Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Office Phone Systems
1. What types of office phone systems does my Bristol business use?
Most of the time, you can choose from three main types of phone systems for your office:
- PSTN and ISDN are two examples of old-fashioned landline systems that use real copper wires. They work well, but after 2025, when BT shuts down the ISDN network, they won’t be as useful. They don’t have all the advanced features that newer systems do.
- VoIP and PBX systems on the property: This means that your office needs a PBX box, which is a real server for phone systems. VoIP lets you make calls over the internet, but you have to take care of the hardware.
- The most popular and up-to-date choice is a VoIP phone system that is hosted or based in the cloud. The whole phone system is “in the cloud” with a provider. You only need to connect your IP-enabled phones or use software on your computers and phones. This option is flexible, can grow with your needs, and doesn’t cost much.
2. What are the benefits of using a VoIP phone system for my business in Bristol?
Businesses in Bristol can gain a lot from switching to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system. Here are a few of the good things:
- Lower Costs: It’s a lot cheaper to make calls, especially long-distance and international ones. You also save money on the costs of renting old systems and keeping them up to date.
- Workers can be flexible and do their jobs from home. They can make and receive calls from their laptops or cell phones, no matter where they are. This is great for teams in Bristol and other places that work from home or a mix of home and office.
- Ability to get bigger: It’s easy to add or remove users as your business grows or changes, and you don’t need an engineer to set up new physical lines.
- VoIP systems have features that regular systems don’t, such as video conferencing, call recording, auto-attendant (IVR), voicemail-to-email, and detailed call analytics.
- Future-Proof: When BT shuts down the old copper network, your business’s communications will be ready for the future.
3. I run a small business in Clifton. Is a phone system that runs in the cloud the best choice for me?
Of course. Cloud phone systems can be very useful for small businesses. You don’t have to buy expensive hardware for your office; you just pay a small fee each month for each user. This lets you use features that were only available to big companies before. This will help your small business look and work better.
4. What do you need to do to change to a new phone system? Can I keep my Bristol (0117) phone number?
Yes, you can almost always keep your 0117 number. A good provider will handle the whole “porting” process for you.
This is what a normal switching process looks like:
- Consultation: Talk to a provider about what your business needs during a consultation.
- Quote: Get a clear quote that lists the features and number of users you need.
- Number Porting: The provider sends a request to move your current number(s).
- Setup and Hardware: Your new IP phones are already set up and ready to use. You will learn how to set up your softphone app.
- Go-Live Day: Your number will switch to the new system on a certain day with little or no downtime.
5. What kind of internet connection do I need in Bristol to use VoIP without any problems?
For calls to be clear and work, you need a stable internet connection. Most small and medium-sized businesses only need a standard business fibre broadband connection (FTTC). A dedicated leased line is the best option for large businesses or businesses that rely heavily on voice and data because it guarantees speeds and dependability. A good provider can look at your current connection and tell you if you need to make any changes.
6. What is the average cost of a hosted VoIP system?
Most of the time, the only cost is a monthly fee for each user. This service usually costs between £10 and £20 per person, depending on the provider and the features you choose. With this subscription, you usually get a certain number of free call minutes. You might have to pay a one-time fee if you need to buy new IP phones. Some providers, on the other hand, let you rent phones or use softphone apps for free.
7. Our offices are in Temple Quay, and some of our employees work from home in South Gloucestershire. How can a new phone system help us stay in touch?
A VoIP system that works in the cloud would be a good choice in this case.
- Unified Presence lets everyone use the same phone system, no matter where they are. You can see who is busy and who isn’t.
- Calls between your Temple Quay office and your remote workers are free: From your Temple Quay office, you can call your remote workers for free.
- Seamless Call Transfer: You can send calls to a coworker’s laptop or phone as easily as if they were right next to you.
- Single Company Number: The main Bristol office number will show up on all of your employees’ outgoing calls. This will help your business look professional and stay the same.