HELLO & WELCOME

[erik.mathyase]

I've just been speaking to a VOIP user and I'm really confused.

Let's start with a scenario where I have one BT analogue line connected to a single handset. I can make or receive exactly one call at any one time. If I make a call, any new caller will get a busy tone. If I receive a call any subsequent callers will also receive a busy tone.

Now expand the system to have a primary rate circuit with 10 channels enabled going into a PBX with one extension. Assuming the equipment can handle it, I can receive or make up to 10 calls at once, albeit with all but one on hold.

In essence the number of simultaneous calls I can handle is limited to the number of circuits; one in the first scenario and 10 in the second.

Now moving forward into the VOIP world, I have a single VOIP account connected to a single handset. Assuming all the necessary VOIP features are enabled and the handset can cope I could have received a call, had another put into call waiting, put the current call on hold, made an outgoing call and so on. Basically there is no VOIP limit to the number of calls coming in or out via the single SIP channel and single account.

So, in the BT way of doing things, we had a limit imposed on us by the number of circuits which we could use for outgoing calls which we had to share with the incoming calls. In the VOIP way of doing things we need one account, one IP connection to VOIP, any number of extensions, lots of PBX features and we can then make any number of calls in and out.

Is this correct?

[GoofyCyborg]

Correct; clever ain't it?

Be aware though that some voip suppliers do place a restriction on the amount of calls that can be placed and received. Below is a snippet from the voiptalk terms of service which can be found here: https://www.voiptalk.org/products/terms.php

Outbound calls and inbound calls to and from the PSTN network respectively, are limited to 2 (two) concurrent calls unless otherwise specified

So do your homework first. Voipfone.co.uk are just one of the many voip providers who do not place any restrictions on the amount of calls that can be made or received.

[erik.mathyase]

Interesting, thanks for pointing out about the possible restriction on the amount of calls that can be made. Will look up more info on the subject later.