Selecting a high-quality phone service in Lucas, KS could be just what your business needs to thrive. All things considered, the phone remains the main way that consumers contact businesses. Using the appropriate type of telephone service for your company is utterly critical, and you need a company that is cost-effective, dependable, and that gives you all the high-tech features your business depends on. For that reason, before deciding what business phone company to go with, you must thoroughly examine the different kinds of services and providers out there. The two primary options for business phone plans are standard landline phone service and VoIP service. It's of the utmost importance that you're aware of the differences between these two types of phone services prior to making your selection. This article will help you to make the right choice for your Lucas, KS business.
| Provider | Plan Details | Monthly Rate* | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | RATED #1 BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
| $19.99 | Details  142 Reviews |
 | Business phone service - no internet required
* 8.3% discount if paid for the year upfront | $17.41* | Details  7 Reviews |
 | Engineering for the Small Business
* per user per month | $9.95* | Details 1 Reviews |
 | Alliance
* 12% discount for subscribing and paying for a year upfront | $19.97* | Details 13 Reviews |
_2.png&contenttype=png "Talkroute Logo") | The phone system built to do business anywhere
* $5 per additional user | $19.00* | Details 1 Reviews |
_2.png&contenttype=png "Verizon logo") | Get 99.99% network reliability with Fios.
* Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges. | $69.00* | Details  11 Reviews |
VoIP phone service is not as complicated as one may think. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and is simply a relatively new way for phone companies to provide reliable service. VoIP has been around for more than ten years but is only now becoming more well-known and popular among business owners who want to use the latest technology within their company. This service allows calls to go over your Internet connection at your business and is exactly the same as a traditional phone line. Many new companies, especially start-ups, choose this service for their communication needs. You will only need a reliable Internet connection to receive the best call quality with VoIP. To check to see if your current business Internet provider supports VoIP, use our Wirefly Internet Speed Test. However, most Internet providers support VoIP.
The biggest contrast between VoIP and PSTN is the way calls are carried. PSTN calls are carried by use of an analog signal, while VoIP calls are digitized and run through an Internet connection instead. Many business owners choose VoIP connections because running data through an Internet connection is actually less expensive than a traditional phone network; plus, most companies already have a connection that they are already paying for. VoIP service providers also charge less for long distance and international calls, and many providers have flat rate packages that will keep your costs down. This is perfect for businesses that make a lot of international calls but need to stick to a budget. You won't be hit with surprise charges that are through the roof with a VoIP phone service.
Lucas, KS VoIP phone service providers will also offer customers a number of calling features that may be helpful for their business. You'll receive access to features such as caller ID, remote access voicemail, call forwarding and voicemail to email. You'll also be able to set up as many phone extensions that you need. You may be a local candle business with one location and only need two extensions for your space. Some business owners may be head of a large corporation who will require thousands of extensions for all of their employees to use. Either way, there are VoIP services that can fit your needs without breaking your budget. This is especially helpful for a business owner who may be starting off small and needs to watch their finances carefully.
Since VoIP is a very popular feature nowadays, there are many different companies that provide it and will compete to get your business. It may seem difficult to make the choice of who gets your business, but you will actually be able to use this to your advantage.
To begin, consider what your needs are when it comes to needing a telephone line for your company. Think about how many lines you will need to have, what types of features your company will absolutely need on a regular basis and if your business could expand in the future. Of course, you will also need to consider how much you can pay for your VoIP service.
After you decide this, consider the different companies in Lucas, KS that offer business VoIP services. You'll be faced with many, but take your time to compare their features and rates. Look at what services they offer, how much they cost and whether they provide service in your area. You'll also want to consider the actual reputation of the company and how long they have been in business. Don't lose sight of the fact that a working business phone is absolutely crucial to your business. You need a company who can deliver on their promises and be there when there is a problem. A good track record of the company and great customer service is also quite important.
The traditional business phone service uses the PSTN, short for public switched telephone network. The PSTN system is still greatly used nationwide and routes calls through a series of cables, telephone lines and satellites. This system is also what most mobile networks go through. This phone system was the first of its kind and has been in use for around a hundred years.
The infrastructure of the PSTN system is very large and old, making it more difficult and expensive to maintain. This causes it to be more costly than Lucas, KS VoIP service because of the maintenance required to keep the system operational. PSTN is still analog, and sending calls long distances requires more work and expense.
Making a call over the PSTN when it is long distance requires the data to make stops at various locations. This data goes through different equipment that is owned by multiple companies, making the call more expensive. While most of the infrastructure that carries, switches and routes a PSTN call have become totally digital, the “last mile' is still analog. This is the connection found between the closest central office and the customer.
Most Lucas, KS businesses use a private branch exchange, called a PBX, to route the numerous calls they receive. Having a business phone service in place enables the PBX to allow for the use of such important calling features beyond sending and receiving calls, such as multiple extensions, voicemail, call forwarding and conference calls.
Using a traditional PSTN phone system, the PBX either be located on the business's premises, or situated at a remote location. But no matter where the analog PBX is located, its operation can prove very expensive. Setting up a complete business phone system using a PBX requires the purchase of various types of hardware that usually means an investment of at least $1,000. Beyond that initial investment are the costs for installation, configuration and maintenance. A business owner will need to either have an in-house technical staff member handle these chores, or hire an outside professional, translating to costs of $100 an hour or more.
Know that upgrading and expanding a traditional PBX system for your Lucas, KS business phone service needs may prove expensive as well as challenging. Many PBX systems can only support a limited number of lines. As your business grows, you will have to pay for more hardware, installation and maintenance costs when adding more extensions.
PBX systems, like other types of electronic hardware, are subject to frequent problems and breakdowns that can adversely affect your business communications, usually at the most inopportune times. Be prepared to pay for expensive repair and hardware replacement costs whenever anything goes wrong with your PBX. Any PBX system also becomes obsolete over time and needs to be updated or replaced, adding additional expenses to your business' bottom line.
