Difference Between PSTN and PBX
Feature |
PSTN |
PBX |
---|---|---|
Ownership |
Publicly owned and operated |
Privately owned by an organization |
Primary Use |
General public telephony |
Internal and external communication for businesses |
Cost |
Generally higher due to per-minute charges |
Lower for internal calls, cost-effective for businesses |
Flexibility |
Limited to voice transmission |
Can handle voice, data, and video communication |
Maintenance |
Managed by telecom operators |
Managed internally or by a service provider |
Scalability |
Expensive and time-consuming to scale |
Easily scalable with modern IP-based systems |
Technology |
Older circuit-switched technology |
Modern IP-based technology |
Infrastructure Requirements |
Extensive physical infrastructure (copper/fiber) |
Requires network infrastructure, can be hosted or on-premises |
Call Routing |
Calls routed through multiple exchanges |
Calls managed and routed internally |
Integration |
Limited integration capabilities |
Can integrate with CRM, email, and other business systems |
Security |
Less prone to hacking due to physical lines |
Requires robust cybersecurity measures |
Communication Mode |
Primarily voice |
Supports voice, video, and data communication |
Emergency Services |
Direct access to emergency numbers |
Can be configured to access emergency services |
Reliability |
High reliability due to established infrastructure |
Dependent on the internet for IP-based systems |
Difference Between PSTN and PBX
Business telephone systems are classified into two main categories of systems at the present; the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and the Private Branch Exchange (PBX). They are both forms of communication but there are some distinct differences between them, primarily in that they both allow for voice calls.
PSTN in its Full is referred to as the Public Switched Telephone Network, this is the network that connects all PSTN phones which are the landline phones. On the other hand, PBX or private branch exchange systems are private telephone systems that are in a company’s premises to handle the company’s internal calls and route external calls through trunk lines connected to the PSTN.
In this article the reader will learn about key differences between proximal and production networks in terms of technological platforms, ownership, functionality, scalability and pricing. We will also look at when PSTN or PBX would be ideal for an organization, the size of business, and traffic intensity.