How Much Does a Business Phone Line Cost?

A business phone line with Telonium costs $24.95 per user per month, with unlimited calling in the lower 48 states and parts of Canada and the core features included, plus taxes and fees. One phone number comes with every two users. A few things cost extra only if you use them. Here is what that adds up to for a small team, and what to check on any provider's price.

What Do You Pay for with a Business Phone Line?

When people say "phone line," they usually mean three things bundled together:

• A person who can make and take calls, on a desk phone, a computer or a cell phone.
• A phone number customers dial.
• Calling minutes, local and long distance.

An old landline priced each of those separately, and features like voicemail or a phone menu were often add-ons. With a cloud phone system, the price is usually per person, and the features come with it.

Per Line or per User: What's the Difference?

A traditional line was a wire: one call at a time on one number. A per-user price covers a person instead. Each user can answer the main number, their own number and calls passed to them from any device, and several people can be on calls at once on the same main number.

So the question is not "how many lines do we need?" It is "how many people need to make or take calls?"

What's Included at $24.95 per User?

• Unlimited calling in the US (48 states) and parts of Canada.
• The Telonium app on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, showing your business number.
• An auto attendant (the "press 1 for..." phone menu), schedules by day and time, and holiday hours.
• Call groups that ring several phones at once, and queues where callers wait in line in order.
• Voicemail to email, call logs and call analytics.
• Verified Caller ID on outgoing calls, and "[Unverified]" shown before the names of incoming calls that fail the caller ID check.
• E911: your street address and suite or floor, sent to 911 with the call.

You can see the full list and current prices on our pricing page.

How Much for a 2-, 4-, 6- or 10-Person Office?

Here is the monthly math, before taxes and fees. One number is included for every two users.

If someone only needs voicemail or forwarding, such as a part-time bookkeeper or a shared mailbox, they can be a user without a phone for $14.95 a month.

What Costs Extra?

Only a few things, and only if you use them:

• Extra phone numbers beyond the included ones: $5 a month each.
• Call recording, an add-on, with playback in the call log.
• International calls, including to Alaska, Hawaii and US territories.
• Incoming toll-free minutes, if you have an 800-style number.
• Moving an existing number, $10 per number, one time. Details are on our keep your number page.

Do You Need to Buy Desk Phones?

No. Many teams use only the app on their computers and cell phones. If you want desk phones, Telonium offers Yealink models that arrive set up and ready to plug in. They are bought, not leased, and shipping typically takes 3 to 5 business days. You can browse them on our desk phones page.

What About Taxes and Fees?

Every phone bill carries taxes and government fees on top of the advertised price, and they vary by where you are. Telonium's prices are shown before taxes and fees. When you compare providers, compare the total you will actually pay, not just the headline number. Our post on hidden fees on a business phone bill walks through what to look for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Setup Fee?

You sign up online in about ten minutes, and accounts are usually approved within one business day. Moving an existing number is $10 per number, one time, and desk phones are optional.

Can I Add or Remove Users Later?

Yes. Add or remove users any time as your team changes. Service is month-to-month, with no long-term contract.

Is One Line Enough for a Small Business?

Think in people, not lines. Each user can take calls on the main number, and several people can be on calls at the same time.