Users of 3CX may see an increase in costs from April 2026, as the provider begins enforcing its fair-use policy around the maximum number of extensions allowed per SIM Call licence.
This change will particularly affect organisations with a large number of users or extensions – such as schools, multi-academy trusts, and hospitality businesses – where systems are often configured with significantly more extensions than concurrent call capacity.
What’s changing?
Historically, many 3CX systems have operated with a higher number of extensions, without strict enforcement. From April 2026, however, 3CX will begin applying firm limits based on licence size.
Each licence tier will now include a maximum number of extensions, aligned to the number of simultaneous calls (SIM Calls). For example:
- An 8 SIM Call licence will support up to 40 extensions
- A 48 SIM Call licence will support up to 288 extensions
If your organisation exceeds these limits, you may be required to upgrade to a higher licence tier to remain compliant – even if your call volume hasn’t changed.
What does this mean for your organisation?
For many organisations, this change could result in increased licensing costs at renewal. Systems that were previously operating comfortably may now fall outside of the new limits.
This is especially relevant in environments where:
- Multiple extensions are assigned per user
- Temporary or unused extensions haven’t been removed
- Growth has occurred without reviewing licence capacity
Without action, you could face unexpected cost increases simply to maintain your current setup.
What should you do now?
If you are a 3CX user with a renewal approaching, it’s important to take a proactive approach:
Review your current setup – Check how many extensions you currently have configured and compare this to your licence limits.
Audit your extensions – Identify any unused, duplicate, or unnecessary extensions that can be removed. This is often the quickest way to bring your system back within limits without increasing costs.
Plan ahead for renewal – If your organisation genuinely requires a high number of extensions, you may need to budget for a licence upgrade. Planning ahead helps avoid last-minute decisions and disruption.
Speak to your provider – Your IT or telecoms provider should be able to confirm whether you’re affected and advise on the best course of action.
How we can help
At Primary Technology, we can carry out a full audit of your 3CX system to ensure you’re getting the best value from your phone system. We’ll review your extension usage, identify opportunities to optimise your setup, and help you understand whether any licence changes are required.
By taking action early, you can allow time to make changes and ensure your system remains efficient, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Final thoughts
The upcoming 3CX licensing changes are a reminder of the importance of regularly reviewing your systems. If you’d like support reviewing your 3CX environment or planning for your next renewal, get in touch with our team – we’re here to help.