Small Business

Which solution fits your needs?

In order to help you choose the right solution for your business, and examination of your needs is necessary. So, what are the differences between PBX and Centrex?

• Price Concerns
• System Reliability
• Sets and Features
• Technology
• Growth Potential
• Outsource versus Own

Price Concerns

Centrex	PBX
Administration of software and switch hardware is included in monthly service.	Requires trained, on-site staff, or additional maintenance costs.
Network costs are included.	Additional trunking costs and traffic engineering studies.
Monthly rate includes electrical power, floor space, and insurance.	Additional costs for electricity, floor space, and insurance.
Does not require capital investment.	Requires Capital investment

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System Reliability

Centrex	PBX
Fully redundant central office is included.	Redundancy is an additional cost.
Battery backup is a standard feature.	Battery back up must be purchased.
24/7/365 switch maintenance is included.	Customer must supply maintenance personnel (recommended).

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Sets and Features

Centrex	PBX
Option to buy additional features at any time during the contract period.	Many features are included with the purchase of a PBX.
Centrex has hundreds of features, and the customer chooses only those that they want.	Additional features may require software purchase.
Feature changes are controlled by TELUS.	Features are maintained by the customer's support staff.

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Technology

Centrex	PBX
TELUS is responsible for technology upgrades.	Customer is responsible for technology upgrades.

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Growth Potential 

TELUS	PBX
Growth expansion is handled by TELUS.	Customer is responsible for growth expansion.
Feature changes are controlled by TELUS.	Customer is responsible for adding station and trunking capabilities.

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Outsource (Centrex) versus Own (PBX)

Centrex	PBX
Minimizes personnel and capital expense.	Real time ability to make changes.
Eliminates major maintenance expenses.	Customer has more control over equipment.
Incremental and virtually unlimited growth potential.	Once CPE is paid, the customer owns the hardware.
Improves customer cash flow. back to top	Most features are included in initial cost.

Provincial Centrex Service (PCS) Lines

Contract rates are available.  Please contact your Account Executive for further information regarding contract options.
The following tables show the monthly rental per line. Additional charges would apply for any optional features.

Alberta Non-Contracted PCS Lines

Rate Band	Monthly per line
A	$53.05
B	$53.05
C	$56.60
D	$58.95
E	$59.55
F	$60.70
G	$62.50

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British Columbia Non-Contracted PCS Lines

Rate Band	Monthly per line
A	$55.00
B	$55.00
C	$64.55
D	$65.65
E	$66.75
F	$67.85
G	$68.95

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Centrex Multiline Service Lines

The following tables show the monthly rental per line. Additional charges would apply for any optional features.

Alberta Centrex Multiline Service Line Rates (Monthly per line)

Rate Band	Monthly per line
A	$56.00
B	$56.00
C	$74.00
D	$82.00
E	$83.00
F	$84.00
G	$86.00

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British Columbia Centrex Multiline Service Line Rates (monthly per line)

Rate Band	Monthly per line
A	$54.00
B	$54.00
C	$73.00
D	$79.00
E	$80.00
F	$81.00
G	$82.00

There are a number of features available for your Centrex Service.  The features implemented will depend on your Centrex configuration and not all features are compatible with each other.  For a list of all the available features please see our Standard and Optional features.

Centrex Voice mail (CVM)  
Other Centrex Voice Messaging Service Options  
Automatic Blocking
Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) Service  
Call Display  
Centrex Dynamic Chage (CDC)  
Centrex Voice Dialing (CVD) Service  
Electronic Transfer of SMDR Information (ET/SMDR)  
Extended Call Management (ECM) Service  
Other Optional Features

Centrex Voice Mail (CVM)

• The Standard Mailbox monthly rate includes delivery of up to 100 messages per month.  For each message beyond 100, a charge of $0.10 per message will apply.
• With the exception of an ECP Mailbox, no service charges are applicable for the provisioning of a CVM Service option when it is ordered at the same time as the line (for line options) or Customer Group (for Customer Group options).  If the CVM option is ordered subsequent to the installation of the Customer Group or the Centrex Line, or if the option requires modification, or for the installation of an ECP mailbox at any time, Service Charges will apply.  See Service Charges for more information.
• No Service Charge shall be assessed for any mailbox password reset.

