How many phone lines do I need for my business?

Cheap Steve on 19/06/2013 - 10:52

Hi Guys,

Just wondering how many phone lines I need for my business?

I currently have two, one for my incoming/outgoing telephone calls and the second has my fax + internet on it.

Being the cheapskate that I am I was wondering if I could ditch the second line and have my fax/phone/internet all on the one phone line (to save the cost of the second line rental)?

When I first set up my business back in 2008 I was told to have a separate fax/internet line. However, was wondering with changing technology if this is still the case?

By the way, would only fax 2-3 times per week, make/receive about 10 calls a day, however, working internet is critical (if internet goes down then so too does my ability to do work).

cheers, Cheap Steve

Internet

Comments

  • chuneeperformance on 19/06/2013 - 11:00
    +4

    just go voip…as many number you want under software or hardware varieties….

  • leemako on 19/06/2013 - 11:04

    We use a virtual skype number for our calls, allows us to take the office with us. Its probably not the best solution though, if you expect larger call volumes another voip service would be better.

  • retiredfeline on 19/06/2013 - 11:10
    +1

    Phone, fax and internet for sure can use the same line but changing the internet to the same number as the phone could be a hassle, depending on your provider, unless you are willing to change your phone number to be that of the second line.

    Also could you use an internet fax service instead of a fax line? Can your recipients receive emailed PDFs instead of faxes?

    • geek001 on 19/06/2013 - 11:29

      +1 for internet fax. So much more convenient, and if you really do go VOIP, then you can literally not be in the office as voice calls is directed to your laptop/mobile and fax done via internet fax.

      • Cheap Steve on 19/06/2013 - 13:58

        Thanks for reply. Who do you use for your internet fax service?

    • Cheap Steve on 19/06/2013 - 14:17

      Thanks. I'm with Telstra and I would ask them to cancel the fax/internet phone line and move the internet over to my telephone line (plus go to internet fax as you have suggested).

      My biggest concern is that somehow my internet won't run as well as it currently does on the dedicated fax line (which is hardly ever used)if I moved it on to my incoming/outgoing calls telephone line (which is regularly used).

      • retiredfeline on 19/06/2013 - 14:36

        As long as you have a line filter installed, it should be fine, and you would already have one due to the fax. Phone/fax service and internet service run on different frequencies and don't interfere provided a filter is installed. This is the normal setup for ADSL home users.

      • mskeggs on 19/06/2013 - 14:47

        I use mynetfone on a Telstra line with Telstra ADSL. They have an offer that includes two inbound numbers and a device with two phone ports. They also have a fax service. They can port fixed number to the VOIP service, but in my case I just leave inbound calls coming in on the PSTN line and send outbound calls via VoIP.
        Once it is set up, I just use everything like normal.
        I'm pretty happy with the service and very happy with the pricing.

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