Bell phone line costs for office telephone?

[jayk]

I heard that Bell charges a lot more for business (ie. office) lines. Like $100+ monthly versus ~$30 monthly for residential lines.

Is that true? Can you save money by playing Bell against Rogers or Primus?

thanks

[jayk]

bump

[cwb27]

Why don't you just call and ask?

[re-guy]

$40 plus Features plus Taxes

We went with Rogers for $30 with 1 Feature, $5 SAF (per account, not per line), plus Taxes

[jayk]

the thing is my father told me he has 2 lines under 1 acc't with bell for his office, so it's treated as a business and so he has to pay $150-180 per month for those 2 lines !!!

I'm calling bell and rogers to check the prices again.

[gman]

the thing is my father told me he has 2 lines under 1 acc't with bell for his office, so it's treated as a business and so he has to pay $150-180 per month for those 2 lines !!!

I'm calling bell and rogers to check the prices again.

Business line costs more than residential line. It does not matter if it is Bell, Primus or Rogers.

[Bullseye]

We pay $34/line for five lines, three year contract, with Bell.

[i6s1]

I think included in that price is a listing in the bus section of the phone book.

[Paolo]

business lines are for businesses, residential lines are for residences

[jayk]

We pay $34/line for five lines, three year contract, with Bell.

wow I've never heard of such a deal. Five lines for a business or residential?

[joey3k]

According to charger, the guy who has been in a coma, shot 20 times and is married to lindsay lohan, you're looking at about $70,000

[re-guy]

Business line costs more than residential line. It does not matter if it is Bell, Primus or Rogers.
Rogers treats small biz as Residential (yes, this is in an office building, i'll scan the bill tomorrow)

[jayk]

hey guys

I checked our office Bell bill.

Can you tell me what these mean? It's my dad's office. But here are some of the charges in addition to what the y charge basic:

MONTHLY SERVICE
Long distance network charge 5.95
Line hunting feature 5.10
2 Business lines 87.26

EQUIPMENT RENTAL
1 Nortstar 3X8 Common Equipment 29.50
2 Nortstar M7208 8-button telephone 9.50


Can someone tell me what the line hunting and LD network charge mean and if Rogers charges that too

And also if I really need to pay for the equipment rental? Sounds like my dad was getting ripped off if he's paid for equipment rental for years. Could've bought a couple phones by that time.

[gman]

hey guys

I checked our office Bell bill.

Can you tell me what these mean? It's my dad's office. But here are some of the charges in addition to what the y charge basic:

MONTHLY SERVICE
Long distance network charge 5.95
Line hunting feature 5.10
2 Business lines 87.26

EQUIPMENT RENTAL
1 Nortstar 3X8 Common Equipment 29.50
2 Nortstar M7208 8-button telephone 9.50


Can someone tell me what the line hunting and LD network charge mean and if Rogers charges that too

And also if I really need to pay for the equipment rental? Sounds like my dad was getting ripped off if he's paid for equipment rental for years. Could've bought a couple phones by that time.


I am guessing.

I think line hunting is to pick up a telephone line which is free (you have 2 lines). Also, probably, if 2 outsider calling one number but there are 2 lines to serve it. ie. Person A calls 416-123-4567 will connect and at the same time, Person B calls 416-123-4567 will also connect.

LD network charge is you subscribed a Bell LD plan.

I don't think you have to rent from them but you need to use their compatible equipment.

[i6s1]

hey guys

I checked our office Bell bill.

Can you tell me what these mean? It's my dad's office. But here are some of the charges in addition to what the y charge basic:

MONTHLY SERVICE
Long distance network charge 5.95
Line hunting feature 5.10
2 Business lines 87.26

EQUIPMENT RENTAL
1 Nortstar 3X8 Common Equipment 29.50
2 Nortstar M7208 8-button telephone 9.50


Can someone tell me what the line hunting and LD network charge mean and if Rogers charges that too

And also if I really need to pay for the equipment rental? Sounds like my dad was getting ripped off if he's paid for equipment rental for years. Could've bought a couple phones by that time.

As above, line hunting is when an inbound call will go to an available line. If L1 is available, L1 will ring. If L1 is busy, L2 will ring. If L1 and L2 are busy, L3 will ring. All with the same phone number.

