A multi-line phone system is essentially a system that is designed to accommodate multiple callers and recipients at the same time. Such solutions include the traditional key system units (KSU) as well as the popular internet-enabled (IP) phones. The two systems vary in terms of capacity, capabilities and of course prices.

To begin with, you need to bear in mind that multilinear phone system Cid’s vary from one phone system and provider to another. The pricing of multi-line phone systems is mainly determined by its features and the number of employees it can support.

Throughout this guide, you will learn how the cost is arrived at as well as the various factors that influence this pricing.

Average Multi-line Phone System Cost – Industry Standard Rates

Of the two main system types mentioned above, KSU units are the smaller and more affordable option. On average, SKU phone systems are priced between $20 and $30. If you are looking for a complex system that is suited for a corporate application, you should consider getting a PVC system (which is essentially an IP phone system).

In such a case, you should expect to spend thousands of dollars on the system. As you may be aware, key business phone systems are only suited for small business applications as most of them can only accommodate up to 40 users. Such a system is likely to have a central unit, commit referred to as the key system unit.

The SKU is the one that allows you to improve the capabilities of the system beyond those of a regular phone.  Depending on the features you are getting and the number of users supported by the system, you will end up spending between $300 and $1,000 per extension.

Factors Affecting Multi-Line Phone System Pricing  

If you are shipping for a multi-line phone for your business, you must have noticed that the various makes and models come at different price points. In most cases, the pricing is based on the complexity, and size of the system as well as it’s installation environment.

So, what are the cost factors of a multi-line phone system?

Network Service Cost

For the multi-line system to work, you need to pair the phone system to an internet service. The pricing for this service will vary from one internet service provider(ISP) to another. For relatively simple telephone service, commonly referred to as  POTS lines, the cost will be about $40 per line per month.

For digital services, such as a PRI (with up to 23 lines), you should expect to spend about $450 a month. You may also opt for DSL, one of the basic network service options. For DSL, the cost will be about $85 a month. If you would rather have a high-speed connection in your business, a fiber optic connection will come in handy but is often costlier.

With cable internet, you should expect to pay about $100 a month. The pricing will also depend on the size of your business. For instance, you will end up spending an average of $600 a month for a mid-sized business phone system.

Multi-Line Phone System Wiring

As you may be aware, a multi-line phone system needs to be connected to various phones and even computers. Connecting such components to the central units is essentially done using cables. As such, you will need to invest in the right wires and cables for the system as well.

The cost to run a pair of Cat5e wires to a location is about $190. You will also need to invest in the right patch panels, wire management, and probably a data rack or wall brackets. Although different wiring technicians may give you varying quotes, you should expect to spend an average of $500 on the phone wiring.

If you are replacing an existing system, you may be able to reuse the existing wiring for the new phone system. In such a case, the installation will be cheaper as it will require fewer labor hours and installation materials.

Cost of the Control Unit

Most businesses use either a cabinet or a server as the control unit in their multi-line phone systems. This is mainly determined by the type of phone system you would like to install. Again, the cost of the control unit will also depend on its size. In this case, you will have the choice of server-based phone systems and phones that do not have a server.

In both cases, the cost of the control system will depend on the number of phones it can support, as discussed below:

• Small IP-PBX (not server based)

These feature a rather simple design and support for basic Unified Messaging, Voice Mail capabilities. For a unit that supports up to 5 phones, the cost will be about $1,500 while one with support for up to 15 phones will cost about $1,800.

A control unit that can connect to a maximum of 35 phones will cost you an average of $7,000, one for 50 phones will go for about $11,000. For a system that can support more than 75 phones will cost you around $250 per phone.

• Server-Based IP-PBX

This option often includes IP phones, a station and often requires a licensing fee for the desktop interface. In this case, a system with support for 20 phones will cost you about $6,000 while one for up to 40 phones will be priced at around $12,900. For a system that can support more than 50 phones, you should expect to spend about $325 per phone.

Number of Phone Stations

Again, there is a range, with an average of $200 per station for a digital phone system. However, IP phones will be costlier, priced at about $350 per station. If you need a reception phone with a call director (with buttons for each extension) you will need an additional $750. If you need a conference phone they are $650 for a standard conference room.

Installation Costs

Most multi-line phone systems feature a complex design and should be installed by a skilled technician. As such, you also need to factor in installation costs. Labor costs for the installation will mainly depend on the complexity of the project and the number of phones to be connected. In most cases, it ranges from $1,200 for a 5-phone system to about$3,000 for a 50-phone system.

Ready to Install a Multi-Line Phone System?

Regardless of the size of your business, you will need a reliable and affordable communication solution for internal and external communications. In this regard, most businesses are finding multi-line phone systems to be a cost-efficient solution in the long run.

The cost of installing such a system will depend on the size of your business, a number of users, type of phone system, network service, software licensing and installation fees. As you can see, the cost of a multi-line phone system will be specific to the project.