--- title: C Spire Business Blog | Voice & collaboration (2) description: Voice & collaboration | (2) --- - [< More From C Spire](https://www.cspire.com/) - [Events](https://www.cspire.com/cms/wireless/events-landing/) - [Careers](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/careers-business/) - [Support](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/support/) - [My Account](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/myaccount-business/) [![cspire business](https://blog.cspire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cspire_August2018/Images/cspire_bus_logo.png?width=210&height=70&name=cspire_bus_logo.png "cspire business")](https://www.cspire.com/business/) - [About](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/about/) - [Assurances & Certifications](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/assurance-certifications/) - [Awards](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/awards/) - [Locations](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/about/locations/) - [Partners](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/partners/) - [Solutions](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/) - 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[Assurances & Certifications](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/assurance-certifications/) - [Awards](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/awards/) - [Locations](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/about/locations/) - [Partners](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/partners/) - [Solutions](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/) - [Business Communications](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions-voice/) - [Cloud](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/cloud-services/) - [Data Center](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/data-center/) - [Data Protection](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/data-protection/) - [Hardware / Software](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/hardware-software/) - [Internet & Network Connectivity](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/internet-network-connectivity/) - [Managed IT](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/managed-it/) - [Wireless & Mobility Services](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/small-business-wireless-solutions/) - [Professional Services](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/professional-services/) - [Security / Compliance](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/security/) - [Carrier Wholesale](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/carrier-wholesale/) - [Channel Partners](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/channel-partner-program/) - [Industries](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/industries/) - [Financial Services](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/industries/financial-services/) - [Healthcare](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/industries/healthcare/) - [Public Sector](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/industries/public-sector/) - [Resources](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/) - [Blog](https://blog.cspire.com/) - [Agreements & Policies](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/agreements-policies/) - [Guides](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/guides/) - [Infographics](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/infographics/) - [Webinars](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/cloud-webinars/) - [Media](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/media/) - [Success Stories](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/success-stories/) - [Case Studies](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/case-studies/) - [Whitepapers & Datasheets](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/resources/whitepapers/) - [Blog](https://blog.cspire.com/) - [Careers](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/careers-business/) - [Support](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/support/) - [My Account](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/myaccount-business/) - [< More from C Spire](https://www.cspire.com/) [![caro_01_mobile_acquires](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Cspire_August2018/Images/caro_01_mobile_acquires.png)](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/news/cspire-acquires-teklinks/) [![caro_03_mobile_itManaged](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Cspire_August2018/Images/caro_03_mobile_itManaged.png)](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/) [![caro_02_mobile_metroEdge](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Cspire_August2018/Images/caro_02_mobile_metroEdge.png)](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/news/cspire-cloud-metro-edge/) [![caro_04_mobile_busInternet](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Cspire_August2018/Images/caro_04_mobile_busInternet.png)](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/small-business-internet-solutions/) # Blog # Blog ## [What is VoIP, and why do businesses need it?](https://blog.cspire.com/understanding-voip-the-basics) By: [C Spire](https://blog.cspire.com/author/c-spire) on Oct 22, 2021 11:28:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![VoIP vs Standard Infographic Social-02](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/blog%201-1.jpg)](https://blog.cspire.com/understanding-voip-the-basics) VoIP gets a bad rap. Primarily because VoIP providers fail to teach businesses how to use it correctly. To set the record straight, let's start with the basics and work our way through a few myths as well as realistic expectations of VoIP providers. *Note: You probably aren't expecting enough.* [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/understanding-voip-the-basics) Topics: [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) ## [Looking for an IT provider? A self-service portal is a must.](https://blog.cspire.com/looking-for-an-it-provider-a-self-service-portal-is-a-must) By: [Christina Southern](https://blog.cspire.com/author/christina-southern) on Sep 29, 2020 5:37:06 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/blog%202%20image.png)](https://blog.cspire.com/looking-for-an-it-provider-a-self-service-portal-is-a-must) No one wants to make a call for help when they can quickly get results with a self-service portal. In the IT world, a do-it-yourself account management portal allows you to quickly add services or products, make bill payments, submit and track support tickets and check your billing history. All without leaving your desk.   