Small business voip + wifi ?

Edwards Finance > Phones

Q. At work we have 2 separate bt accounts and 2 different numbers. All pcs are linked by wifi. Only 1 computer utilises skype to talk to other commercial users of skype, which is on the increase. We would like to keep existing tel nos for incoming calls only, so utilising the existing Samsung system, but have separate normal phones (approx 6) all linked into the wi fi system utilising voip. Many calls are to mobiles, and also uk landlines. I would like to retain Skype as we have plenty of contacts globally via this but also have the ability to have a set monthly fee (like vonage etc) to make unlimited landline calls, and also competitively priced mobile calls. Can we link 6 phones into a wi fi network and have all this???? Or what is the closest possibility?

A. Skype is completely separate from your phone system. Personally, I wouldn't use WiFi phones at the moment; they don't offer a particularly good value proposition compared to an ATA with a DECT handset plugged into it. I'm yet to see a Wifi desk phone on the market. I would go for an Asterisk box, sitting between your Samsung and the phone lines; the Samsung would talk to the Asterisk box and think it was talking to the exchange. You can get it to do LCR/IVR/VM for you, and use it as a 'gateway' to VoIP. That way, you can keep all your existing infrastructure, and when you want to grow, you can add IP handsets as extensions to your Asterisk system. You'll be able to add more 'trunks' over the internet from the likes of Gradwell or Sipgate, which for occasional use is far more cost effective than another BT line. I think asterisk could do the trick :D Asterisk is a IP PBX. This, with 2 Linksys SPA 3000's, and 6 wifi VoIP phones will allow you to do what you wish. Skype will be usable as usual on the machine you use it on, and will not be able to be used by the wifi phones, i don't believe . Skype is pathetic, and very uncomputable. Incoming calls will be able to ring all of the wifi phones, some of them, or you could have a digital receptionist, call queuing, or whatever else you can think of probably, asterisk does loads. Outgoing calls will be able to go out of whereever you wish. You can configure them to go out of PSTN lines, or any SIP providers you wish. www.blueface.ie do a business package for £24 for 'unlmited'calls to UK and ireland.

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