8 Best Ways to Improve VoIP Call Quality for Optimal Audio Performance

Voice over Internet Protocol, or simply VoIP, has become a cornerstone of modern business communication. However, there are instances where users and businesses alike are facing a number of issues with VoIP use. This problem can have an adverse effect on effective communication, professionalism, customer service, and productivity. 

So, if you are facing a problem with the VoIP call quality, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we will discuss the 8 best ways to improve VoIP call quality. In addition, we will also discuss why you have specific issues and why it is important to have a good quality VoIP system. 

How is VoIP Data Transferred?

The first step in learning the ways to improve VoIP call Quality is to learn how the VoIP data are transferred. The concept of making voice and video calls via the internet might sound sophisticated. However, it is a very simple process. Let’s see how VoIP actually works. 

First, when the speaker speaks, the VoIP system receives their analog data and transfers it into digital data. After that, it is transmitted into smaller data packets. These smaller data packets are individually routed on different paths. After the small packets of digital data are transmitted to the receiver’s end, it is again transferred into analog data, which the receivers can use. 

This process happens very quickly in milliseconds. However, sometimes, some issues might lead to latency, call drops, and other issues, which will be discussed in the next section of this blog. 

Types of VoIP Call Quality Issues

Voice over IP is one of the ideal communication methods that can be used for both personal and business communication. However, this does not mean that VoIP is safe from all kinds of issues. 

Users might face a number of challenges while using this telecommunication; sometimes, there might be issues with the internet, and other times, it has something to do with the providers themselves. So, every user needs to know about these potential issues. 

1. Call Jitter

Call Jitter is the VoIP issue when the sound is incoherent and cannot be understood. It may sound like someone is stuttering. This usually happens when the digital data packets are transferred in the wrong order. Similarly, a call jitter might occur when the time taken for each data packet is not uniform. 

You can solve the call jitter problems by assessing your current network capacity and increasing its bandwidth. 

2. Latency

Latency is a VoIP call quality issue when the time required to transfer the data from sender to receiver is delayed. This can lead to interruptions and difficulty in understanding the other party in the phone call. 

This issue can be addressed by updating the software and changing/ upgrading the outdated equipment and network. 

3. Network Congestion

Congestion occurs when a network is overwhelmed with more data packet traffic than it can handle. In this case, data traffic is backed up over a network that doesn’t have enough bandwidth to handle too many requests for data at the same time.

This issue can be solved by implementing QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize the VoIP calls before any other traffic and requests. 

4. Packet Loss

Lastly, we have packet loss. The loss of packets of data is caused by one or more packets failing to reach their destination. During VoIP conversations, packet loss can degrade the quality of the call by causing choppy audio or dropped calls.

A number of different reasons can cause the packet loss. So, you can try a number of things to solve this problem, including:

• Update the Network system
• Replace outdated Hardware
• Update Software
• Implement QoS
• Reboot the device

What do you mean by Call Quality Monitoring?

Call Quality Monitoring is a process that involves the evaluation and assessment of the quality of interactions. It is usually done in a conversation that takes place during telephone conversations within a customer service or support setting.

It is a process for organizations to guarantee that their customer service representatives provide service and meet predetermined performance goals.

Call Quality Monitoring is essential for any business for a number of reasons, some of which are mentioned below. 

• Call monitoring makes sure the audio is clear and free from any disturbances, such as echoes or problems with communication.

• It evaluates how quickly and satisfactorily customer issues or inquiries are resolved.

• Collect feedback on customer satisfaction with the service received during the call.

• Identify areas where additional training or support may be needed to improve skills and performance.

Best Ways to Improve VOIP Call Quality

According to HubSpot, 94 percent of customers are more likely to make another purchase after receiving good customer service and communication. You might have got an idea about the importance of offering good communication. So, let’s discuss the best ways to improve VoIP call quality. 

1. Increase the Bandwidth

The first and best way to improve the VoIP call quality is by increasing the bandwidth. First, access the capacity of your current bandwidth. Your bandwidth may need to be increased if you are unable to support multiple devices and users on your network. You can increase your bandwidth to accommodate more users or devices on your network at the same time.

VOIP calls should have a minimum bandwidth of 100kbps on both ends to prevent packet loss. A slow internet connection results in choppy audio. Therefore, the internet connection should be able to handle good-quality calls and network activity. This can help solve latency, jitter, and congestion issues. 

2. Implement Quality of Service (QoS)

Applying Quality of Service (QoS) involves prioritizing VOIP traffic over data on the network, guaranteeing that voice data receives the highest priority. This measure helps avoid delays and guarantees a reliable and top-notch VOIP call experience.

VoIP traffic will be prioritized if there is network congestion after you implement QoS in your VoIP calls, whereas web traffic, for example, may be deprioritized. While you may have problems loading a web page quickly, you can be assured that your call will not be cut off.

👉You might also be interested in: What Is VoIP QoS and How Does It Make Your Calls Better?

