The ultimate aim of shifting from cable to UCaaS is to cut costs while improving communications. Once the switch happens, things may not turn out as promised initially. This can be quite frustrating when the bill appears more than the initial agreement.

One mistake that many companies make IS shifting to UCaaS without enquiring about hidden charges. As a result, the bill at the end of the month might come shrouded in a cloud of mystery. The bills are often full of complicated codes that are not understandable to. Such factors may lead to higher bills than expected.

All UCaaS service users have the right to get fair pricing depending on the services they are using. To learn more about UCaaS pricing models and how to get value for money, keep on reading.

What are the Available UCaaS Pricing Models?

The biggest determinant of the bill at the end of the month is the payment model. Different UCaaS vendors offer different pricing models. The models determine the features a user may opt for and also determine the amount payable at the end of the month. Most users opt for the “pay as you grow” model.

The “pay as you grow” model is the most transparent and usually translates to the fees agreed upon. The other models used are usage pooling and outcome-based billion. Usage pooling is the simplest since it rolls usage across thousands of users into a single price. The most complex model is outcome-based billing.

With Outcome-based billing, companies that have flexible staffing needs tend to request to be billed based on past months’ service. In this case, an organization may receive a huge discount next month based on the past month’s usage, but the same may also translate to higher fees based on low usage in the past month.

Understanding Your Rights as a UCaaS Customer

The billing inconsistencies witnessed across internet service providers have largely been occasioned by a lack of proper laws protecting online buyers. Due to increasing complaints, the Federal Trade Commission has set some rules that must govern billing for wireless companies.

The rules demand that consumers of such services must have clear and factual information relayed in clear and plain language on the bill. Unfortunately, these laws do not apply to UCaaS service providers.

On the flip side, UCaaS consumers are still protected by fair pricing laws that protect consumers from price alterations. This means that consumers should be charged according to the process agreed upon when signing the contract.

Signs That Your VoIP Provider is Not Transparent

While UCaaS is still the most effective way of improving communication quality while reducing the budget, it may turn out to be unreliable. This is specifically in a case where the pieces go up without any change in the quality of services being provided. No company should be put in a position where the money spent does not offer value.

There are a few ways to find out if the service provider is using shortcuts to make profits without delivering the required quality of service.

Below are the four signs that your service provider is not being transparent:

1. Your Vendor is Renting Network Space

If the UCaaS vendor uses rented Network Space, chances are that they will not deliver services that are worth the bill at the end of the month. There are UCaaS service providers that prefer leasing network spaces from other providers instead of running their own data centers.

Such a move often results in low-quality service but the cost is likely to be very high. The rented space means that the extra cost has to be passed down to the consumer. Further, these UCaaS service providers have less control over the security and the overall quality of their services including calls.

2. Your Vendor Leasing Connection Circuit From Large Organizations

If the UCaaS vendor is leasing connection circuits from large organizations chances are that the services they provide will not be worth the cost. Further, the cost will be inflated since they have to pay for third-party services.

Leasing their connection circuit often means that the UCaaS service provider relies on lines dedicated to public service. Using such public infrastructure results in low-quality service and high-security risks. As a result, such service providers will encounter several service interruptions or quality drops.

3. Direct Vendors Equal Transparent UCaaS Value

The amount reflecting on the bill at the end of the month boils down to the choice of the service provider. This is the reason why reading reviews is an important step in the choice of a UCaaS service provider. A vendor with less control over the circuit will definitely have low-quality services and will charge more.

To avoid paying more for UCaaS services, opt for established vendors that have all infrastructure needed to deliver quality service. Such companies have control over data flow, guarantee security, and will charge reasonable fees based on the agreement signed.

4. Switching to Value For Money Vendors

Switching from one service provider to another is never easy. This explains why many companies would rather stay with an old expensive service provider than switch. The uncertainties that surround the process make it complicated to switch overnight. Further, long-term contracts also bind companies to old vendors.

While switching is never easy, it may be necessary for a situation where low-quality service is hurting your business. In such a case, change the UCaaS vendor and opt for a trusted and reliable partner. Select a vendor who is transparent and is known to deliver quality services from past history.

UCaaS Bill Should be Equal to Value Offered

At the end of the day, the bill paid might be large but it should reflect the value of the services offered. In a case where there is poor quality service, the best option is to change UCaaS vendors instead of paying for bogus services that do not add value to your business. Thankfully the best vendors are also the most affordable.