Broadband, phonelines, voip etc

[RichEmerson]

I've just set up a new business at a site where there is no existing IT/communication infrastructure. Our needs aren't too complex but I'd like to get the best deal poss and take advantage of any technology that allows us to keep our operating costs down. We're going to need a reasonable sized broadband connection and probably only one incoming phone number/line. We are likely to make a reasonable number of outgoing calls and don't want that to clog up the incoming line and some people have suggested we can use our broadband for this. does anyone have experience of this that they can share? My only experience, using skype, hasn't been too positive.
Thanks in advance
Rich

 

[Dave H]

Although I haven't personally used them, CJD on this forum seems very well respected for offering a VOIP service.

When looking at an ISP, check their upstream. Most offer super whizzy download speeds, however upstream is usually only around 512kbit. I'm with Bethere for an ISP and my upstream is around 2mbit. This allows plenty of overhead for bi-directional traffic and also VOIP. I'm probably wayyyyyy off the mark (and will most certainly be corrected), however if you allot around 10kbps each way for VOIP (maybe via QOS on your router) this should ensure a good quality of call.

 

[KM-Tiger]

If it was my problem I would look at either an ADSL2 connection (at least 1Mbs upstream) or if it has got to be ordinary ADSL then choose one of the services that gives you 812 upstream rather than 448. For ADSL2 it will depend whether it's available at your exchange, possible suppliers would be Be or O2. They actually use the same exchange equipment so your choice is on T&C's or reputation for customer service. Both have availability checkers on their websites.

If it has to be ordinary ADSL you could consider getting that from voipfone, as they prioritise VOIP on the connection, as far as I know the only supplier to do this.

As regards bandwidth, it depends on the codec used, and also other factors like jitter. My experience is that an ordinary ADSL connection with 812 upload has no problem supporting 4-5 simultaneous calls.

With VOIP unless you are a one man band, you'll need some kind of PBX facility to be able to transfer calls, divert, voicemail etc. This is trickier IMHO. You can either have a local PBX, which would be able to integrate the existing PSTN with VOIP into one system, but this would have to be bought, installed , maintained. Or you could port your number to VOIP and run everything via a hosted VOIP service like voipfone. Their rates are low, no capital expenditure, no tie-in. Support and maintenance is their problem. Everyone just has one SIP phone on their desk. Downside is that if your ADSL goes down so does all of your phone system. Yes you can divert to the PSTN or mobile, but you won't have the normal PBX function.

 

[cjd]

If you're starting from new you really have to use VoIP - simply because you have no legacy equipment to worry about. As KM says, the choice is between buying some version of your own VoIP switch (unless you're of a technical bent, I don't recommend you do this yourself but you can find people to do it for you now - it just adds to the cost and gives you an ongoing maintenence liability) or use a hosted solution.

There are really only 2 or three of us doing this for small business in the UK but it's worth sticking 'voip pbx uk' into google and looking around.

(Only consider someone who is a member of the trade association ITSPA - you get protection for your numbers and a complaints arbitration process amongst other things)

There's some info about ours here:

https://www.voipfone.co.uk/Voipfone_User_Manual.htm#_Toc198781336

 

[RichEmerson]

to you guys who have replied - as ever on here, clear and helpful. CJD, could you pm meplease about how i'd get a spec and a price from yourselves, so that i can put it into the pot against the older, traditional approaches.
Thanks again
Rich

 

[cjd]

For us it's simple because it's all pick and mix and no contract.

work out how many telephone extensions you need - they're £0.99 per month
work out how many telephone numbers you want - £1.99 pm

If you want a call Queuing system that's another £1.99 pm

If you want to add call groups - ie make one group of telephone extensions all ring when a number is called it's £0.99 pm (you get one group free)

If you want an IVR ie 'press 1 for sales, 2 for accounts etc) it's £1.99 per department

and so on.

All our prices (including calls) are here:

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/prices.php

You'll need telephones - they're here:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/shop.php?method=category&pid=1
(snoms are best)

If you want voice prioritised broadband - it's here:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/broadband.php

If you want to talk it through with a addict talk to one of our support people on 020 7043 5555.