VoIP vs Traditional Phone Systems
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Key Takeaways
Save 40-60% on phone costs by switching to VoIP
More than just calls: video, chat, screen sharing and CRM integration on one platform
Reachable anywhere: call from your laptop, smartphone or desk phone, at home too
ISDN is being phased out in the Netherlands, so switching is inevitable
Why 80% of businesses are switching to VoIP
The business telephony market is changing fast. ISDN is gradually being phased out in the Netherlands, and more and more businesses are choosing VoIP telephony. Voice over IP (VoIP) replaces the traditional phone line by routing calls over the internet. The result: lower costs, more features and the flexibility to work from anywhere.
But is VoIP right for every business? And what about call quality and reliability? In this in-depth comparison we put VoIP and traditional telephony (ISDN/PSTN) side by side, looking at cost, features, scalability and integration options, so you can make a well-informed choice.
TRON Group specialises in business VoIP solutions and helps companies across the Netherlands make the switch. From small businesses to larger SMEs with hundreds of employees, we configure your telephony to fit seamlessly with the way you work.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
How do VoIP and traditional telephony score on the criteria that matter most?
| Category | VoIP | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | VoIP 40-60% cheaper, often with unlimited calls included | Traditional Higher fixed costs, calls charged per minute |
| Features | VoIP Video, chat, screen sharing, call queues, IVR, voicemail-to-email | Traditional Voice only, limited call forwarding options |
| Flexibility | VoIP Call from anywhere via app, laptop or desk phone, ideal for working from home | Traditional Tied to a fixed location and a physical handset |
| Scalability | VoIP Add or remove lines in minutes, no hardware needed | Traditional Extra lines require physical installation and new hardware |
| Call quality | VoIP HD audio, depends on your internet connection (stable on fibre) | Traditional Consistent quality, independent of the internet |
| Reliability | VoIP 99.9% uptime with a good provider, depends on internet and power | Traditional Very reliable, keeps working during a power cut (analogue) |
| Integrations | VoIP Microsoft Teams, CRM systems, helpdesk software, API integrations | Traditional Virtually no integration with business software |
| Future-proofing | VoIP The standard for business telephony, with continuous innovation | Traditional ISDN is being phased out in the Netherlands, no further development |
Cost Comparison
What does VoIP cost compared with traditional telephony, by company size?
Small (1-5 handsets)
- Unlimited calls within the Netherlands
- Mobile app
- Voicemail-to-email
- Call forwarding
- Landline
- Basic call forwarding
- Voicemail
- Call charges extra
Medium (5-25 handsets)
- Unlimited calls
- Call queues + IVR
- CRM integration
- Call recording
- Multiple lines
- Phone system (PBX)
- Number selection
- Maintenance contract
Large (25+ handsets)
- Full unified communications (UC) solution
- Teams integration
- Contact centre
- SLA with support
- Your own on-site PBX
- Maintenance charged separately
- Limited features
- Hardware replacement every 7-10 years
VoIP and Microsoft Teams: the ultimate combination
One of the biggest advantages of VoIP is that you can integrate your telephony with Microsoft Teams. With Teams Phone (formerly Phone System) you can call landlines and mobile numbers directly from Teams. You no longer need a separate phone system.
That means your employees can call from their business number wherever they are: on their desk phone in the office, on their laptop at home and through the Teams app on their smartphone when they're on the move. Incoming calls are routed automatically based on their availability status.
The integration goes beyond calling. You combine voice, video, chat and file sharing on one platform. Customer calls can be logged straight into your CRM, and call queues and auto attendants (IVR) are easy to set up without expensive hardware.
A reliable internet connection is essential for good VoIP quality. TRON Group helps you with both the telephony rollout and the underlying connectivity. Want to know more? Take a look at our VoIP services or call us on +31 85 303 5869.
Our Recommendation
Choose VoIP if:
- You want to cut your phone costs (by 40-60%)
- Your employees work hybrid or remotely
- You want to integrate telephony with Teams or your CRM
- You want to add or remove lines quickly
- You have a reliable internet connection
Traditional still works if:
- Your internet is unstable or too slow
- You have a recent ISDN contract that hasn't ended yet
- You only need basic features
- Your location has poor internet coverage
- You want to wait until your current contract ends
TRON Group's advice: for almost every business, VoIP is the logical choice. The cost savings, extra features and flexibility far outweigh the limited drawbacks. And with ISDN being phased out, switching is only a matter of time.
We specialise in business VoIP and can help you make the switch. Call +31 85 303 5869 for a free consultation and savings analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about VoIP versus traditional telephony
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