What is a cloud phone system and how does it differ from a traditional PBX?

A traditional PBX is a physical box in your building that routes calls between handsets and the outside line. A cloud phone system replaces that box with software hosted by the provider. Calls travel over your internet connection. The benefits are flexibility — any device can be a handset, remote staff have the same experience as office staff, and adding or moving users is a configuration change rather than an engineer visit. The trade-off is that the system depends on the quality of your internet connection.

Will we keep our existing phone numbers when we switch?

Yes. UK number portability means your existing numbers move to the new provider regardless of who they sit with today, including geographic numbers, freephone numbers and DDIs. Porting takes typically two to four weeks, during which the old system continues to work and the new system is configured in parallel. Cutover usually happens overnight or out of hours so customers calling you never reach a dead line. We manage the porting paperwork on your behalf.

Our team is hybrid, with half in the office and half at home. Does a cloud phone system work for that?

Cloud phone systems are designed exactly for hybrid working. A user can answer their direct number from a desk phone, a laptop softphone, a mobile app or a wired handset in their home office — sometimes all four. Internal transfers, hold music, voicemail and call queues behave the same regardless of where the user is. For most clients, hybrid working was the main reason to move off a traditional PBX in the first place.

BT is switching off ISDN. Do we have to act now or can we wait?

The BT PSTN and ISDN switch-off is happening in stages, with most lines disconnected before the end of January 2027. Waiting until late 2026 to start planning leaves no contingency if porting is delayed, if cabling needs upgrading, or if your office connectivity is not yet fit for IP voice. We are recommending clients have their replacement system live by the end of 2025 at the latest, which puts the work in the next twelve to eighteen months for most businesses.

How is a cloud phone system priced?

Cloud phone systems are typically priced per user per month, with a tier that reflects the features each user needs — a receptionist needs more than someone who only uses voicemail. Call bundles to UK landlines and mobiles are usually included; international and premium-rate calls are billed separately. Handsets are a one-off cost or available on rental. We provide a single quote that covers porting, configuration, training and ongoing support so there are no hidden costs after go-live.

What happens if our internet goes down?

Two answers. First, well-designed deployments include automatic fail-over of inbound calls to mobile numbers or another office, so customers continue to get through even when your internet is down. Second, for businesses where the phone system is mission-critical, we recommend a second internet connection on a different network (a 4G/5G backup or a separate fibre line) so the phone system can ride over a primary outage. We design for this rather than hope for it.

Business Phone Systems

Enhance your communication capabilities with our comprehensive business phone systems.

FreePBX

At Corona IT Solutions, we excel in providing, maintaining, and supporting FreePBX VoIP telephone systems. Moreover, with FreePBX, the world’s most popular open-source IP PBX, you have the power to build a customised VoIP phone system that meets all of your needs.

Speak to our expert team today on 01228 210380 or book your FREE IT Review for a time that suits you

Expandable

Start with a smaller PBX phone system and expand it as your needs grow. We provide PBX systems with unlimited extensions and bandwidth. Furthermore, choose the size that suits your needs based on the number of concurrent VOIP calls you’ll make.

FreePBX GUI

FreePBX gives full administrative access to all FreePBX functions. You can set up your own admin accounts to manage extensions or any other parts of the telephone system, setup and control your system fully with no restrictions, and even includes the commercial end point manager and system admin modules free of charge.

Soft Phone Support

A softphone is a software program for making and receiving calls over the Internet using a computer, tablet or mobile phone rather than dedicated hardware. The cloud phone system can add any number of softphones as extensions.

DDI Numbers

These numbers can be routed to different people or ring groups based on pre-defined rules. Additionally, this makes it simpler for callers to connect with the right individuals by easily selecting a number to be put through to a specific department.

SiP Trunking

A central location can access virtual phone lines to make connecting your phone system to the outside world possible. This approach offers numerous benefits, including increased efficiency and cost saving.

Paging and Intercom

Provide support for group paging through your telephone handsets or integration through your overhead paging system. Without having to worry about any technical issues, you can easily communicate with your team members or employees using the paging system.

Company Directory

Allow your callers to easily find people in your organisation and connect directly to their telephone extension.

Case Study: Pinnacle Power Telephony Upgrade

Corona IT Solutions built a new call-centre style cloud-based business phone system for the customers of With Energy and Loca Energy.

We provided the system to Pinnacle Power so that their team could familiarise themselves with it and fully test it. This enabled us to make any necessary tweaks before going live to customers.

Find Out More

5 Great Benefits of Moving to VoIP for Small Businesses

FAQ's

What is a cloud phone system and how does it differ from a traditional PBX?

A traditional PBX is a physical box in your building that routes calls between handsets and the outside line. A cloud phone system replaces that box with software hosted by the provider. Calls travel over your internet connection. The benefits are flexibility — any device can be a handset, remote staff have the same experience as office staff, and adding or moving users is a configuration change rather than an engineer visit. The trade-off is that the system depends on the quality of your internet connection.
Will we keep our existing phone numbers when we switch?

Yes. UK number portability means your existing numbers move to the new provider regardless of who they sit with today, including geographic numbers, freephone numbers and DDIs. Porting takes typically two to four weeks, during which the old system continues to work and the new system is configured in parallel. Cutover usually happens overnight or out of hours so customers calling you never reach a dead line. We manage the porting paperwork on your behalf.
Our team is hybrid, with half in the office and half at home. Does a cloud phone system work for that?

Cloud phone systems are designed exactly for hybrid working. A user can answer their direct number from a desk phone, a laptop softphone, a mobile app or a wired handset in their home office — sometimes all four. Internal transfers, hold music, voicemail and call queues behave the same regardless of where the user is. For most clients, hybrid working was the main reason to move off a traditional PBX in the first place.
BT is switching off ISDN. Do we have to act now or can we wait?

The BT PSTN and ISDN switch-off is happening in stages, with most lines disconnected before the end of January 2027. Waiting until late 2026 to start planning leaves no contingency if porting is delayed, if cabling needs upgrading, or if your office connectivity is not yet fit for IP voice. We are recommending clients have their replacement system live by the end of 2025 at the latest, which puts the work in the next twelve to eighteen months for most businesses.
How is a cloud phone system priced?

Cloud phone systems are typically priced per user per month, with a tier that reflects the features each user needs — a receptionist needs more than someone who only uses voicemail. Call bundles to UK landlines and mobiles are usually included; international and premium-rate calls are billed separately. Handsets are a one-off cost or available on rental. We provide a single quote that covers porting, configuration, training and ongoing support so there are no hidden costs after go-live.
What happens if our internet goes down?

Two answers. First, well-designed deployments include automatic fail-over of inbound calls to mobile numbers or another office, so customers continue to get through even when your internet is down. Second, for businesses where the phone system is mission-critical, we recommend a second internet connection on a different network (a 4G/5G backup or a separate fibre line) so the phone system can ride over a primary outage. We design for this rather than hope for it.

Let's talk about how we can help you with Business Phone Systems

Book a free 30 minute call to review your IT requirements

The Corona IT Solutions team is ready and waiting to understand the challenges your organisation faces and offer expert solutions, support and advice.

In dialogue with you we can maximise the value of your technology, helping you get optimum results from the investments you’ve already made. From security to reliability, performance to costs, we can help your IT solutions grow with your business.

Book Your Review Call Us: 01228 210380

FreePBX

Expandable

FreePBX GUI

Soft Phone Support

DDI Numbers

SiP Trunking

Paging and Intercom

Company Directory

Case Study: Pinnacle Power Telephony Upgrade

FAQ's

Let's talk about how we can help you with Business Phone Systems

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