Rinkel & VoIP: What's the deal?

VoIP technology is widely known in the telecommunications industry, offering numerous business telephony options. Among the many telephony providers, Rinkel stands out from the crowd by using a GSM technology (with the classic coverage of your phone) that is different from most. In this article, we will detail the reasons and the operational approach of Rinkel.

Starting from the beginning, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows calls to be made over an Internet connection. It essentially replaces ISDN telephone exchange systems and the need for physical wires connected to landline devices in the home. With VoIP technology, wires and landline phones are no longer required in the home. In addition, it is important to note that landline telephones still play a role in most cases, as they can be connected to VoIP systems via softphones or special applications.

Rinkel does not consider itself a VoIP service provider for several reasons. In 2014, the founders of Rinkel, Jesper and Jeroen, considered the option of offering VoIP services and evaluated the pros and cons of this technology. In the end, they came to the conclusion that a VoIP system was not the best option for the type of service they had in mind. Instead, they opted to use the mobile phone network (GSM) for two main reasons:

• Connection stability: VoIP connection tends to be less stable, with frequent network outages and fluctuations, which can result in lower call quality compared to the GSM network.
• National coverage: The GSM network offers more reliable coverage throughout the country, even in areas with poorer coverage, such as mountains or natural parks. In contrast, VoIP technology can be disrupted in these areas.

Rinkel's vision has always been to offer reliable telephone systems that customers can rely on.

When you make calls from your Rinkel number, you use the GSM network, which is the same system and network that is used for mobile phone numbers. You do not need to have an internet connection for this. You use a standard 2G connection via antennas or repeaters that are found everywhere.

This option allows you to save on several aspects: 

• You don't have to pay high internet costs. 
• You only pay for the call minutes you use, either as part of your subscription or at a specific rate. 
• You do not pay additional call minutes to the mobile provider and Rinkel, as you never initiate the call directly. Instead, when you make a call with your Rinkel number, you first receive a call, and once you answer, the conversation starts with the number you wish to call. This is known as a "two-step call". 
• The connection is more stable and you will not experience dropped calls.

When you open the My Rinkel app, minimal data is used to connect you to their system.

The Rinkel Webphone allows you to turn your browser into a telephone and make calls from your laptop or computer. Unlike standard VoIP technology, the Rinkel Webphone uses a technology called WebRTC. This pioneering technology is also used in applications such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams and allows users to collaborate and make video calls in work environments. Rinkel is the first company in the Netherlands to use this technology alongside traditional telephony networks.