Stand Alone Credit Card Terminals & It’s Communications

Many years ago before the internet, the old “bell” phones and the phone lines operated on sending/reading pulses. With the advent of the internet a new system has come to the market called voice over internet or VOIP. Today, most if not all, phone systems use VOIP or Digital Phone lines. If not in your office and/or business, they are used at the switching stations.

Today’s typical credit card terminal, when using a phone line and the built in modem, is based on the old “ma bell” protocol. Voice Over IP or Digital Phone lines simulate this pulse which isn’t always sufficient for what the terminal is looking for. It’s due to this reason, if a merchant has VOIP, we recommend processing over IP instead. It must be a wired internet connection. Wi-Fi will not work for the vast majority of stand-alone credit card terminals.

​If you have questions about this subject or other concerns related to Point of Sale Systems or credit card processing, contact us anytime via email [email protected] or call us at 727-916-7294.