A phone system is essential for almost every organisation, whether that’s a charity, business or local authority. Broadly speaking, there are two options to provide that essential system – a traditional PBX or the more modern VoIP.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the two options and explore which is best for your organisation.
Traditional PBX vs VoIP – the basics
First and foremost, let’s look at the fundamental differences between PBX and VoIP.
What is a traditional PBX?
PBX stands for private branch exchange. It refers to an on-premises phone system that is connected to your building’s landline. PBX systems share many characteristics with standard landlines in that their location is fixed, and they use the traditional means of making calls.
The main difference between a PBX and a single landline is that several people can use it. PBX systems switch calls between users on the same landlines, meaning there’s no need to have a landline for each user. Calls can be made internally within the PBX system or externally where landlines are essentially shared or ‘trunked’.
What is VoIP?
On the other hand, VoIP is a much newer system that uses your existing internet connection to make calls. Short for Voice over Internet Protocol, it eliminates the need for a landline with devices that connect directly to the internet – either through an ethernet cable or with a wireless connection.
VoIP devices work much the same as traditional PBX phones. Calls can be switched, held, recorded and much more, both internally and externally. As a result, many end-users would be unaware that they were using a VoIP phone rather than a PBX when making calls.
PBX vs VoIP – reliability
If you’re deciding between traditional PBX and VoIP, the first factor should always be reliability. After all, if your phone system isn’t reliable, you won’t be able to make and receive some of your calls – defeating the primary purpose altogether.
Given that traditional PBX has been around for several decades – since the 1970s, in fact – it’s well established that it is a reliable system. Thankfully, over the past decade, VoIP has developed the same reputation.
Because calls are made and received through your internet connection, reliable VoIP simply requires reliable broadband. With the days of dial-up long behind us, reliable broadband is pretty much universal for organisations across the UK.
What about quality?
Much like reliability, the quality of VoIP has advanced with the expansion of broadband. To make high-quality calls, users simply need a bandwidth of 100kbps or 0.1mbps. That increases based on the number of users, with 1000kbps or 1mbps for 10 VoIP handsets used at the same time, for example.
Given that the average UK broadband speed is now 64mbps – enough for 640 callers – there’s nothing stopping VoIP calls from having crisp, clear quality. With broadband speeds continuing to increase, many VoIP users may actually experience better quality than they would on a traditional PBX, which provides the standard quality of landline calls, as it has done for several years.
Comparing the costs
When you’re choosing between two options that provide essentially the same function, it’s only natural that costs will come into play. So how do VoIP and PBX compare?
Firstly, PBX systems are a significant investment for any organisation. To connect each user to the PBX board, their phone needs to be wired in. Naturally, this means the costs can rise significantly based on the number of users. Once the system is installed, the cost of calls depends on your provider, with international calls typically quite expensive.
Because they connect directly to your existing broadband connection, VoIP phones are much simpler and less expensive to install. The cost will still rise per user based on the number of devices needed, but that will be nothing compared to the price of wiring in new users. Also, bear in mind that you don’t actually have to take a desk phone for VoIP. Now an app on your smartphone or desktop is enough – potentially reducing costs further.
In the long run, VoIP could also continue to save you money as the cost per call is typically lower than that with a traditional PBX and landline. That’s especially true with international calls, which don’t see such a dramatic rise with VoIP compared to PBX.
Worlds apart for flexibility
While VoIP matches PBX for quality and reliability and has the edge when it comes to cost, one area where the two are truly worlds apart is flexibility. PBX systems are wired to your landline, meaning their location is fixed, so you can only make and receive calls from your office.
If you want to make calls from home or a temporary workspace, you’ll need to use your mobile or an alternative landline. The result is an unprofessional look for your organisation, paired with a lower quality of calls. It also means you can’t use all PBX features like call switching you have in the office.
In stark contrast, VoIP provides office-calling functionality wherever you’re based. With devices working anywhere with a stable internet connection, you can set up your VoIP phone at home, on-site or simply in your normal office. Whatever the case, you’ll get full functionality so you can still work as part of your team.
This has become particularly valuable following the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, which saw as many as 60% of UK staff forced to work from home. While initially disruptive – especially for those without VoIP – it allowed employees and employers to experience the cost savings and better work-life balance of home-working. In turn, that’s led to more organisations offering remote or hybrid working on a permanent basis.
Traditional PBX vs VoIP – the verdict
When comparing VoIP and PBX, there’s only one winner. With broadband now universally fast enough to facilitate high-quality VoIP calling, any issues with reliability and quality have become a thing of the past. Organisations can now get the best of both worlds, with reliable, high quality calling combined with lower costs and better flexibility.
If you would like to find out more about VoIP services for your organisation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with VS Group. As a dedicated provider of VoIP for the voluntary and business sector, we’re best placed to tailor our solutions to any unique requirements you have. Call us on 0330 094 0170, email info@vsgcomms.com or get a quote today.
