RECOMMENDATIONS Please recommend best connection card or gateway to analogue Comcast box

[Mark D. Montgomery II]

In my case we don't technically own the house and phone line (parsonage), so porting the house line isn't an option. It's also nice to have a backup just in case the internet is down.

 

[Chris Sweeney]

If his voip bill during the contract time is less than $500, then he will save money by just "abandoning" his current voice provider and using voip. He's going to get great voice quality, no echo worries, no additional hardware to fail, and he can virtualize his new pbx if he likes (which he can't do with the Sangoma card).

Still missed the point he can't abandon it, how would he receive calls to his current POT's numbers if he can't port them yet? I would also assume his contract is phone and internet together so breaking the contract on one would break both and increase the fee's. Been in his situation many times with over 30 locations it just doesn't pay to do it until your contract is up.

 

[magna.vis]

No, I get that. I think Gomez was simply laying out other options. Depending on the business type, it may be easier to change the number and let the contract sit until it expires. I think you may be over complicating it a bit.

AT&T Contract - Not getting out. That's an understood fee, regardless of how he proceeds. It therefore is unnecessary to consider it in the costs of any options moving forward, as it would be identical in both.

Setup PBX to take calls on existing lines:
PC to run PIAF - $300
Card - $500
Incidentals - $150 - $300 (Not excessive, 150W * 24 hours *365 days * $0.108 per kWh = $150 per year, plus other periphery cost)
TOTAL: $950 (base)

His point is that if you could go with a VoIP Provider that costed less per year, it may be a better idea to do so. I have no idea what the call volume is, so I can't say what makes more sense, but I can say that the hardware investment would be comparatively negligible, and possibly better in the long run. Sure, you could argue that some of his investment cost could be made up at the end of the contract by selling equipment that he no longer needs, and that may well be a better way to go. It's just a lot of money to throw at a device that is going to be in service for one year, doing the job a $45 device can do, when ultimately he's going to be on a setup that the $45 device can be adequate for once the contract lapses.

If it was going to cost $500 a year with a VoIP provider and $45 in hardware (plus, if you want to be technical, maybe $20 a year for power to a BBB), he's literally saving $350 the first year, and doesn't have to deal with any of the hassle of porting numbers later, reselling used hardware he no longer needs, and just gets to 'one and done' the whole thing. If that were the case, I don't see why he shouldn't abandon the lines he's not using. Or, maybe get one Obi for the main office line and tie that in for the short term (until everyone learns about the new numbers).

 

[GomezAddams]

What Magna said.

Chris, I think you are missing the fact that phone numbers are portable (by law). Having a contract in place doesn't change that (I'd have to go back and re-read the FCC's page on number portability, but I believe that to be the case). The existing phone numbers could be ported, and the current provider would provide new phone numbers, which would go unused.

And as to added reliability, I believe Mark stated that the existing analog lines were coming from a router, which means if he loses his internet connection, he's losing the analog lines too.

However, in Mark's case, he doesn't own the phone numbers in question, so porting isn't an option, and the point is moot.

 

[Chris Sweeney]

What Magna said.

 

[magna.vis]

Chris, I think you are missing the fact that phone numbers are portable (by law). The existing phone numbers could be ported, and the current provider would provide new phone numbers, which would go unused.

I actually think this isn't usually the case. Even the Google Voice page says, "When you port a number, the contract is terminated." This doesn't always mean your stuck paying though, here is one lifehacker's expirence, and how he did it: http://lifehacker.com/5794553/how-t...-google-voice-without-paying-an-arm-and-a-leg

The long of the short of it is that the carrier will always want to hit you with a fee. There are things you can explain to reasonable people, and as long as those reasonable people understand and promise you something, you should be good. What a pain though.

Google Voice help page I quoted above: https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en

 

[Chris Sweeney]

Chris, I think you are missing the fact that phone numbers are portable (by law). Having a contract in place doesn't change that (I'd have to go back and re-read the FCC's page on number portability, but I believe that to be the case). The existing phone numbers could be ported, and the current provider would provide new phone numbers, which would go unused.

True you can port them when they are free and clear. A carrier may stop you from porting if you are under contract or have an outstanding balance or service is suspended or cancelled.

And as to added reliability, I believe Mark stated that the existing analog lines were coming from a router, which means if he loses his internet connection, he's losing the analog lines too.

Not true, the cable providers route internet traffic and phone traffic different. True if his cable is cut or power is out it may not work, but I can tell you many times including right now in one of my stores the internet is out, but the phone lines provided by Time Warner are working just fine with no problems. It's been my personal experience the telco connections they provide are much more reliable then the internet connections they provide.

However, in Mark's case, he doesn't own the phone numbers in question, so porting isn't an option, and the point is moot.


Yes

 

[phonebuff]

Chris, I think you are missing the fact that phone numbers are portable (by law). Having a contract in place doesn't change that (I'd have to go back and re-read the FCC's page on number portability, but I believe that to be the case). The existing phone numbers could be ported, and the current provider would provide new phone numbers, which would go unused.

Ah, Not always, recently had a situation in South Florida where I could not keep a number or port it for a client that was moving from one side of Palm Beach county to the other.

But, since they are not moving the OP could use a FWD option and send all the calls to a SIP provider and bring them in that way VS an Analog gateway, but Sangoma Vega appliances are fairly cheap on Ebay and some combination of hardware and SIP is probably the best option here.

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[islandtech]

I recently had a client that was using TWC and was moving to another town in the same county 15 miles apart. TWC service in the new location, but they could not port between TWC. Had to go with RFC to a new number at the new location. Didn't want to lose main number now they are paying for lines at the old and new service area.

 

[GomezAddams]

I recently had a client that was using TWC and was moving to another town in the same county 15 miles apart. TWC service in the new location, but they could not port between TWC. Had to go with RFC to a new number at the new location. Didn't want to lose main number now they are paying for lines at the old and new service area.

In this case, what you have to do is to port the number away from TWC and back. My co-worker fought for months trying to get AT&T to move his cell phone number to his wife's family plan. They kept telling him it was not possible because his phone was originally set up as a business account. I suggested he port the number to Straight Talk. Funny, after he moved to Straight Talk, AT&T was more than happy to port his number to his wife's family plan.