Despite the massive usage of text messages, emails, and other written communication, there’s no doubting the power and efficiency of a phone call. Landline phone systems transformed how the world stays in touch, and the world now leverages cellular and VoIP technology to do the same.
Cellular phone calling was a breakthrough because of its incredible portability. You can call nearly anyone from almost anywhere, as long as you’re willing to pay the price.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) takes the modern phone call a step beyond and is becoming the go-to option for many businesses. VoIP allows you to use nearly any device with an internet connection to make inexpensive calls and take advantage of countless additional features.
After reading this, you’ll have everything you need to know about VoIP vs. cellular calling.
How Do Cellular Phones Work?
While landlines rely on a physical connection to cables, cellular phones cut the cord entirely. They let you roam while staying in touch, as long as you don’t stray too far from a cellular tower.
You have probably noticed a cellular tower before. They are large antennas placed throughout areas with cellular coverage.
Sometimes they are camouflaged to mimic the local flora, so you might see one that looks like a funky palm tree near the beach or one that looks like a giant fake Christmas tree in pine forest areas in the mountains. Other times they’re bare for all to see.
These antennas provide cell phone reception and have a dedicated space where they offer coverage, known as a cell. Hence the name, cellular phones.
At the start of cellular technology, there were many holes between these cells, leading to dropped calls and areas without service. In most cities today, the cells overlap. You can have nearly flawless coverage even while driving around town.
Cellular phones work by connecting to these towers via radio waves. Your phone transforms the sound waves from your voice into an electrical signal and sends that signal to the nearest cellular tower.
That antenna pushes the call through a nearby base station, which forwards it to the intended destination, the person you call. If that person is on a cellular phone as well, the antenna pushes the electric signal to their phone so they can hear your voice. But, they can also be on a landline or VoIP service instead.
How Does VoIP Work on Mobile Phones?
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has created another incredible way to stay in touch with others, and it’s also been around for some time. Like cellular technology, VoIP started with some significant challenges.
But today’s VoIP is a much different story. It offers a reliable, inexpensive, and feature-packed phone system. And it’s created a new way for businesses and others to make phone calls. Monster VoIP has been helping businesses take advantage of VoIP’s amazing abilities for over 22 years.
As you might infer from the name, this technology uses the internet as the basis for the connection. In the days of finicky internet connections, VoIP calling could be laggy and problematic.
But due to the high-speed internet that most people access daily, VoIP calling is now a different ballgame. It can easily connect people in every major city around the US and beyond, from New York to San Francisco or Chicago to Miami.
VoIP transforms the sound waves from your voice into a digital signal. VoIP carriers send this signal through your internet connection to the person on the other side of the call.
The other person receives the signal regardless of their connection, whether it’s a landline, cellular phone, or VoIP system. They won’t know the difference.
One of the top features of VoIP calling is its flexibility. You can choose from different methods to connect and use your VoIP services, including mobile phones, specialized IP phones that function like a landline phone, and even web-based solutions to use on computers, tablets, and more.
IP phones are a common way for businesses to utilize VoIP systems. They look just like a regular phone, but instead of connecting to a traditional landline phone network, they connect to an internet connection.
They transform your voice into a digital package known as codecs, which then connects with the other phone or phones on the call.
Another solution that provides incredible flexibility is a softphone. These use a customized software program or app to allow your existing mobile phone, tablet, or computer to serve as your VoIP phone. That’s right, even your computer or tablet can be your VoIP phone.
Once you download the app or software, you connect to the internet and use the device just like a phone. You can dial a phone number, transfer calls, mute your microphone, and do just about anything else you can do on a regular phone.
Benefits of Using Mobile VoIP Providers
You are probably starting to see how amazing a VoIP system can work. Whether you want to set up a large call center with specialized IP phones or use your computer at home as a dedicated business line, VoIP can step up to deliver.
Monster VoIP has tirelessly connected businesses to customers, vendors, and other vital services. We now offer a reliable nationwide cloud-based business phone system with unified communications.
What does this mean for you and your business? Let’s go over some of the incredible benefits of Monster VoIP.
Affordability
Say goodbye to the days of handling phone systems locally with an individual contract and terms for each office. Instead, you can bring all your phone services together under one roof, just like cellular service, but without the lofty price tag.
This fact not only streamlines the entire process but also lets you leverage the low prices that VoIP offers with just one bill. VoIP is one of the most cost-effective ways to establish a business phone system, allowing your company to put its resources toward other endeavors.
Flexible Access
Having multiple phone numbers can cause disruptions in operations. Clients might try calling your office phone, but if you’re out on the road, this missed call means a missed opportunity.
With VoIP services, you can connect the same VoIP number to multiple devices. Use your computer with a comfortable headset while in the office, then switch to your mobile phone when needed.
And for operations with many staff members, this flexibility means you can quickly swap out phones, computers, or whatever device you use to connect to the VoIP services without interruption. Forget about overnight upgrades with tight deadlines. Switch over as you need to, when you need to.
Customizable Features
With landline and cellular phone systems, you are often stuck with lackluster features that can be overpriced and burdensome. Sometimes you might even have to get an entirely separate system to handle specific features.