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Other Centrex Voice Messaging Service Options

Other Centrex Voice Messaging Service Options

Option	Non-Contract Rate per Month	Notes
Standard Mailbox, each mailbox	$ 14.00
Combined Voice Mail, each subscription	$ 4.50
Alias Transfer, each mailbox	$6.00
Enhanced Call Processing Applications
Call Menu, each menu	$16.00
Information Only, each application	$16.00
Information Centre, each application	$25.00
Voice Forms, each application	$25.00
Bulletin Distribution, each mailbox	$50.00
Phantom Transfer, each mailbox	$6.00
Usage reports, per report	$25.00	1.
Additional Simultaneous Access, each access	$10.00	2.

Notes:

1. Service charge for Usage Reports is $100.00
2. Service charge for Additional Simultaneous Access is $100.00
3. Mailboxes or ECP application that use the Zero-out feature which is programmed to a Long Distance number, will be charged TELUS Toll Rates, unless the Customer subscribes to a TELUS Toll discount package.  These LD calls cannot be PIC'd to an alternative LD carrier as the calls are generated and delivered using TELUS facilities and networks.

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Automatic Blocking

Feature	Monthly Rate
Automatic Blocking - all Customers except:
Shelters for victims of domestic violence Crisis centers Customers identifying themselves as victims of potential victims of violence Law enforcement agencies and community health clinics.	$ 8.95
Automatic Blocking - all Customers who are:
shelters for victims of domestic violence, crisis centers, Customers identifying themselves as victims or potential victims of violence,   law enforcement agencies, and community health clinics.	$ 0.00

No service charges are applicable for the provisioning of Automatic Blocking when it is ordered at the same time as the line (for line options) or Customer Group (for Customer Group options).  If the option is ordered subsequent to the installation of the Customer Group or the Centrex Line, or if the option requires modification, Service Charges will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.

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Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) Service

• The Customer shall pay to the Company the following rates and charges for ACD Service.  Such rates and charges are in addition to any other rates and charges that may be applicable.
• ACD Group monthly rates include ACD queue positions, and the primary ACD Directory Number.
• ACD rates do not include the Centrex line rates that would be applicable for each agent or supervisor.
• Regardless of the when any ACD feature is ordered, Service Charges will apply. Please see Service Charges for further information. 

Service Item	Monthly Rate
ACD Group, each group	$ 180.00
Agent/Supervisor Position, each agent or supervisor	$  11.00
ACD Service Bureau, each agent	$  35.00
ACD Service Bureau RTA, each agent	$  55.00
ACD MIS Data Port, each port	$ 250.00
ACD Usage Report, each report	$  75.00

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Call Display

The charges are as follows:

Service Item	Monthly Rate per line
Call Display – all Customers except NCS Customers with 70,000+ lines nationally; per line equipped	$  2.25
Call Display – NCS Customers with 70,000+ lines nationally; per line equipped	$  0.00

No service charges are applicable for the provisioning of Call Display when it is ordered at the same time as the line (for line options) or Customer Group (for Customer Group options).  If the option is ordered subsequent to the installation of the Customer Group or the Centrex Line, or if the option requires modification, Service Charges will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.

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Centrex Dynamic Chage (CDC)

The rates for CDC shall be determined by the number of lines in the Customer Group for which CDC has access.  Aggregation of lines within different customer groups for determination of the CDC rate is not permitted.

Service item	Monthly Rate	Service Charge	Notes
Primary system, each port			1,2 & 3
1 - 500 lines	$ 350.00	$3,000.00
500 - 1500 lines	$ 600.00	$ 3,500.00
1501 - 5000 lines	$900.00	$4,000.00
5,001 - 10,000 lines	$1,200.00	5,000.00
10,000+ lines	$1,2000	$5,000.00	4
Adjacent System, each port	$ 200.00	$1,000.00	2

Notes:

1. A Primary System is defined as a Customer’s system that occupies one CDC access port on a Company Centrex switch, serving one or more Customer Groups of the same Customer.
2. The Adjacent System charges shown apply to Customers whose Customer Groups are divided between two separate Company Centrex switches within the same local calling area.  The Customer’s largest system within the same Customer Group shall be deemed to be a charged as the Primary System.
3. Customers requiring two or more CDC access ports on the same Centrex switch shall pay for each port at the Primary System rates.
4. CDC monthly rates for 10,000+ Lines apply to British Columbia only.  CDC is included in the line rates for Volume Range 10 in Alberta only.

