Ordered SMB FREE just last week, but landing page contradicts the announced phase-out, what applies now?

[NewMedia]

Hello everyone,

I ordered a new 3CX SMB FREE instance about two weeks ago. The official page (https://www.3cx.de/smb/) still advertises SMB FREE as free forever.
At the same time, I found the following in official 3CX blog posts pointing to a phase-out of SMB FREE.

• Blog post from Dec 18, 2025 (Basic Edition announcement): mentions "scaling back" SMB FREE alongside the introduction of the new Basic Edition.
• Blog post from March 6, 2026 (Portal access): confirms that SMB FREE keys no longer have access to the 3CX Portal and that the license will be downgraded to Basic "in the not-too-distant future".

I have not received any active notification regarding my newly ordered instance.

So my specific questions are:

1. Does the announced phase-out / downgrade to Basic also apply to newly ordered SMB FREE instances, or is there a transition arrangement for new orders?
2. Can the new Basic Edition also be hosted by 3CX, or would self-hosting be required going forward?

I'd appreciate a brief reply on this.

Thank you and best regards

 

[SteveITS]

Previously 3CX has indicated they would stop creating new SMB accounts in favor of having partners host multitenant. This hasn’t happened yet.

They’ve said the feature list of their SMB service will change to match the Basic version, notably, no desk phones.

There’s not a direct migration path to/from SMB So it’s a feature change not a license change.

3CX will host a Basic server, it’s on the price list.