Phone:
A "channel" is one concurrent call path. With VoipPlus, you pay $20 per channel per month—not per phone or per employee. This guide helps you determine the right number for your business.
These terms are often confused. Here's what they actually mean.
A channel is one active call at a time. If you have 5 channels, 5 people can be on the phone simultaneously. This is what VoipPlus charges for.
A physical desk phone or softphone. You can have 20 phones but only need 3 channels if no more than 3 people call at once. Phones/extensions are free with VoipPlus.
A phone number that people dial to reach you. You can have multiple DIDs (main number, fax, direct lines) that share your channel pool. DIDs are $5/month or included in plans.
10 attorneys each have a desk phone (10 extensions). The firm has a main number, fax number, and 5 direct lines for partners (7 DIDs). But typically only 3 people are on calls at once. They only need 3-4 channels = $60-80/month.
Use this table as a starting point based on your employee count. Actual needs vary by call volume.
| Employees | Recommended Channels | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 2 channels | $40/mo | Solo/duo offices. Handle 2 calls + hold. |
| 3-5 | 3 channels | $60/mo | Small office. Rarely need all 3. |
| 6-10 | 4-5 channels | $80-100/mo | Medium office. Buffer for busy periods. |
| 11-20 | 6-8 channels | $120-160/mo | Larger office. Scale based on call volume. |
| 21-50 | 10-15 channels | $200-300/mo | Multi-department. Consider ring groups. |
| 50-100 | 15-23 channels | $300-460/mo | PRI replacement territory. |
* Based on typical office environments. High-volume call centers need more channels per employee.
Different businesses have different calling patterns. Here are typical setups we see in Chicagoland.
Typical setup: 3-4 channels
Monthly cost: $60-80
Front desk handles most calls. Hygienists and dentists rarely make outbound calls. Peak time is morning appointment confirmations.
Typical setup: 5-6 channels
Monthly cost: $100-120
Attorneys often out of office (court, depositions). Paralegals and reception handle most incoming calls. Direct lines for partners.
Typical setup: 2-3 channels
Monthly cost: $40-60
Call volume spikes during meal rushes. After-hours goes to voicemail or reservation system. Simple needs.
Typical setup: 6-8 channels
Monthly cost: $120-160
Agents use cell phones for most client calls. Office lines for reception and admin. Ring groups for buyer/seller leads.
Typical setup: 8-10 channels
Monthly cost: $160-200
Dispatch is phone-intensive. Coordinators on calls with drivers, customers, and shippers constantly. 24/7 operations.
Typical setup: 5-7 channels
Monthly cost: $100-140
Agents spend significant time on phone with clients and carriers. Claims and policy changes generate call volume.
Adding channels is instant and simple. No technician visits, no hardware changes, no contract renegotiation.
Most businesses start with fewer channels and add as needed. It's better to start conservative—you'll know quickly if you need more.
Signs you may need additional channels:
Not everyone calls at the same time. In a typical office, only 20-30% of staff are on the phone simultaneously. You pay for concurrent capacity, not potential capacity.
New incoming calls go to voicemail or hear a busy signal (configurable). Outgoing calls from your phones will also be blocked until a channel frees up. This is why a small buffer is recommended.
No. Extension-to-extension calls within your office don't use external channels. Only calls to/from outside phone numbers consume channel capacity.
Yes. If you have offices in Chicago and Naperville, they can share a channel pool. This often means you need fewer total channels than separate systems.
A conference call with 5 participants uses 5 channels (one per external leg). Internal participants don't use channels. Large conferences may need temporary channel increases.
Per-seat providers (RingCentral, Nextiva) charge $30-50 per user per month. For a 10-person office, that's $300-500/month. With channel pricing, the same office might pay $80-100/month for 4-5 channels.
We'll review your current phone usage and recommend the right number. No obligation.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 — Serving Chicago, Schaumburg, Naperville, Arlington Heights, and all Chicagoland