COLT voice over IP
(VoIP) service
COLT IP Voice is a managed network-based service that
provides all the functions and features of a private branch exchange (PBX)
without the need for any equipment on your site.
The functions are
provided by the COLT network, giving carrier-class reliability, flexibility and
convenience. Calls are carried over your LAN using business-class VoIP over
multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) via 100BaseT or 1000BaseT Ethernet, or
DSL.
The service is fully managed, taking away all the headaches of
running a voice system. There is no hardware to buy and no PBX on your
premises. Voicemail and handsets are included. IP Voice offers a three-year
contract, rather than the five years or more that is common with PBXs. The
service is backed by a stringent service level agreement.
Easy and
low-cost moves, adds and changes Moves, adds and changes (MACs) can be made in
minutes by a nominated administrator. The administrator can make changes that
would previously have required physical intervention or complex procedures,
immediately, using a Web-based tool or console. The features available include
call forwarding, adding new users and setting up hunt
groups.
Handsets, softphone, tools and features
There is
a choice of three handsets: low-cost, advanced and business. Alternatively
there is a softphone (a PC software client called Talkgem) which is used with a
headset or low-cost handset. The softphone can be integrated with
Microsoft® Outlook® for click-to-dial and effortless group dialling.
Calls are set up and controlled using media gateway control protocol (MGCP).
All the usual features are included. The IP phone and PC share a single
port.
Location independence
Users log on to an IP phone
and their settings are downloaded to it, making hotdesking and homeworking
easy. All sites can be included in a uniform dial plan and benefit from the
same features.
Low-risk transition to IP
IP Voice is
based on Siemens SURPASS hiE 9200 Softswitch capability. Siemens is the market
leader in PBXs and has already shipped more than five million IP-enabled
handsets. It supports open standards. COLT already has Siemens TDM and
intelligent network switching services, ensuring a low-risk transition to IP
with an existing proven supplier.
IP Voice works with existing PBXs and
computer-telephony integration (CTI) systems.You can have IP Voice at some
sites and PBXs at others, and migrate at your own pace. COLT can supply a
customer premises gateway (CPG) and analogue adapters to enable existing fax
machines and analogue phone lines to be used.
Security
COLT uses point-to-point tunnelling protocol (PPTP) to create secure
tunnels for phone calls. There is no need for a complicated firewall schema
– the service protocols, together with the usual firewalls and hardening,
ensure high security.
Business continuity
Dial plans,
directories and feature settings for IP Voice are stored within the COLT
network and are automatically backed up. If IP phones are powered down for any
reason, as soon as they are powered up again they download all that information
from the server (via DHCP) – no information is lost. The service can be
dual-homed on a totally redundant network that provides service even in the
event of a localised disaster.
If you have a number of sites that are
connected together and there is a problem at one, IP Voice can offer a variety
of re-routing options that conventional voice could not.When staff have to work
from another office or backup site, with IP Voice they can take their numbers
with them and work as though they were at their usual desks – all they
have to do is log in at the other location.
www.colt.net
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