What phone system should I get for VOIP phone calls through a T1 connection for my home business?
January 12, 2010 11:32 AM Subscribe
What phone system should I get for VOIP phone calls through a T1 connection for my home business?
I recently moved to the mountains of Colorado, about 15 miles out of town and 7 miles from cell phone coverage. Cable and DSL internet is not available, wireless broadband is not an option, and my business relies on regularly uploading 50-100MB video files, so satellite (and their "fair access policy" of 500MB bandwidth per day) doesn't meet the need.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a business T1 connection via Qwest, which owns the lines out here. The package ncludes 6 VOIP phone lines. I have the option of using the phones I have now (Panasonic DECT single-line base unit + handsets), but I'd like to upgrade to a system that has more capability.
I've looked at Avaya-type systems, which seem to be overcomplicated and expensive in relation to what I need. Here's what I really need:
* Ability to handle multiple lines (will have up to 6 available) - need to handle at least 2 lines.
* Best call quality possible
* High-quality speakerphone
* Cordless units with headsets for long calls (that won't interfere with Wifi)
* Capable of accepting a phone tap or other system for call recording
* Basic voicemail - nothing fancy necessary
I don't want to run a server just to run my phone lines or spend a lot of time on administration - a single unit that plugs directly into the T1 would be ideal. My next best alternative appears to be a Panasonic DECT KX-TG9392T, which can run two lines, but I'd rather get something with a bit more capability.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
I recently moved to the mountains of Colorado, about 15 miles out of town and 7 miles from cell phone coverage. Cable and DSL internet is not available, wireless broadband is not an option, and my business relies on regularly uploading 50-100MB video files, so satellite (and their "fair access policy" of 500MB bandwidth per day) doesn't meet the need.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a business T1 connection via Qwest, which owns the lines out here. The package ncludes 6 VOIP phone lines. I have the option of using the phones I have now (Panasonic DECT single-line base unit + handsets), but I'd like to upgrade to a system that has more capability.
I've looked at Avaya-type systems, which seem to be overcomplicated and expensive in relation to what I need. Here's what I really need:
* Ability to handle multiple lines (will have up to 6 available) - need to handle at least 2 lines.
* Best call quality possible
* High-quality speakerphone
* Cordless units with headsets for long calls (that won't interfere with Wifi)
* Capable of accepting a phone tap or other system for call recording
* Basic voicemail - nothing fancy necessary
I don't want to run a server just to run my phone lines or spend a lot of time on administration - a single unit that plugs directly into the T1 would be ideal. My next best alternative appears to be a Panasonic DECT KX-TG9392T, which can run two lines, but I'd rather get something with a bit more capability.
Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
You can go hosted, or you can buy an appliance. Which is best really depends on whether you have multiple phones at your location. If it's just you, a hosted solution is probably best.
If you do go with a hosted solution, I'd recommend Polycom or Aastra phones. They're both really good, just like using any quality desk set.
If you really have to use Qwest's SIP, you will need to buy an actual system that can terminate the trunks. I haven't looked at what's out there in the last 6 or 8 months, but some Trixbox or Asterisk appliance (The Digium one looks pretty good, IMO) would probably serve you well.
You say you have the option of using the phones you have now? Are the voice lines really IP, or are they taking 6 channels off your T1 and using them for TDM delivery with a channel bank? The difference is important, since it changes the hardware you will need drastically. If they're just providing you with 6 POTS jacks (regardless of how they transport them over the T1), you'll have to use hardware that supports analog lines, which is an invitation to the echo party. :(
posted by wierdo at 1:37 PM on January 12, 2010
If you do go with a hosted solution, I'd recommend Polycom or Aastra phones. They're both really good, just like using any quality desk set.
If you really have to use Qwest's SIP, you will need to buy an actual system that can terminate the trunks. I haven't looked at what's out there in the last 6 or 8 months, but some Trixbox or Asterisk appliance (The Digium one looks pretty good, IMO) would probably serve you well.
You say you have the option of using the phones you have now? Are the voice lines really IP, or are they taking 6 channels off your T1 and using them for TDM delivery with a channel bank? The difference is important, since it changes the hardware you will need drastically. If they're just providing you with 6 POTS jacks (regardless of how they transport them over the T1), you'll have to use hardware that supports analog lines, which is an invitation to the echo party. :(
posted by wierdo at 1:37 PM on January 12, 2010
If you already have the voip lines, you should just be able to plug in a Cisco phone and tell it where to point itself. I'm almost sure they don't need a Call Manager server if you don't want one.
posted by gjc at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2010
posted by gjc at 6:39 PM on January 12, 2010
Best answer: nth-ing Polycom or Aastra phones, as mentioned. Snom phones are also an excellent value. This is assuming that the service Qwest is providing you is in the form of SIP channels.
