IP telephony: Still happy?

Roll up for our reader poll

Reg Reader Studies The benefits of IP telephony (IPT) are now increasingly understood, and as offerings proliferate, we are starting to see wider scale adoption become reality across all types of business. But has the move to IPT been all it’s cracked up to be?

Are problems around service and call quality still causing major headaches? What model is proving the best for businesses?

With this in mind, we would like to hear from Reg readers who have used or are using IPT/VoIP. If you have some experience of this, tell us all about it.

Do you:
- Use an IPT/VoIP solution you are largely content with Use an IPT/VoIP solution you have some reservations about Use an IPT/VoIP solution you are considering throwing out Use analogue telephony having previously thrown out IPT/VoIP Use analogue telephony but have some views on IPT/VoIP
Other (please specify)

How long have you used VoIP in your organisation?
- Less than a year 1-2 years 3-5 years Over five years

Which form of IPT/VoIP do you predominantly use in your business, or which did you use before it was replaced?
- Skype Some other 'public' VoIP service Hosted business service delivered over existing broadband to small/home office Hosted business service delivered over dedicated connection to small/home office Hybrid service, using existing PBX within the business, with VoIP functionality overlay, delivered via a service provider Single IP PBX installed on the premises Multiple on premise IP PBXs installed across different locations
Other (please specify)

How does/did the service perform with regard to call quality from a user perspective compared to traditional analogue telephony?
- Much better A bit better On a par A bit worse Much worse

How does/did the service compare to traditional analogue telephony in terms of features and functionality (that you actually use)?
- Much better A bit better On a par A bit worse Much worse

How would you describe the return on investment or value for money over a three-year period (real or anticipated), taking into account initial setup/equipment costs (if any), ongoing service charges, and other running costs (eg support and maintenance)?
- Excellent Good Questionable Poor Don't know

What was your experience like when transitioning to VoIP?
- Really smooth, no problems at all OK, but it could have been easier Awful, lots of problems Don't know/before my time

What is your overall view of IPT/VoIP, considering account features, quality, value for money and everything else?
- Great – definitely worthwhile I like VoIP, but would have been better with a hosted solution I like VoIP, but would have been better with a hybrid (own equipment with VOIP overlay) solution I like VoIP, but would have been better with a full premise-based solution The old system was just as good The old system was better

Any comments on IPT/VoIP in general before you go?

How large is your organisation?
- Fewer than 10 employees 10-50 employees 50-250 employees 250-5,000 employees 5,000-50,000 employees More than 50,000 employees