Daniel Seagraves
2012-Jun-06 19:40 UTC
[asterisk-users] VOIP & PBX replacement suggestions?
The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL. My questions then are as follows: 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? 2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need unlimited minutes.
>> 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets >> calls from one to the other?Since you've stated that your budget is absolutely zero, I'd have to say no. It also depends on how the old system connects to the telco. If via PRI or T1, you can use a dual-port Digium card and Asterisk between the telco and the old PBX. If analog, you could do the same with a multi-port analog card. Either way, you'd have to spend some money. Doug -- Ben Franklin quote: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
--Don
Don Kelly
PCF Corp
People Come First
651 842-1000
888 Don Kell(y)
651 842-1001 fax
-----Original Message-----
From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Daniel
Seagraves
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:40 PM
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
Subject: [asterisk-users] VOIP & PBX replacement suggestions?
The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a
cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is
billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a
PBX for the voice line.
Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The
management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm
worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and
several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks
only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any
non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and
move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I
can't afford to buy new devices.
The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local
cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we
will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a
reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees
them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we
are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed
the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL.
My questions then are as follows:
1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the
IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the
other?
2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a
rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need
unlimited minutes.
--
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Daniel Seagraves wrote:> The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line. > > Our existing PBX is an Intertel Axxess box with the old v5 processor. The management and voicemail computer died years ago (PSU burned up). I'm worried that it's going to die before too much longer. We have the IPRC and several IP Phone+ devices. It's my understanding that the IP Phone+ speaks only a proprietary Intertel protocol and can never be used with any non-Intertel equipment. I would like to dump the entire Intertel box and move to Asterisk instead, but my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices. > > The boss is leaning toward getting digital voice service from the local cable monopoly. They want to charge us $30 a month per line to start, and we will have to sign a 3 year contract. The monopoly in question has a reputation for very poor service, but they are a monopoly so my boss sees them as the only alternative. My worry is that if we sign that contract, we are trapped with both the intertel and the cable monopoly, and if I exceed the capacity of the intertel (or it just dies) I am SOL. > > My questions then are as follows: > > 1) Is there a way I don't know about to get Asterisk to talk to either the IPRC or the IP Phone+ directly in such a way that gets calls from one to the other? >No Intertel made sure of that long ago!> 2) Are there any reputable VOIP providers that provide business service at a rate less than $30 per line per month? The boss is adamant that we need unlimited minutes. > >Doubtful voip.ms provides excellent service, but not unlimited minutes. it can even work into an ATA outputting an analog line, then you could go to the input of the Intertel and if/when it dies completely move to another analog system or single line phones You have been given an unreasonable charge. No budget but obtain the moon! You or your boss will live to regret getting into any contract, and with a company that already has a bad reputation even more so. One wonders how viable this business can even be, with one line, one fax, and no budget to replace an aged telephone system. I do hope you are either independently wealthy or have other prospects for employment. Just one old fart's opinion. Worth what you paid for it John Novack> -- > _____________________________________________________________________ > -- Bandwidth and Colocation Provided by http://www.api-digital.com -- > New to Asterisk? Join us for a live introductory webinar every Thurs: > http://www.asterisk.org/hello > > asterisk-users mailing list > To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit: > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > >-- Dog is my Co-pilot
On 06/06/2012 12:40 PM, Daniel Seagraves wrote:> The boss wants to move from landline service to VOIP service as a cost-cutting measure. We have one voice line and one fax line. The telco is billing over $100 a month for the two. We're using Hylafax for faxing and a PBX for the voice line.Unless you're going to move to an internet fax service provider you'll probably not want to attempt to switch your fax line to a VoIP line and still attempt to fax over it. And even then, depending on how much fax traffic you have moving to an internet fax service provider may not save you any money.> my budget for this project is exactly $0. I can't afford to buy new devices.Unless your boss wants you to do VoIP from a headset on the PC I think you're chasing a lost cause. And, for what it's worth, $100 per month for two analog PSTN lines is rather typical. Depending on how much voice traffic you have and how much of it is local or inbound... switching to a VoIP service may not actually be a cost-cutting measure. Thanks, Lee.