Before you buy a VoIP phone, you'll need a VoIP provider

A VoIP provider is the company that actually carries your calls, over the internet rather than a traditional phone line. Your new handset is the device on your desk; the provider is the service running behind it, similar to how a SIM card is what makes a mobile phone actually work.

Most Australian businesses moving to VoIP are doing it because the NBN has phased out traditional copper phone lines, or because their current setup is costing more than it should for the features they get.

The good news is that setting this up is usually quick. Most providers can have a business taking calls within a day or two of signing up, and the phone itself takes only a few minutes to register once the account is active.

A few reasons businesses make the switch:

• Lower running costs. VoIP plans are typically cheaper than legacy phone lines, especially for businesses making interstate or international calls.
• Flexibility. Staff can take business calls from a desk phone, a mobile app, or a laptop, without juggling separate numbers.
• Features included as standard. Call queues, voicemail-to-email, auto-attendants, and call recording are often bundled in, rather than charged as add-ons.
• Scales with you. Adding or removing a phone line is usually a quick change in an online portal, not a technician visit.

Not all providers are the same, and the right fit depends on a few things specific to your business:

• Business size. A sole trader and a 20-seat office have very different needs, and providers vary a lot in how well they handle each end of that range.
• Support. Australian-based support matters if something goes wrong during business hours.
• Contract terms. Some providers lock you in for 12-24 months; others run month to month.
• Existing setup. What hardware and internet connection you already have can affect which providers are a good technical fit.

This is exactly the kind of thing that's hard to judge from a website. It's also why we don't just point you at a generic list of providers and leave you to it.