The nbn™ doesn’t just mean access to faster internet speeds; it also means a switch from analogue to digital for phone calls. As the nbn™ reaches new areas, businesses have up to 18 months to move their phone systems from using the old copper line network, ISDN, and PSTN, to using VoIP or mobile.
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and it uses an internet connection for making and receiving phone calls. If your business already has access to the nbn™ or other fibre internet provider, your telephony services provider might have already contacted you about switching to VoIP. They might have also mentioned having an nbn™ compatible phone system. But what does this mean?
Traditional Business Phone Systems
In the past, businesses used one of two phone system setups. A basic system used one or more phone lines connected to one or more handsets and included limited basic features. It was the ideal–and most affordable–solution for small businesses. PBX systems offered many more features for managing calls, but the higher cost of these systems meant they were more accessible to larger businesses.
nbn™ Compatible Phone Systems
Many newer phone handsets and PBX systems are already nbn™ compatible and can easily adapt to using VoIP instead of analogue. The supplier or manufacturer of your PBX will be able to advise whether it is IP-enabled, which is all that is needed for an on-site PBX to be nbn™ compatible. Handsets that don’t natively support VoIP can be connected to an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA), saving you the expense and hassle of replacing all the handsets in your business.
However, although a basic phone system and some on-site PBX systems can easily be adapted for the nbn™ and VoIP, a third business phone system is now also available.
| Business Line(s) | Hosted PBX System | SIP System |
|---|---|---|
| Essentially the same as a basic fixed line system, with support for one or more lines. Available features depend on what your handsets support. Handsets either connect directly to your business nbn™ modem or router or an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). | A new phone system available to businesses with nbn™ access. Same benefits and features–and more–as a regular PBX, but with no on-site server to maintain. Off-site servers are managed and supported by your VoIP provider. You’ll need new IP handsets or you can use computer or mobile apps instead. | Basic lines for your IP-enabled on-premise PBX system. The features you have access to depends on what your PBX already includes or supports. |
| Learn more about Commander NBN Business Line | Learn more about Commander Phone | Learn more about Commander SIP |
Businesses using a hosted PBX system or SIP system might still need an nbn™ business line for on-site fax machines, EFTPOS systems, and monitored alarms.
Features of an nbn™ Compatible Phone System
The features available with an nbn™ compatible phone system depend on both the type of business phone system you use and what is offered by your VoIP provider. The features of a basic nbn™ business line are more limited, while that of a SIP system depends on what is already supported by your PBX system. A hosted PBX system could give your business access to many more features than both a regular business line and a SIP system.
| Auto Receptionist | Fax2Email | Voicemail to Email | Calling Hunt Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| The system automatically answers all incoming calls with a customised greeting. Callers can then have their call directed to the right person or department by selecting from a menu of options. | Incoming faxes are converted to a digital PDF document and sent to an email address you specify, ending the need for a physical fax machine. | Voicemails can be sent as an audio file directly to your email address, making them accessible from anywhere you can access your email. | Incoming calls to a specific number or department can be routed to specific handsets so they either ring simultaneously or in sequence until answered. This reduces missed calls. |
| Online Portal | Call Forwarding | Sequential/ Simultaneous Ringing |
Directory |
| Manage almost every aspect of your phone system and the various available features from a convenient online portal only select employees have access to. This also provides detailed logs of all calls. | Forward incoming calls to a specified extension or phone number–even a mobile number–if the phone line is busy or unanswered after a set time. | Similar to hunt groups and call forwarding. Incoming calls to a number or extension can ring a handset and mobile phone at the same time, or sequentially if the handset is not answered in time. | Store contact numbers and names in a handset or group directory. This makes it easier to call various contacts and–when Caller ID is enabled–identify incoming calls before you answer. |
| Softphone | Mobile Apps | Smart Queue Management | Intercom |
| Make and receive telephone calls from your desktop computer or laptop. This feature does away with the need for handsets for each employee, or can work in tandem with handsets. | Some nbn™ compatible phone systems include a mobile phone app. This makes it possible to seamlessly make and receive business calls on your mobile phone. You can even move a call from your desk phone to your mobile and back again without any interruption. | Automated incoming call queue management, with the system informing callers where they are in the queue or how long before their call is answered. Features can be turned on and off as needed. | Easily communicate with other people or departments within the business using your handset. |
Many of these features are standard on the Commander Phone hosted system, while some are available as optional add-ons. If signing up for Commander SIP, the features depend on what are currently supported by your on-site PBX system.
What an nbn™ Compatible Phone System Means for Your Business
An nbn™ compatible phone system means your business is ready to switch to VoIP as soon as your business has an nbn™ connection. And with the hosted PBX phone system being a new addition to the available business phone systems, having a professional PBX system is now more accessible even to small businesses. This is because a hosted PBX system comes with minimal upfront and installation costs, and no need for on-site servers that need to be managed and maintained. It also means for businesses with more than one branch or office, you only need a single hosted PBX system to manage calls for all your locations if they all have an nbn™ connection.
Speak to our VoIP phone system specialists to find out if you have an nbn™ compatible phone system, and which VoIP phone solution would be best for your business.