Happy New Year everybody, it is a brand-new decade and it promises to be an interesting one for the communications and technology sector. Let’s get our crystal ball out and have a look at what is in store for VoIP in the 2020s.
The Rollout Of 5G Technology
We wrote about the benefits and risks of 5G technology last year and 2020 looks set to be a game changer for VoIP as 5G technology is rolled out globally.
In 2019, 25 VoIP operators launched a 5G service and this number is likely to be doubled by the close of 2020.
Check out our previous post mentioned above for all the ways that 5G is going to change the communications industry forever.
Artificial Intelligence Technology For VoIP In The 2020s
We still tend to think that artificial intelligence is something from science fiction movies, but it is being used now, every day, even if we don’t realise it.
If you have Netflix or use the iPlayer, it is AI that recommends programmes it thinks you might like.
If you use Spotify it is AI that decides what music to put on you weekly Discover playlist.
Chatbots are now commonplace for large company websites and most people would expect that forward-thinking technology such as VoIP will be no different.
There is an interesting article here about how different companies are using chatbots and chat software.
Indeed, talking about how VoIP can utilise AI would be a good selling point for a potential customer.
One example is if you would like a repeat prescription from your GP.
The self-help options when you call a Doctors surgery, instead of waiting for half an hour to speak to a receptionist, you immediately get presented with a series of choices and once you have correctly identified yourself you will (depending on the meds) be able to order medication without even talking to anyone.
AI is also being used to analyse customers behaviour and learn how they operate to ensure that they can get what they want as soon as possible.
This will lead to an increase in productivity and free up valuable resources, particularly when used by the NHS and schools.
VoIP And The Internet Of Things
That may sound like the title of an episode of Dr Who, but the Internet Of Things (IoT) is the term given to smart devices that connect to the internet.
As the head of IoT for TechUk succinctly describes it “Simply, the Internet of Things is made up of devices – from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables – connected together.”
All of these devices can work together and collect and analyse data to understand the behaviour of their users.
If you are asked how VoIP and IoT could work together then a good example is a smart office.
The possibilities of smart office tech are potentially limitless, you could use one to collect any info from any equipment in the office so that workers can have access to the same amount of data wherever they are working, just as they would in a traditional office.
Or use voice activation to get VoIP to record a meeting or brainstorming session and then use VoIP to automatically translate the recording to text and email it to all the attendees.
VoIP In Schools And The NHS
As a VoIP reseller it is important not to just focus on large corporations or ‘normal’ offices. The last few years has seen an increase in VoIP being used in Education and also VoIP usage within the NHS.
Both sectors have started to see the benefits that VoIP can provide and have started to branch out with how they use it.
So, in schools and further education companies, instead of just using it for standard video calls they have started to use VoIP for online teaching and learning.
Similarly, in the NHS they have started to use VoIP in the same way and even for some GP and patient video calls, so that patients can (depending on the medical condition) be diagnosed from the comfort of their own home and the GP doesn’t have to spend as much time travelling and making house calls.
VoIP And Its Competitors
You may get asked why someone should choose VoIP when they can use other, free, video chat services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger?
There are two important factors to mention here.
- VoIP has so much more functionality than the free messaging services, they are perfectly fine for personal use but highlight that the other benefits VoIP can offer businesses far outweigh and outperform the free services.
- The versatility of VoIP means that it could work with other video chat software services, so it doesn’t have to be choice between one and the other.
Get In Touch
As you can see, VoIP in the 2020s looks like it is going to be an exciting decade! If you would like to have a chat about anything we have mentioned or would like more information on becoming a VoIP reseller then please do not hesitate to contact us.