VoIP vs landline for Adelaide small business
If you're still thinking about 'landlines vs VoIP' as a choice, there's an important update: traditional copper phone lines no longer exist in Australia. Telstra's PSTN has been fully decommissioned. Every business phone service now runs over the internet in some form. The real question is which type of internet-based phone system suits your business.
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The short answer
For most small businesses in Adelaide, a cloud-based VoIP phone system is the clear winner. It's cheaper (typically 40 to 60% less than old-style services), more flexible (your team can take calls on laptops and mobiles), and includes features that used to cost a fortune: call routing, voicemail to email, hold music, the lot. The only reason to stick with a basic NBN voice service is if you genuinely just need one phone line and nothing else.
What to consider
Cost
Cloud VoIP runs $25 to $35 per user per month with unlimited domestic calls included. Over five years, a five-person business saves $5,000 to $16,000 compared to traditional services.
Flexibility
VoIP lets staff answer business calls from their laptop, mobile, or home office, not just the desk phone in the corner of the shop.
Features included
Auto-attendant, call queues, voicemail to email, call recording, and hold music come standard with most VoIP platforms without add-on fees.
Reliability
VoIP depends on your internet connection. If your NBN drops out, so do your phones, unless you have a mobile failover or backup connection set up.
Number porting
You can keep your existing business phone number when switching to VoIP. The porting process takes 5 to 10 business days in Australia.
Internet quality matters
VoIP needs a stable connection, not necessarily a fast one, but if your internet is already unreliable, that needs fixing first.
Who this guide is for
- Businesses still on an old phone system wondering what to do now that copper is gone.
- Anyone paying too much for a basic phone service bundled with their NBN.
- Teams with staff working across multiple locations or from home who need a proper phone system.
- Business owners who want to understand their phone options without being sold a complicated system.
What to do next
- Check your current phone costs. Add up line rental, call charges, and any hardware fees. Most businesses are surprised how much they're actually spending.
- List what you actually need. How many people take calls? Do you need a main number with extensions? Call routing? Mobile access?
- Test your internet. VoIP needs a stable connection. If your internet is already dropping out, sort that first before moving your phones.
- Ask about number porting. Confirm you can bring your existing number across. No customer should have to learn a new number.
- Talk to us about options. We set up VoIP phone systems for Adelaide businesses and can recommend the right platform for your size and needs.
How WaTo can help
- We set up and manage cloud phone systems that work across desk phones, laptops, and mobiles.
- We handle the number porting so your customers don't notice anything changed, apart from better service.
- We configure call routing, auto-attendant and voicemail properly so calls go where they should.
- If your internet isn't up to scratch, we can sort that out too before moving your phones.
- Ongoing support means if something's not working, you call us, not a VoIP provider's call centre.
Related questions
What happens to my phones if the internet goes down?
Most VoIP systems can failover to mobile phones automatically if your internet drops. We can also set up a backup internet connection for businesses where phone uptime is critical.
Can I keep my old desk phones?
Some older phones can be reused with an adapter, but most businesses find it's worth getting IP phones or headsets that are designed for VoIP. The call quality and features are noticeably better.
Is VoIP call quality as good as a landline?
On a stable internet connection, yes, and often better. HD voice on VoIP systems actually sounds clearer than the old copper network did.
Do I need special hardware?
Not necessarily. VoIP can run on laptops and mobiles with a software app. If you want desk phones, IP handsets start from around $100 to $150 each, or you can use headsets for a cleaner desk setup.
How WaTo can help with this
Still not sure?
Give us a ring (while you still can on your old system) and we'll walk you through what a VoIP setup would look like for your business, in plain English and without any pressure.
Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 5pm
