How Much Does VoIP Installation Cost in Northern Ireland?

VoIP Pricing for Northern Ireland Businesses

If you're a business owner in Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Derry, or anywhere across Northern Ireland looking to upgrade your phone system, the first question is always: "What's it going to cost me?"

The good news is that VoIP is significantly cheaper than the traditional phone systems it replaces. But costs vary depending on the number of users, the handsets you choose, and whether you want professional installation or a self-install setup. Here's a transparent breakdown based on what Northern Ireland businesses actually pay in 2026.

Monthly Per-User Costs

The core cost of a hosted VoIP system is the monthly per-user licence. Across the UK market, hosted VoIP typically runs at around £12-20 per user per month, depending on the licence tier and the features included. Entry tiers cover standard telephony (calls, voicemail, call routing); mid and higher tiers add the softphone and mobile app, chat, video calling, screen sharing, and options such as call recording and Microsoft Teams integration.

SIP trunking, where you keep an existing on-premise PBX and replace the lines, is usually costed per channel rather than per user, typically around £3-8 per channel per month with low per-minute UK call rates. Which model suits you depends on whether you are replacing the whole system or extending the life of existing equipment.

What Sits in Each Tier

As a general guide to how VoIP licences are structured, the table below shows how features typically build up from an entry licence to a full unified-communications or business licence. Exact tier names, inclusions and prices vary by platform and are confirmed in your quotation.

Number Porting & New Numbers

• Porting an existing number: a standard, well-established step so you keep your current business numbers. Cost is usually modest and confirmed at quotation, depending on the current provider and number type.
• New numbers: typically a small one-off cost per number.

Feature Comparison by Licence Tier

Which Licence Do Most NI Businesses Choose?

For most Northern Ireland businesses, a unified-communications (UC) licence is the sweet spot. It includes the softphone/mobile app, chat, video calling, and screen sharing - the features that make the biggest difference for modern working. A higher business licence is worth it if you need call recording and Microsoft Teams integration included rather than as add-ons. We recommend the right tier once we understand how your team works.

Handset Costs

You'll need IP handsets for each desk that needs a physical phone. Yealink is the most popular choice and what we recommend for most deployments:

• Yealink T31G (£45-55): Basic calling - warehouses, kitchens, common areas
• Yealink T33G (£55-70): Colour screen, 4 lines - the sweet spot for most office staff
• Yealink T43U (£85-100): USB headset support, expansion modules - receptionists and team leads
• Yealink T46U (£140-160): Large colour display, dual USB - managers and directors
• Yealink T58W (£220-280): 7" touchscreen, Bluetooth, WiFi, video - executives and boardrooms
• Softphone only (£0): Use the mobile/desktop app instead of a physical phone - no hardware cost

Not every user needs a desk phone. Many businesses use a mix: physical phones for reception and office-based staff, softphones for mobile workers and remote staff. This keeps costs down without sacrificing functionality.

Installation Costs in Northern Ireland

This is where local pricing matters. Installation costs in Belfast and Northern Ireland are generally lower than London or the South East:

Self-Install (£0)

Hosted VoIP is designed to be plug-and-play. If you're comfortable with basic IT, you can set up the phones yourself. Plug the handset into your network, enter the provisioning details (or use auto-provisioning), and you're live. We provide full setup guides and phone support for self-install customers.

Professional Installation (£200-500)

For most small offices (5-15 users) in Belfast, Lisburn, or the greater Belfast area, professional installation costs £200-500. This includes:

• Network assessment and broadband speed check
• Router/switch configuration and QoS setup for voice priority
• Handset deployment and auto-provisioning configuration
• Number porting coordination (keeping your existing numbers)
• Staff training on the new system
• Testing all extensions, call routing, and voicemail

Larger Installations (£500-2,000)

For offices with 20-50+ users, multiple floors, or complex call routing requirements, installation costs increase to reflect the additional configuration work. This might include:

• Network cabling and switch upgrades
• WiFi access point installation for wireless handsets
• Complex auto-attendant and IVR menu programming
• Call centre queue configuration and wallboard setup
• Multi-site networking between offices
• Integration with CRM or other business systems

Real-World Cost Examples for NI Businesses

The figures below are illustrative examples built from typical UK market ranges, to show how the pieces add up. They are not a quotation - your actual costs depend on the platform, handsets, install scope and connectivity, which we confirm after understanding your setup.

Small Solicitor's Office in Belfast (5 Users)

• 5x mid-range IP handsets (around £55-70 each)
• Monthly per-user licence at typical UC market rates (roughly £12-20 per user)
• Number porting for existing numbers (confirmed at quotation)
• Professional installation for a small office (typically £200-500)
• Modest one-off setup, with a predictable monthly per-user cost

Estate Agent in Lisburn (10 Users)

• 1x reception handset with expansion options, plus mid-range handsets for agents
• Monthly per-user licence at typical UC market rates
• Number porting for existing numbers (confirmed at quotation)
• Professional installation (typically £200-500 for this size)
• One-off setup for handsets and install, plus a per-user monthly cost

Medical Practice in Newry (20 Users)

• Reception handsets plus staff handsets across the practice
• Higher business-tier licence where call recording is required
• Number porting for existing numbers (confirmed at quotation)
• Professional installation with call-queue setup (larger installs typically £500-2,000)
• Larger one-off setup reflecting the queue and recording configuration

Call Centre in Belfast (50 Users)

• 50x handsets with headsets for agents
• Higher business-tier licence per user
• Contact-centre add-on for queue and reporting features
• Number porting for existing numbers (confirmed at quotation)
• Professional installation with wallboards and CRM integration (larger installs typically £500-2,000+)
• A larger project cost reflecting the contact-centre features and integration work

What About Your Existing Phone Numbers?

Number porting - transferring your existing business phone numbers to the new VoIP system - is a standard step with most providers. The process usually takes 1-2 weeks. Existing numbers can normally be ported, subject to the current provider and number status, so customers keep calling the same numbers.

Comparing VoIP to Your Current Phone Costs

Switching from traditional phones to VoIP can reduce monthly telephony costs, depending on the existing line rental, call usage, licences, handsets and support requirements. A typical 10-user office on traditional lines pays:

• Line rental: £200/month (10 lines × £20)
• Call charges: £100-200/month
• Maintenance: £50/month
• Total: £350-450/month

The same office on a hosted VoIP UC licence, at typical market rates:

• Service: around £12-20 per user per month, with UK calls typically included
• Maintenance: usually none, as the platform is hosted and maintained by the provider
• Total: a predictable per-user monthly cost, generally well below traditional line rental plus call charges

The handset and installation costs are typically recovered within 3-6 months from the monthly savings. For a detailed UK-wide breakdown, see our guide on business phone system costs.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Broadband upgrade: VoIP needs reliable broadband. If your current connection is slow, you may need to upgrade (£30-60/month for business fibre)
• Network switch: If your office network switch doesn't support PoE (Power over Ethernet), you'll need a new one (£100-300)
• Long contracts: Some providers lock you into 3-5 year contracts. We offer flexible terms
• Per-minute charges: Ensure UK calls are included, not charged per minute

Why Choose a Local NI Provider?

You could buy VoIP from a national provider, but there are real advantages to working with a Northern Ireland-based company like Drakos Systems:

• Local engineers: On-site installation and support from Northern Ireland staff
• Understanding of NI business: We know the local market, the broadband landscape, and the challenges NI businesses face
• Face-to-face service: We'll visit your office, assess your needs, and provide hands-on training
• Complete solution: Phones, broadband, mobiles, and IT support from one local provider