conference bridge

All posts tagged conference bridge

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Need a UK teleconference service? Avoid this common mistake…

When you’re looking for a teleconference service, there’s a lot to think about. And many of us certainly are on the look-out for the perfect teleconference provider. Conference calls are such valuable business tools, but they have all kinds of other uses beyond business, too. Anybody who has ever wanted to speak to more than one person at a time would find group phone calls beneficial. And in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown, conference calls are earning the recognition as the wonderful tools they are. From fighting loneliness during self-quarantine, to continuing education through isolation, as well as helping people to work from home and religious services to run, conference calls are truly proving themselves. That’s why choosing the right teleconference service might be more important than ever. But too many people fall into the trap of incurring unexpected or unnecessary costs by choosing the wrong teleconference service.

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AdminNeed a UK teleconference service? Avoid this common mistake…
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Dual-tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) – Explanation and common issues

The use of DTMF is prevalent across telephone networks for things such as selecting Interactive Voice Response (IVR) customer service menu choices, entering digits to check your bank account balance or paying a bill, and for accessing conference services like WHYPAY?.

So what is DTMF?

As its name suggests, it is a combination of high and low frequency tones that when selected via a digit on your telephone keypad, transmits the identity of that digit as a pair of frequencies.

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AdminDual-tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) – Explanation and common issues
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UK conference call facilities: How to avoid hidden call costs

There are so many conference call facilities out there, it can be difficult to choose. In fact, the choice can be so overwhelming that people just stick to what they know. That’s why a lot of callers don’t even look beyond renowned services like PowWowNow, despite there being great alternatives. Luckily, there are helpful guides which look at which are the best conference call services in the UK and how to set up genuinely free conference calls. Despite these tips, though, many people are still shocked. Suddenly, hidden costs that weren’t apparent as they browsed different conference call facilities appear. To help spare you this unpleasant and unfair surprise, so that you can teleconference to your heart’s content, read on. In this post, we’ll help you avoid the call costs some conference call facilities hide.

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AdminUK conference call facilities: How to avoid hidden call costs
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The free conference call business model: How can it be free?

A lot of people have (very valid) questions about the free conference call business model. It’s not surprising people are curious. Conference calling is part and parcel of daily life – and not just in business. That such a powerful and ubiquitous tool should be free can seem quite remarkable for two reasons.

Firstly, we tend to associate value with cost (pretty logically). How can something that’s simple enough to be free be so useful? Actually, it’s in part the fact that they can be free that makes them so valuable for many demographics. For example, free conference calling allows charities to maintain internal and external communications without eating into their budgets. That means they can do even more good, and foster collaborations with other organisations. At the same time, they aren’t having to use funds that could be put to researching how best to achieve their philanthropic goals, or hiring talented people who can help them do so. Likewise, free NHS conference calls mean telecommunications aren’t using up money that should be put to treating people.

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AdminThe free conference call business model: How can it be free?
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Teleconference Options: Find your perfect solution

By now, we all know how useful conference calls can be, and how they can benefit your business. Given how powerful this simple communications tool is, it’s extremely popular. Plus, as we all try to do our bit to protect the planet, cutting down on commutes is a growing priority.

There are now lots of different teleconference bridges to choose from. Trying to pick from a bunch of teleconference options can become a bit tricky. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by choice, answer the questions below to find which teleconference option is the best fit for you. For those who already know they want to use free conference calls, there are still lots of teleconference options. To get you started, you can look at our round-up of the best free conference call services in the UK.

 1. What is more important to you as you consider teleconference options:
a) reliability and accessibility, or b) sophisticated collaboration tools?

a) reliability and accessibility

Every teleconference is unique, and has its own set of needs. That’s why it’s so great that there are so many teleconference options! The features you’ll want will depend massively on the purpose of the call, and on its participants. If your call is for a simple debrief after an event, or a weekly update with your team, you might not need a lot of fancy tools. You might essentially just be talking, but all or some of your team want to work remotely.

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AdminTeleconference Options: Find your perfect solution
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Conference call number: Genuinely free & reliable options

When it comes to conference call numbers, there is lots of variety. We have the good fortune to be flooded with options in most areas of life, and telecommunications is no exception. There are loads of conference call providers, and different ways of hosting or joining teleconferences. Therefore, to simplify your decision, we try to gauge some of the best services available. Sometimes, it just takes a little nudge to even consider your options if your company has an established call conferencing technique. A lot of people don’t look at alternatives to PowWowNow, for example, because it’s always worked well enough. But trying other services can lead to benefits such as more desirable features, improved easy of use, or clearer connection quality when you’re taking part in a telephone conference.

