Managing Your Travel Business: Should You Try Internet Phones?
by John Hawks

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For many home-based agents today, that’s how Internet phone services keep them competitive in today’s travel industry.

Many businesses today rely on Internet-based phones that send and receive voice phone calls over the World Wide Web as data (just like emails). This set-up can cut your phone bill and other telecommunications costs substantially – and, you’ll have more freedom and more options for handling your calls while you’re on the road.

In the early days of “voice over Internet protocol” (VOIP) phone service, things were rough. You could only use VOIP phones if both parties were on at the same, and you were forced to use a computer to make the calls. The sound quality was usually terrible. And, if your electricity went out, you also lost your phone service!

Should you switch your phones to the Internet?

Consider these points:

The quality of VOIP phones has improved dramatically. In fact, you may not notice any difference from traditional land lines! Most VOIP services now work exactly the same as the old Ma Bell service: You pick up the receiver, you make a call, you hang up, that’s it.

VOIP can be much cheaper than standard phone service. Because these calls travel via the Internet, operating and transmission costs are much lower – meaning big savings in some cases over your current phone options. Plus, if you move or change offices, you simply have to find another Internet connection (you’ll never have to worry with old-fashioned phone jacks again).

Internet phones can improve your productivity on the road. If you travel a lot on fams, if you escort groups, or if you’re out of your home office a lot, VOIP phones make a lot of sense. Clients call your regular business number, but you can pick up the calls and messages away from home with your laptop, your wireless-enabled cell phone, or even a computer on a cruise ship or in an Internet cafe (usually). You can set your phone to ring on multiple devices, so that you won’t miss important calls. And, you can set up a virtual phone number (e.g., if you’ve just moved from Tennessee to Colorado, you can still use your Tennessee number if it’s VOIP and avoid disruptions with clients).

The drawbacks? If you use the same VOIP set-up for phone calls and Internet connections, read the fine print about whether you can do both at the same time. Also, it can be challenging to set up a VOIP system if you have two or more incoming lines (you may need tech help to get things right). And, some OSSN agents have been hit hard in recent weeks when SunRocket International, a major VOIP provider, decided to shut down its operations in early August – leaving them scrambling to find new phone service and worrying how to preserve their existing phone numbers.

VOIP phone service can save you money and give you more freedom – but, check the fine print in service contracts, and ask other OSSN agents for recommendations in your area before you sign on the dotted line and give up your traditional phones!

For more information about Internet phones, check the VOIP section at About.com.

(Credit: Cisco Systems)