The equipment rental fees will also likely include service. Not really a rip-off, because installing and servicing systems can often cost more then the off-the-shelf price of phones. So cancel the rental if you want, but be aware that you'll loose the peace of mind that the repair costs will be covered.

All that said though, if you've only got 2 lines and two phones, and don't need some of the features that the key system provides, you could just go out and buy a couple of 2-line phones. The key system you have can be expanded up to 3 lines and 8 phones, but if you have no plans for that, then you should consider buying a pair of basic 2-line phones.

[gtz_finest]

Rogers business phone if you are a small business is the same price as residential if you have 3 lines or less.

Primus is I think $36 per line no matter how many lines.

Second and third lines with rogers are I think $15 or $20 if they are basic with no features.

Multi-line hunting is not available from Rogers they only offer advanced call forwarding. (Difference Multiline hunting will go from line to line until an answer or voicemail answers. Call Foorward only allows call to be transferred once to another phone or then to voicemail)

Long distance network charge is so that your lines can make long distance calls even if you don't

[jayk]

where would be the best place to buy some phones to rent?

I'm guessing I can install the 3x8 system myself ifI buy a new one?
It's 29.50 a month to rent. Not sure if it's easy to install cuz if so, I can just go on ebay and buy one for the cost of renting for 3 months.

[i6s1]

You probably could if you get an identical system and copy the instalation, but it would still need to be programed. Go for it, worst case you'd have to call a tech out to finish up anything you couldn't do.

[royaljelly]

Rogers is definitely the way to go for business phone lines. They end up sending a Bell technician to come setup the Bell lines anyways. Getting a customized phone number is a bit trickier though.

I currently have 3 business lines with Rogers. The first line you need to have at least one basic option ($29.95), the other 2 I have no option at all ($21.95).

They also charge $0.19 per line for hearing impaired assist and $0.22 per line for 911 service.

[i6s1]

Rogers is definitely the way to go for business phone lines. They end up sending a Bell technician to come setup the Bell lines anyways. Getting a customized phone number is a bit trickier though.

I currently have 3 business lines with Rogers. The first line you need to have at least one basic option ($29.95), the other 2 I have no option at all ($21.95).

They also charge $0.19 per line for hearing impaired assist and $0.22 per line for 911 service.

Just wait until you have troubles though. You'll get Bell and Rogers each blaming the other's equipment. More service providers means more hassle when things go wrong.

Saving money is great, but it does come at a cost sometimes.

[royaljelly]

Just wait until you have troubles though. You'll get Bell and Rogers each blaming the other's equipment. More service providers means more hassle when things go wrong.

Saving money is great, but it does come at a cost sometimes.

I've actually had NO troubles with their lines so far (been with them since April). Service is actually quite good too.

I also have Roger's landline at home for the past few years, also no problems.

[jayk]

anyone know the process involved with the box installation changes when switching phone companies?

[YLSF]

I just signed up with Primus for business.. I was comparing Bell/Primus/Allstream/Rogers,etc and in the end Primus offered the best deal on a contract.

If you are going to go with Rogers don't forget that they have a "network access fee" or whatever.. Seems to be mandatory. At least with Bell you can chose not to be on a longdistance plan and use a dialaround number... (i.e. yak,etc)...

[royaljelly]

If you are going to go with Rogers don't forget that they have a "network access fee" or whatever.. Seems to be mandatory. At least with Bell you can chose not to be on a longdistance plan and use a dialaround number... (i.e. yak,etc)...
What is this "network access fee" and how much did they tell you they charge? I only recall having to pay an initial activation fee when I first got my Rogers lines. Even managed to get the activation fees for the second and third lines waived when I asked for it during the signup when talking to the CSR. Plus as I listed before in my earlier posts, there isn't any mention of a network access fee, only the hearing impaired assist and 911 service fees.... are you referring to a wireless cell phone line?

I'm also able to use yak for all of my Long D calls even with Rogers landlines.