With VoIP, the sky’s the limit. You can tackle all the usual phone needs, including call forwarding and voicemail, plus a wide range of more advanced options. These include text transcriptions, group broadcast capabilities, and much more.
Best of all, you can quickly add or remove what you need. With one quick call or message to Monster VoIP’s knowledgeable service representatives, every option you want can be modified instantly, just like most other internet services.
This capability saves you valuable time to get back to the core of your work, not dealing with administrative tasks.
Centralized Service
VoIP providers can go far beyond what other phone services offer. We can handle your entire operation, regardless of location, all under one roof with one bill.
On top of that, the centralized service can do more advanced system integration. Monster VoIP has customer relationship management (CRM) integrations for over 50 popular apps and business tools.
Whether you want to monitor performance metrics, assign tasks, or get status updates, you can use the integrated support of Monster VoIP services to handle it all. And everything happens instantly over the internet.
VoIP vs. Cellular: How Are They Different?
Making an intelligent decision means weighing all of the options carefully. Let’s take a closer look into the differences between VoIP vs. cellular.
Cell phones are amazing devices that allow you to stay in touch anywhere there’s cell coverage. But they aren’t perfect. In many ways, cellular phones are impractical and can be detrimental to your business.
One undeniable fact about cell phones is that they rely on specific hardware to work. You need an appropriate mobile phone plus a SIM connected to a carrier. eSIMs have removed some burdens, but cell phones will always be inherently tied to a particular cellular network.
This characteristic means that you can get trapped in an imbalanced relationship. The major cell providers face little competition. As a result, they often allow their services, support networks, and flexibility to suffer. You might get stuck paying too much for run-of-the-mill coverage.
Conversely, VoIP providers are paving the way forward. By leveraging your existing internet connection, they quickly provide everything you need, plus advanced features you never knew you could have.
Best of all, VoIP services offer an unbeatable price point that can apply to your entire organization.
You can choose specialized IP phones or use other software or apps to connect your existing devices to the VoIP network. Businesses save money on both ends, the hardware needs and the ongoing service support.
One of the main differences is that VoIP depends on your internet connection while cell phones use cellular towers.
During the days when internet connections were less reliable, this was an issue with VoIP. But in today’s high-speed world, VoIP is as reliable as nearly every other aspect of your organization that uses the internet.
You trust your email to get through, right? Well, now you can treat your phone system in the same way. When an internet connection is there, your phone service is too.
VoIP goes a step beyond cellular calling. By using the internet and its amazing functionality, VoIP systems can incorporate enhanced multimedia communication between teams, advanced CRM integration with other apps and services, plus an unparalleled ability to stay connected with your teams.
VoIP vs. Cellular: FAQs
Now let’s review some of the most frequently asked questions about VoIP vs. cellular. Monster VoIP is always here to ensure you are making the right choice. This information is just a tiny portion of what we can offer to help guide you in the best direction for your organization.
Can I use my mobile phone as a VoIP?
You can use your existing mobile phone as a VoIP phone. Unlike cell phone technology, VoIP does not depend on additional hardware, SIMs, or other carrier-specific tools. VoIP allows you to use almost any device that has an internet connection as a phone.
Download a smartphone app to start using your VoIP number and phone service. Whenever the phone has an internet connection, the VoIP service is there. There is no need to go into a store, reach out to the VoIP provider, or deal with anything else that puts a dent in your day.
Does VoIP replace cellular?
VoIP does not replace cellular coverage. Instead, VoIP utilizes an existing internet connection to provide an affordable phone service packed with advanced features, all without the headache of cellular carriers.
To use your VoIP phone services away from any WiFi network, leverage a cellular data plan or hotspot network. If you use a mobile phone with an active cellular coverage plan, the phone can use both the cellular phone services over the cell network and the VoIP services through the cellular data network.
VoIP services offer the best of both worlds, but it doesn’t replace your cellular coverage. VoIP depends on an active internet connection.
Do I need a VoIP service provider?
Like any phone service, you need a VoIP service provider to use the capability. Rather than choosing from the limited cellular providers, you can choose from many Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) providers to use VoIP phone service.
Monster VoIP has over 22 years of experience connecting businesses to the world. Through our extensive network, we can get you in touch with any phone number as long as you have an internet connection.
Whether it’s from Washington D.C to Houston or Dallas to Seattle, we have what it takes to ensure a flawless experience.
Do VoIP mobile phones work without the internet?
No, VoIP mobile phones do not work without the internet. You can use a VoIP service on a mobile phone when connected to a WiFi network, or you can leverage your cellular data plan or a hotspot device to provide a portable solution for VoIP services.
VoIP vs. Cellular: Technologies Bridging Great Distances
If you want your business to use the most cost-effective, streamlined, and feature-packed phone service, consider VoIP technology. In the game of VoIP vs. cellular, VoIP is catapulting businesses forward without overbearing hardware needs or expensive plans.
To learn more about Monster VoIP solutions, give us a call today! Our experienced, knowledgeable team will answer any questions and get you lined up with the ideal package for you.
