What is VoIP and how does it work?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) lets businesses make phone calls over the internet instead of old-school phone lines. It turns your voice into digital data, sends it online, and turns it back into sound at the other end. The upside? You can run multiple calls on the same internet connection, usually with better call quality and handy extras like virtual receptionists, call routing, and other “why didn’t phones always do this?” features.
What is the difference between VoIP and hosted telephony?
VoIP is the how. Hosted telephony is the where. VoIP is the technology that sends your voice calls over the internet instead of old phone lines. Hosted telephony (also known as cloud telephony) is a phone system that uses VoIP technology, but is hosted off-site by your provider, as opposed to sitting in a cupboard in your office.
What is Unified Communications and how can it benefit my business?
Unified Communications combines all communication channels into one integrated platform. With everything in one place, you can jump from a message to a call to a video meeting without switching tools. It makes teamwork smoother (especially for hybrid teams) and gives customers a better experience because no one gets lost in the shuffle.
When will PSTN/ISDN be switched off in the UK, and what does it mean for my business?
Unified Communications combines all communication channels into one integrated platform. With everything in one place, you can jump from a message to a call to a video meeting without switching tools. It makes teamwork smoother (especially for hybrid teams) and gives customers a better experience because no one gets lost in the shuffle.
What are the key benefits of switching to a hosted phone system?
Hosted phone systems ditch line rental and expensive PBX hardware in favour of a simple monthly cost. So no big upfront spend and less admin. They’re also much more resilient. If your internet goes down, calls can automatically reroute to mobiles or other locations, and because your extensions live in the cloud, your team can take calls from anywhere, making hybrid working a breeze. Bottom line: a hosted phone system means fewer costs, less admin, and far more features than legacy phone systems.
What features should I look for in a business phone system?
There are core functions like forwarding, waiting, hold, and queues that are necessary for most businesses. What you require beyond these features usually depends on your industry. Useful features for busy service-based businesses include automated reception (IVR/auto-attendant), call routing/forwarding and hunt groups. You may be in an industry where call recording is necessary for compliance, or you may want to access analytics or integrate your voice system with your CRM. All of these are possible, and it’s best to talk to your provider about the most cost-effective way to get all the features you want.
How do I choose the right business telecoms provider?
Think less shiny storefront and more “will they actually pick up the phone?” Look for a provider with responsive, local support, flexible plans, and pricing that makes sense without needing a legal dictionary. Smaller, independent providers often move faster and feel more human. Ask what’s included as standard, what costs extra, and whether the system can grow with you. Bonus points if they understand your industry because it usually means they get you the right setup from the get-go.
Can I keep my existing phone numbers if I switch providers?
Yes, you can, and thankfully, you don’t have to argue about it. Ofcom rules give UK businesses the right to take their existing numbers with them when switching providers. That means your landline or mobile numbers can move across to VoIP or cloud telephony without confusing customers or reprinting everything. Same number, new system, no drama.
Should I use an on-premise PBX or a hosted system for my business?
An on-premise PBX means buying hardware, installing it, maintaining it, and hoping nothing breaks at 4:59 pm on a Friday. You will have more control over your data and the hardware itself, which can be a big deal for industries with strict data policies, but be aware that usually, you’ll need to hire an IT team to maintain your system. A cloud-hosted system lives off-site, runs on a simple monthly subscription, and usually just needs IP phones and a login, with little to no maintenance required. Predictable costs, easy scaling, and far fewer headaches make hosted systems the most popular with UK SMEs.
How do I make sure my phone system keeps working if something goes wrong?
Good hosted phone systems are resilient and built for “what if?” moments. For example, if your office internet fails or loses power, a hosted telephony system can instantly reroute calls (e.g. to mobiles or alternate locations) so service isn’t interrupted. When choosing a provider, ask how failover works and what happens during outages.
Now that you know more about VoIP technology, take a look at the benefits of our voice services or have a quick chat with the Pastel team to help you find the right combination of features and scalability for your business.
What speed of business internet do I need?
This depends on how many people you have and what you use the internet for. Email and web browsing need very little bandwidth, while cloud apps, video calls, VoIP phones, and large file transfers need more. As a rough guide, small teams can often work well on 80–100Mbps, while growing businesses or multi-site teams may need full fibre (FTTP) or a leased line for consistent performance.
What is a leased line and is it worth it for an SME?
A leased line is a dedicated fibre connection just for your business, offering guaranteed speeds, symmetric upload/download, and strong SLAs. It costs more than standard broadband but is worth it if your business relies heavily on cloud systems, VoIP, large uploads, or needs guaranteed uptime.
How long does it take to install a leased line or business fibre?
Standard business broadband can often be installed within 2–4 weeks. Leased lines usually take a bit longer because new fibre may need to be installed at your premises, but this varies depending on location and existing infrastructure.
What service level agreements (SLAs) do business internet providers offer?
SLAs define guaranteed uptime, fault response times, and repair targets. For example, a leased line may include a 4–8 hour fix time, while standard broadband usually has best-effort support with no guarantees.
How much does business broadband or a leased line cost?
Business broadband usually costs more than residential broadband, but starts from affordable monthly prices. Leased lines are more expensive due to their guaranteed performance and SLAs, but pricing varies based on speed, location, and installation requirements.
Now that you know more about internet for businesses, why not have a look at your data options? Or even better book a quick chat so we can help you find the most cost-effective connectivity solution for your business.
What is a SIM-only plan and is it cheaper?
A SIM-only plan provides mobile minutes, texts, and data without a handset. It’s often cheaper and more flexible, especially if your team already has suitable phones or you prefer to buy devices outright.
How do roaming charges work for UK business mobile plans?
Roaming charges vary by network and destination. Some plans include EU roaming, while others charge per day or per MB. It’s important to check roaming policies if staff travel regularly.
Can we switch mobile providers and keep our numbers?
Yes. UK number portability allows you to move providers while keeping existing mobile numbers. Your new provider usually manages the process.
What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and do we need it?
MDM allows you to manage, secure, and remotely wipe company devices. It allows policy-driven updates to be implemented business-wide, enables end-to-end encrypted communications, and allows for easier system maintenance. It’s particularly useful if staff use business mobiles, work remotely, or access sensitive data on phones.
Totally business mobile savvy now? Why not check out which mobile plans are available to you or book a quick chat so we can help you find the right plan?
What services does managed IT support include?
Managed IT support usually covers remote helpdesk support, device monitoring, software updates, security patching, user management, and general IT maintenance, all for a predictable monthly cost.
What basic cybersecurity measures should an SME have?
At a minimum: firewalls, antivirus/endpoint protection, secure backups, strong passwords with MFA, regular updates, and staff security awareness training. Cybersecurity isn’t just for large businesses.
Why do we need backups and disaster recovery?
Backups protect your business from data loss caused by cyber attacks, hardware failure, or human error. Disaster recovery ensures you can restore systems quickly and continue operating if something goes wrong. Most businesses back up daily or continuously. Best practice is to store backups securely offsite or in the cloud, separate from your main systems.
How can we protect against ransomware and cyber attacks?
Protection includes layered security (firewalls, endpoint protection, email filtering), regular backups, and patching systems. Arguably, the most important step is training staff to recognise phishing attempts. Prevention and recovery planning go hand in hand.
Got all the cyber security and IT info you need? Why not check out the perks of our managed IT services?