[Topher]

Don't forget to look at some of the VOIP options. I don't know which one my boss has signed up for, but that is what we use at work. We have a Montrela number, a Toronto number, and a toll-free number. They all route through Montreal, and then go to our extensions. Most of the time, the quality is as good as a landlnie, although once or twice a week it breaks up. Considering I spend much of my day on the phone with clients, I'd hav to say that VOIP is good enough 99% of the time. I even have it (sjphone) installed on my Dell Axim x51v and can walk all over the warehouse with my "portable phone". Next step, is to get the boss to let me work from home.

[jayk]

Hey guys

so I've decided to go with Rogers business phone solutions.
2 business lines with cost me <$50 per month.
But I just want to confirm the following with you guys:

1. So do I need to pay for call forwarding then? Since linehunting is not available with Rogers. Then I will need to get call forwarding with Rogers.
We have a fax machine, the main office phone and the secretary only.

2. cable vs circuit. I talked to the Rogers CSR and she said that circuit allows you to use your phones like Bell's cuz they use the same line. They install the box free of charge without rental fees. Even though cable is a bit clearer, I don't mind circuit since she said it sounds just like a regular phone line. However, with cable she didn't know how to install equipment. I kept on getting forwarded back and forth through different departments for this question so I just hung up since it sounded like nobody knew the answer.

3. Since Rogers doesn't provide equipment rentals, do I need something similar to connect my 2 phone lines to a Norstar 3x8 common equipment (not exactly sure what it's for but saw it on my Bell $30 monthly rental for this thing).

Thanks!

[CanAm]

You will need a BIX block to connect your Nortel 3x8 KSU to the lines. You will also need a BIX tool to attach the wires to the block. If you bought the KSU used (3x8 is old) you may have recieved the BIX block and cabling already. I use a Norstar CICS KSU in my office and it really doesn't do much more tha the old 3x8. Alternatly you could go Asterisk with VOIP and your two lines through FXO cards.
You can get a Nortel wiring guy out if this is too much trouble. Frankly after learning the system and buying the tools I would have come out about the same just hiring a guy.

BTW when you say cable vs. circuit, do you mean VOIP over rogers cable vs POTS (regular telphone line)?

[jayk]

Not sure what you mean by BIX tools, etc. as it sounds complicated but from my understanding with circuit phone, Rogers sends someone to install some "black box" and that connects the 2 phones. Not sure why we're paying $30 to rent some 3x8 common equipment, maybe Bell is ripping us off.

Re: circuit (uses regular phone lines) vs cable phone, I think those are different from VOIP according to the Rogers CSR.

[jayk]

bump

Hey guys

so I've decided to go with Rogers business phone solutions.
2 business lines with cost me <$50 per month.
But I just want to confirm the following with you guys:

1. So do I need to pay for call forwarding then? Since linehunting is not available with Rogers. Then I will need to get call forwarding with Rogers.
We have a fax machine, the main office phone and the secretary only.

2. cable vs circuit. I talked to the Rogers CSR and she said that circuit allows you to use your phones like Bell's cuz they use the same line. They install the box free of charge without rental fees. Even though cable is a bit clearer, I don't mind circuit since she said it sounds just like a regular phone line. However, with cable she didn't know how to install equipment. I kept on getting forwarded back and forth through different departments for this question so I just hung up since it sounded like nobody knew the answer.

3. Since Rogers doesn't provide equipment rentals, do I need something similar to connect my 2 phone lines to a Norstar 3x8 common equipment (not exactly sure what it's for but saw it on my Bell $30 monthly rental for this thing).

Thanks!

[CanAm]

Not sure what you mean by BIX tools, etc. as it sounds complicated but from my understanding with circuit phone, Rogers sends someone to install some "black box" and that connects the 2 phones. Not sure why we're paying $30 to rent some 3x8 common equipment, maybe Bell is ripping us off.

Re: circuit (uses regular phone lines) vs cable phone, I think those are different from VOIP according to the Rogers CSR.


THe "black box" may be the termination (demark?) in your suite. It may be a block of metal pins (110-type) which you use with a 110 tool to attach you lines cables to. Do you have a large box that your phones connect to (the Nortel 3x8 KSU)?

[jayk]

THe "black box" may be the termination (demark?) in your suite. It may be a block of metal pins (110-type) which you use with a 110 tool to attach you lines cables to. Do you have a large box that your phones connect to (the Nortel 3x8 KSU)?

