General
- How do I use the hosted phone service?
- Do you provide a handset?
- Is the system easy to install?
- Can people without VOIP call me?
- Is it expensive?
- What happens if I lose connection to the Internet?
- Is the quality of calls impaired using VOIP?
- Does the system require complex installation?
- Will I still be able to manage my own users?
- How quickly can I add additional users?
- Can I retain my existing phone numbers?
Frequently asked QuestionsIn order to help clear up any general questions you may have, our sales and technical teams have produced a list of FAQs, together with the answers. If you have any questions that aren't covered below, please feel free to drop us a line and we'll do our best to answer them. How do I use the hosted phone service? This is very simple. Instead of using traditional analog lines, we utilize Voice Over IP (VOIP), which means that phone calls are sent digitally across the Internet. The quality is as good if not better than standard phone lines, and call rates are a lot lower. All you need to do is subscribe to the hosted phone service and Zlago will send you a phone handset that you simply plug into your broadband router or switch . The phone is pre-configured and, like a traditional phone, has a normal phone number associated with it (i.e. 314-444-7788) Do you provide a handset? Yes, Zlago provides the handset as part of the service. Review this site to learn a little more about the handsets we typically use. Is the system easy to install? Yes - each system is pre-configured, so you just plug your phone into your broadband router or office network switch and we do the rest. You can configure the more advanced features yourself using our simple-to-use control panel. Can people without VOIP call me? Yes, your numbers can be reached by any phone device - mobile, landline, VOIP, analog - and by anyone calling from abroad. Is it expensive? Calls over VOIP are cheaper than traditional phone company charges. What happens if I lose connection to the Internet? Your VOIP phones are reliant on your being able to connect to the Internet, but if you're concerned that your Internet service is unreliable, there are measures that can be taken to prevent downtime. For example, you can set up a second Internet connection (DSL, DS1 or other) that will automatically be used if your main connection goes down. Is the quality of calls impaired using VOIP? No - in fact everything about the experience is identical to using a traditional phone system. In its early days, VOIP did have lower audio quality than traditional landlines, but customers were prepared to accept a minor loss of quality in exchange for lower call charges. Today, the lower call charges remain but the audio issues have long since been resolved, and the audio quality is equal to or better than that of a normal landline. Does the system require complex installation? No - both the phones and the system itself are pre-configured by us. You just need to plug the phones into your router or office network switch and we do the rest. Will I still be able to manage my own users? Yes, but only to the extent that you want to. In terms of management, our model is based on allowing you to be as hands-on or as hands-off as you choose. Either way, our easy-to-use control panels come with IVR builders and other wizards to make management simple and your life easier. How quickly can I add additional users? Once you're set up, additional users can be added to your hosted VOIP almost immediately. In practical terms, the only delay in getting a new user set-up is likely to be the time it takes for your pre-configured phone to be delivered to you. Can I retain my existing phone numbers? No, unfortunately that's not possible. However, you can ask your existing telephone provider to forward your calls to your new numbers. What's more, should you ever move, you can take your VOIP numbers with you as they're no longer fixed to a specific geographic location. Are there any limitations to who I can call using VOIP? Not at all. You can call landlines, mobiles, other VOIP phones and abroad exactly as with a normal phone, all with lower call rates than traditional landlines. |