3. Use High-quality Headset

Using a top-notch headset can greatly improve the clarity of audio, minimizing the chances of unclear sound during VOIP calls. This enhancement can have an impact on call quality for both the person speaking and the person listening. 

The quality of calls is reduced with low-quality headsets because of issues such as echo, noise, etc. In short, the quality of a call can be improved by using a good headset.

4. Monitor Call Quality

Regularly monitoring the quality of calls helps us identify any issues promptly. This proactive approach allows us to quickly troubleshoot and resolve problems, ensuring that our VOIP calls always meet standards of performance. 

Your business can take proactive measures to avoid potential problems before they become detrimental by monitoring your VoIP calls. By doing this, you spend less time troubleshooting call quality issues and more time proactively working on improving them.

5. Use a Reliable VoIP Provider 

Selecting a VoIP service provider holds importance if you want a reliable calling experience. The stability of the network, downtime, and consistent call quality are all dependent on choosing the right provider. Thorough research and careful selection can greatly influence the effectiveness of VOIP communication.

Consider your budget, features, and integrations when choosing a business phone system. There is often a consistent pattern of VoIP problems and poor call quality problems, such as dropped calls, network outages, and echoing during phone calls. You can easily know about these issues in the customer review. 

6. Use VoIP Optimized Routers

VoIP-optimized routers are designed to give priority to VOIP traffic, minimizing the chances of losing data packets and ensuring an uninterrupted connection. This feature greatly contributes to providing a reliable calling experience for VOIP users. In short, With VoIP-optimized routers, traffic prioritization is implemented improving the overall VoIP call quality.

7. Eliminate Jitter

Jitter refers to fluctuations in the arrival times of data packets, which may result in distortion of voice. Using ing techniques to mitigate jitter like buffering and prioritizing packets, contributes to ensuring a VoIP call that’s more reliable and intelligible. 

For instance, a Jitter buffer helps smooth packet distribution by storing, collecting, and sending packets evenly. As the packets are stored and processed, the jitter buffer can add a delay, but the end user will have a smoother experience.

8. Use Ethernet

Last but not least, you can use the ethernet or wired internet connection for operating the VoIP system. This is applicable if you are using a desktop computer or desk phone. 

While it is best to use Wi-Fi if you want mobility and flexibility, there is no denying that ethernet or wired connection offers the best connectivity, which can be best for improving VoIP call quality. But it only gets better from here as a wired connection also offers better protection from hacking and unauthorized access.

Why Good VoIP Call Quality Matters?

A good VoIp call quality is important for all users, including businesses and users. First, it is very important for effective communication. However, it is not limited upto that factor only. So, here are some of the major reasons why good VoIP call quality matters.

• Effective Communication: Call quality is very important for effective communication, whether it is an important business call or a personal call. Good VoIP call quality ensures that the communication is clear and understood. In addition, it reduces all the frustration that might occur in case of an ineffective communication platform. 

• Customer Satisfaction: Businesses that offer customer service or support need to have good VoIP call quality. Good VoIP call quality ensures that customer queries and problems are heard and addressed effectively and promptly. This can lead to customer satisfaction and retention.

• Improved Productivity: Having good internal communication is very important for any business. Good VoIP call quality offers a good internal communication platform, which can significantly improve the productivity of the employees within an organization.

• Competitive Advantage: Lastly, good VoIP call quality is also very important for businesses to establish a competitive advantage in the market. When customers have a difficult time communicating with the business, they might not think twice before switching the business. So, if your business offers good VoIP call quality, you can attract new customers while retaining your existing customers. 

Conclusion

Summing up, it is very important to have reliable and good-quality VoIP calls for effective communication, improved productivity, customer satisfaction, and a competitive advantage. If you are regularly facing issues with your VoIP calls, there might be problems with your network, software, or hardware. Sometimes, there can be problems with the service providers, too. 

You can go through the best ways to improve your VoIP call quality, as mentioned above. Finally, as communication plays a vital role in today’s business world, it might be a good idea to implement these methods in your VoIP system. 

FAQs

What Affects Voice Quality in VoIP?

Factors like bandwidth, network congestion, and the choice of codecs can influence the quality of VoIP calls. This highlights the significance of having a network infrastructure and correct configuration to guarantee uninterrupted voice communication.

How can I Improve the Quality of my VoIP Call?

You can improve the quality of your VoIP calls by following the given steps. 

• Increase the bandwidth of your network
• Implement Quality of Service (QoS)
• Use high-quality headsets 
• Monitor Call Quality
• Use a reliable VoIP provider
• Use optimized routers
• Eliminate Jitter
• Use Ethernet

Is QoS Needed for VoIP?

No, Quality of Service (QoS) is not an integral part of VoIP. However, it is suggested that every user implement QoS to improve their communication by preventing packet loss, jitter, and other issues. 

What is the Minimum Bandwidth for Good Quality Calls in VoIP?

The minimum bandwidth for good-quality calls in VoIP is  90 kbps to 156 kbps.