Here are some informative FAQs for businesses in Manchester considering a new phone system.
Getting Started: The Basics
1. What types of business phone systems are available in Manchester?
There are three main types you’ll encounter:
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) / Cloud Systems: This is the most popular modern solution. It runs your phone system over your internet connection. It’s hosted “in the cloud,” meaning there’s no bulky hardware to maintain in your office.
- On-Premises PBX: This is the traditional office phone system. You own and manage a physical box (the Private Branch Exchange) in your building that routes calls.
- Hybrid Systems: This combines elements of both. You might have an on-premise PBX that uses SIP trunking (a digital line) to connect to the internet, giving you some modern features without a full cloud migration.
2. What is VoIP, and why is everyone talking about it?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) simply means making and receiving phone calls over the internet instead of old copper phone lines. It’s the standard for new business systems because it offers significant benefits in cost, flexibility, and features.
3. What is the “ISDN Switch Off” and why does it matter for my business?
This is a critical deadline. Openreach is switching off the UK’s old copper telephone network (the PSTN and ISDN lines) by 2025. This means all businesses using traditional landlines must upgrade to a digital (VoIP) service to keep their phones working. If your business hasn’t planned for this, now is the time to act.
Benefits for Your Manchester Business
4. How can a VoIP system help my Manchester-based business?
- Flexibility: Staff aren’t tied to a desk. You can take your office number anywhere—at home, on a mobile, or even in a different country—using a “softphone” app on your laptop or smartphone. This is ideal for hybrid working.
- Cost Savings: You eliminate expensive line rental charges. Calls (especially UK landline and mobile) are often included in a simple per-user monthly fee, making costs predictable and lower.
- Local Presence: You can easily get a local 0161 Manchester number to establish a strong local presence, even if you’re based elsewhere. You can also add numbers for other cities (like London or Leeds) that all ring in the same place.
- Scalability: Adding a new user is as simple as activating a new license, which can often be done in minutes. You no longer need an engineer to install a new physical line.
- Professional Features: Get enterprise-level features that were once very expensive, such as:
- Auto-Attendant: “Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Support…”
- Call Queuing: Professional on-hold music and messages for busy periods.
- Voicemail-to-Email: Receive voicemails as audio files in your inbox.
- Call Recording: Essential for training, compliance, and dispute resolution.
5. What is “Unified Communications” (UC)?
Unified Communications (UC) is the next step up from VoIP. It integrates all your communication tools into one single platform. This means your business phone system is combined with:
- Video Conferencing (like Zoom or Teams)
- Instant Messaging (team chat)
- File Sharing
- Presence Status (seeing who is available, busy, or on a call)
This stops your team from having to jump between multiple different apps and streamlines collaboration.
Cost and Practicalities
6. What does a modern business phone system cost in Manchester?
Costs have moved from a large one-off capital expense to a simple, predictable monthly operating expense. For a cloud VoIP system, you can expect to pay a per-user, per-month fee.
- Basic Plans: Can start from around £7-£12 per user/month for standard calling features.
- Advanced/UC Plans: Typically range from £15-£25 per user/month and include video conferencing, call recording, and CRM integrations.
You may also have a one-time cost for new IP handsets (desk phones), though many businesses now opt for headsets and softphones, eliminating this cost.
7. Can I keep my existing 0161 phone number?
Yes. This is a standard process called “porting.” Any reputable provider in Manchester can move your existing 0161 landline number (or any other number you own) over to your new VoIP service with no downtime.
8. What kind of internet connection do I need?
Because VoIP runs over the internet, a stable connection is essential. For a small office in Manchester, a standard business fibre broadband (FTTC) connection is usually more than enough. For larger businesses or heavy users, a dedicated “leased line” is often recommended to guarantee call quality.