Rating of the best IP telephony operators for 2022

The most important tool for maintaining contacts and communication between people, negotiating with customers, as well as promoting goods on the market is telephone communication. The capabilities of analog channels have certain limitations on the speed and quality of services provided. The rapid development of technology has made it possible to find a solution that has changed the format of remote communication between people - IP-telephony. Today, it is rapidly replacing analogue stations, providing customers with better and more profitable services.

General concept

IP-telephony is a scientific and technical field for studying the principles of creating communication systems using the Internet Protocol (IP) over existing Internet networks, developing technical means for implementation and application, as well as assessing the quality of broadcasting video and voice information over these networks .

Provides the organization and conduct of online negotiations between subscribers located at any distance from each other.

The main requirement is to have a separate Internet channel with a bandwidth of at least 100 kbps for each line.

Principle of operation

The exchange of information between subscribers is carried out using network protocols. They allow computers or other gadgets to find and identify each other in order to send packets of digital data. Communication is established using providers' servers that perform various functions - storing subscriber bases, redirecting traffic, tracking the locations of correspondents and their IP addresses.

The general scheme of an IP call:

1. Dial a phone number.
2. Sending a request to the provider's server for a connection.
3. User identification with determination of the location and path of signal transmission.
4. Converting the flow of information into digital form using codecs.
5. Sending information packets to the addressee.
6. Signal decoding at destination.

Connection methods

There are the following schemes for transmitting information packets:

1. Between two computers with access to the Internet for each of them when installing the necessary software (softphone), acoustic equipment or headset.

2. Between a computer and a phone, provided that the PC has an IP gateway, sound card, microphone and audio system.

3.Between two phones with a focus on analog telephone network systems (fixed or mobile gadgets). The encoded signal arrives at the PBX server with subsequent connection, direction through the assigned channels and decoding at the addressee.

4. Web-phone (Surf&Call) with the ability to establish a connection directly from the Internet page by simply clicking on the link.

Types of PBX

Software office IP PBX

A large enterprise uses its own separate server for organizing communication with the appropriate equipment, softphones, programs and IP phones with access to the network. Safety and reliability is provided by full-time employees who install, adjust and maintain equipment.

Virtual PBX

IP-telephony is quickly organized using a server from the cloud storage. The service is performed by a provider that offers various tariff plans, leases the necessary technical equipment and provides technical support. Virtual PBX allows you to:

• distribute calls according to customized scenarios;
• set up an interactive voice menu;
• issue cards for all clients;
• analyze the work of staff;
• keep statistics and reports;
• record conversations;
• maintain internal contacts by short numbers;
• intercept calls.

The organization of IP-telephony depends on the specifics and scale of the business.

Advantages

1. There is no geo-referencing with the ability to use the phone from anywhere where there is Internet access. Calls can be made through the application, browser or IP phone.
2. Very fast connection - you only need to register an account, connect a headset and microphone to your computer.
3. Excellent call quality.
4. Fast scalability when changing the number of subscribers with adding (deleting) the required number of workplaces in the personal account and assigning (withdrawing) identification codes to them.
5. Ability to integrate with any business applications or customer relationship systems (CRM): Bitrix24, MySklad, 1C, MS Office, etc. to improve the quality of service.
6. Determination of routes and distribution of incoming calls between free employees with the possibility of forwarding according to various criteria.
7. Simultaneous reception of many calls with the division of flows by personnel or the association of subscribers for conferences.
8. Availability of virtual numbers to expand the geography of activities.
9. Recording and storage of telephone conversations for personnel control and dispute resolution.
10. The presence of an interactive voice menu for the distribution of incoming calls.

However, when using IP-telephony, there are certain disadvantages:

• the occurrence of problems or failures in the global network immediately affects the quality, which is clearly visible when making calls over the mobile Internet;
• for incoming calls, the computer must always be on;
• increased cost in certain directions - Africa, the CIS countries;
• the need to pay direct numbers for dialing from fixed or mobile devices.

Criterias of choice

Experts advise what to look for in order to avoid mistakes when choosing an IP telephony service.

