IP telephony can reduce telephony costs for foreign trading companies. Ultimately, the added convenience of this technology can help a company gain a competitive advantage over their competitors.

Before continuing, it’s important to understand exactly what IP telephony is. IP telephony is commonly mistook to be voice call options for instant messaging applications (such as WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.) However, IP telephony is actually a new technology developed over IP telephony applications such as WebRTC.

The webRTC is a technology developed by Google that allows voice calls to be established through the browser, as well as the sharing of files with third parties. It is an open source software and it is compatible with most browsers. Since no downloads are needed, nearly any type of device can use the application.

The differentiation between WebRTC and similar applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook is crucial since the operations and use of them is totally different. The IP telephony applications are usually intended for a more personal and leisure use, while the IP telephony lines for apps such as WebTRC are more focused on professional business uses.

It is not only the use but also the quality of the service. While IP telephony in instant messaging applications is characterized by low audio quality, continuous interruptions and even delays in some calls, WebRTC lines are clean and glitch-free. WebRTC lines are known as the new IP technology precisely because it solves all these problems.

Why IP Telephony Is An Opportunity for Foreign Trade

Practices within foreign trade have evolved greatly and rapidly in recent years. These changes are mostly brought about by the transition to a global environment, where countries are closely related economically, politically and culturally.

The configuration of the world as a global environment has brought about changes in culture and trade practices, such as the closing gap in instant communication. The capability of being in continuous contact with people from around the world is made possible due to the emergence of information and communication technologies, something which has grown in recent years due to the internet’s expansion.

The Internet has caused change at various levels, and that is why it is incorporated and adapted to different sectors and needs. The webRTC is a clear example of how the Internet has been introduced into the telephony industry. IP telephony helps to cover the same needs while providing a number of new advantages that traditional telephony did not bring.

Telephony is not the only sector in which the Internet is causing a great revolution, but sectors such as foreign trade are also being affected by the development of this technology. The incorporation of IP telephony in foreign trade negotiations is a common example of the internet’s incorporation in the sector.

The integration of IP telephony in foreign trade has been cause for a variety of benefits – it reduces the high costs of telephony at an international level, and it optimises communication processes.

Indeed, IP telephony is a cheap alternative to international calls since all it requires is an Internet connection. By operating over the Internet, it is possible to avoid roaming or the costs of an international call, simply by using a WIFI network.

Nowadays companies have to make and receive a large volume of international calls due to the global environment in which they operate, therefore a reduction in the cost of these calls on a large scale can reduce a company’s costs.

Also, IP telephony offers a number of advantages such as:

• Mobility: Thanks to the expansion of the Internet it is possible to connect either by a data plan, by cable connection or by a wireless network to the internet from anywhere. Whether in a ship, in an airplane via the aircraft wifi or in the most remote place in the world.
• Any device: IP telephony changes the concept of telephone and allows you to make and receive calls from your computer, smartphone, tablet or any connected device. Now it is possible to receive calls on the office computer or on the laptop for travel.
• Professional image: It is possible to transfer the company’s head-end landline number to the IP telephony lines in order not to have to show your personal mobile phone when you want to make calls outside the office and offer a professional image to international customers.

See Fonvirtual for more information on IP telephony lines and their application in companies engaged in foreign trade.