Independent Business Communications · Australia needtoknowit.com.au / needtoknowai.com

Is Your Office Ready for a New Phone System? Free Readiness Check

If your business is planning to switch to a VOIP phone system (phone calls made over your internet connection, instead of the copper phone line) and you want to make sure your setup is ready before you commit, this check takes 2 minutes. Missing one of the key requirements (internet speed, cabling, or router setup) is the most common cause of call quality problems after switching. Answer the questions below and we will score your office readiness and tell you what to fix.

Not sure where to start or whether your current internet setup can support VOIP phone calls? Tell us your team size and internet connection type.

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1 Internet Connection

Check your ISP bill or log into your ISP account.

2 Network Setup

3 Power and Reliability

Please answer all questions before checking your readiness.
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out of 18
Your Results by Area

Your score shows where the risks are. The most common fixes are straightforward: a router upgrade or a wired ethernet run to the desk. If you are unsure what your score means for your specific setup, tell us your result and we will explain the fix →

Not sure what to fix first? Maxotel includes a free site readiness assessment as part of onboarding. They will check your connection, recommend any changes, and help prioritise what matters for your team size.

Get a free readiness assessment
Australian Office VOIP Readiness Requirements (2026)
  • Minimum internet: NBN 50 recommended for 5+ concurrent calls
  • Bandwidth per call: approx. 80-100 Kbps per call (with overhead)
  • Ethernet vs wifi: Wired connections strongly recommended for desk phones
  • Router with voice prioritisation (QoS) recommended for offices with 5+ users
  • UPS for modem/router: $150-250 AUD for 30-60 minutes backup
  • Ethernet cabling cost: approximately $100-200 per desk point (installed)
  • Business-grade router cost: $150-300 AUD (Ubiquiti, MikroTik, TP-Link Omada)
  • NBN 25 to NBN 50 upgrade cost: typically $10-20/month difference

Ready to move forward? Tell us about your setup and we will match you with the right provider for your office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can VOIP work on wifi?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended for desk phones. Wifi adds latency and is prone to interference, which causes choppy audio and dropped calls. Use ethernet where possible. Softphone apps on laptops and mobiles work fine on wifi.

What internet speed do I need for VOIP?

As a rule: about 100 Kbps per concurrent call. NBN 50 comfortably supports 10-15 simultaneous calls plus normal office internet use. NBN 25 can handle 3-5 calls but leaves less headroom.

Do I need a special router?

Not always, but it helps. A router with QoS (Quality of Service) can prioritise voice traffic over downloads, which prevents calls from dropping when someone starts a large file transfer.

What is QoS?

Quality of Service is a router setting that gives VOIP traffic priority over other internet use. It ensures calls stay clear even when the office is downloading files or streaming video.

Will VOIP work during a power outage?

Only if your modem and router have battery backup (UPS). Without power, your internet goes down and VOIP stops. Mobile failover (auto-redirecting calls to staff mobiles) is the standard backup plan.