You didn't specify in your post whether you have multiple users in your business, but I'll assume since you have 6 lines, that is the case. Do you need to make calls from one extension to another internally? If so, a small appliance will do the trick.
I've used the Epygi Quadro for an inexpensive solution. For something a little more robust, digium makes a license-based appliance called Switchvox that runs on Asterisk.
Likewise, if you have the time for a little DIY fun, PBX in a Flash is a very robust fully open source option.
All three of these options offer call recording, VM, and toll-quality codecs as you request.
For the wireless setup, I'd suggest a headset to connect to your IP handset. Don't skimp here. The Plantronics CS55 is the weapon of choice. It works in the 900mhz spectrum so it won't interfere with your WiFi.
posted by sapo at 7:01 PM on January 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
You didn't specify in your post whether you have multiple users in your business, but I'll assume since you have 6 lines, that is the case. Do you need to make calls from one extension to another internally? If so, a small appliance will do the trick.
I've used the Epygi Quadro for an inexpensive solution. For something a little more robust, digium makes a license-based appliance called Switchvox that runs on Asterisk.
Likewise, if you have the time for a little DIY fun, PBX in a Flash is a very robust fully open source option.
All three of these options offer call recording, VM, and toll-quality codecs as you request.
For the wireless setup, I'd suggest a headset to connect to your IP handset. Don't skimp here. The Plantronics CS55 is the weapon of choice. It works in the 900mhz spectrum so it won't interfere with your WiFi.
posted by sapo at 7:01 PM on January 12, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the information - extremely helpful. The rep I'm working with says I should be able to use my current Panasonic DECT analog cordless phone, but what's the fun in that? :-)
I'm the only regular user - I have no employees (it's a home office), so no internal calling is necessary. I'd like my wife to be able to use the phone when I'm on a call, so I really only need 2 lines. I don't get a discount if they take lines off, so I figure the extra numbers can be used for support / promotional purposes.
Some of these systems seem like overkill, but I'm intrigued by the promise of higher voice quality, since I do a lot of consulting on the phone. I'm in the process of confirming that the service is in the form of SIP channels. Will verify if they can terminate into the phone itself, or if I need an appliance.
At the moment, it looks like I'm going to go with a Polycom SoundPoint IP 650 with a Plantronics CS55 headset.
Thanks again - anyone else have ideas / experience to share?
posted by kaufmajm at 10:16 PM on January 12, 2010
I'm the only regular user - I have no employees (it's a home office), so no internal calling is necessary. I'd like my wife to be able to use the phone when I'm on a call, so I really only need 2 lines. I don't get a discount if they take lines off, so I figure the extra numbers can be used for support / promotional purposes.
Some of these systems seem like overkill, but I'm intrigued by the promise of higher voice quality, since I do a lot of consulting on the phone. I'm in the process of confirming that the service is in the form of SIP channels. Will verify if they can terminate into the phone itself, or if I need an appliance.
At the moment, it looks like I'm going to go with a Polycom SoundPoint IP 650 with a Plantronics CS55 headset.
Thanks again - anyone else have ideas / experience to share?
posted by kaufmajm at 10:16 PM on January 12, 2010
Good phone choice. Post back when you're sure how the lines are terminated at your location.
Either the guy who told you you can plug your DECT phone in directly is wrong, or they're going to provide you with some sort of ATA. (either integrated into the router or a separate box)
Obviously, it makes a pretty big difference to the answer to the "where do we go from here" question, as it will determine what hardware you need to connect to the lines.
posted by wierdo at 12:48 PM on January 13, 2010
Either the guy who told you you can plug your DECT phone in directly is wrong, or they're going to provide you with some sort of ATA. (either integrated into the router or a separate box)
Obviously, it makes a pretty big difference to the answer to the "where do we go from here" question, as it will determine what hardware you need to connect to the lines.
posted by wierdo at 12:48 PM on January 13, 2010
Response by poster: Here's a link to the service - the T1 dynamically provisions up to 6 VOIP channels on demand. When not in use, the bandwidth is free for data access. Here's a phone installers forum thread with more details.
As part of the service, Qwest provides an "Integrated Access Device" that serves as a router, and I believe it also terminates SIP trunks. Could be wrong - I'm in the process of confirming this with the rep. (It also can terminate into an analog connection, which is how it can use my current phone system.)
