MTS Centrex Lines
A relatively old technology. Very powerful, very cumbersome. Every change you want to make, as simple as changing the key you press to activate call forwarding is a $25 charge (programming addition phones at the same time are $5 each). You have no control over the system.
This is perhaps one of the most expensive phone options available. With out a contracted rate, even just a few lines could out strip the saving of not buying a PBX in a very short time.
Advantages
First and foremost, the Centrex platform is an incredibly easy process for the customer to setup.
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Tell the phone company how many lines you need, the names of the staff members at each extension and what phone features you want.
In brief:
There is no system to have installed, setup, and maintain.
It still operates over a copper wire, is very reliable and offers very high voice quality.
Centrex offers almost all the features of a PBX including advance features like Universal Call Distribution, primarily used in a call center.
Disadvantages
For me, the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Centrex is “Dinosaur”.
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Still a very powerful animal but carries the stigma of having been the pinnacle in the past.
In Brief:
You have no direct control over the system and need to pay for every change no matter how small.
Options like music on hold are very expensive. Potentaly costing up to $600 per month.
Music on hold requires you to have to have a dedicated line run from the music source (the telco C.O.) to your office. This line is charged per 1/4 kilometer.
I hope you’ve found this useful, of course some of the information may not be accurate in the future. Always check info first before making changes.
