Modern business phones increasingly run across internet connections, hence the acronym VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Whereas traditional systems needed an on-site PBX, this function is now performed remotely, which is what is meant by a “cloud-based” system. Cloud based systems offer businesses easy scalability options and tend to be cheaper than their traditional counterparts.

The cost of a new business phone system will depend entirely on what you’re looking for. At 4Com, we’re able to use the savings we make in areas like broadband, mobiles, calls and lines to fund a new business phone system, meaning you can get this system at little to no extra cost than what you’re paying at the moment.

You should expect your business phone system to last up to a decade. As with changes in the mobile industry however, business phones to tend to see technology upgrades every year or two which can be taken advantage of with any reputable supplier.

If you’re looking for a temporary redirect, you can do this on your HiHi device. If you’re looking for a longer term solution, we can activate account-wide call forwarding to send your main number to a mobile phone or even a group of mobile phones.

The effectiveness of high-speed internet means that many businesses do not need separate phone lines for their business. That being said, if you’re looking to make calls alongside other internet activity, a dedicated line for your communications is advisable.

Alongside an easy-to-use phone system, it’s worth getting a phone system that comes with additional features. Software such as integration with your computers, Call Recording (so that you can listen back to each call) and Call Reporting (which lets you see any calls you missed) can all have positive impacts on small businesses in particular.

Due to the need for on-site equipment, you will often find that a PBX system is more expensive than its cloud-based counterpart. The exact cost will depend on the number of handsets you need and whether you require any additional software.

Depending on the setup of your system, yes. If your phone system is on a separate line to your broadband, then it will be possible for you to remove a landline and keep your internet. If you are planning to use voice services over your internet connection, it can be advisable to have separate connections for your internet and phone use.

Our customers prefer the feature rich HiHi VoIP phone system, with its ability to hold video calls, over other systems. HiHi also comes with video support as standard, meaning that you can see us whenever you call in so that we can explain how best to resolve any issues you may have with your phone system.

It can vary from provider to provider, but we usually complete number transfers within 10 working days.

The cost of a phone system for a small business would depend on what features you were looking for. Providers can often utilise wholesale rates and other savings to fund or partially fund a new feature-rich phone system.

It is highly advisable for businesses to have a landline as this presents a greater number of possibilities for communication than a mobile connection. For example software like Computer Telephony Integration, Call Recording and Call Reporting would all be possible with a landline but not on mobile.