Despite what MSPs have heard, it’s not complicated and can be very profitable.
When you send an email to someone, you probably don’t care whether it arrives in the recipient’s inbox in 1 second or 3 seconds, so long as it gets there intact. But sending voice over the internet is an entirely different beast. VoIP packets are extremely sensitive, and if something delays them, call quality is affected and the end-user will notice. That’s why many MSPs think twice about offering VoIP. They’re overcome with intimidation brought about by technology they’ve never worked with and costs they don’t comprehend.
But, these days, selling voice service isn’t nearly as complicated as it once was. It may seem like standing in front of a mountain you’ve never climbed, but, truthfully, supporting VoIP is not different from other services you sell. So if you’ve ever doubted your technical ability, or if you’ve merely been turned off by the idea of working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), here are five debunked myths about selling VoIP that might change your mind.
- MYTH: VoIP contracts offer insignificant margins.
TRUTH: Selling your own VoIP service can increase your margins tenfold without costing your customer a single cent more. Better yet, you can collect those revenues every month, not just once. If you’re branding those services under your own name, you can actually set your own prices too.
- MYTH: Charging, collecting, and remitting the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) tax is a costly hassle.
TRUTH: Every business has to charge its customers state taxes and remit them to the government after collecting them. The federal USF is no different; the tax is just payable to a different authority. In both cases, there is a well-known process established and no net impact on your bottom line.
- MYTH: MSPs selling VoIP have to pay the government a Regulatory Recovery Fee (RRF).
TRUTH: The government allows MSPs to charge a Regulatory Recovery Fee to cover any costs incurred for collecting and remitting the Federal USF. It’s not mandated or regulated, and MSPs determine what that fee should be. With some VoIP providers charging $2 per phone every month, that’s a lot of money in your pocket!
- MYTH: Offering Tier I support for VoIP is a ton of work.
TRUTH: As with any intuitive user interface and automatically provisioned phones, installations are a breeze. BONUS: You can also charge an installation fee to further ensure you receive payment for your efforts. As long as the settings in the firewall don’t change, you won’t have many Tier I support tickets, and you’ll get a check every month with much greater profits.
- MYTH: Adding VoIP could jeopardize customer relationships.
TRUTH: Although VoIP service was once plagued by the same types of troubles confronted by early adopters of cell phones, the technology has become more efficient and reliable. These enhancements have made it easier to manage and maintain relationships with your clients.
Fear, uncertainty, and doubt continue to run rampant in this industry because big-name VoIP providers scare MSPs into thinking they can’t provide phone services themselves. But adding VoIP is actually a low-maintenance, high-profit way to increase your revenues.
At D3UC, we understand your concerns about offering VoIP service, and we’re here to help. We’ll show you how easy it is to get your customers up and running with VoIP, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know about your product. And best of all, you don’t need to worry about being a VoIP expert. We’ll always be there for you — and we don’t even charge for support. So what are you waiting for? Contact us today to learn more about what VoIP can do for your company and your customers.
