Many business owners stick with providers like 4Com for years, partly because switching feels risky, partly because inertia is powerful. But over time, it’s common to find yourself locked into long contracts, facing unexpected price increases, or frustrated with service limitations. If your looking to switch from 4Com or specifically how to switch from 4Com to Plexatalk, you’ve come to the right place!
In fact, online reviews highlight recurring themes: lengthy contracts, rising monthly bills, and customer service frustrations. And this isn’t just anecdotal — a recent BBC investigation reported on small businesses tied into finance agreements for phone systems that ended up costing tens of thousands of pounds over several years, leaving some owners feeling trapped or struggling to stay afloat.
Of course, not every 4Com customer has the same experience. But if any of these pain points sound familiar, you should know there are alternatives.
Here’s the good news: you can switch — and keep your business continuity intact. You can move your number, reuse your phones (in many cases), and avoid a service blackout. Switching from 4Com to Plexatalk can be done smoothly — and often more affordably than you might expect.
Here’s a polished “Why Businesses Consider Switching” section (≈ 350 words) that draws on online feedback and keeps the tone constructive:
Why Businesses Consider Switching
When you dig into reviews and feedback about 4Com from sites like Trustpilot and Google, a few recurring themes consistently come up. It’s worth emphasising: not every customer reports these issues, but they occur frequently enough to be part of the conversation.
Common Issues Cited in Reviews
1. Cost creep and surprise billing
Many users report that the monthly costs rise after initial contracts expire or promotional periods end. Some say the amount they end up paying is significantly higher than what they were shown during the sales pitch.
2. Long contract terms & inflexible commitments
A common complaint is being tied into lengthy 5- or 7-year contracts. Several reviews suggest that customers feel locked in, with high exit fees or limited options for renegotiation.
3. Hidden fees and unclear terms
Some business owners say their invoices include charges not clearly explained in the original agreement, or optional services that were bundled without their full awareness.
4. Service, support, or aftercare frustrations
While many reviews applaud individual engineers or installation staff for being professional and helpful, others express dissatisfaction with post-installation support, slow responses, or difficulty resolving issues.
5. Perception of mis-selling or lack of clarity
In forums and comment threads, some business owners suggest they were encouraged to sign quickly, without time to read contract fine print. There are claims that the full implications of finance and leasing agreements weren’t made clear during the sales process.
Again: these are not universal criticisms, but they do surface often enough in open feedback that any business considering 4Com (or any telecom supplier) should read carefully, ask direct questions, and scrutinise the contract.
What You Gain by Switching to Plexatalk
If you’ve been weighing up whether to stick with your current provider or make the move, it helps to know exactly what you stand to gain. At Plexatalk, we’ve built our service to address the very concerns business owners often raise about traditional telecom contracts — things like long tie-ins, surprise fees, and complicated setups. Here’s what sets us apart:
| Feature | 4Com | Plexatalk |
|---|---|---|
| Contract minimum term | Minimum Term applies (length varies by agreement) | 30-day rolling |
| Auto-renewal after minimum term | Typically auto-extends in 12-month periods unless notice given | No auto-renew beyond 30-day rolling |
| Early termination charges | Charges for remainder of term if cancelled early | No early termination charges beyond 30 days’ notice |
| Annual price adjustment | Reserves right to increase annually (e.g., inflation-linked) | Transparent pricing, no CPI+ increases |
| Hardware / equipment leasing | Separate finance/lease may continue even if numbers are ported | Reuse SIP phones, buy-outright optional, adapters available |
1. No Long-Term Contracts
We believe in earning your trust month after month. That’s why Plexatalk operates on flexible, rolling agreements instead of locking you into a 5- or 7-year commitment. If your needs change, you can scale up, scale down, or switch without penalty.
2. Clear, Low Pricing
Our pricing is designed to be straightforward and competitive:
- Residential plans start from just £4/month
- Business plans typically cost around £10 per user, per month
There are no hidden extras or surprise uplifts after the first year — what you see is what you pay.
3. UK-Based Support You Can Rely On
When you need help, you don’t want to wait in endless queues or deal with scripted responses. Plexatalk’s support team is based right here in the UK, ready to answer questions quickly and clearly. Many of our customers say this is one of the biggest differences they notice compared to larger providers.