Yes it's the Nortel 3x8 SKU. Does that mean I don't need to buy a 3x8 if I make the switch to Rogers (who'll be providing the black box)?

Thanks

[CanAm]

Yes it's the Nortel 3x8 SKU. Does that mean I don't need to buy a 3x8 if I make the switch to Rogers (who'll be providing the black box)?

Thanks

To run Nortel/Meridian phones you need to Nortel 3X8 KSU, yes. The demark is just the end of the phone companies lines. The KSU hooks up to this.

[jayk]

To run Nortel/Meridian phones you need to Nortel 3X8 KSU, yes. The demark is just the end of the phone companies lines. The KSU hooks up to this.

is there a cheaper way to get the same thing? eg. not using Norstar phones?
Because the 3x8 common equipment rental fee of $29.50 is a killer!

Would it be required regardless of whether I used Rogers or not?

I found SKU's on ebay. I found a 6x16, 3x8, 8x24, not sure what those numbers mean exactly.
I wonder if I can install this myself easily. If it needs hardcore programming, then maybe not.

Thanks

[jayk]

is there a cheaper way to get the same thing? eg. not using Norstar phones?
Because the 3x8 common equipment rental fee of $29.50 is a killer!

Would it be required regardless of whether I used Rogers or not?

I found SKU's on ebay. I found a 6x16, 3x8, 8x24, not sure what those numbers mean exactly.
I wonder if I can install this myself easily. If it needs hardcore programming, then maybe not.

Thanks

bump

[jason9945]

is there a cheaper way to get the same thing? eg. not using Norstar phones?
Because the 3x8 common equipment rental fee of $29.50 is a killer!

Would it be required regardless of whether I used Rogers or not?

I found SKU's on ebay. I found a 6x16, 3x8, 8x24, not sure what those numbers mean exactly.
I wonder if I can install this myself easily. If it needs hardcore programming, then maybe not.

Thanks

Your renting a phone switch, thats what the KSU (not SKU) is. Its the thing that gives you a whole pile of features, and lets you use those lovely Norstar/Meridian phones. Its NOT required, but its nice to have. Do you want to phone between extensions? Have a high quality speaker phone? Music on hold? Paging? System wide speed dials? You can just buy a pair of 2 line phones from Radio Shack if you want.

6x16 means 6 incoming lines, 16 extensions. 3x8 3 incoming, 8 extensions. Make sense?

You can probably figure out how to install it yourself, but it might be easier to just phone in somebody to install it yourself. OR if you bump this thread enough it might install and program itself!

[i6s1]

If you scrap the KSU, then you'll loose some features. You might not be using or requiring the features, and some of them are now available on cheaper systems. You might loose things like call transfer. Say you have a call come in, the receptionist answers the phone, on a regular phone, there is no way to transfer the call to someone else, except for yelling "pick up the phone" and having the other person pick up the phone. You might loose the intercom, where the secretary can just push 4 numbers and the boss's phone rings.

However, there are some phone systems that replicate some of those features without a KSU. That leaves my area of experience. You might be best off talking to a salesperson at an electronics store. If you do go to one voice line and one fax line, then you can get a 2-line phone that will let you use the fax for an outgoing call if the first line is in use.

An extension is a phone in this case.

Call forwarding is not the same as hunting. With hunting, you have more then one line with the same phone number. If someone calls when the first line is busy, line 2 will ring. If line 1 and line 2 are busy, line 3 will ring. All automatically. Call forwarding, as far as I know with Rogers, has to be done manually every time. This makes it pretty much useless for replacing call hunting. The additional lines are called overlines, and sometimes the entire setup is refered to as a rotary system. This has nothing to do with old rotary phones.

If you just need a single line, and you don't mind incoming callers getting voicemail when the line is busy, then you can get by with one line for voice and one for fax. There is no practical way to share a fax line and a voice line in a business. You just get too many faxes for it to be worthwhile. Incoming faxes will have a person answer, and then they'll have to start the fax machine. There are electronic fax services that give you a real 1800 phone number to fax to, then email the fax to you so you can view it or print it, and then you can use a voice line to send outgoing faxes, if you're trying to save money.

If you want to save the rental costs, call Bell and see if you can buy the system from them, or see if they have any lower cost systems that still meet your needs.