Voip provider / ISP

[leonb]

Vumatel is installing fibre in our suburb soon, and we plan to more our business telephones to VOIP (x6).

We will probably try a hosted PBX system. What do I need to take note of when selecting a router (to plug into CPE) and IP phones. I want to buy equipment which will allow me to easily switch between providers if required.

Do I buy a separate switch for the IP phones, and then plug it into the router, or can the switch be plugged in directly to the CPE?

Also, is it best to select an ISP that offer VOIP products (to keep all services with one provider), or is it better to get best individual offerings.

Thanks

 

[Nicholas Marzio]

Vumatel is installing fibre in our suburb soon, and we plan to more our business telephones to VOIP (x6).

We will probably try a hosted PBX system. What do I need to take note of when selecting a router (to plug into CPE) and IP phones. I want to buy equipment which will allow me to easily switch between providers if required.

Do I buy a separate switch for the IP phones, and then plug it into the router, or can the switch be plugged in directly to the CPE?

Also, is it best to select an ISP that offer VOIP products (to keep all services with one provider), or is it better to get best individual offerings.

Thanks

CPE -> Router -> Network Switch -> VoIP Phones. If you plan to add a PBX, you can connect it to your network switch which your VoIP phones are connect too.

Anything plugged into the CPE is NOT protected unless it has it's own firewall which is normally weak on PBXs/VoIP phones etc hence the router.

I can't really suggest any VoIP providers besides Euphoria Telecom as I have had little experience with any other providers.

 

[Venomous]

Bitco

 

[Clarotech]

There is a missing piece in that chain: CPE -> Router -> Firewall -> Network Switch -> VoIP Phones

Mikrotik routers are pretty inexpensive and can do client side QoS for you. The learning curve can be steep if you don't have experience with them. It also offers basic firewalling, but these days you want full UTM.

If you get a decent PoE switch you can plug your phones and PCs into it. If you don't want to bother with PoE you can even use a standard switch and power the phones from a wall socket.

Phones: Don't go cheap. Yealink or Snom are well known and most providers should be happy with them.

It probably makes sense to pick a ISP that has voice services because in theory your calls will happen inside their network and not have to traverse the general internet. However voice over Fibre can be pretty decent even if you share voice and data. If you are heavy internet users then try some QoS on the client side to squash data and reserve some pipe for voice.