Installation Service Charges will apply.  If CDC modifications are required, Service Charges will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.

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Electronic Transfer of SMDR Information (ET/SMDR)

Service Item	Monthly Rate	Service Charge
SMDR Call Record, each record retrieved	$ 0.0012	N/A
Duplicate copy to an Additional Recipient, per SMDR record retrieved	$0.00006	N/A
Et/SMDR initialization, per node	N/A	$ 1040.00
Switch Activation, each Centrex switch arranged to deliver SMDR information to ET Node	N/A	$  315.00
Data Retrieval Site; each customer site activation (initial set-up or change of location)	N/A	$  360.00
Access Protocol Conversion; each conversion	N/A	$  360.00
Change of Access Service, each change	N/A	$  360.00

If ET/SMDR modifications are required, Service Charges for the modification of the feature will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.

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Extended Call Management (ECM) Service

The following charges apply:

Service Item	Monthly Rate	Service Charge	Notes
Centrex ECM. each ECM subscription	$ 1,400.00	$ 28,000.00
Centrex ECM Per Agent, each ECM agent			1
20 agents	$  225.00	$  3,500.00
up to 40 agents	$  225.00	$  6,000.00
up to 60 agents	$  255.00	$  8,000.00
up to 80 agents	$  225,00	$  9,500.00
ECM Agent, each agent	$   17.00	$   300.00	1, 2
ECM Database Update, each update required	$     0.00	$    150.00	1, 2

Notes:

1.  Service option is available in British Columbia only, as a per agent priced alternative to subscription on a per ECM service basis.
2. ECM Agent and ECM Database Update charges are in addition to either ECM or ECM Per Agent charges.

If ECM modifications are required, Service Charges for the modification of the feature will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.

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Other Optional Features

For the Centrex optional features the rates and charges as shown on the following table apply in addition to the Provincial available in BC and Alberta.

Service Item	Monthly Rate	Service Charge	Notes
Additional Directory Number (ADN); each number	$   2.25	Note 3
Alternate Number Delivery (AND); each number	$   2.00	Note 3
Audio Input on Hold (AIOH)Port;		Note 4	Note 8
each port	$  85.00
Simultaneous voice connections in excess of 12; each connection	$   5.00
Automatic Route Selection (ARS); each subscription	$   0.00	Note 4	Note 16
Call Again; each line equipped	$   4.00	Note 3	Note 1
Call Forwarding - Remote Activation (CRFA); each subscription	$   3.50	Note 3	Note 13
Call Return; each line equipped	$   5.00	Note 3	Note 1
Call Trace	$   0.00	$0.00
Conference 6; each bridge	$  200.00	Note 4	Note 6
Customer Announcement; each 30 seconds	$  60.00	Note 4	Note 1
Digital Recorded Announcement Machine (DRAM) Message; each message		Note 4	Notes 2, 11
initial 10 seconds	$ 150.00
each additional second to a maximum of 7 seconds	$   5.00
Digital Recorded Announcement Machine (DRAM) Card;each card	$  425.00	$ 1,000	Note 2
E-Line Card Visual Message Waiting Indication;each line	$   1.50	Note 3	Note 10
Enhanced Answering Position (EAP); each EAP subscription	$  25.00	Note 3
External Abbreviated Dialing	$   0.00	Note 3	Note 15
Intercept For Number Not Directory Listed; each number intercepted	$  16.20	Note 3	Notes 1, 12
Message Service	$ 100.00	N/A	Notes 2, 10
Network Speed Calling;each line	$   0.35	Note 4	Note 1
Number Retention; each simultaneous voice path	$  45.00	Note 3	Note 1
Remote Feature Access Port; each port	$  14.00	Note 4	Note 14
Seasonal Disconnect,; each line	$  18.50	Note 3	Notes 1, 9
Simplified Message Desk Interface (SMDI); each link	$ 325.00	Note 4
Simultaneous Ring (SimRing); each subscription	$   4.00	Note 3	Note 13
Smart Ring; each subscription	$   6.95	Note 3	Note 1
Speed Call 30; each list	$   6.75	Note 3
Speed Call 50; each list	$  11.00	Note 3
Speed Call 70;each list	$  12.75	Note 3
Speed Call Large; each list			Note 2
250 numbers	$  35.00	$  290.00
500 numbers	$  50.00	$  365.00
1000 numbers	$  75.00	$  540.00
Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR); each subscription	$   0.00	Note 3
Trunk Termination:		Note 4	Note 5
Each DSO termination	$   23.00
Each DS1 termination	$  564.00
Uniform Call Distribution (UCD);each group	$   0.00	Note 4
Virtual Network Link;each simultaneous voice path	$   8.00	$  25.00	Note 7

