very basic landline question

[kaytemp]

With my DIDs from vitelity, I can receive multiple phone calls at the same time. If I add a traditional landline from the local carrier, is it possible to receive more than one call simultaneously on that line? We are going to open a small office and add two landlines and I need to ask the right questions - is it simply, "How many simultaneous channels do your lines allow?"

thanks

 

[dswartz]

Basic POTS lines only allow one call.

 

[dswartz]

Be aware though that not all the telcos support this in a useful way. e.g. more than one call being forwarded at a time. I think the telco-speak for this is 'how many paths can i have" or somesuch...

 

[MrBostn]

multiple paths is what OneCommunications calls it.

Our main # is a run of the mill POTS line. We had to call OneCommunications to enable "multiple paths" (in our case ten-for 10 calls)

That POTS points to our PRI.

Basically its call forwarding-just allowing multiple calls to be forwarded at one time.

 

[dswartz]

yeah, that's what i remember being told. the ILECs tend to be less generous about this. very very important to make sure you can do this with the provider you are talking to.

 

[Tekmon]

Okay, very informative igaetz and dswartz. Why can't kaytemp just get more VoIP incoming instead of bucking up for PSTN? Another basic question?
Thanks

 

[MrBostn]

I'd be hesitant to port a "real" business with "real" employees to a voip provider because IMHO those providers aren't as stable as a LEC/CLEC.

Also 911. That one time you need to dial 911 in your life-it better work.

 

[kaytemp]

Thank you all for the information. Just what I needed to know, very helpful!

Don't need the POTS lines for any technical reasons; need them because of a new partner unfamiliar with and hesitant with voip. Too many bigger issues to deal - not going to spend time arguing over a few telephone lines.

thanks again.