Phones, VoIP Handsets and Two-Way Radios

Analog line, IP network or radio: how the call travels

Before comparing features, decide what carries the call. A corded or cordless phone plugs into an analog phone line, while a VoIP phone connects to your Ethernet or Wi-Fi network and registers with a SIP provider or office phone system. The two are not interchangeable: an IP phone will not work in a plain wall jack, and an analog phone needs an adapter to join a VoIP service. Walkie-talkies skip both and talk directly over radio, which suits sites with no network at all.

Counting lines and checking caller ID

Count how many calls must run at once, because that sets the line count: single-line models suit a home or a quiet desk, two-line models suit a small office, and multi-line IP phones give each call its own key. A color display helps with directories and caller names, but caller ID only shows what your line provider sends. Batteries, cases and spare handsets are model-specific, so match the exact part number. Browse IP phones and VoIP handsets for network desk phones, or cordless phones for handsets that roam the building.

Questions about Phones, VoIP Handsets and Two-Way Radios

Can I plug a VoIP phone into a normal phone jack?

No. A VoIP phone needs an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and an account on a SIP service or phone system, while a standard wall jack carries an analog line. To keep an old analog phone, use an analog telephone adapter that connects it to your network.

What does PoE mean on an office phone?

Power over Ethernet lets the phone draw power through its network cable from a PoE switch or injector, so it needs no separate adapter. Look for the 802.3af or 802.3at standard in the listing and confirm your switch supplies it.

Will caller ID work on any phone I choose?

A phone needs the feature, but the number only appears if your line or VoIP service sends it. Many IP phones can also show a name from a saved directory, whereas basic analog models show only what the carrier supplies.