Hosted PBX: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about AgileIP’s hosted PBX service: installation, number porting, pricing, cancellation, and coverage across Canada.
Your AgileIP service continues operating normally during a power or internet outage at your location, because the phone system runs on AgileIP’s servers, not your premises. Inbound callers still reach your auto attendant, hear your greetings, and navigate your menu options as usual.
Calls cannot route to desk phones that have lost power, but AgileIP can automatically forward them to any pre-configured alternative number – a mobile, a home office line, or any number of your choice. This failover is configured in advance and requires no action during the outage. Hosted PBX systems are more resilient during local outages than traditional on-premise phone systems for exactly this reason.
Yes. Your existing phone number can be ported to AgileIP’s platform. You retain full ownership of the number throughout and can transfer it to any other provider at any time if needed. The porting process typically completes within 5 to 10 business days. You can also add new numbers alongside your existing ones.
Yes. Installation is included at no charge for all customers. Remote installation is available coast-to-coast across Canada. On-site installation is available where geography permits. Most deployments are configured remotely before phones arrive – phones come pre-provisioned and are ready to use when plugged in. For businesses with an IT team, AgileIP coordinates network configuration with your IT contact directly. Accounts can typically be activated within 48 hours of receiving the porting approval from the carrier.
Yes, in most cases. AgileIP’s hosted PBX is compatible with most IP phones using the open SIP protocol, including Yealink, Polycom, Panasonic, Grandstream, Astraa, Cisco, Snom. Contact AgileIP to confirm your specific models are compatible before switching.
If your current phones are traditional analogue phones (not VoIP/SIP), new IP phones will be required. IP phones are significantly less expensive than a full phone system replacement, making the switch cost-effective in most cases.
Yes. You can cancel your AgileIP service at any time. There are no early termination fees or minimum commitment periods. Your phone number remains your property and can be ported to another provider after cancellation.
The only requirements are a router or firewall and a stable high-speed internet connection – most businesses already have both. AgileIP recommends a router with QoS (Quality of Service) capability, which prioritises voice traffic over other network activity to maintain call quality. QoS is not always required and depends on your internet connection and usage volume. AgileIP assesses this during the initial consultation.
No. AgileIP configures all phones before they are deployed. Phones purchased through AgileIP arrive pre-programmed – plug them in and they are ready to use. No technical knowledge is required from your side.
No. AgileIP operates on a month-to-month basis with no long-term contracts and no minimum commitment period. Canadian telecom regulations (CRTC) require a service agreement, but AgileIP’s agreement is open-ended and cancellable at any time with no early termination fees.
No. All AgileIP IP phones use the open SIP protocol and are compatible with any SIP-based platform. If you switch providers, your phones go with you. AgileIP does not use proprietary hardware that ties you to a specific platform – unlike some providers that lock phones to their network.
Yes. AgileIP includes a cross-platform softphone application for Android, iOS, Mac, and PC. Remote employees use the same phone system, same extension, and same features as office staff – calls route to their device as if they were at their desk. New remote employees can be onboarded via a QR code that installs and configures the softphone automatically, without shipping hardware.
A hosted PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a business phone system where all the hardware and software runs on the provider’s servers rather than at your location. Your phones connect to the system over your internet connection. You get all the features of a traditional multi-line office phone system – auto attendant, call queues, voicemail, extensions – without owning or maintaining any phone system equipment on your premises. The provider manages everything; you use the phones.
AgileIP prices hosted PBX service on a per-line, month-to-month basis. The monthly fee covers the phone system platform, all standard PBX features, installation, staff training, and ongoing support – these are not billed separately. IP phones are available for purchase or can be supplied by the customer if compatible. For a specific quote based on your number of lines and requirements, AgileIP offers free consultations with no obligation.
A traditional phone system uses hardware installed on your premises – a physical PBX box, phone lines, and wiring that you own, maintain, and eventually replace. A hosted PBX moves all of that to the provider’s data centres. You keep the desk phones; everything else is managed remotely. Hosted PBX eliminates upfront hardware costs, maintenance contracts, and end-of-life replacement cycles. It also enables remote and hybrid work through softphones and mobile apps, which traditional systems cannot easily support.
Each VoIP call uses approximately 100 kbps of bandwidth in each direction under most codecs. A business with 10 simultaneous calls needs roughly 1 Mbps dedicated to voice – well within the capacity of most standard business internet connections. Call quality depends more on network stability and latency than raw speed. AgileIP assesses your connection during setup and advises on router configuration if needed.
Yes. AgileIP provides hosted PBX service coast-to-coast across all Canadian provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. All infrastructure is hosted in Canadian data centres. Installation is handled remotely for most locations, with on-site support available where geography permits.