small voip system what hardware do i need?

toocan

i work at a small office with just 1 conventional bt landline and we are looking to have 3 handsets which will allow us to handle 3 calls to the bt number at once, be able to transfer calls internally and have voicemailboxes...

the question is what hardware do i need to do this? also do i need to sign up for a special service with bt or other so as i can recieve more than 1 inbound call to the same number (ps i need to keep the same number)

help and suggestions appreciated

lr1277

I would suggest keeping a normal line where the phone is powered by the line itself, i.e. not connected to the mains. Just in case you need to call the emergency services and there is no power.

Buzby

Not really rocket science - you will need to bet BT to provide you with additional lines which will permit anyone calling your main line to be routed to the next available free line to deliver the call. Your choice of a small switching system is wide ranging, and this is best undertaken once you know what facilities you require. VoIP isn't a consideration as only BT can manipulate and assign your number and add additional circuits.

toocan

are you sure? ive bee told i could port my number to a SIP provider or something?

BexTech

toocan wrote: »

are you sure? ive bee told i could port my number to a SIP provider or something?

You can port your number to a SIP VoIP provider, remember you need broadband so will either need cable broadband or keep a BT line.

If you want to handle 3 calls on the BT line, then you need 3 incoming BT lines (they all can be the same number).

Maybe you could get a new number from a VoIP provider and then set that up with an IP-PBX system and also add in your regular BT line to accept calls to that too and then be able to transfer it to an extension.

With the new VoIP number from a provider that allows there to be more than one concurrent call, you get then have several 'lines' coming in or going out over VoIP, with the BT line you can still accept calls to that number and make outgoing calls with that number, but with only one BT line or one call over that can be made at a time.

Buzby

I've been unable to port any standard BT geographic number for VoIP. BT's VOIP numbers are in the 05 space, and are quite dear to call. A number of firms offer standard geographic codes, but have dedicated number ranges, which don't permit number porting.

BexTech

Buzby wrote: »

I've been unable to port any standard BT geographic number for VoIP. BT's VOIP numbers are in the 05 space, and are quite dear to call. A number of firms offer standard geographic codes, but have dedicated number ranges, which don't permit number porting.

However there are VoIP providers out there that will port in BT numbers.

All my VoIP number are 01 or 02 numbers, never did like the 056 range.

JustPassingBy

Buzby wrote: »

I've been unable to port any standard BT geographic number for VoIP. BT's VOIP numbers are in the 05 space, and are quite dear to call.

056 numbers are connected via BT for the same charge as 01/02/03 numbers. So, for example, 0p for 60mins at weekend.

Heinz

Buzby wrote: »

BT's VOIP numbers are in the 05 space, and are quite dear to call.

BT offered me the choice - an 056 number or one with my local STD code.

Despite them both being chargeable at g21 rate, I chose the latter.

Lplates

Sipgate (www.sipgate.co.uk) will allocate you a UK geographic phone number for VOIP use, and they will also sell you virtually all the hardware you need to set up a small office or home phone system that will manage VOIP and PSTN calls.

BexTech

Lplates wrote: »

Sipgate (www.sipgate.co.uk) will allocate you a UK geographic phone number for VOIP use, and they will also sell you virtually all the hardware you need to set up a small office or home phone system that will manage VOIP and PSTN calls.

I have numbers with Sipgate amongst others.

You can also use an old PC and run something like Trixbox, to create you own PBX, with all the extensions you need, with IVRs and such like.