While Voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems may not get as much attention as the cloud or CRM software, you’ll be happy to know there is an evolution in store for 2018. From new features to market trends, here are our predictions for VoIP in the coming year.
Faster networks will improve call quality
With more 5G mobile networks expected to go online in 2018, the quality of VoIP calls will get even better. 5G offers wireless speeds ten times faster than 4G, significantly reducing common issues like call jitter, echoes, and packet loss. Faster upload and download speeds also allow for stable, high-quality video streaming from anywhere with a strong 5G signal. All in all, this new mobile network will definitely empower more users to work remotely.
Artificial intelligence will enhance telecom systems
AI technology has huge implications for VoIP phone systems.
Before a call, AI could be used to recognize poor call-quality and fix it immediately -- like a self-healing network. This means issues like low bandwidth, improper network configuration, and high latency can be resolved in real time, guaranteeing crystal clear calls and minimizing the need for human intervention.
We also anticipate AI-powered unified communications programs that will analyze conversations, email correspondence, and speech patterns also in real time to produce valuable insights into customer behavior and sales performance. With this information, marketing firms will be able to improve their sales tactics and customer service.
So far, major developers and telecom providers are still working on prototypes of this technology, but more AI functionality will likely appear in 2018.
Voice assistants will get smarter
In addition to providing customer-behavior analytics, we predict that AI will also be used to answer calls. Thanks to improvements in language processing, voice assistants like Siri and Alexa are getting better at interpreting simple commands and interacting directly with customers.
For example, voice bots can handle simple queries that would normally be found in FAQs, while customer service agents resolve more complicated issues. If implemented correctly, this has the potential to increase resolution rates and reduce time spent on basic tasks.
Plain old telephone systems will die out
Given the popularity of VoIP phone systems, telecom analysts predict that the demise of traditional landlines is well underway. Of course, support for old-school phone systems will still be available, but the businesses that use them will be a minority.
VoIP offers enterprise-level features, hardware, support, and upgrades for a fixed monthly fee, making it a smarter choice for future-proofing business communications.
This is why you should consider VoIP migration your goal for 2018. As a professional VoIP provider, we can help you with this process. Simply contact us today to learn about all the benefits of a futuristic phone system.
