Bandwidth rules of thumb
Each active call uses a modest amount of bandwidth. As a general guide, plan for roughly 100 kbps upload and download per concurrent call, plus headroom so calls are not competing with large downloads or backups.
Quality, not just speed
A fast connection that is unstable will still produce poor calls. Consistency (low jitter and packet loss) matters as much as raw speed. Wired connections are preferred over Wi-Fi for desk phones.
Getting the network ready
A short readiness review usually covers:
- Available bandwidth and how it is shared.
- Switches and cabling quality.
- Whether quality-of-service settings can prioritize voice.
- Wi-Fi coverage where cordless or mobile use is planned.