Microsoft Teams is a business essential these days, and these VoIP optimization tips for Microsoft Teams can make a real difference in call quality. VoIP calls on the platform can occasionally face challenges such as missing sound or lag, disrupting productivity. While a fast internet connection helps, achieving high-quality calls requires more — it is about optimizing your network and tools for peak performance. Here are some ways to enhance your Teams and VoIP setup for clear, reliable communication.
Choose the best VoIP gateway for your needs
To start, you need a VoIP gateway that fits your business needs. A VoIP gateway is a device that connects your internet-based phone system to traditional phone lines or other networks. Think of it as a translator: it converts calls from the internet into a format regular phone systems can understand, and vice versa. Choosing a gateway with the right features makes a big difference in call sound quality.
- Good audio quality: Choose a gateway that uses modern audio codecs such as G.711 or G.729. An audio codec compresses and decompresses audio signals, acting like an “audio filter” that keeps conversations sounding crisp even when connection quality is not ideal.
- Echo fixing: Look for gateways with echo cancellation. This feature eliminates the annoying delay or feedback where you hear your own voice during a call.
- Capacity for growth: As your team expands, your VoIP system must keep up with increasing call volume. Choose a gateway designed to handle more calls without compromising quality. Check reviews from businesses with similar needs and consult tech experts to ensure the gateway aligns with your growth plans.
VoIP optimization tips: adjust your internet settings
Your internet connection settings have a big impact on call quality. Even with fast speeds, poor network setup can cause issues. Here is how to optimize your settings:
- Prioritize calls over other internet use: When everyone is streaming videos or downloading files, calls can slow down. Adjust your network to prioritize voice traffic, preventing delays during calls.
- Reserve enough speed for calls: Make sure your internet plan has enough bandwidth to handle calls, especially when the office is at its busiest. This ensures smooth, uninterrupted communication.
- Fix delays and glitches: Simple network adjustments can reduce delays and glitches. For instance, closing data-heavy apps or moving your Wi-Fi router away from interference sources such as microwaves or dense walls can noticeably enhance VoIP call quality.
Make external calls easier
If your business uses Microsoft Teams to call regular phone numbers, setting up direct routing can significantly improve call quality. Direct routing works as a shortcut, bypassing complex pathways that calls typically take to connect Teams to external phone networks. Without direct routing, calls may rely on third-party services or pass through multiple network systems, which can lead to inefficiencies and quality issues.
Here is how it works:
- Add a connection tool: You will need a session border controller (SBC), a device that works as a secure bridge between Microsoft Teams and your phone network. It safely connects Teams to the outside phone system while properly routing calls.
- Simplify the path: After installing the SBC, configure it for Microsoft Teams and direct routing, including which phone numbers Teams should use when making external calls. This creates a streamlined connection between Teams and the phone network.
Use built-in call monitoring
Microsoft Teams has built-in tools that help you monitor call quality. The Call Quality Dashboard allows you to track issues such as slow internet or dropped connections, helping you identify problems before they worsen. Many VoIP gateways also include performance reports that provide additional insights, allowing you to fine-tune settings for better results.
Update and maintain your systems
Constant updates and maintenance are essential for smooth, problem-free calls. Manufacturers regularly release updates for VoIP gateways that fix bugs and enhance performance, so install these updates as soon as they become available. Ongoing maintenance is equally crucial to keeping your equipment functioning properly.
A little effort goes a long way in achieving smooth and reliable communication for your team. Explore our business phone systems to see how we can support your VoIP and Microsoft Teams setup. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts about these VoIP optimization tips for Microsoft Teams.