If the IAD terminates SIP trunks, I should be able to use the Polycom IP 650 without additional hardware, right?
posted by kaufmajm at 5:36 PM on January 15, 2010
As part of the service, Qwest provides an "Integrated Access Device" that serves as a router, and I believe it also terminates SIP trunks. Could be wrong - I'm in the process of confirming this with the rep. (It also can terminate into an analog connection, which is how it can use my current phone system.)
If the IAD terminates SIP trunks, I should be able to use the Polycom IP 650 without additional hardware, right?
posted by kaufmajm at 5:36 PM on January 15, 2010
Best answer: Just based on reading the links you posted, it seems like, from your perspective, it's not IP at all. It's pretty much the same as most cable company voice offerings, where the communication between their modem and their switching infrastructure is SIP, but all the end user sees is a bunch of POTS lines (or PRI, if the customer desires).
You'll need hardware if you want to use the Polycom, unless there is a way to get SIP credentials out of Qwest, which I doubt.
If you ask them to give you your lines over T1 or PRI, you can use an old(ish) computer running trixbox plus a T1 card ($500 or less) to interface with it, and will get to miss out on the fun that is analog lines. Of course, if you need to plug in an analog phone, you'll be SOL without buying FXS ports, too.
The easiest thing to do would be to buy one of these, or any other Asterisk/trixbox appliance with as many FXO ports as you'd like to be able to run through the phone system.
If you'd like to sign up with some VoIP provider for cheap long distance, that's easily doable with any of the appliances, as is adding an ATA to plug a DECT cordless phone into.
It might be easier and cheaper (unless you do a lot of long distance calling, of course!) to either forget about IP or sign up with one of the hosted Asterisk providers and forget about the Qwest lines for anything but local calls and 911.
If you still want to go through with it, it's not so much difficult as expensive. Even if you repurpose an old PC and use Trixbox or PBX in a flash, you'll have to buy analog interface cards (or SIP gateways that plug into analog lines), which get expensive quickly. Usually. I once found a used Multitech MultiVoIP MVP810, which can bridge 8 analog ports to SIP so the lines look just like any other SIP trunks for $200, but that's pretty rare, given that they run 2 to 3 grand new.
Basically, you need to ask yourself if the features you want are really worth the $800-$2000 you'll end up spending on this project.
posted by wierdo at 7:47 PM on January 15, 2010
You'll need hardware if you want to use the Polycom, unless there is a way to get SIP credentials out of Qwest, which I doubt.
If you ask them to give you your lines over T1 or PRI, you can use an old(ish) computer running trixbox plus a T1 card ($500 or less) to interface with it, and will get to miss out on the fun that is analog lines. Of course, if you need to plug in an analog phone, you'll be SOL without buying FXS ports, too.
The easiest thing to do would be to buy one of these, or any other Asterisk/trixbox appliance with as many FXO ports as you'd like to be able to run through the phone system.
If you'd like to sign up with some VoIP provider for cheap long distance, that's easily doable with any of the appliances, as is adding an ATA to plug a DECT cordless phone into.
It might be easier and cheaper (unless you do a lot of long distance calling, of course!) to either forget about IP or sign up with one of the hosted Asterisk providers and forget about the Qwest lines for anything but local calls and 911.
If you still want to go through with it, it's not so much difficult as expensive. Even if you repurpose an old PC and use Trixbox or PBX in a flash, you'll have to buy analog interface cards (or SIP gateways that plug into analog lines), which get expensive quickly. Usually. I once found a used Multitech MultiVoIP MVP810, which can bridge 8 analog ports to SIP so the lines look just like any other SIP trunks for $200, but that's pretty rare, given that they run 2 to 3 grand new.
Basically, you need to ask yourself if the features you want are really worth the $800-$2000 you'll end up spending on this project.
posted by wierdo at 7:47 PM on January 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
That's what I'm planning on doing soon - I have the phones, but now I need to figure out a fax solution. Apparently, fax over SIP just isn't so hot quite yet, so keep that in mind when looking for a solution if fax capability is important to you and you don't like monkeying with online e-fax type services.
You say that you don't want to run a server - but maybe you could consider using a hosted asterisk type of solution. A google for "asterisk hosting" shows a number of decent looking results, and I'm sure any number of those companies would be more than willing to provide setup and ongoing support for free or a nominal price.
posted by terpia at 11:40 AM on January 12, 2010