1. Cost.

The following factors influence the pricing:

• connection cost;
• subscription fee;
• number of subscribers included in the tariff;
• the cost of each next subscriber;
• integration with CRM;
• call recording;
• payment order;
• bonuses and loyalty system.

2. Additional functionality:

• registration of numbers with the necessary regional prefixes, urban, international, mobile;
• the possibility of using other people's numbers;
• voice mail;
• FMC;
• free trial period;
• open API;
• work on http request;
• integration with various CRM;
• call tracking;
• callback widget;
• free technical support.

3. Call distribution:

• free internal numbers;
• calls according to different scenarios (contact groups);
• conferences;
• multichannel outgoing and incoming lines;
• forwarding;
• transfer to another script during a conversation;
• The address book;
• auto-check by region, template.

4. Automation of receiving incoming calls with instant connection with the last subscriber.

5. Rules for processing incoming calls according to a scenario with a work schedule and a list of numbers for a specific option.

6. Integration with CRM to simplify the search and dial a call from any section - deal or client card, call history or taskbar.

7. Individual approach with the provision of a personal manager, trainer, event notifications, etc.

Best IP Telephony Operators

Now in Russia there are several hundred operators providing IP-telephony services. As a rule, the functionality of the leading providers is quite similar, which requires a careful approach before making a final decision to draw up a contract for the provision of services. This review was developed according to the opinions of users who left their reviews on the pages of service operators.

Sipuni

Domestic service of IP-telephony and virtual PBX, provided by the participant of the innovation center in Skolkovo, for telephonization of workplaces and offices at minimal cost. The provider provides prompt deployment and configuration of the service on the ground.The quality is not worse than conversations using mobile gadgets. A high level of security is guaranteed. Having a native app allows you to make calls directly from your browser.

Official website: sipuni.com.

• work stability;
• simple setup;
• user-friendly interface;
• low cost of calls to landline and mobile numbers within Russia;
• free trial period for 14 days;
• direct telephone number in Moscow with code 499;
• a large set of business functions;
• receiving fax messages to an electronic mailbox;
• integration with 21 systems;
• the ability to connect your number.

• inflated price of one workplace on tariff plans with wide functionality;
• users pay attention to the low level of technical support.

How Sipuni works:

Rostelecom

Russian telecommunications giant providing cloud telephony for legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. Provides a multifunctional virtual PBX with a large set of business functions. Well suited for both small offices and large enterprises with a minimum monthly subscription fee of 400 rubles with one multi-channel telephone number.

Official site: msk.rt.ru.

• high quality;
• suitable for any company;
• simple management in your personal account;
• quick inclusion and adjustment of additional services;
• recognition of business customers.

• expensive international communication;
• no foreign numbers;
• no fax support.

Virtual PBX Rostelecom:

Gravitel

Operator for the provision of virtual PBX and IP-telephony for corporate clients of any scale. The connection of the service is carried out in a few minutes with guaranteed availability of services.Connection does not require the purchase of any equipment, which allows you to save the company's budget when installing telephones in an office that can be located anywhere.

Official website: gravitel.ru.

• good communication quality;
• a large set of business functions;
• trial period for two weeks without payment;
• the ability to use a SIM card;
• convenient personal account;
• call history;
• answering machine;
• storage of conversation records;
• operational customer service;
• integration with 22 systems;
• reasonable prices.

• high price for SIM cards;
• failures are noted when using softphones for smartphones.

Virtual PBX Gravitel:

SIPNET

The first IP-telephony operator in Russia, operating on the market for more than 20 years. The scalability and stability of the native CommuniGate Pro platform along with the SIP farm is provided by a unique dynamic cluster system. For media data, the standard RTP protocol is used. There are more than one million users worldwide. Subscribers have access to any number of numbers, integration with CRM and round-the-clock technical support.

Official website: offer.sipnet.ru.

• high-quality stable connection;
• personal manager;
• qualified technical support;
• integration with 15 systems;
• a large selection of foreign numbers;
• easy setup;
• favorable rates;
• excellent value for money.

• users note the automatic connection of paid services.

