VoIP Insider

Note:  This is the 2nd installment in the Wireless VoIP Office Systems series.  Click here for Part I.

When you’re designing a wireless VoIP office system there are two types of wireless VoIP phones to consider, as outlined in the previous post;  DECT and Wi-Fi. 

Since we have DECT installation details already covered in a guest post series by Polycom, I’d like to specifically highlight Wi-Fi phones.

Fans of DECT systems like that the phones run on their own frequency and are more resistant to interference from other wireless devices.  If you’re happy with your WLAN the way it is and would like to get more use out of it, have no interest in adding new infrastructure specifically for DECT, and just need a quick wireless solution than Wi-Fi VoIP phones might be for you.

Here now is a look at the phones with a built-in Wi-Fi transceiver unit that will connect to your access point or base station allowing either the freedom for you to move freely around your home or office while on a call or, allow you to install phones in areas where you can’t or don’t want to run Ethernet cable.

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What is it? 

The new Digium phones are High-Definition IP Phones designed by Digium specifically for Switchvox UC System and Asterisk-based phone systems. There are 3 phones in the series, the Digium D70, D50, and D40.

What does it do?

The Digium phones connect seemlessly to any Asterisk-based phone system, including Switchvox, Digium’s UC System.  When connected to an Asterisk Phone System, Digium Phones offer a user friendly calling experience complete with HD Voice Wideband and access to user created apps and call rules, directly from the phone. 

Being created by Digium specifically for Asterisk, Digium phones may very well have the easiest plug and play of any IP Phone. Simply plug the Digium phone into the network and the phone will automagically discover the Asterisk server, identify the phone user, and start communicating. 

Who is it for?

Digium phones are great for anyone using an Asterisk or Switchvox IP phone server.  For its initial launch, Digium released 3 models, the D70, D50, and D40 which suit different types of phone users. 

The Digium D70 being most feature rich is best suited for administrator or executives. This phone has 6 SIP lines, a 4.5in screen, and busy lamp indicators (BLF) for up to 100 contacts.  Perfect for someone who is watching employee phone time or doing many call transfers.  This model also is the only phone in the lineup with a dual Gigabit switched Ethernet ports.

The D50 is a 4-line phone with 10 rapid dial keys with BLF. With a 3.5in backlit LCD screen and dual 10/100 switched ports, this phone is perfect for mid-level or call center employees.

The D40 is a budget friendly 2-line IP Phone with a 3.5in backlit LCD. With its dual 10/100 switched PoE Ethernet ports, full duplex speakerphone, and 4 feature keys as well as access to Advanced Phone applications through the context sensitive softkeys, this phone is a perfect fit for just about any light to medium phone traffic office worker.

Availability?

So here is the ugly part…. Now that we are all hyped up and ready to try these phones out, they will not be available for shipping until April 2012. You can place your preorders now, though and as soon as we get some, we will send them out to you!

Want to try them all? VoIP Supply has created a handy dandy Lab Pack including one of each phone so you can sample each of the new Digium phones in your environment before you buy them in bulk.

What is it?

The Grandstream HT701 is the next generation of analog telephone adapters (ATA) that’s designed primarily for VoIP users at home and on the road.

The new HT701 is replacing Grandstream’s HT286 ATA.

What does it do?

The Grandstream HT701 ATA adds T.38 protocol for managing faxes over your IP network.  Other main features include:

• Ultra compact design (.98in H x 2.6in W x 3.38in L) with ultra-affordability.
• Support 5 REN over up to 1km on 24 AWG line.
• Caller ID for various countries, call waiting, do-no-disturb, 3-way conference, transfer, forward, message waiting, T.38 fax, flexible dial plan, multi-language voice prompt.
• Voice codec support including G.711 with Annex I/II, G.729A/B, G.723.1, iLBC, G.726.
• Strong encryption and security protection of  your voice and data privacy using TLS/SRTP/HTTPS plus secure and automated provisioning using TR069, HTTP/HTTPS/TFTP and AES encryption.

Who is it for?

The HT701 ATA is great if you have a single analog phone line that you’d like to convert to VoIP usage for your home or small to medium business (SMB). 

In addition to that, if you are a telecommuter you’ll appreciate the HT701’s compact design for travelling and the inexpensive way this device allows conversion of standard analog phones, fax machines, and even conference phones to grant you access to IP-based phone services.

Availability?

We have a limited number of units available for pre-order with general availability expected to occur in a few weeks.

Download

• Grandstream HT701 Datasheet

In Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) VoIP service, you’re allowed to use a previously existing SIP phone system as the hardware through which you run your new VoIP provider.

This process can save you a lot of time, a lot of hassle, and certainly a lot of money – which is what makes it attractive to both businesses and individuals alike.

But too many people stop at this definition and never act on it, acquiring their own BYOD VoIP service.

Why is that?

We simply believe that it’s because too few people even know how to use BYOD. That’s why we’ll provide the solution for that problem in just a few quick steps.

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The effort we put in to forming a great customer experience made it unfortunate to learn that, yes, there are customers left unsatisfied by VoIP Supply; three percent of them.

Results showed that 97% of our customers are likely or very likely to buy from VoIP Supply again.

We’re very happy to share that a recent customer experience survey revealed extraordinary customer loyalty due to VoIP Supply’s:

• Product Availability
• Price
• Expertise

VoIP Supply’s Survey Says…

In December 2011 VoIP Supply conducted a customer satisfaction survey of more than 500 of our customers.  From the results of that survey we were flattered to learn of a fantastic amount of appreciation that our customers have for our efforts.

The Numbers:

• 98 Percent:  The number of customers likely or very likely to recommend VoIP Supply to colleagues or other businesses.
• 97 Percent: The number likely or very likely to purchase from VoIP Supply again.
• 87 Percent:  87% of customers report an exceptional or above average experience with VoIP Supply.
• Half:  Half of the customers consider VoIP Supply literally the best in the industry.

How did VoIP Supply garner such astonishing customer loyalty?  Survey respondents cited a number of reasons, chief among them include product availability (81%), price (76%), and more than half value our customer service and expertise.

“Our number one goal at VoIP Supply is to provide outstanding service to all of our customers throughout their experience,” said Benjamin P. Sayers, President and CEO of VoIP Supply. “I am really pleased at the strong degree of satisfaction our customers have for all we do. We will continue to strive to always exceed their expectations.”

A lot of us (those of us who are at least 21, anyway) are fans of hosting parties that say “bring your own beer,” because the pressure is taken off us to provide the libations for the Sunday football game. This isn’t such a great prospect for the partygoer, of course, who is forced to essentially pay for their own drinks to attend a party.

That’s not how it works in VoIP. Bring Your Own Device VoIP often helps the person bringing the device by saving them money on hardware they don’t have to buy from their new VoIP provider. Are we getting ahead of you yet?

If so, keep on reading and you’ll know exactly how a Bring Your Own Device program can save you and your company a nice chunk of change.

What Does it Mean?

Let’s say you’re about to sign up to a VoIP plan for your business and you’re excited about how easy it will make your phone systems. That’s great – but you realize that something’s missing: the actual phone hardware from which you plan on making your company calls. Read more