What is a trunk line? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

A trunk line: a telephone line that connects a user's private branch exchange (PBX), key telephone system (including telephone connectors with switching functions), paging station, mobile telephone switch, etc., to the local exchange is called a trunk line.

Trunk line hunting means that a single number contains multiple lines. Users only need to publish one representative number externally, but multiple calls can come in simultaneously. Each user can determine the number of trunk lines to apply for based on call volume and the capacity of the key telephone system. Currently, analog direct lines can be converted to trunk lines, ISDN lines can be converted to trunk lines, and trunk line hunting can also be applied for simultaneously when newly applying for analog direct lines or ISDN lines.

1. The advantage is that the trunk line is a value-added communication service provided by telecom operators, with a strong brand, high reputation, and high stability, so the price is also high.
2. The disadvantage is that a trunk line can only be bound to the telecom operator's lines. If the company's telecom line resources are insufficient, there is no way to expand further. Even if direct lines from China Netcom or China Tietong can be installed at this time, they cannot be integrated into a single pilot number, so the bundling has limitations. Therefore, virtual trunk lines are currently a popular product. The initial installation and commissioning of trunk lines are relatively complex, and operators accordingly charge high initial installation fees and commissioning fees.

Currently, there are many alternatives to trunk lines on the market. For example, with the popularity of 400 and 800 numbers, more and more enterprises are enabling 400 toll-free numbers to provide better service to their customers. As market competition deepens, even monthly subscription forms of 400 numbers have emerged, with monthly fees even lower than the monthly rental of enterprise trunk lines, such as the "Omni 400 Hotline" appearing on the market.