About Jenny McKinney Expertise I can answer questions about microwave, wireless, cellular, PBX and telephone systems, VoIP, fiber optics, broadband, computer telephony integration, telephony, LAN/WAN, cabling and connectors, satellite transmission, and bandwidth.
Experience I have approximately 10 years experience in telecommunications. I have worked as a telecommunications technician for a power company and a network engineer for a cellular phone company.
Expert: Jenny McKinney Date: 8/20/2001 Subject: pbx vs key system
Question what are the main differences between a pbx and a key system?
Answer Hi Christine,
Thanks for your question.
A key system has telephones with multiple buttons that permit the user to directly select the telephone company's central office phone lines. A key telephone system (KTS) is not a switch.
A private branch exchange (PBX) allows several trunks (outside lines) from the central office to be shared and the switching for selecting these lines is within the PBX. A PBX is sometimes referred to as a phone switch.
Key systems are usually found in small companies where few features are required. A PBX is usually found in larger companies that need more capabilities.
