Efficient telecommunication is a foundational aspect of a successful organisation and these days, there is a need for telephone systems that are reliable, cost-effective and adaptable to change.
Hosted telephony presents organisations with multiple benefits, from increased productivity to scope for flexibility, cost savings and helpful integration.
These systems are perfect if you’re operating across multiple sites, have remote workers or simply for any organisation looking to streamline their communications and collaborate more efficiently.
What is a hosted telephone system?
Simply stated, hosted telephone systems refer to a telephone service that operates via the internet rather than a traditional landline.
Traditional phone setups use copper wire systems to connect callers to receivers. While this has been the standard for decades, traditional systems often come with high installation costs, fluctuations in call quality and the need for regular maintenance.
Hosted telephone systems use the same LAN network as your office internet and automatically communicate actions to the connected IP network, meaning that your organisation can benefit from easy and reliable communication with colleagues, customers and other callers – as long as there’s a steady internet connection.
We’ve also published an explainer video on hosted telephony – watch it here.
Why is a hosted telephone system better than a traditional one?
We’ve already mentioned some of the extra benefits a hosted telephone system presents over a traditional one, but here’s a breakdown of some of the key advantages:
- Cost savings
Standard telephone systems often come with considerable upfront costs for hardware, installation and maintenance.
On the other hand, hosted telephone systems require significantly less hardware and upkeep whilst operating on a subscription basis with regular monthly fees that are often lower than those of a traditional phone bill.
And, calls are also free over the internet, adding to the cost saving element.
- Improved productivity
Whether your team are in the office, at home or on the go, hosted telephony allows them to access their system easily using a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone or tablet. This ensures they can stay in touch at all times and are able to communicate clearly and efficiently.
Hubtel IT’s hosted telephone systems come with many features centred around productivity, including call routing, voicemail-to-email and call recording features, helping your team stay efficient and get more work done in less time.
- Enhanced customer experience
Advanced hosted telephone systems give you and your team access to a number of features that improve your customers’ experience.
Simple things such as a better internet connection allow you to communicate more clearly, but at Hubtel IT, our systems also incorporate call screening, automated attendants and call queuing so that your callers can be connected to the right person quickly, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
- Preparation for the BT Digital Switch-Off
BT has decided that the hardware used by traditional telephone lines is no longer fit for purpose and so, in 2025, these systems will be retired. This transition doesn’t mean that copper phone wires will vanish; they will simply carry digital signals only.
Using a hosted telephone system means that you won’t be affected by these changes.
If you’re still unsure about the BT Digital Switch-Off, watch our explainer video to find out more.
What to consider before implementing hosted telephony
While hosted telephony offers a wide range of benefits, it does require preparation.
Since these systems rely on the internet, having a reliable, high-speed connection is crucial for them to function efficiently. It’s important for organisations to monitor their internet infrastructure and ensure it can support the requirements of a hosted telephone system.
To harness its full potential, you could even integrate your hosted telephone system with other technology you and your team use, such as email software, business applications or CRM programs.
In the event of a disaster affecting your workplace, it’s crucial that you can still communicate. Cloud-based telephone systems allow you to divert calls to your mobile phones quickly and without fuss.
Security is also essential – providers should apply robust security measures to protect your phone system from data breaches or unauthorised access. Telecoms fraud is ever present and there are several things that you can do to mitigate your risk. These include hosted systems that have a block by default firewall and automatic failovers whereby calls automatically cease if they go over a certain spend limit.
Maintenance and security become the responsibility of trained professionals, dedicated to running a secure service and can leave you free of worry.
At Hubtel IT, our partnership with industry leader 3CX allows us to provide cutting-edge hosted telephony, whether you need just a handful of sets or an entire network of sites.
Read more about Hubtel IT’s hosted telephone systems and, if you’re interested in introducing it into your organisation, get in touch.
Written by Dave Bamford, Sales Manager at Hubtel IT. With over 30 years of experience in the IT and telecoms industry, Dave specialises in providing hosted telephony solutions. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn or learn more about our services here.
