Business Unit - Phone Line

[Gareth83]

We've just taken over a Business Unit and looking to acquire internet (no fibre available at present)

What are our best options? We would like to also have a landline number and some form of switchboard so VOIP etc.

What's the best place to look for deals and to work out what we actually need?

We currently use Tamar to give us a landline number which diverts to 2 mobiles but need something a bit more dedicated as our team grows...

 

[forevergroup]

Assuming that you have 4G coverage available, then an unlimited mobile data plan with a mobile WiFi device is going to be your best option.

5G is nice, but coverage is more limited and actually the routers themselves are comparatively expensive.

For VoIP, you’ll find that most providers like us will offer a softphone client that allows you to make/receive calls on a landline number (with switchboard functionality) but using a smartphone app rather than having to buy physical phones.

Hope that helps!

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

With a good internet supply you can get what you want. Focus on that and try to avoid a phone line. However, depending on your mobile reception, a landline is a good fall back option.

 

[Gareth83]

Unlimited data and a hotspot on order, now onto a Softphone system recommendation's...

 

[EmC007]

You might find that not all mobile carriers will allow VoIP.

 

[EmC007]

Microsoft Teams Business Voice is fine on O2.

 

[kulture]

You might find that not all mobile carriers will allow VoIP.

Really? Do you have any information on this?

 

[EmC007]

Really? Do you have any information on this?

There are examples of problems on some carriers. Search on Google will show a few on the EE community pages. Also a reliable network manufacturer has stated this in meetings.

 

[kulture]

The only issue I can find is OLD and relates to EE's implimentation of IPv6. I have not heard of any RECENT problems. So can you please provide recent factual information rather than "someone said something".

 

[EmC007]

A slightly older thread https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Data/Re-VOIP-not-working-on-EE-4g/td-p/754929

 

[EmC007]

Also relevant https://telecomreseller.com/2020/09/23/voip-over-cellular-data-networks/
Extract
Mobile telephony providers – Some cell phone companies may block certain types of traffic from their data connection, such as voice traffic. This can sometimes be done intentionally to force subscribers to use the cellular company’s voice service, or it may be due to a misconfiguration.

 

[kulture]

Thank you, so it seems that EE may block VOiP but no recent complaints, that vodafone definately do not block VOiP and there is no mention of O2 either way. So it is best to steer clear of EE if you want to use VOiP and best not to commit to a long contract under O2 before testing VOiP.

 

[EmC007]

Thank you, so it seems that EE may block VOiP but no recent complaints, that vodafone definately do not block VOiP and there is no mention of O2 either way. So it is best to steer clear of EE if you want to use VOiP and best not to commit to a long contract under O2 before testing VOiP.

I would contact the potential supplier and ask them out right and ask for it in writing. Then if it does not work you have a get out!