What is a Phone Extension?

When setting up a business phone service, you might be wondering what a phone extension is and how it’s different from a phone number. If your business is on the smaller side, you might even be wondering if you can afford phone lines and extensions. Read on to learn everything you need to know about phone extensions, phone lines, and phone numbers. 

What is a Phone Extension?

Essentially, a phone extension is an extension of your business phone number. When calling from your business phone, all you have to do is type in a three, four, or five-digit number. In the days of traditional PBX, phone lines were incredibly expensive and labor intensive to add. Phone lines would be shared by multiple people in an office, with four-digit numbers used to reach each extension. Additionally, extensions were limited to geographical proximity. You could only share lines if your offices were in the same building. 

With VoIP service, however, phone lines can be shared across vast geographical distances. Rather than using physical extension lines, phone extensions are connected over the internet. Employees can answer their personal extension, even if they’re working remotely. Additionally, customers can skip past the auto attendant to reach you directly if they know your extension. Depending on the VoIP provider, you may be able to set up an unlimited amount of virtual extensions. 

The Difference between a Phone Number and a Phone Extension

Although they may seem similar, a phone number and a phone extension are two different things. A phone number is the ten-digit number customers can call to reach you. With all types of business phone services, you pay per phone number. Because of this, it can get expensive to have a direct phone number for every person working on your team. 

That’s where phone extensions come in handy. With a phone extension, multiple people can share the same phone number. Traditional PBX systems allow a limited number of extensions using a four-digit number, such as 0001. VoIP service, on the other hand, may use a three-digit, four-digit, or five-digit number. The extension allows customers and coworkers to dial into a specific person or department. With many VoIP providers, you can use as many extensions as needed for your business. Additionally, you don’t have to be in the office to answer your extension. All you need is an internet connection and an internet-capable device and you can answer your extension from anywhere in the world. Coworkers can reach you simply by dialing your three, four, or five-digit extension. 

The Difference between a Phone Number and Phone Line

Phone numbers and phone lines might seem even more similar. And the truth is, the difference between a phone number and phone line is subtle. A phone line traditionally refers to the wire that connects traditional phone systems to the PSTN. With VoIP service, however, that connection may occur wirelessly. Still, the idea is the same: a phone line is a connection between phones. Typically, only one call can occur per phone line. 

A phone number, on the other hand, is like the address of your phone line. It allows callers to place a call to the correct place. With VoIP, you might pay for multiple phone numbers. For example, if your business is expanding into Orlando, Florida, you may opt to pay for a 407 phone number to establish a local presence. 

How to Add a Phone Extension to a Phone Number

Now that you know the difference between the two you might be wondering how to add a phone extension to your phone number. In a traditional PBX system, adding an extension is a matter of connecting wires to the right places. Someone from your IT department will likely take care of adding the extension. 

However, if you have VoIP service, adding an extension to your phone number is probably easier than you think. All you have to do is log into your VoIP’s admin portal and add the phone extension with a few clicks of the mouse. 

Key Takeaways on Phone Extensions

• A phone extension allows users to share the same phone line. 
• A phone number is a ten-digit number that connects callers to your phone line. 
• A phone line is the connection that allows phone calls to come to you. 
• VoIP service allows for many more phone extensions than a traditional PBX system without the added cost. 

If you need to add or upgrade your business phone service, OneStop Communications is here for you. We’ll help you find the right business phone service plan for your needs. We help customers across the Southeast of the United States and work with the nation’s best carriers, including Verizon, Nextiva, ATT, Vonage, Century Link, Spectrum, and more. We serve the entire southeast including Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Birmingham, and more! Contact OneStop Communications today to get your free quote!

Share this post?