Conference Phones
Hear everyone on the team loud and clear, with a conference phone
What is a conference phone?
Conference calls are an increasingly important part of doing business. They allow employees to call in remotely and have a meeting without having to be in the same room. Unlike video calls, they don’t require the use of cameras, so they are easier to arrange, and participants don’t need to worry about physical appearance or their surroundings. Many people use conference calls to stay in touch with friends and family as well.
While you can technically use any telephone or smartphone to participate in a conference call, a conference phone is the preferred option. Especially in a room with multiple people.
A conference phone is designed specifically for this task. It is equipped with speakers so everyone in the room can hear the conversation. A conference speakerphone will also be equipped with multiple, high quality microphones so everyone in the room can be heard. And these specially-designed speakerphones use advanced audio technology that optimizes sound input and output, so everyone participating in the conversation gets the best possible experience.
Special features
Outside of the basic speakerphone, there are many special features that might be offered. In addition to traditional analogue phone lines, many modern speakerphones support VoIP, SIP, and modern internet communication platforms such as Skype and Zoom. These models will include Gigabit Ethernet ports in addition to traditional RJ-11 phone jacks. Should you decide to expand into video conferencing, many conference phones support the ability to be used as part of a video conferencing system, providing enhanced audio performance during these calls.
Looking for a wireless conference phone? Wireless connectivity options are often included. Look for conference phone Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, so local participants can join in the call without necessarily being in the same room. In this case, they can use their smartphone as a “cordless conference phone.”
How do I do a conference call on my home phone?
It’s easy to participate in a conference call from your home phone. You don’t need any special equipment, just the phone number and passcode supplied by the conference call organizer.
Initiating a conference call from your home phone is also possible. How you do so depends on your home phone service provider, but it typically involves calling participants one at a time, hitting a button sequence between calls to keep them all on the line. You could also use your smartphone, and a service like Skype.
Ultimately, if you do initiate a lot of conference calls from home, you might want to consider investing in a conference phone. This will make setting up conference calls easier, it will let you go hands-free for the calls, and you’ll hear and be heard much more clearly.