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EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Steven G. Mihaylo, certify that:



| | 1. | I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Inter-Tel, Incorporated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
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| | 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect
to the period covered by this report.
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| | 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented
in this report;                   
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| | 4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:                                                                               
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| |    | a.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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| |    | b.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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| |    | c.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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| | 5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and audit
committee of the registrants board of directors:                                                                
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| |    | a.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
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| |    | b.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Date: November 14, 2003

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| | By: /s/ Steven G. Mihaylo     
| |                               
| | Name: Steven G. Mihaylo       
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| | Title: Chief Executive Officer
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