Assess your telecoms needs

Identify how many lines and extensions you require. The number of lines determines how many people can be on external calls simultaneously, the number of extensions determines how many phones you can connect in your office.You need fewer lines than extensions. One line for every four or five extensions, for example depending on how telephone-intensive your business is. All the lines can be connected to your main business number.

You can opt for direct dial in, where customers can phone individual extensions directly. To install it you generally need ISDN (integrated services digital network).You may need a separate fax line as well as capacity for connecting to the internet. Businesses with broadband or ISDN connections can make voice calls and internet connection over the same lines simultaneously. See our guide on options for connecting to the Internet.

Other servicesConsider whether mobile data services will be important. If so, which of the services will be most suitable? Your network service provider will be able to help you make this choice.


Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows you to make phone calls over a computer network, may suit your business if it makes high volumes of long-distance or overseas calls and you have a network connection that has a high enough data rate to handle the anticipated volume of calls.Does your business need video conferencing? Do you need it in-house or would a bureau service - an agency which provides facilities for a fee - be better if, for example, your use of video conferencing is likely to be infrequent. Web-based video conferencing is another option that can be considered.