IP Telephony

In 2006, Bell South entered into an agreement with Avaya to resell Avaya IP telephony solutions to businesses. Customers could then work with BellSouth as a single point of contact to address telephony, messaging and contact center requirements using Avaya's broad portfolio of IP-based solutions. BellSouth marketed and sold a wide range of IP telephony services, including software and contact center, messaging, mobility and business continuity applications; built-in communications, messaging, mobility and management applications; flexible, converged voice and data system designed for small and mid-sized businesses; and one number access to and from users with cellular, PC-based, or desktop phones.

Benefits of IP Telephony

IP (Internet Protocol) telephony, also known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), is a method of transmitting voice and multimedia content over the internet. This technology has several key benefits, including:

1. Cost Savings: IP telephony can offer significant savings compared to traditional phone systems, particularly for long-distance and international calls, as it uses the internet to transmit the voice data.
2. Scalability: IP telephony systems can be easily scaled up or down to meet the changing needs of a business. Adding or removing lines or extensions is usually a simple process that doesn't require significant investment or infrastructure changes.
3. Unified Communications: IP telephony can be integrated with other communication and business systems, creating a unified communications environment. This can include video conferencing, instant messaging, email, and CRM systems.
4. Mobility: IP phones can be used anywhere with an internet connection, which is particularly beneficial for remote workers or businesses with multiple locations. Some systems also allow calls to be forwarded to mobile or landline phones.
5. Features: IP telephony systems often come with a host of useful features like call forwarding, voicemail, auto-attendant, call recording, and conference calling. Many of these would be costly extras on traditional phone systems.
6. Quality: With a good internet connection, the call quality of IP telephony can be superior to traditional phone lines. VoIP systems can also support HD Voice, providing even clearer call quality.
7. Maintenance and Management: IP telephony systems are often simpler to manage and maintain than traditional phone systems. Much of the management can be done through easy-to-use web interfaces.
8. Integration: VoIP systems can often be integrated with other software or business systems, like email clients or customer relationship management (CRM) tools, streamlining workflows and improving productivity.