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AdminConference call number: Genuinely free & reliable options
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Custom branded conference calls for the ultimate first impression

Personalisation is the word of the moment. In all things, we are leaning into individualism. People are increasingly comfortable with, even encouraged to embrace, the things that make them unique. And in turn, they want the things they have to be unique. Likewise, as markets become saturated and competitive, protecting and promoting your company’s brand is imperative. One step in making a fabulous first impression and ensuring your brand isn’t diluted is to use branded conference calls.

Do first impressions matter?

It might be somewhat of a tired truism to say that you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. But that doesn’t make it any less vital – particularly for businesses. The fact is, first impressions are made in a matter of seconds, but they can have a seriously long-lasting impact. In fact, a Harvard study found that fleeting and silent first impressions moulded people’s permanent feelings.

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AdminCustom branded conference calls for the ultimate first impression
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How to set up a private conference bridge for less than you’d think

Many people want a private conference bridge for their companies. They know how many different uses there are for group phone calls, but they want to be able to access their teleconferences by calling their own unique dial-in number. For some, this sounds like an arduous endeavour. They might think it’s a complicated process to obtain their own private dial-in number. People might even assume a private conference bridge requires special technology, like a conference call phone. Actually, getting a private conference bridge is probably easier – and cheaper – than you think. WHYPAY? can sort you out!

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AdminHow to set up a private conference bridge for less than you’d think
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Are there viable alternatives to PowWowNow?

It’s a simple (and important question). Why even look at alternatives to PowWowNow if making the change won’t reap any rewards?

But each conference call provider is different, despite most offering the same basic functionality. There is huge variation in important factors like ease of use, call quality and call charges for your participants. PowWowNow’s costs are fairly reasonable as long as you’re savvy about which dial-in number you use, but there are so many other factors to consider too.
 

Things to consider

What do customers say about the service?
Look for testinomials and Check review sites like Trustpilot to get a more objective view of the service.

Is the service easy to use?
This is one of the most important traits for your conference participants.

Whats the call quality like, especially on larger conference calls?
Do customer reviews mention any interference or connection problems?

Would you like custom branded conference calls for a professional feel?
A small number of providers (including WHYPAY?) offer this, and for less than you might think!

Does it offer all the features you require, such as call recording?

 

Is WHYPAY? a great alternative to PowWowNow?

At WHYPAY?, we believe our free conference calls are a great alternative to PowWowNow. Here’s why…

 

Dial-in numbers count

A really important aspect of browsing alternatives to PowWowNow is considering different providers’ dial-in numbers. These can be key determinants in how much you and your participants pay. They’re just the telephone numbers you dial to join the call. Therefore, they can have service charges and connection fees.

PowWowNow recently introduced an 03 number for dialling into conferences from the UK, which we’ve been championing for years! Kudos! But watch out for the additional shared cost numbers which can confuse things a little, and may lead to unnecessary call charges if you don’t know what you’re doing.

At WHYPAY? we keep things simple – with an 03 number for all UK mobile and landline callers, and an 02 or 01 number for international participants. This makes call charges much easier to understand, and you can rest assured that (unlike with PowWowNow’s service numbers) there are never going to be any charges added by WHYPAY? for the call. More information on call charges here.

 

Custom branding

As an alternative to PowWowNow, WHYPAY? also boasts some extras in its paid plans. Custom branding lets you tailor your callers’ experience to reflect your company. You can upload a custom welcome greeting, which can be professionally recorded for a one-off £85 fee. Of course, you choose from a range of tracks for your waiting music too. You can also customise the conference invitations you send from your account by uploading your company logo and colour scheme.

More on custom branding

 

Call recording

Our Pro and Plus plans feature an alternative to the popular PowWowNow recording feature. When you choose to host your conference calls with WHYPAY?, you’ll have the ability to record any conference and download the call within 14 days for complete convenience.

For more information, visit our conference call features page.
 

WHYPAY?

Trying out WHYPAY? as your new conference call provider doesn’t require any kind of sacrifice. Whether you want simple, hassle-free and zero cost conference calls, or have larger-scale teleconferencing needs, WHYPAY? has you covered. And with a stellar Trustpilot profile, the idea of taking a risk disappears… We have thousands of happy customers who can’t believe how simple, reliable, clear and affordable WHYPAY? truly is. We want to restore your faith that exciting things needn’t always be too good to be true.
 

