Is Non-Fixed VoIP the Right Option for Me?

There was a time when the only way to call someone was through a fixed-line phone. Getting a new phone was a costly, cumbersome, and time-consuming process. Making calls was also quite expensive. 

Nowadays, we have a seemingly limitless number of ways of calling others. Whether it’s through your cell phone, WhatsApp, or via Zoom, making calls and connecting with others only requires the press of a single button. 

This transformation has been made possible by new technologies. Where once you could only use the Plain Old Telephone System or POTS, you can now use Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP to make calls from all kinds of network-connected devices. To use the POTS, you had to use a fixed-line phone which was “fixed” in every sense of the word. With VoIP, as long as you are connected to the Internet, you can make calls from your home, your car, from an airplane, or even from a cruise ship. 

What is VoIP?

VoIP is a technology that enables voice communications over data networks. Human voice is converted to digital format, split up into packets, and transmitted over a public network like the Internet or a private network operated by a business enterprise. 

The advantage of VoIP is that it enables voice transmission over all types of media and all types of networks. You can use the Internet, T1 lines, satellite connectivity, or even your cell phone network to make VoIP calls. Any network-connected device such as a VoIP phone, smartphone, tablet, or laptop can be used to make VoIP calls. Making calls over VoIP is also quite inexpensive especially if you are using the Internet. In fact, long-distance calling, which used to be prohibitively expensive, has become much cheaper since the advent of VoIP-based network calling.

For all these reasons, many enterprises have migrated from their legacy PBX-based voice networks to VoIP networks. When you use VoIP, you have the option of using fixed VoIP or non-fixed VoIP numbers.

What is Fixed VoIP?

A fixed VoIP number is one that is attached to a physical or tangible entity such as your home or office address. The requirement for a physical address does not, however, place any restriction on mobility. You can connect to a fixed VoIP number from any geographic location. 

The requirement of a physical address is not related to the technology. In most cases, it is a requirement carried over from the pre-VoIP era when a phone number was associated with a physical copper line that serviced a particular and specific geographical location. Nowadays, physical addresses are usually requested for credit card authentication and processing. 

If you have a physical presence in a country, then you can get a local fixed VoIP number. This has many advantages such as:

• Your local clients will know that you are an authentic company, which will lead to a higher probability of calls being answered.
• Calls made to emergency services such as 911 can be traced.

Even though fixed VoIP numbers are linked to an address, they can be retained if you move to a different location. The service that enables this is known as VoIP number porting. 

What is Non-Fixed VoIP?

A non-fixed VoIP number is one that is not attached to a physical or tangible entity. A non-fixed VoIP number is a virtual phone number that is assigned to a user instead of an address.

The regulations in some countries don’t allow for non-fixed VoIP. Outside these countries, non-fixed VoIP is more frequently used when compared to fixed VoIP.

If you don’t have a physical presence in a country, then it’s not possible to get a fixed VoIP number. In such circumstances, the only viable option is a non-fixed number that can be associated with any geographical location. Non-fixed VoIP numbers are an excellent solution for global communications.  These types of numbers are usually assigned to cell phones, tablets, computers, and VoIP phones. Getting non-fixed voice numbers is quite simple for you to do. 

What are Some of the Best Features of Non-Fixed VoIP?

Some of the features supported by non-fixed VoIP systems include:

• Toll-free numbers
• Calls to fixed or non-fixed VoIP numbers
• Texting to fixed or non-fixed VoIP numbers
• Call blocking
• Shared numbers between virtual team members
• Voicemail transcription
• Call recording
• Reporting and analytics
• Multiple device support
• Integration with popular and useful CRM tools

What are the Advantages of Non-Fixed VoIP?

There are many advantages to making non-fixed VoIP your next business initiative. These include:

• You don’t require a physical address.
• You can call clients with area codes that are local and recognizable.
• International calling is less expensive compared to calls made through traditional carriers.
• Low-cost price plans are available that suit startups and small businesses.
• Non-fixed VoIP systems are easy to set up.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Non-Fixed VoIP?

As with any system, there are a few disadvantages to choosing non-fixed VoIP for your business telephone system. Among the things you should consider are:

• Since your number lacks an assigned geographic location, you might not be able to call emergency services.
• Since it is harder to trace, non-fixed VoIP has often been used by scammers for fraudulent activities. 

