PBX) system, which allows an office to have multiple phone lines service a greater number of phones.
A fully virtual VoIP system means you don’t need any of the above. While you can get hybrid systems, going for a complete VoIP system means you simply need access to the internet and can use a softphone through your computer or smartphone.
The beauty with a virtual system like this is that it can allow additional phone system features to be added, like call recording, conference calling, and call analytics all at no extra cost. You can even gain a virtual presence in another area with virtual numbers.
Landline Vs VoipAn Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is another form of digital phone system. But, unlike VoIP, it relies on a physical line. This makes it much more akin to a traditional landline phone system. You’ll have to lease your phone line, and while quality can be better than some traditional business phone systems, you’re still going to be hindered in many of the same ways.
What’s more, in 2025, we’ll be seeing the big switch off. This is where PTSN and ISDN systems will be removed and businesses that rely on them will need to switch. VoIP is by far the best solution for these businesses to switch to.
What’s the ISDN switch off?In reality, session initiation protocol (SIP), shouldn’t be directly compared to VoIP. SIP is a set of protocols that actually help enable VoIP.
SIP establishes the connection that VoIP uses to transfer its VoIP packets.You’ll not be looking to get SIP or VoIP, you’ll likely actually be trying to set up a system that uses both. When you set up a VoIP phone system your SIP trunking should be included.
Learn more about SIPVoIP calls rely on the quality of the internet connection for optimal quality. This means there’s a minimum requirement of 90-100 kbps is required.
This has to scale too, if you’re all using a VoIP connection from one office location, you’ll need that for each person you expect to be on a call at the same time. Say you’ve got a small team of 5 who you’re expecting to be calling frequently, you’ll need 500 kbps or 0.5 Mbps of bandwidth available. That’s dedicated bandwidth for VoIP calls too, not just your overall bandwidth.
For a small business, this is realistic and shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but for larger businesses, with more users it could cause an issue.
While a VoIP phone system offers great flexibility, and doesn’t require a landline, there are a number of things you may need to get going.
No matter how you’re going to be communicating, the absolute essential is a quality broadband connection that offers enough bandwidth to make your calls clear alongside any other internet needs within your business. We’d recommend a fibre optic connection for best quality and unlimited downloads is important. So that’s:
Then you just need to work out what type of VoIP system you’re running. You’ll have three options; a physical VoIP enabled desk phone, a computer app or a smartphone app. Each will have different equipment needs.
You’ll need a VoIP adapter, a VoIP enabled desk phone and then a router that allows you to connect your phone directly to it using an ethernet cable.
You’ll need a laptop, desktop or Mac. For best quality possible we’d recommend an ethernet connection, but you may be ok with WiFi if your internet is good. Then you’ll need a VoIP phone app, like CircleLoop, and a headset for best call quality.
You’ll need a smartphone with your VoIP app installed. Ideally we’d recommend you use the app on WiFi where possible over 4G or 5G.
If you’re looking for VoIP phone hardware we can help, with headsets, speakers and VoIP enabled deskphones.
For many people, remote working has been a new challenge - it’s something we’ve all had to adapt to pretty much over night. The impact on day-to-day working has been far-reaching and one of the main...
VoIP vs landline for business phone systems is a hotly contested debate. Some businesses made the switch to VoIP years ago whilst others couldn’t dream of not using their reliable landlines. But,...
At CircleLoop we understand how irritating all the acronyms and jargon can be. So we’ve put together a quick glossary so you can understand the VoIP technical terms at a glance.
The ‘internet protocol’ that provides the rules for transmitting data online. It’s these rules, which are standardised, that allow mismatching platforms to communicate. For instance, an app-based phone communicating with a physical phone.
Otherwise known as a private branch exchange. Essentially it’s an office phone network. It’s what lets you port calls around your organisation.
Short for (secure) real-time transport protocol. It’s the internet protocol that transmits your voice data packets. The secure version encrypts your data.
SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol, is a signalling protocol that’s used to establish VoIP communications.
Learn more about SIPEssentially a software phone. This means it’s either a piece of standalone computer software or an app that lets you make a call. They usually have a phone interface for ease of use.
Interactive Voice Response is the ability to make an interactive menu that uses voice commands.
Learn more about IVR greetings & menus.Port your old number over to CircleLoop, so you haven’t got to worry about losing key inbound prospects.
Codecs aren’t unique to VoIP. They’re a device or software that is used to compress, encode and decompress data. For VoIP systems, they are used to convert the voice data before and after transmission.
This is the technology that’s used to transmit data over a telephone line. It’s what lets you use both broadband internet and your phone line at the same time.
No contract, no set-up fees, no nasty surprises.
RECOMMENDED
Make 15 + mins of calls a day
+ VAT monthly per user
Includes 1 UK Number
All CircleLoop features
(Including call recording, conference calling & voicemail to text)
Unlimited inbound calls
Unlimited outbound calls
International calls
From 3p / min
SMS
4p / message
No set-up or activation fees
Includes 1 UK Number
All CircleLoop features
(Including call recording, conference calling & voicemail to text)
Unlimited inbound calls
UK outbound calls
From 3p / min
International calls
From 3p / min
SMS
4p / message
No set-up or activation fees
7 day free trial, no credit card required
Unlimited inbound calls
Flexible packages
At CircleLoop we’re confident that our VoIP communication solutions are perfect for any business or any size. We have experience working with organisations of all sizes across an array of industries and can help you set up VoIP for your sales teams, call centres or internally.
Not sure it’s for you? Find out about our business VoIP solutions for…
The point of entry for a VoIP system is low. All you need is a
reliable internet connection and the software or hardware.
For CircleLoop we recommend using our desktop apps for best
results, but we have mobile apps too. All you need to do is
install them and you’re good to go.
VoIP is as reliable as your internet connection. We think this makes it even more reliable than a traditional business landline. There are less chances for any problems that you can’t control.
You don’t need a desk phone or headset. You can run your calls through your desktop or smartphone mics and speakers.
For best sound quality a headset is useful and we can help there. We have Jabra headsets and can sort you out with desk phones if you need them
Shop from our hardware.
Absolutely! We are happy to help you port your old number over, whether it’s from a traditional landline or another VoIP service.
No, you don’t! All you need is access to the internet. You don’t need physical wiring, but you will need to have broadband and a router.
Yes! Without the need for installation costs, engineers and hardware, a VoIP phone system can be significantly cheaper.
CircleLoop’s cloud-based phone system starts at just £5 per user per month with all its features included too, so we’re confident that it’s one of the cheapest ways to set up a business phone system.
Check out our pricing.
Yes, a VoIP number can be traced. Even though a VoIP system allows for virtual numbers, they can still, with some effort, be traced back to the original source.