Cloud PBX Phone System
Your office switchboard in the cloud — no physical phone box needed
A cloud PBX (also called hosted VoIP — a phone system that runs over your internet) moves your office switchboard online. All the extensions, call transfer, voicemail and IVR auto-attendant (the "press 1 for sales, 2 for support" menu) live on the provider's servers. Staff answer the company line on an IP desk phone, their computer or a mobile app — no bulky switchboard box sitting in your office.
For SMEs that want a proper company switchboard, multiple extensions and an auto-attendant, but don't want to buy and maintain a physical phone box. Great for firms with branches, remote staff or people often on the move.
Same product, different names.
Each carrier brands this differently — here’s how to recognise it when you compare quotes.
The honest pros and cons.
Benefits
- No big upfront spend on a physical switchboard or its installation.
- Add or remove extensions, open a new branch or onboard staff by changing settings online — no engineer pulling cables.
- Staff take company calls on a mobile app or computer, so working from home or on a trip feels the same as the office.
- Built-in IVR menu, voicemail, call forwarding and call recording — no extra system to buy.
- The provider handles upgrades and maintenance, so you don't need in-house staff babysitting a switchboard.
Watch-outs
- It relies entirely on your internet — if the line drops or is unstable, calls drop or sound poor, so pair it with reliable broadband.
- Usually billed per extension/seat each month, so more users means a higher monthly bill.
- IP desk phones are bought or rented separately, and there's often a contract term.
- Emergency (999) calls locate differently from a traditional fixed line — your registered address must be correct.
Indicative pricing: roughly from HK$50–150 per extension/seat per month for small setups, with IP phones often extra. Multi-branch or advanced features (call analytics, CRM integration) are usually quote-based. Actual cost depends on seats, features and contract term.
Common questions
Q01Can I keep my existing company phone number?
Q02How is a cloud PBX different from a SIP trunk?
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Learn more 02Business Phone Line / IP Phone Line
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Learn more 03IDD International Calling
Call abroad, charged per minute by destination
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