Solved 3CX PBX Free Edition - Not so free

[PhoneOnline]

Big advertisements for the 3CX PBX free edition, but after one year, maintenance costs will be requested.

I want to setup something for a home PBX with only 2-3 devices connected.

 

[sip.bg]

You may request new PBX free edition license key and reinstall your PBX, if you don't want to buy maintenance.

 

[easydone]

Then do not call it a Free PBX, it's misleading.

 

[NickD_3CX]

Then do not call it a Free PBX, it's misleading.

That is not entirely accurate.

With each PBX Edition Key you get one year free maintenance. If maintenance expires, your PBX does not stop working, the only functional thing that will be affected is that the 3CX-allocated FQDN will not work anymore which would make remote extensions not to work. In the case of the OP, as its going to be a home PBX, so I assume the 2-3 devices will be local, it shouldn't cause any lack of functionality.

 

[Soho3cx]

Would you mind if I jump in here for a quick question? When you said remote extensions will not work anymore if maintenance expires, did you mean for STUN phones? Thanks.

 

[Sopock]

Or any kind of phones since domain will no longer exist. I also wonder how will home user buy maintenance if company name is required field?
With proper registration details you will get one year free maintenance as well as access to the end user portal. Check that your Company, Contact Name, E-mail, Telephone, Country and optional Reseller Name are correct.

 

[cobaltit]

@Sopock

Just put your name in the company name field. Not that difficult.

 

[cobaltit]

Would you mind if I jump in here for a quick question? When you said remote extensions will not work anymore if maintenance expires, did you mean for STUN phones? Thanks.

So remote means remote. If you look at the options under Provisioning method I think you'll be able to figure it out.

Technically you don't lose the ability to have remote phones, you lose the ability to have remote phones that can find the PBX via the 3CX provided domain name which stops working. The rest is up to the reader to decide what that means and how it applies to your environment