Business Phone Service in Flagstaff, AZ

Picking The Best Phone Service for Your Flagstaff, AZ Business

Due to the rising popularity of commercial VoIP, you will find there are a lot of providers eager to nab your business. Even though this could complicate the selection process, it can also be a useful advantage.

To begin, give some thought to your company's communication needs. Try to determine things like which functions you'll need to use during the day, how many extensions you'll need to buy, whether you have plans to develop your organization further in the foreseeable future, and what your phone budget looks like.

Then you'll be prepared to check on the plans available from the myriad of company VoIP providers in Flagstaff, AZ. Take note of the packages they have available, their costs, and also the all-around trustworthiness of the provider. Using a functional phone service is an indispensable component in your business's success, so it's important to choose a provider with a favorable reputation for stability and fine customer support.

Flagstaff, AZ Traditional Phone Service

Traditional phones carry out the audio connection over the PSTN or public switched telephone network. The PSTN system uses a combination of cables, satellites, mobile networks and other technology - old and new - to deliver exceptional quality of calls nationwide, and has been in use for nearly a hundred years!

Using a plain old telephone service provider in Flagstaff, AZ, is more expensive than VoIP as the network is large and old, and requires regular and constant maintenance to be effective. What's more is that it has a tougher time sending your audio data over large distances - and even much more difficulty when connecting international calls.

While more and more of the PSTN system is being digitized, there is still always the last bit of a connection between a local office and the receiving phone number that's owned and operated by a company who can charge what they want for connecting your call. What's more is that as your calls extend geographically to longer and longer distances, there are more ‘pit stops' where the call is connected and patched through to achieve longer distances - each of which can significantly increase the cost of the call.

Analog Private Branch Exchange Systems in Flagstaff, AZ

Many businesses have PBX systems that handle calls internally. This makes it possible to send calls to different phones depending on the extension. Analog PBX systems also facilitate voice mail, forwarding, conference calls and other sophisticated functions. They are popular among businesses that have multiple staff members with separate offices. A company can put the PBX equipment in its own building or pay a separate facility to host it.

The main downside of PSTN-based PBX systems in Flagstaff, AZ is that they cost considerable amounts of money. Most companies spend $1,000 or more when they buy the equipment. It can also be costly to set up this system and conduct the necessary maintenance. Some firms have employees with the appropriate expertise to perform these tasks. Others need to pay contractors who charge at least $100 per hour.

It often proves costly to upgrade analog PBX hardware. This may become necessary if a company hires more staff members or desires the latest technology. Most systems cap the number of extensions. Consequently, businesses must pay for expensive new equipment when they want to connect additional phones. Upgrades are sometimes complex, so installers need to have extensive technical expertise.

Private branch exchange systems occasionally malfunction or fail as they age. This can result in significant expenses when technicians need to replace or fix the equipment. Technical difficulties may also disrupt communications from time to time. Many of the above-mentioned problems can be avoided when companies opt to use business VoIP services instead of analog PBX systems.