-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 MR779KBQoCNFiVZJz2gA2QcqzD3JFrSBlZvbKX4wK5QvvkzL2aXZdPP63HHhQ7hD
 FA5l/tdt8yRN7sGDN7oBOw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193532-05-000002.txt : 20050504
<SEC-HEADER>0001193532-05-000002.hdr.sgml : 20050504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050504125333
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193532-05-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050504
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050504

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INTER TEL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000350066
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS [3661]
		IRS NUMBER:				860220994
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			AZ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 S. 52ND STREET
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85281
		BUSINESS PHONE:		480-449-8900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1615 S. 52ND STREET
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85281

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CAPPELLO ALEXANDER L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001193532

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10211
		FILM NUMBER:		05798025

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		858-793-8840

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.
		STREET 2:		740 LOMAS SANTA FE, SUITE 210
		CITY:			SOLANA BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92075
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350066</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INTER TEL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>INTL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001193532</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAPPELLO ALEXANDER L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>740 LOMAS SANTA FE, SUITE 210</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOLANA BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92075</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kristi Bonfiglio</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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