What kinds of telephone companies serve Canadian businesses
Search for telephone companies in Canada and you will find three broad groups. Each one suits a different kind of business, and mixing them up is how companies end up overpaying or stuck with a system that does not fit.
This page walks through the three categories and the questions worth asking each one before you sign anything. It names no competitors and makes no claims about any specific company outside our own services.
The three types of providers
Large national carriers. These are the big names most people recognize. They tend to bundle phone, internet and mobile under one account and have wide network coverage. The tradeoff is usually less flexibility on contract terms and a more standardized support experience.
Regional providers. Smaller telecoms that serve a specific province or area. They can offer more personal service and local knowledge, but their feature sets and geographic reach vary a lot, so check that they cover every office you run.
Hosted VoIP providers. These deliver your phone system over the internet instead of through copper lines or on-site hardware. Calls, voicemail, auto attendants and mobile apps all run from the cloud. We are in this category, so read our own claims with the same scepticism you would apply to anyone else’s. If you want to understand the model first, our guide to cloud-based PBX explains how it works.
Questions to ask every provider
Put the same list in front of each company you talk to. The answers are easier to compare when the questions do not change.
- Contracts: Is there a fixed term? What does it cost to leave early? Can you add or remove lines without renegotiating?
- Number porting: Will they move your existing numbers? Is there a fee? How long does it take, and what happens to your calls during the switch? Our page on number porting in Canada covers what to expect.
- Support: Is support based in Canada? Who do you reach when something breaks, and during what hours?
- Pricing: Is the rate flat or per minute? Which features are included and which cost extra? Are there setup or activation fees?
- Emergency calling: Is E911 supported, and what happens to calls if the power or internet goes down?
A provider that answers these clearly and in writing is usually one that has thought about its customers. Vague answers are information too.
Where Yappalot fits
Yappalot is a hosted VoIP provider serving businesses across Canada, with a focus on the Greater Toronto Area. Our site lists hosted PBX pricing plans and describes our SIP trunking service for businesses that want to keep an existing PBX. Our SIP trunking page says number porting is available from Bell, Rogers, Telus or any other provider, and that there are no lock-in contracts. Check the current terms with us directly before you decide.
If you are weighing hosted VoIP against SIP trunking, our comparison of SIP trunking and hosted VoIP lays out the difference. For a wider look at local options, see our list of VoIP providers in Canada.
How to narrow it down
Start with what your business actually needs. A single-office shop with a handful of phones has different needs from a firm with several locations and remote staff. Write down your lines, your locations and the features you cannot do without, then ask each provider to quote against that list.
Ask for a demo or a trial where one is offered, and test call quality from the places your team really works. If you are leaning toward VoIP, our walkthrough on switching your business phone system to VoIP shows what the move involves so nothing surprises you after you sign.
Frequently asked questions
What types of telephone companies serve Canadian businesses?
There are three broad groups: large national carriers, regional providers and hosted VoIP providers. Each differs in coverage, contract flexibility and how the phone service is delivered.
Can I keep my existing business phone number when I switch providers?
Often yes, through number porting. Ask any provider whether they port your numbers, whether there is a fee and how long it takes. Yappalot lists number porting from Bell, Rogers, Telus or any provider on its SIP trunking page.
What should I ask about contracts before signing?
Ask whether there is a fixed term, what it costs to leave early, and whether you can add or remove lines without renegotiating. Get the answers in writing.
Is a hosted VoIP provider different from a traditional phone company?
Yes. Hosted VoIP delivers your phone system over the internet from the cloud instead of through on-site hardware or traditional lines.
What is SIP trunking and who is it for?
SIP trunking connects an existing PBX to the phone network over the internet. According to Yappalot, it suits growing businesses, call centres, remote teams and firms with legacy PBX systems.
How do I compare providers fairly?
Write down your lines, locations and must-have features, then ask each provider to quote against the same list using the same questions.
