A business phone system can be set up in a variety of ways. A basic office landline that operates through traditional telephone cables with a server based onsite is known as a PBX phone system. More modern business phone systems use the internet to transmit calls via VoIP. These more advanced configurations include IP PBX and fully virtual VoIP business phone systems.

With an IP PBX phone system, phone calls can be routed between VoIP networks and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and vice versa. IP PBX servers can be hosted onsite or accessed via a telecom or internet service provider. This arrangement works with special desk phones that use the internet to place calls rather than the physical PSTN cable grid, known as hard phones.

However, with the PSTN switch-off taking place in the UK in 2025, all PBX phone systems will have to be upgraded as the traditional cables they use will no longer be usable. 

This is where fully virtual VoIP technology comes in. This business phone system uses specialised software and the internet only, replacing desk phones, cables and other hardware. This is also known as a softphone setup. Aircall’s cloud-based business phone system is easily accessed via a web browser or downloadable app on existing devices like laptops and smartphones.

A business phone system is indispensable for any company dealing with customers over the phone. The benefits depend on which type is implemented.

Traditional fixed PBX landline business phone systems offer reliable telephone connections, as these setups don’t depend on the internet and so cannot be affected by local power outages or internet failures. In places where internet connections are unstable, this business phone system may be the preferred option.

However, with a decent internet connection, VoIP setups are much more versatile and advantageous. Cloud-hosted VoIP business phone systems offer a whole host of benefits, including lower running costs, ease of setup, and powerful integrations. They also won’t be impacted by the PSTN switch off in 2025, which will lead to the traditional analogue phone cables PBX runs on no longer working.

In short, yes; if you have good internet connectivity. In established companies, office buildings may already be set up with the necessary PBX landline infrastructure. Should this be the case, and if the company wishes to have a business phone system independent of the internet, the motive to switch to VoIP must be weighed carefully.

However, if there is access to a reliable internet connection then the benefits of VoIP business phone systems are far greater. That’s why our cloud-based VoIP business phone solution at Aircall is so popular.

A VoIP business phone system performs well within offices of all sizes. Installation, maintenance and operating costs are considerably lower. Company data is securely stored in the cloud and able to be accessed by authorised company admins at any time from anywhere. VoIP business phone systems are scalable, flexible and set up for rapid expansion, qualities that a PBX landline system simply can’t handle alone.

The many integrations that are possible with Aircall’s cloud-hosted VoIP business phone system transforms a simple company telephone system into a powerful organisational tool that boosts productivity and collaboration for sales and customer support agents.

Finally, a cloud-based VoIP solution, like Aircall, is the only business phone option for remote working; an important consideration in our current times.

To convert landlines to a VoIP business phone system some companies invest in VoIP hard phones or a special VoIP adapter. It is better, however, to simply replace your desk phones all together in favour of a 100% cloud-based business phone system.

Unfortunately, the first option is not as simple as plugging your existing analogue desk phone into your router or computer; landlines don’t have the hardware to translate voice signals into digital packets that can be transmitted through the internet. For that, you need a specialised Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). Businesses that use more than one phone line will require a VoIP gateway. These gateways operate like adapters but are built to scale and come equipped with up to 48 ports. In other words, this option is complicated and usually not worth the time or effort.

It’s no wonder that most businesses opt to switch over completely to Aircall’s fully virtual VoIP business phone system, a solution that requires zero hardware.

Aircall provides the option of owning international numbers in 100+ countries as well as the possibility to connect your business phone system to all the major CRM, Helpdesk and productivity platforms and services that are out there. What’s more, Aircall’s single interface allows centralised control and detailed call analytics, transforming your business phone system into a fully operational call centre.

Start your free Aircall trial to get a taste of the versatility and ease of Aircall’s cutting-edge VoIP business phone system—you’ll never look back!