This has given non-fixed VoIP a bad reputation. In reality, fixed VoIP can also be used for fraudulent activities if bogus addresses are used for obtaining the number(s). It is even possible that a number you purchased from a service provider may have been previously used in criminal activity. Low cost, fast provisioning, and global access are features of fixed/non-fixed VoIP that make them a great choice for any type of user. Whether this service is used for legitimate or other-than-legitimate activities is only determined by the users’ intentions.

What are Some of the Applications for Non-Fixed VoIP?

Non-fixed VoIP numbers are used for a wide range of applications. Among the most common applications are as follows:

• Call Centers

It is a well-known fact that people are more likely to answer a call from an unknown number if the call appears to originate locally. In fact, it has been proven that people are four times more likely to answer calls from local numbers. 

For this reason, many call centers use non-fixed VoIP with local area codes as doing so increases their chances of reaching and connecting with customers.  The call center teams can be located anywhere around the globe. Call centers can be built quickly and on-demand. Businesses can quickly scale their call center services without having to incur CAPEX.

• Over-the-Top (OTT) Communication Apps

Many communication apps use non-fixed VoIP including WhatsApp, Skype, and Facebook Messenger.

• Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

MSPs can quickly and easily offer phone services to clients that do not require a number linked to a physical address.

How to Identify a Non-Fixed VoIP

It may be difficult to trace non-fixed VoIP numbers because they are not linked to a physical address. Having said that, there are steps you can take should you need to trace a call made from a non-fixed VoIP number. 

1. Make a complaint to the relevant government authority. The government and its agencies have resources that could be used to track the number. 
2. Enable caller ID on your phone so that you have a record of incoming calls and the numbers used for making the calls. You can then either request your service provider to trace the call, or you can search on the web to find the service provider that was used for making the call. However, it should be noted that if the caller is using spoofing, then the number you see on your caller ID won’t be of any help (spoofing disguises the real number with a fake number).
3. Search for the number on social media sites to see if it is linked with any account.

Best Business Practices for Non-Fixed VoIP

As a non-fixed VoIP user, there are several steps that you can take to improve your credibility and that of your business.

1. Giving your name and company name at the beginning of every call will improve your credibility.
2. Using a professional voicemail recording will also increase your credibility in the eyes of your customers.
3. Listing the numbers online gives your business more legitimacy. You can register your numbers with Google My Business, Yahoo Localworks, and Bing Places to boost your credibility. People who don’t recognize the numbers may search for them online. When they do, they will see that it’s an actual business that is calling.
4. Make sure your team knows that they might not be able to call emergency numbers from their non-fixed VoIP numbers. Most likely, they won’t need to, but it’s better to make them aware of this at the outset.

Commonly Asked Questions 

Here are some of the most common FAQs about Non-Fixed VoIP:

• Does the PSTN Treat Fixed and Non-Fixed Numbers Differently?

The PSTN does not differentiate between the two types of VoIP numbers. Calls that originate from fixed VoIP numbers and those that originate from non-fixed VoIP numbers are delivered in the same manner. The services from PSTN are identical for both. 

• Can You Call a Non-Fixed VoIP?

Like any other VoIP number, a non-fixed VoIP number can be used for making and for receiving calls. However, you can block all incoming communication or calls from a particular number if you so desire. You can also configure non-fixed VoIP to forward calls other pother numbers. 

• Do Scammers Use Non-Fixed VoIP?

Scammers frequently use non-fixed VoIP for illegal activities. This is not to say the same can’t be done with fixed VoIP. The reality is that everything connected to the Internet can be used for harm as well as for good. To prevent this, educate yourself about how to protect yourself, your company, and your employees from scammers.  Part of this education includes continuous learning because technology keeps evolving. Sadly, as technology changes and improves, people keep coming up with new ways to do wrong things. 

• Can You Track a Non-Fixed VoIP Number?

It is not easy, but yes, you can track a non-fixed VoIP number. However, there is no guarantee that any number can be tracked.

VoIP has certainly transformed modern voice communication. It offers the scalability and flexibility that legacy systems cannot match. Moreover, it is less expensive and is also easy to set up. The number of features offered by VoIP systems keeps growing, and no end is in sight!

If you are looking to expand your business globally but want to avoid the high overhead associated with setting up local offices and hiring local teams, then non-fixed VoIP is the go-to solution for you. 

Many service providers offer feature-rich solutions that are easy to set up and allow you to scale your system to match your ever-changing requirements. You can be up and running without incurring any CAPEX and with OPEX that won’t break the bank. Contact us to get your free price quote here. 

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