Don’t own your business telecom equipment? Here’s how to get it for free

The hidden cost problem most businesses ignore

When was the last time you reviewed who actually owns your business’s telecom equipment? For most small and medium-sized businesses across Australia, the answer is: “We bought it years ago and haven’t thought about it since.”

That old PBX system, those ageing desk phones, the router that reboots itself every Tuesday — they all quietly drain your budget through maintenance costs, downtime, and missed productivity. And here’s the kicker: you’re paying to maintain hardware that’s already obsolete.

At BroadConnect, we see this all the time. And we’ve built a solution specifically around it.

So — can you actually get telecom equipment for free?

Yes. And it’s not a gimmick. Here’s exactly how it works.

When you move to a BroadConnect hosted or cloud-based telecom plan, your hardware — IP handsets, routers, switching equipment, and more — is typically included as part of the service agreement. You don’t purchase the equipment outright. Instead, BroadConnect retains ownership and takes full responsibility for it.

That means:

• No capital expenditure to get started
• No ongoing maintenance or repair bills
• Hardware upgrades handled by BroadConnect as technology evolves
• End-to-end support — from installation to troubleshooting
• Equipment always aligned with your current plan and usage needs

Why this model works better for modern Australian businesses

What equipment is typically included?

The specific hardware included depends on your chosen BroadConnect plan and your business size, but broadly speaking, eligible customers can receive:

• IP desk phones and handsets (Yealink, Fanvil, and other leading brands)
• NBN-compatible routers and modems
• Switches and cabling infrastructure for VoIP deployment
• Conference room audio and video units for hosted communications plans
• Network security hardware on eligible business internet plans

All equipment is professionally installed and configured by BroadConnect technicians — so you’re not left with a box and a manual.

Who qualifies for included equipment?

BroadConnect’s equipment inclusion model is available to businesses that sign up for qualifying hosted voice, business broadband, or unified communications plans. There are no complex prerequisites — if you’re an active Australian business looking to upgrade your telecom infrastructure, you’re likely eligible.

The process is straightforward:

• Speak with a BroadConnect consultant about your current setup and needs
• Receive a tailored plan recommendation with a clear breakdown of what’s included
• Agree to the service term — equipment is provisioned and deployed to your site
• Start using enterprise-grade telecom from day one, with zero equipment cost

The real cost comparison: owning vs. including

Let’s put some numbers behind it. A typical 10-person business setting up a new VoIP phone system might face these costs when buying equipment outright:

With BroadConnect’s included equipment model, that upfront cost becomes $0 and is folded into a predictable monthly service fee that covers everything.

Frequently asked questions

Is the equipment really free, or is it bundled into higher monthly costs?

BroadConnect plans are competitively priced whether or not equipment is included. The value comes from eliminating capital spend, removing maintenance risk, and ensuring your hardware is always supported. In most cases, you save significantly compared to purchasing and maintaining your own equipment.

What happens to the equipment if I switch providers?

Since BroadConnect retains ownership of included equipment, it is returned at the end of your service agreement. This is standard under the managed equipment model and is clearly outlined in your agreement upfront.

Can I keep my existing phone numbers?

Yes. BroadConnect supports number porting, so you can bring your existing business phone numbers across to the new system without interruption to your operations.

How long does installation take?

Most business installations are completed within a few business days of plan activation. BroadConnect coordinates the entire process, from equipment dispatch to on-site configuration.