Telephony Provider Liquidation - What to do next?

[CHiLL]

In this school I've recently taken over, we've been informed that our telephony provider (OneConnectivity) has entered liquidation and ceased trading, meaning our contract is now void. Some of the execs of OneConnectivity started a new company called Voxuna Technologies from the same offices in November 2025. They are the ones who informed me of these changes and want me to sign a new contract.

 

At first, I was overjoyed with this, because our current telephony system is a hosted LG iPECS and we are in an extremely expensive contract until mid-2028. I was hoping to use this opportunity to move to a hosted 3CX system. However, after doing some digging it turns out that the hosted LG iPECS phone system, along with the handsets are leased from a third party leasing provider and this is the very expensive contract that runs until mid-2028. The leasing company have confirmed that the demise of OneConnectivity does not rid of us our obligation to the existing lease, meaning that I am stuck with this extremely expensive system.

 

Can anyone provide recommendations on the best way I can move forward? I would very much prefer to move to 3CX, but I fear I can't entertain that until 2028. If I am stuck with this hosted LG iPECS system and handsets, I would like to look for alternative providers and suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[pete]

What specifically does the lease cover?  The on-prem handsets or more than that?  Is there some dedicated hardware racked in a datacentre somewhere or is it just a VM?

 

[Wave9_Lee]

This is a 'pre-pack' after liquidation - same owners of both companies.  So the new entity does not have any accounts, no trading history etc - what is the service they are asking you to sign up to?  

[FN-GM]

On 27/03/2026 at 21:53, CHiLL said:

The leasing company have confirmed that the demise of OneConnectivity does not rid of us our obligation to the existing lease, meaning that I am stuck with this extremely expensive system.

 

 

Who is your contract with? The leasing company or OneConnectivity? Have you had legal advise on tihs?

[Wave9_Lee]

Typically (old school) telephony providers will contract minutes and support, SIP trunks, call plan, software/licencing direct and offload hardware system lease externally where capex is required.  This operating model is dying out thankfully, as this situation occurs more than you'd think. In these scenarios,  I'm sure there are genuine reasons for the main company to go bust and for the owners/directors to get in touch with their previous customers to hoover up the contracts under a new company (whilst avoiding paying legacy HMRC and other creditors) and many would say they are doing the customer a favour, but it would stick in my throat a bit if I'm honest.

 

Hardware leases are usually pretty tight and difficult to get out of, but worth reviewing your terms in detail.  If you're stuck with the LG system for another 2 years, you should be clear what the new 'service contract' is offering you and importantly, for how long.  If it's SIP and minutes, these should be available anywhere at inclusive rates, as I'm sure you're aware.  If it's more licence and software, then perhaps calculate what terminating now would cost you over, say, 5 years.  For instance, if the new company is only offering a minimum 5 year term for an expensive service, your hardware lease expires in 2028 (any warranty after?), then does cancelling, paying termination, but having a new system for 50/30/20% less work out in the long term.

[CHiLL]

From what I can tell, the lease covers the handsets, hosted IPECS system, licenses and I think SIP and minutes.

 

After inspecting this contract, the lease provider has confirmed that we are liable for the costs, regardless of whether the supplier has ceased trading or not and that appears to be what the signed contract shows. Obtaining a quote to settle it early for the remaining 2.5 years is an eye-watering amount of just shy of £9,000. 

[FN-GM]

8 minutes ago, CHiLL said:

After inspecting this contract, the lease provider has confirmed that we are liable for the costs

 

You should consider this being reviewed by other people. They would say that as it's in their interest.

[Wave9_Lee]

20 minutes ago, CHiLL said:

From what I can tell, the lease covers the handsets, hosted IPECS system, licenses and I think SIP and minutes.

 

After inspecting this contract, the lease provider has confirmed that we are liable for the costs, regardless of whether the supplier has ceased trading or not and that appears to be what the signed contract shows. Obtaining a quote to settle it early for the remaining 2.5 years is an eye-watering amount of just shy of £9,000. 

That pretty much covers everything (unusual to see SIP and minutes in a lease - normally it's a capital spend tool), so what is the new company trying to sell you?