Should I bring my equipment or get new equipment when changing to VoIP telephony with GreenLink?
In this article, we provide guidance to help you decide whether to bring your own equipment, rent phones, purchase new equipment, or operate entirely without physical phones when transitioning to VoIP service with GreenLink.
There are several important factors to consider when evaluating your VoIP equipment options, including:
- Whether your current equipment is still under manufacturer warranty
- Whether the manufacturer still provides software updates and support
- The expected remaining lifespan of your current devices
- Compatibility with VoIP technology and the GreenLink network
- Your company’s budget and preferred level of upfront investment
Bringing Your Own Equipment (BYOD)
Using your existing equipment can be an excellent option if your phones are relatively new, still supported by the manufacturer, and compatible with the GreenLink VoIP platform.
Bringing Your Own Equipment May Be a Good Option If:
- Your phones are still under warranty
- The manufacturer continues to provide firmware updates and support
- Your equipment is compatible with VoIP services
- Your devices are expected to remain supported for at least the next 3–5 years
In these situations, bringing your own equipment can help reduce upfront costs while still allowing you to benefit from modern cloud telephony features.
Note: Customer-owned devices require a one-time provisioning fee of $35.00 per device for configuration and onboarding onto the GreenLink network.
When It Makes Sense to Get New Equipment
If your current phones are no longer supported by the manufacturer, are outdated, or are not compatible with VoIP services, purchasing or renting new equipment is usually the best option.
This is especially common for businesses migrating from traditional analog phone systems to VoIP for the first time.
New equipment can provide:
- Improved reliability
- Better call quality
- Access to newer features and functionality
- Longer manufacturer support lifecycles
- Enhanced security and firmware support
Renting vs. Purchasing Phones
If you need new VoIP-compatible phones, the next decision is whether to rent or purchase the equipment.
The best option often depends on your company’s budget, operational goals, and preference for upfront versus recurring costs.
Renting Phones May Be Ideal If:
- You want lower upfront costs
- You prefer predictable monthly expenses
- You want easier equipment replacement or upgrades over time
- You prefer long-term ownership
- You want to avoid recurring rental fees
- Your company is comfortable making a larger upfront investment
Purchasing Phones May Be Ideal If:
You can learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each option here:
Should I Buy or Rent Phones for My VoIP Service?
Operating Without Physical Phones
Some businesses may choose not to use physical desk phones at all.
GreenLink offers the Mobility Suite, which allows users to access their phone extension through a softphone application installed on:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Mobile devices
- Or multiple devices simultaneously
- High-quality voice service
- A dedicated extension number
- Voicemail access
- Conferencing features
- Business calling functionality from anywhere
With the GreenLink Mobility Suite, users can still enjoy:
This option is ideal for remote teams, mobile employees, hybrid work environments, or businesses looking to minimize hardware costs.
Need Help Choosing the Right Option?
No matter which path you choose, GreenLink’s Partners and Service Team are available to help you evaluate your options and determine the best solution for your business needs.
If you need additional assistance, please contact us at help@greenlinknetworks.com.