If you’re in the market for an IT provider, a self-service portal should be at the top of you must-haves list. [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/looking-for-an-it-provider-a-self-service-portal-is-a-must) Topics: [My C Spire Business portal](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/my-c-spire-business-portal), [Self-service portal](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/self-service-portal), [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) ## [Want to win in business? Get smart about your relationships.](https://blog.cspire.com/want-to-win-in-business-get-smart-about-your-relationships-herbstreit) By: [C Spire](https://blog.cspire.com/author/c-spire) on Sep 21, 2020 2:03:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/blog%202%20image.jpg)](https://blog.cspire.com/want-to-win-in-business-get-smart-about-your-relationships-herbstreit) Great business partners are committed, passionate and smart team players. They challenge you to think beyond the norm and inspire you to reach new goals. Unfortunately, the wrong partnerships can become tedious, leading you down paths that cause confusion and missteps. **The bottom line:** Your relationships can mean the difference between business success and failure. [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/want-to-win-in-business-get-smart-about-your-relationships-herbstreit) Topics: [Cloud services](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/cloud-services), [Cybersecurity](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/cybersecurity), [Kirk Herbstreit](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/kirk-herbstreit), [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) ## [Kirk Herbstreit knows what it takes to win in business](https://blog.cspire.com/kirk-herbstreit-knows-what-it-takes-to-win-in-business) By: [C Spire](https://blog.cspire.com/author/c-spire) on Sep 1, 2020 10:02:06 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Blog%201.jpg)](https://blog.cspire.com/kirk-herbstreit-knows-what-it-takes-to-win-in-business) Kirk Herbstreit is the nation’s most trusted authority in college football. He’s made a career out of recognizing what it takes to win on [ESPN’s College Game Day](https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/herbstreit_kirk/). [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/kirk-herbstreit-knows-what-it-takes-to-win-in-business) Topics: [Kirk Herbstreit](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/kirk-herbstreit), [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) ## [Awful customer support? IT providers can do better.](https://blog.cspire.com/dealing-with-awful-internet-voip-customer-support) By: [Christina Southern](https://blog.cspire.com/author/christina-southern) on Aug 28, 2020 1:10:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/Blog%201C.jpg)](https://blog.cspire.com/dealing-with-awful-internet-voip-customer-support) Excellent IT customer support is critical for business success, which makes it a real problem when technology companies exaggerate their abilities. And, no, the promise of a 1-800 support line bot to return your call in 24 hours is NOT the 24/7 support. Unfortunately, it's the small to medium businesses that suffer most when IT providers fail them. [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/dealing-with-awful-internet-voip-customer-support) Topics: [Fiber internet for business](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/fiber-internet-for-business), [Customer Support](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/customer-support), [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) ## [Who needs a softphone, and why is it me?](https://blog.cspire.com/who-needs-a-softphone-and-why-is-it-me) By: [C Spire](https://blog.cspire.com/author/c-spire) on Aug 20, 2020 1:01:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.cspire.com/hubfs/UC-One%20blog%202%20photo.jpg)](https://blog.cspire.com/who-needs-a-softphone-and-why-is-it-me) Sure. Not everyone working with customers needs a [softphone app](https://blog.cspire.com/softphone-apps-elevate-voip-phone-systems-with-on-the-go-technology). Maybe you like being tied down to your desk phone every day, all day. Or maybe when you call a client from your personal cell phone, you don’t mind exposing your number. Maybe. But if you do want more freedom and privacy, a [softphone app](https://blog.cspire.com/softphone-apps-elevate-voip-phone-systems-with-on-the-go-technology) is for you.   [Read More](https://blog.cspire.com/who-needs-a-softphone-and-why-is-it-me) Topics: [Voice & collaboration](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration) [Previous](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.cspire.com/all) [Next](https://blog.cspire.com/topic/voice-collaboration/page/3) [C Spire Business](https://www.cspire.com/business/) is a privately-held telecommunications and technology company driven to deliver the best experiences in wireless, fiber internet, and business IT solutions such as internet, VoIP, cloud and managed services. Read more news releases and announcements at [cspire.com/news](https://cspire.com/news). For more information, visit [cspire.com](https://cspire.com) or find us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/cspire/), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/cspire) or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/cspire/?hl=en). *The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter.* ## **Sign up for our monthly newsletter.** For the latest in technology trends, industry news, and C Spire updates. ### Sign up for our monthly newsletter For the latest in technology trends, industry news, and C Spire updates. ### Recent Posts - Services - [Voice](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/small-business-voip-solutions/) - [Wireless](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/small-business-wireless-solutions/) - [Data/Internet](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/internet-network-connectivity/) - [Cloud Services](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions/cloud-services/) - [UNIFI](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions-unifi/) - Company Info - [About C Spire](https://www.cspire.com/company_info/about/more_info.jsp) - [Network](https://www.cspire.com/company_info/about/network/) - [News](https://www.cspire.com/company_info/news/) - [Careers](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/careers-business/) - Support - [Support](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/support/) - [Contact Us](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/contact/) - [Business Blog](https://blog.cspire.com) - [Apple Device Enrollment](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/dep/) - [Give Feedback](https://www.people-metrics.com/cp/CSpireFeedback.asp?exp=Enterprise) - [State of MS - 3820](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/state-of-ms/#/) - Popular Links - [Manage Account](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/myaccount-business/) - [Carrier Wholesale](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/carrier-wholesale/) - [Tariffs](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/solutions-tariffs/) - [Partner Solutions](https://www.cspire.com/cms/business/channel-partner-program/) - [Activate Your Device](https://www.cspire.com/activation/activation.jsp) [Wireless](https://www.cspire.com/wireless/)|[Home Services](https://www.cspire.com/home-services/)|[Business](https://www.cspire.com/business/) © 2022 C Spire. 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