PBX (Private Branch Exchange)
Short answer: A PBX, short for private branch exchange, is an internal phone system that routes calls between extensions and bridges them out to the public network. Modern IP PBXs like Asterisk, FreePBX and 3CX run purely as software and reach the phone network through SIP trunks, which is exactly the mechanism SMS Conecta numbers use to connect.
A PBX is what hands a business extensions, ring groups, menus and shared outside lines. The actual phone numbers still come from a provider.
Definition
What was once a physical switchboard inside a company's building is now typically software running on a server or in the cloud, speaking SIP to both desk phones and the provider's network.
How it works
Extensions register with the PBX. Inbound calls land on a trunk tied to a DID, and dial-plan logic sends them on to an extension, ring group, queue or IVR. Outbound calls exit through a trunk as well, with the PBX deciding which caller ID to present.
How it applies to SMS Conecta
Add each SMS Conecta number into your PBX as a registration trunk, using its SIP username and password, the server sip.smsconecta.com, and G.711 codecs. Setup pages walk through Asterisk, FreePBX, 3CX, FusionPBX and VICIdial. Features like voicemail, call recording and IVR menus live in the PBX software itself, not in the SMS Conecta service.
SMS Conecta's role versus your PBX
| Feature | Handled by |
|---|---|
| Phone numbers and SIP credentials | SMS Conecta |
| Registration trunk to sip.smsconecta.com | SMS Conecta |
| Extensions, ring groups, and queues | Your PBX |
| Voicemail, call recording, and IVR menus | Your PBX software |
Related terms
- SIP trunk
- DID
- IVR
- DTMF
Frequently asked questions
Is a PBX required to use a SMS Conecta number?
No. A PBX mainly helps teams; a solo user can get by with a softphone, the web dialer, or plain call forwarding.
Which PBX platforms work?
Anything that follows the SIP standard. The site specifically names Asterisk, FreePBX, 3CX, FusionPBX and VICIdial.
Can a single PBX mix numbers from different countries?
Yes. Each number registers as its own trunk, so combining countries and number types is no problem.
Does SMS Conecta run a PBX on my behalf?
No. SMS Conecta supplies the numbers and SIP credentials; you connect those to a PBX you run yourself.