In this modern age every company has an internet connection but knowing how fast your connection is and how the bandwidth is allocated is another matter. One of the most common mistakes when setting up a new VoIP system is not properly checking the suitability of your internet connection. This can have a huge effect on a user’s experience of their VoIP solution.
So how much bandwidth is enough?
As with any internet connection the more users or more data hungry tasks being carried out the slower the connection becomes. VoIP is no exception. In small businesses the same internet connection often has to deal with voice and data at the same time. This is known as a symmetrical connection. However the voice usage will only impact on the upload speed of the connection while the data will use both. So the speed of your connection depends on the size of your company.
How many phones can a connection support?
Here is a rough guide for the number of phones each bandwidth can support:
- 500 Kbps – 1 line
- 1 Mbps – 2 lines
- 5 Mbps – 11 lines
- 10 Mbps – 22 lines
- 30 Mbps – 66 lines
So as bandwidth and upload speeds increase so does the level of uninterrupted service. Slower bandwidth speeds can result in delays and poor quality calls.
How much Bandwidth do I need for VoIP?
All companies have different requirements based not only on staff numbers but how they use their connections and when their peak times are so it’s so important to estimate the performance of your VoIP services before you commit to a new service. Trial the service if possible. We offer a 14 day, no obligation, free trial of our VoIP service to make sure your current connection is fit for purpose. If you experience problems with your current configuration we can recommend a new internet package that will suit your needs.
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