Conference call, which allows multiple people to participate in a phone call at the same time, has become a crucial tool for businesses. It can be used for meetings, presentations, training sessions and more. In the past, this feature was only available through expensive PSTN landlines and was only accessible to larger organizations.
However, with the advent of VoIP technology, conference calling has become more affordable and accessible for enterprises of all sizes. 3-way calling is also a feature of VoIP which is similar to conference calling. Let’s explore this feature to know more about it.
What Is 3-Way Calling?
A three-way call is a type of phone conversation that begins with two parties and a third person is added later on. It can be initiated by one of the callers dialing a friend to join the call. Conference call, which allows multiple people to participate in a phone call at the same time, has become a crucial tool for businesses. It can be used for meetings, presentations, training sessions, and more. In the past, this feature was only available through expensive PSTN landlines and was only accessible to larger organizations.
However, with the advent of VoIP technology, conference calling has become more affordable and accessible for enterprises of all sizes. 3-way calling is also a VoIP feature, similar to conference calling. Let’s explore this feature to know more about it.
Adding more than three participants to the call is possible when using a service like VoIP Business. This feature is useful for quick and easy collaboration among a small group of people, as it eliminates the need for setting up a conference bridge.
Three-Way Calling VS Conference Calls
The main difference between 3-way calling and conference calls is the number of participants. Three-way calling is a subset of conference calling, where the maximum number of participants is three. In contrast, conference calls typically allow for more participants, ranging from four to 30 or more, depending on the service provider.
3-way calling is a simpler form of conference calls and is also more accessible to residential users. It is easy to initiate, requiring only a few button presses to convert a regular call into a 3-way call, and is often used for impromptu conversations. It can be useful when additional input or decision-making is needed from a third party during a call.
On the other hand, conference calls are typically planned. Companies often use them as a substitute for in-person meetings, particularly when participants are located in different offices or countries. The call host may share their screen with others, and many conference calls also include a video component. Some participants may use audio only if their device does not support video.
How To Start 3-Way Calling With VoIP?
The process of converting a regular call into a three-way call varies depending on your service provider and the device you are using. Three-way calls can be made on various devices such as smartphones, SIP desk phones, and computers, but service plans or other factors may limit the feature’s availability.
Following are the general steps to add a third participant to a call:
- Put the first call on hold using a dedicated button or specific key combination on the device.
- Dial the second party and wait for them to answer.
- Speak with the second party before merging them into the original call.
- You can return to the first call if the second party does not answer.
It is important to note that these steps can vary depending on the device and service provider. You should also check the instructions provided by the service provider or device manufacturer to know the exact process of making a three-way call.
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What Is The Cost Of Three-Way Calling?
The expense of three-way calls can vary depending on a variety of factors. In the case of VoIP, calls between employees of the same company do not incur charges as they are not transmitted over the public network. If all of the participants on the call are within the same organization, the service provider may not charge for the call. However, if one of the parties is an external call, long-distance charges may apply.
Many service providers include the three-way call feature as a standard part of their service plans. However, some providers may have specific plans where the feature is not included and incurs an additional cost. It’s best to check with the service provider to understand the costs of making three-way calls.
When Should You Use VoIP 3-Way Calling?
Three-way calling is a versatile feature that allows users to add a third participant to an ongoing call. This feature is commonly used for team collaboration, customer service, and problem escalation in business settings. It is also useful for impromptu calls where additional input from a third party is needed. Unlike traditional conference calls that are typically set up in advance, three-way calls can be initiated on the fly, making them a more flexible option for quick collaboration in small groups.
Additionally, the cost of three-way calls can vary depending on the service provider and whether the call involves internal or external parties. Three-way calling is a valuable tool that can help businesses save time and improve productivity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, three-way calling is a feature of VoIP technology that allows multiple phones to be connected in one call, with a maximum of three participants. A simpler form of conference calling and is more accessible to residential users. It is easy to initiate, requiring only a few button presses to convert a regular call into a 3-way call, and is often used for impromptu conversations.
Voip can be useful when additional input or decision-making is needed from a third party during a call. The cost of three-way calls can vary depending on the service provider and whether the call involves internal or external parties. It is important to check with the service provider to understand the costs of making three-way calls.