Notes:

1. Option is available only in Alberta.
2. Option is available only in British Columbia.
3. No service charges are applicable for the provisioning of this option when it is ordered at the same time as the line (for line options) or Customer Group (for Customer Group options).  If the option is ordered subsequent to the installation of the Customer Group or the Centrex Line, or if the option requires modification, Service Charges will appply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.
4. Regardless of when the feature is ordered, Service Charges will apply.  Please see Service Charges for further information.
5. Analog or digital facilities at appropriate Company rates are in addition to the termination charges shown.
6. First 6 or 8 port Conference bridge access for each customer group provided at no charge.
7. The Virtual Network Link is subject to a maximum $575.00 service charge per Customer request for the installation or physical move of any number of links at the same location for the same due date.
8. The Customer is required to pay at applicable rates for the dedicated facility between the music or information source of their choosing, and the Centrex customer group located on the host switch.
9. Available only to lines under non-contract rates.
10. Not available for new installations or subscription in British Columbia.
11. The service charge for additional seconds is included in the service charge for the original message.
12. Charge applies only to Centrex telephone numbers which have not been listed in the Company’s white page directory.
13. Subscription to this option also requires subscription to one Centrex Remote Feature Access Port at applicable rates.
14. Only one port per switch is required regardless of the number of subscriptions to Simultaneous Ring or Call Forward – Remote Activation.
15. Changes to the dial plan of one Customer Group may impact other Customer Groups.  Applicable Service Charges shall include work done on all Customer Groups that are part of the Dial Plan.
16. Service charges shall be applicable for all ARS table changes except in cases where ARS table updates are required as a result of Company initiated network changes.

Add, Move and Change Charges

For the installation or move of PCS lines, or for the provisioning or modification of any feature in the Standard Features Package subsequent to the installation of the Customer Group (For Customer Group features) or the Centrex line (for line features) – with the exception of those features for which a Service Charge is applicable regardless of when the feature is provided as indicated in the tariff item – Service Charges will be applied based on Time and Charges in accordance with the following:

Service Item	Alberta	British Columbia
Engineering Staff per 15 minutes or fraction thereof:
Regular Hours	$32.50	$32.50
Othere/Overtime Hours	$ 42.50	$ 42.50
Non-Engineering Staff
Regular Rate	$ 72.00/hour (minimum of 45 minutes or $54 may apply)	$ 76.00/hour (minimum of $98 may apply)
	$18.00 per 15 minutes	$19.00 per 15 minutes
Overtime Rate	$ 96.00/hour (minimum of 45 minutes or $72 may apply)	$ 132.00/hour (minimum of 1 hour or $132 may apply)
	$24.00 per 15 minutes	$33.00 per 15 minutes
Called Out Overtime	$ 96.00 / hour (minimum of 2 hrs or $192 may apply)	$ 132.00 / hour (minimum of 2 hrs or $264 may apply)
	$24.00 per 15 minutes	$33.00 per 15 minutes

The Regular Time Rate refers to regularly scheduled work hours for the local area, and applies when an employee is being paid the "regular rate of pay". (example - 8am to 5pm, or shift work, or compressed work week hours).

The Continuing & After Hours Overtime Rate refers to the time spent on the customer's premise following completion of the regularly scheduled work hours in the local area, and applies whenever an employee is being paid the "overtime rate of pay".

The Called Out Overtime rate refers to Sundays and Holidays and non-regularly scheduled work hours in the local area, and applies where work is performed entirely outside regularly scheduled work hours. A minimum two hour rate will apply.