4. Features Included as Standard
With Plexatalk, the essentials are built in — no upselling required. Every plan includes:
- Call routing to direct customers to the right person
- Voicemail-to-email so you never miss important messages
- Mobile app integration to take your business number on the go
- Plus, a range of smart features designed to support hybrid and remote working
Step-by-Step: How to Switch
1) Check your current contract
- Find your end date, any notice period, and early exit fees.
- If your phones were supplied on a finance/lease, note that porting your numbers won’t cancel that finance—budget accordingly.
- Take a quick inventory: numbers in use (main line, DDIs), extensions, and any call flows you rely on (IVRs, hunt groups).
2) Request number porting (we handle it)
- Share a recent bill and the list of numbers you want to move.
- We submit the port request and manage the back-and-forth with your current provider.
- You’ll get an agreed port date in advance so you know exactly when the cutover will happen.
3) Set up phones or adapters
- Keep existing handsets: If they’re SIP-compatible, we’ll provision them for Plexatalk.
- Go IP-first: Prefer new IP phones? We’ll pre-configure and ship them ready to plug in.
- Reuse legacy/analogue kit: Where needed, we can supply an ATA (adapter) so fax lines, door phones, or cordless bases still work.
- Install the Plexatalk desktop and mobile apps so staff can take calls on the go from day one.
4) Test, then go live with Plexatalk
- We build your call routing (menus, queues, time rules) and set up voicemail-to-email, recordings, and failover rules.
- You test internally (make/receive calls, transfer, voicemail) ahead of the port date.
- On port day, numbers move across to Plexatalk and your new routing goes live. We monitor closely to keep any disruption to a minimum.
5) Cancel your old service once the port is complete
- After you’ve confirmed calls are landing on Plexatalk and everything’s working as expected, contact your previous provider to cancel telephony services.
- Keep notes on any non-telephony items tied to the old account (connectivity, security add-ons) so you only cancel what you intend to.
Short version: check your terms, let us port your numbers, get your handsets/apps ready, go live on the agreed date, then close the old account. Smooth, structured, and continuity-friendly.
Switch from 4Com to Plexatalk Today
If you’re frustrated with your current phone provider, here’s the reality: you’re not stuck.
Switching to a better VoIP service is far simpler than most business owners realise — and it could save you thousands of pounds each year in reduced costs, fairer contracts, and built-in features.
With Plexatalk, the process is smooth, your business continuity is protected, and you’ll finally have a phone system that grows with you, not against you.
How to Switch from 4Com to Plexatalk – FAQs
Can I keep my phone number if I switch from 4Com to Plexatalk?
Yes. Plexatalk handles number porting for you, so you can keep your existing business numbers with no disruption to customers.
Are 4Com contracts hard to leave?
4Com contracts are often 5–7 years long with early exit fees. You’ll need to check your paperwork for notice periods and costs, but you are free to port your numbers to a new provider like Plexatalk at any time.
How much does Plexatalk cost compared to 4Com?
Plexatalk pricing starts from £4/month for residential plans or around £10/month per business user. This is typically far lower than the long-term leasing costs and monthly service fees many businesses report with 4Com.
Is there downtime when switching from 4Com to Plexatalk?
No, number porting is scheduled in advance, and Plexatalk prepares your phones or apps before the switchover date. That means a seamless transition with minimal or no downtime.
Do I need to buy new phones when switching?
Not necessarily. If your current handsets are SIP-compatible, they can often be reused. If not, Plexatalk provides cost-effective IP phones or adapters so you can move away from finance-heavy lease deals.
Why do businesses look for alternatives to 4Com?
Online reviews often mention long contracts, rising costs, and support frustrations. Not every customer has this experience, but it’s a common theme that leads many small businesses to explore more flexible, transparent providers.
Does Plexatalk offer UK-based support?
Yes. All Plexatalk customer support is based in the UK, with fast response times and a personal approach — no long call queues or scripted replies.
Disclaimer: Plexatalk has never purchased a contract or service directly from 4Com.
The information in this article is based on publicly available sources including customer reviews,
independent news reports, and 4Com’s published terms and conditions.
Reviews can sometimes be inaccurate or falsified, so we encourage all businesses to do their own research, read contracts carefully, and seek independent advice before making any decision to switch providers.