Acquaintance with the Sipnet personal account:

NEW-TEL

A popular provider of cloud telephony communication solutions for any business. Provides a quality service using professional analytics tools.A wide range of virtual numbers with codes of different Russian cities, used regardless of the actual location. Availability of federal numbers 8800 and 8804 with the possibility of free calls from anywhere in Russia. The ability to authorize users through an incoming call to a phone number. Using callback widgets to make callbacks from the site.

Official site: new-tel.net.

• stable high-quality connection;
• loyal and friendly technical support;
• provision of services to individuals;
• quick problem solving;
• convenient functionality;
• a large set of business functions;
• demo period to evaluate the quality and functionality;
• a choice of accessories and equipment;
• cheap rates.

• inflated price for international calls;
• some tariff plans do not have the necessary services, including messages about missed calls.

Personal account NEW-TEL:

TELFIN

Cloud telephony operator for successful small and medium business with 17 years of history. Provides premium quality communications. When organizing corporate telephony, it offers modern solutions with more than 100 functions. The scheme is easily scalable with payment for only the necessary functionality. There is a wide pool of virtual numbers in St. Petersburg and Moscow, as well as 71 more Russian cities and 38 countries of the world. There are more than 50 ready-made integration scenarios with well-known CRMs.

Official site: telphin.ru.

• work with any clients;
• stable connection;
• free connections between staff;
• user-friendly interface;
• competent technical support;
• possibility of integration with 32 systems;
• voice menu;
• call from the site;
• conference call;
• conversation record;
• acceptable cost.

• high price for some options with a corporate scheme.

Overview of Telfin's personal account:

MANGO OFFICE

One of the leading services for the provision of cloud telephony services for solving business problems. The ability to organize corporate communication from any gadgets and from any place via text, voice or video. Providing a virtual PBX with a wide range of functions and support for up to one thousand calls per queue. An application for processing telephone calls with universal functionality for managing work with users. Availability of short numbers with an asterisk for delivery services, taxis and other services. Tracking calls when analyzing advertising campaigns.

Official site: mango-office.ru.

• reliable connection;
• possibility of integration with 72 systems;
• immediate recording of calls in customer cards;
• fast connection;
• inexpensive call tracking;
• round the clock support;
• mobile app;
• distribution of calls to free managers;
• detailed analytics;
• simplifies employee control.

• inflated rates.

Connecting CRM Mango Office:

UIS

Cloud communications service operator for fast telephonization of both large and small businesses. More than 15,000 active customers use the services, including online stores, call centers, medical institutions, financial institutions, service companies and industrial enterprises. Provides guaranteed availability of the telephone network and stable communication from anywhere. A single tariff plan contains basic services without the need to pay for each feature separately.

Official site: uiscom.ru.

• stable work;
• high reliability;
• adequate round-the-clock technical support with a personal manager;
• postpaid services;
• universal wide functionality;
• clear interface;
• quick setup;
• possibility of integration with 43 systems;
• reasonable price.

• not debugged document flow;
• the service is not adapted to mobile gadgets.

Instructions for basic configuration of UIS virtual PBX:

Zadarma

A service provider for the rapid telephonization of a business without the need for a geographical presence and the purchase of additional equipment. Over a 14-year history of work, it has become one of the leaders in domestic IP telephony with more than two million users in 160 countries. Phone numbers can be selected in 100 states, including mobiles with SMS reception and 8800. 30 thousand virtual numbers in 150 largest cities of the world are available for quick activation.

Official website: zadarma.com.

• fast office telephony;
• useful functionality - call forwarding/transfer, voice menu, conversation recording, etc.;
• virtual numbers in over 100 countries;
• back call;
• speech analytics;
• call tracking;
• virtual channel via SIP-trunk protocol;
• integration with various CRM systems and instant messengers;
• per second billing;
• clear management;
• convenient forwarding;
• quick call recording.

• meticulous customer verification system;
• users pay attention to failures.

Virtual PBX Zadarma:

Thus, IP-telephony has become a good way to organize communication between people.The implementation of the technology by renting a virtual PBX from a provider with a monthly payment according to the tariff plan will be a profitable solution to the issue of providing communication for small and medium-sized businesses.

Happy connections. Take care of yourself and your loved ones!