The days of the on-premises PBX cabinet humming in a server room are fading fast. For Perth businesses setting up or replacing their phone system in 2026, cloud PBX and hosted VoIP are now the default choice — and for good reason.
But not every business situation is the same. This guide compares cloud PBX, hosted VoIP, and traditional on-premises systems so Perth businesses can make an informed decision based on their size, requirements, and budget.
The phone system runs in a provider's data centre. Your staff use desk phones (IP phones), a desktop softphone app, or a mobile app. Calls route over your internet connection. No hardware at your office beyond the phones themselves.
A physical PBX box (hardware) sits in your office, managing calls via ISDN or SIP trunks. Staff use traditional desk phones hardwired to the PBX. The system is owned by your business.
Keep your existing on-premises PBX hardware but replace the old ISDN lines with SIP trunks over the internet. A middle path for businesses with existing PBX investment that want to reduce line rental costs.
| System Type | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | 3-Year Total (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud PBX (softphones) | $0–$500 | $500–$800/month | ~$18,500–$29,300 |
| Cloud PBX (IP desk phones) | $2,000–$5,000 | $500–$800/month | ~$20,000–$34,000 |
| On-Premises PBX | $8,000–$18,000 | $200–$400/month (lines) | ~$15,200–$32,400 |
| SIP Trunking (existing PBX) | $500–$2,000 | $150–$300/month | ~$5,900–$12,800 |
Estimates. Actual costs vary by provider, number of concurrent call channels, and included features.
VoIP call quality depends on your internet connection. For Perth businesses on NBN:
The right NBN plan combined with a QoS-capable business router is all most Perth businesses need for reliable VoIP.
Switching to a cloud phone system doesn't mean losing your business number. All Australian providers are required to support number portability — your existing 08 XXXX XXXX numbers can be transferred to a new provider, typically within 3–5 business days for landlines.
Make sure to confirm number porting is included before signing with any provider. Some providers charge a porting fee per number.
Australia's copper PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is being progressively retired as the NBN rollout matures. Telstra has been withdrawing ISDN services in many areas, and businesses still on legacy PSTN or ISDN lines need a migration plan.
If your Perth business is still on a legacy landline system, waiting until your service is disconnected is not a plan. Migrating to cloud PBX now gives you time to do it properly rather than under pressure.
Veltel provides cloud PBX and SIP trunking solutions for Perth SMEs. Keep your existing numbers, add features, and never worry about the PSTN cutover.
View Business Plans → Talk to a SpecialistA cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a business phone system hosted in the cloud rather than on-premises hardware. It routes calls over the internet (VoIP), gives staff phone numbers and extensions, and includes features like IVR menus, call recording, and mobile apps — without requiring physical equipment at your office.
Yes, with a quality internet connection. For most Perth businesses on NBN 100 or above with QoS configured on their router, VoIP call quality is indistinguishable from traditional PSTN calls. Adding 4G failover eliminates outage risk entirely.
Cloud PBX systems typically cost $15–$40 per user per month, with no upfront hardware cost if using softphones (mobile/desktop apps). Traditional PBX systems require $3,000–$20,000+ in upfront hardware for a Perth office of 10–30 staff, plus ongoing maintenance.
Yes. Number porting allows you to transfer your existing Perth 08 landline numbers to a cloud PBX provider. The process typically takes 3–5 business days. Confirm porting is supported before signing with any provider.
With a cloud PBX system, an internet outage will take your desk phones offline. To prevent this, configure 4G/5G failover on your business router — calls will continue routing over mobile broadband during an NBN outage. Mobile app users on 4G/5G will be unaffected regardless.