Telecom Blog

FREE CONSULTATION LINK: Business Phone Service

Here is where you can get linked to savings on business phone service solutions and technologies. Here you can learn more about phone system technologies and how to save on them or visit our quick link area to get fast access to free price and system consultations at no obligation to your company.

TopSavings.Net has been in business for close to a decade offering business phone service products and Internet service to small and medium sized businesses, enterprises, and government agencies. Everyday we help our business clients save on their telecommunication expenses with our free consulting services.

Our list of  telecommunication products include voice T1 line, T3 lines, OC3-OC192, business long distance, business toll free numbers (800, 877, 866, & vanity), VoIP, SIP trunking, and more. Follow our link below to begin saving on business telecommunications today.

Business Phone Service Information and Shopping Tips

1. Business Long Distance Services

Never sign a contract on switched long distance services. In some cases a long distance contract may need to be signed, but this usually is only the case with T1 long distance services. Most reputable long distance providers will not need to lock in a business client on a contract due to the already present quality standards for customer service and voice communications.

Business long distance interlata rates are usually the initial rate you will see to lure you in so be sure to check the intralata rate as well to make sure you won’t be paying too much more for you in-state long distance. This is the main reason many businesses waste money on business long distance. If outbound calls are frequently made within your own state, shopping by intralata rates are very necessary.

The most simple way to save on business long distance is to check the billing increments in which you will be charged. Billing increments can vary in pricing structure so it is very important to check the fine print. As well as increments, there can be call time minimums meaning that a 3 second billing could easily add up to a 60 second billing if your call lasted under a minute.. These minimums can add up for large call volume businesses.

Voice T1 lines are excellent choices for outbound call centers with extreme amounts of long distance calling. A business that exceeds 20,000 minutes a month or more can usually get a rate below one cent per minute or even less. As the same with switched long distance, check all rates and minimums, and review your phone contract carefully before signing. A T1 line usually will require a contract of at least a year, but the best rates are usually locked in with a three year.

Should your business require international long distance, make sure you know all the international dial out fees associated with the account. Many international destinations are rate sensitive to the type of telephone receiving the call. In a number of cases a wireless cell phone number will cost you up to three times the normal international calling rate.

2. 800 Numbers

While you can get 800 services from your long distance service provider, there are other options you may want to consider. You can get toll free services without any previous services or switching current local or long distance providers (stand-alone toll free). Most 800 number providers will charge a monthly maintenance fee along with a setup fee.

Toll free service is billed by the minutes a person has called you and usually is billed at a flat per minute rate. A toll free number can be any one of these prefixes in the United States: 1-800, 1-888, 1-877, and 1-866. There is no need for a separate phone line unless you want your line to ring exclusively for your toll free number. Existing business phone lines will not be affected by a toll free number.

You will need to pay close attention to what billing options are being attached to your toll free service. Any call made from a pay phone will usually have a connection surcharge fee that can go as high as .80 cents per call. Other area calls including cell phones may have additional charges as well so be sure to check and see if there is an option to block these types of numbers.

Because toll free numbers are often billed in increments like business long distance, you will want to find the lowest per second increments possible for your phone service. Be aware that many 800 number services can charge connection fees per call as well as have monthly fees. Should you not get toll free calls too often then the biggest portion of your bill may be the monthly minimum if there is one.

Vanity toll free numbers that end up spelling something to make it easier for customers to remember your number. Vanity numbers usually spell something relative to your industry that are easy to remember. Vanity numbers will typically come at a higher price and almost always come with a monthly fee.

3. Local Business Phone

Depending on the amount of employees that access your phone lines or even Internet, a T1 local loop may be a more affordable option opposed to using POTs (plain old telephone service). T1 local loop lines can greatly reduce the expense per business phone line for a growing business. A telecommunications consultant can help you greatly reduce your phone expenses and instruct you on the proper T1 configuration for your needs.

Businesses often will only go through a tier one carrier for their T1 needs. This request can be made through a qualified telecommunications consultant. Lower pricing can often be disguised as a T1 through other tier providers. This doesn’t mean a second or third tier carrier will necessarily rip you off, but it has been known to happen.

If you plan on having high speed Internet within your building there are new advanced dynamic integrated technologies that can be instantly scalable to your growing or declining needs, as well as integrated T1 solutions. A telecommunications consultant will be the best and easiest way to decide on what you need and save on telecom expenses at the same time.

4. Business VoIP Phone Service

While VoIP is fast becoming the newest standard in voice communications, there are a few requirements for deployment. To utilize hosted PBX solutions with VoIP technology you will need adequate bandwidth to your premise to ensure quality communications. While you may find many different attractive pricing offers for business VoIP, it is recommended you go with a bigger carrier that is known for it’s innovation in the technology as well as it’s staying power.

Be cautious if entering a long term contract with a VoIP company. If you do sign a contract, make sure you have a grace period to cancel should the services not add up to your expectations. It is more important and crucial to be wary of cheap VoIP providers due to the variances in hardware and software technology provided.