sundance-communications.com/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems NEC Telephones & Systems How old is a NEC 28i Phone System?

A fellow member directed me to this forum.

I work for a small business that currently uses an NEC 28i Phone System. Recently my boss got angry with our Telco provider "Earthlink Business" because our service was shut off due to a late payment.

So it is now my task to hunt down a different telco provider for roughly the same cost. One of the big variables I am having trouble with is our current phone system, NEC 28i. I need to know wether this thing is archaic and needs to get recycled or if it is something we should hang onto. This will greatly influence what services I decide to pick from Telco providers.

I have another thread on a different forum, rather than re-type everything I figured I would just link it here for your reference. https://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1631980

Note: We do not have a service contract with the vendor that installed the system. We do have an IT company that we use for stuff like this, however, I feel it's always good to get a second opinion.

you need a phone tech not a IT company to service the equipment , the system is old , it still does just what it was designed to do and if that meets your needs why not stay with it ?

if you do decide on a new system look for phone vendors


good luck finding someone to provide free service

The 28i is a servicable phone system. Pretty reliable. If you end up staying with analog lines, it'll work just fine. If you're looking for the latest bells and whistles, then its time to change out cuz they haven't been made in years.

Yeah, that's kinda my sentiment. If your late on your bill that's kinda normal to get cut off. But my boss is my boss and I have to do the best I can.

The IT company we use contacted Paetec and they priced out T1 service for us. Since its T1 service, that means VoIP which is something the IT company is familiar with.

But switching to T1 service looks like its going to raise our bill something like $300~$350 a month with only slightly better service. Although it does get us a new phone system in the process.

Again I'm drawn back to the point of our current phone system. Its been working fine for years. From what I can tell the only problems we have had since 2004 is two battery backups have failed that were protecting the NEC phone system.

I can't justify the cost of upgrading to a new phone system unless I know the current system is on its last legs. As far as I can tell, its not.

Typically, a T-1 pays off if you have 15-16 two-way trunks at present. Below that, you may be better off sticking with POTS/Analog service.

There may be more than one analog trunk provider in your area (i.e. Verizon and AT&T) or you may be able to get VoIP lines that convert to copper at your demarc through your local cable co (i.e. Comcast, etc).

You need a Telephone Contractor or Vendor to help guide you through these changes.

(A POTS/Analog trunk is the kind of phone line that you have in your house).