INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Best business phone serviceWhile consumers have largely dumped their traditional phone connections in favor of multi-functional smartphone
devices, desktop phones continue to be a business necessity.After all, a landline offers the advantages of the highest quality voice
connection, and more affordable calling plans than mobile devices
These days, business phone landlines are increasingly digital rather than analog, and leverage the data capacity of the internet via VoIP
(Voice over Internet Protocol) technology.Selecting a phone plan for your business requires planning and foresight beginning with your
Think about the number of phone lines required for employees, including dedicated lines for those archaic fax machines that continue to
soldier on (although they will eventually be replaced by online fax services one day soon, we hope)
Also consider what additional services are needed, such as voicemail, integration with mobile devices and any international calling
Mitel MiCloud Office UKPut your business phone system in the cloudAffordable starter planPremium features on the upgrade planFax inbox
including a fax inbox, SMS from a desktop app, a web portal, and parallel ringing
Vonage BusinessOver 40 premium featuresBusiness-grade high reliabilityHigher costVonage is a well known player in the residential VoIP
market, and their Vonage Business offering focuses on commercial phone service; it has distinct plans that cater to enterprise, and to the
small business market.For the latter, Vonage Business endeavors to use your current Internet to have a plug-and-play solution that does not
require on-site installation, and offers a 14-day trial
priced depending on the number of users
SMS messages, and apps for both desktop and mobile use
Premium features include a call log, an administrative portal and a virtual receptionist
Ooma OfficeThe business phone plan with the powerful base station24/7 customer supportVirtual receptionistIncludes toll-free number for your
businessHigher costOoma Office is the business version of the popular (almost) free residential service
number, and a conference extension
modes for answering calls after hours
Ooma Office is mildly hampered with no lower tier more budget plan for cash strapped businesses, and there is no lower cost for economies of
8x8 Virtual OfficeThe VoIP that offers a virtual officeLower tier has advanced featuresMobile apps availableOption for integrated Contact
CenterOpaque pricingThe 8x8 Virtual Office is a VoIP plan that offers a cloud-based phone system that unifies communications
The lowest Virtual Office tier includes unlimited calling with apps for iOS and Android
The feature set also incorporates music on hold, a softphone, SMS/texting, instant messaging, and integration with the Salesforce CRM.The
next higher plan, Virtual Office Pro adds the advanced features of web conferencing, call recording, and internet faxing
The highest plan, Virtual Office x8, adds a Contact Center with 2,000 minutes, plus graphical reporting and analytics.Pricing is not listed
Phone.comThe affordable business phone serviceHIPAA compliantIncludes premium featuresLimited minutes on lower plansPhone.com endeavors to
does best the competition at the low end in terms of cost
The trade-off is that the plan only offers a limited 300 voice minutes monthly with 5,000 SMS, which is only adequate for the most limited
business use.On the bright side, even on this bare plan there are included premium features, including voicemail to email, call blocking and
It is also indicated that the service is HIPAA compliant to meet the standards of privacy for healthcare-related businesses
