How to Select a Conference Call Provider

If you've decided to move into large audio, video or VoIP conference calls, your current system may not be able to handle the extra lines or bandwidth. Unless your company is large enough to invest in an in-house system, you will probably need to choose a conference call provider to filter the call through a central number.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Document your current conference call needs and project future use. Have each person or department keep a basic log of how many minutes are spent in conference calls, keeping track of the type of call (video, audio, VoIP or data). When you select a provider, you must make sure you choose a plan that includes enough minutes or bandwidth, so you don't pay overage charges.
2. Look for providers that provide personal customer service and use the latest technology. Since you will be signing a contract with this company, you want to make sure that the quality of your conference calls remains clear and without problems.
3. Ask potential providers to allow you to hold a conference call using the service. While many will offer a demo, those circumstances are always ideal, so you want to see a real-life sample of the service before you agree to anything.
4. Research different plans, keeping an eye out for hidden charges and ease in upgrading (or downgrading) your service. The best plans have flat monthly charges for a set number of users and unlimited minutes. This keeps your employees from having to count minutes when on the phone.
5. Select a provider with a global reach. While many providers say they are international, make sure they actually provide phone numbers and long distance service in the countries you actually work with.
6. Choose one of the larger telephone companies to provide your conference calling for reliable service. Verizon and Sprint both offer conferencing solutions for business customers (see Resources below).
7. Select Bell for a wide variety of plans with or without operator assistance (see Resources below). With 70 years of experience, Bell works with small businesses and corporations to provide clear, easy-to-use service.
8. Check out VoIP Conference Live for inexpensive voice over IP conference calls with unlimited users and minutes (see Resources below). This is a great choice for small businesses and home offices working on a budget.
9. Avoid contracts with low per-minute rates with SmartConference from Accessline (see Resources below). Accessline provides conference calling services for many recognizable resellers like Office Depot. Go straight to the source to save a few cents.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask providers about invoice options. Some bill after each conference call, while others wait until the end of the month. This matters more than if you are paying per minute instead of a flat rate.

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