Don’t just listen to us, listen to our customers

Take a look at these 5-star reviews from our users.

Kathy is keen to emphasise our reliability and trustworthiness, and how great the service is for charities and non-profits:

Delivers exactly what is promised. Great, reliable service, deliver exactly what they claim. Great for our not-for-profit business and sector.

Mike loves the reliability, too, as well as how easy WHYPAY? is to use:

Simple to set up and delivers a very reliable service.

Are you ready to take the plunge into the world of WHYPAY? You’ve got nothing to lose. Creating your first conference call with us is easy – simply sign up today and we’ll take care of the rest.

 

Browse our lastest, unfiltered reviews

 


 
Create your first WHYPAY? teleconference today by clicking the button below. Or click onto our homepage, or the plans section to browse our offerings.
 
Create a FREE Teleconference  

Could the grass be greener on the other side?

It’s often said that big risk brings big rewards. The business world is one in which courage and innovation are particularly valued. Stories are rife about entrepreneurs who pushed boundaries, staged Jerry Maguire-esque walk-outs or resolutely ignored all advice and conventions. In fact, such stories often relate to some of the biggest names out there. There are even Harvard scientists who say being a rebel is a key characteristic of leaders, while so-called ‘troublemakers’ are deemed prime candidates to become entrepreneurs in adult life. You could easily move outside your comfort zone today by considering the alternatives to PowWowNow.
 

Thinking ouside the box pays – but cockiness doesn’t

Thinking outside the box, daring to rethink the rules, and having the courage in your convictions to follow through even when you’re told ‘no’ are clearly valuable qualities. Humility has its place too, though. That same Harvard professor’s explanations also draw from the Zen Buddhist philosophy ‘sho shin’, which refers to the idea of having a beginner’s mind. It’s been usefully laid out by Suzuki Roshi, a monk, in the iconic text Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. Considering yourself an expert can actually be damaging to how you conduct business. People get comfortable and complacent. Their thinking ceases to be fresh, they stop pushing boundaries, they don’t look for new opportunities or resources because ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’.

And this is can be a truly fatal pitfall. It can have dire consequences for you, your business, and your customers. That’s not to say this philosophy only applies to business: even within the charitable sector, many are all too ready to remain in the comfortably familiar. This has led to the sector’s infamous failure to keep up with technological developments.

 

What’s this got to do with alternatives to PowWowNow?

You might be asking yourself what any of this has to do with PowWowNow or conference calls. But we use lots of tools for communication and there are lots of providers out there. The pitfalls of sticking with what you know rather than branching out to a potentially better option apply to conference call solutions too.

There are a small number of extremely popular conference call services in the UK, and many businesses stick with the same service (such as PowWowNow) for years. Given how integral conference calling is to businesses, this is both logical and absurd.

On the one hand, it makes sense to fall into a safe pattern with something that you’re doing every day – and for many, teleconferencing is a daily occurrence, particularly if they work remotely or travel for work.

On the other, surely something that is so pivotal to your company needs to be the best it can. So why just accept the standard option rather than researching the best conference call providers? Why not consider customer reviews, for example, and see if your current provider stacks up to the competition. Choosing the default option isn’t always the best route for your business.

If you’ve been using a provider other than WHYPAY? and experienced issues with call quality or ease of use, you may find that your calls run much more smoothly with us. We’re consistently praised by our users for these qualities, and you’ve got nothing to lose by swapping a few of your usual conference calls to WHYPAY? to test things out yourself.

 
Create a FREE Teleconference  

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AdminAre there viable alternatives to PowWowNow?
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Conference calls a waste of time? Not with these simple tips…

Most people admit teleconferencing is a hugely valuable tool. Conference calls have great benefits for businesses, but they’ve also been put to all sorts of amazing uses outside the business world. Having such ubiquity and popularity, how could anyone consider conference calls a waste of time? Group phone calls have many potential applications for anyone who likes to speak to more than one person at a time. NHS conference calls have saved our health service millions, allowing the money to be better spent on treating illnesses. Teleconferencing’s beneficent potential has also shown itself in conference calls for charities and non-profits, and groups like BIBBA have used audio meetings in their mission to save the bees – and the world.

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AdminConference calls a waste of time? Not with these simple tips…