Frequently Asked Questions
What is VoIP?
Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) is the term used to describe the group of technologies used to transmit voice conversations over a data network using the Internet Protocol. Such data network may be the Internet or a corporate Intranet.
What is a IP-PBX?
An IP-PBX is communication equipment located on the physical premises of the business. However, unlike legacy PBX systems which rely on TDM and other legacy voice signaling protocols that utilize their own separate network, IP-PBX systems are built on the Internet Protocol (“IP”) and can integrate directly into your existing IP network as the backbone of an office communications system.
What type of connectivity does my IP-PBX support?
Neturally Speaking IP-PBX systems support three methods connectivity; Analog (PSTN), T1/PRI (Digital PSTN), Internet (pure-VoIP)
Can VoIP reduce your voice communication costs?
Many businesses can save money by switching to VoIP
for their voice communication needs. Neturally Speaking’s Customer Care representatives can help you
explore options and find out how much your business can save. Moving all your
voice, data, and video services to a converged IP network can result in
additional savings.
What is Least Cost Routing (“LCR”)?
LCR is calling routing methodology that ensures a dialed number to initiate a call travels the least cost route to reach it’s destination.
Can I Keep My Existing Phone Numbers?
Most phone numbers can be ported. We support porting from almost all service providers. We can configure your system with your current numbers, offering your customers and employees a seamless transition.
If I Keep My Numbers How Long Will It Take To Transfer To VoIP?
NeturallSpeaking can transfer your existing phone numbers to your new VoIP system. It typically takes 3-4 weeks to complete the porting process, depending on how many numbers you have to transfer.
Can I get new numbers if I need them?
Flexibility is a hallmark of VoIP. We can add additional local pone numbers (“DIDs”), Toll Free numbers, and International phone numbers at any time. Contact one of our Customer Care representatives for details.
Can VoIP Make My Business More Competitive?
Voice communication cost savings are but a single component of VoIP. Converging your voice and data communication systems into a single cohesive networking system offers the potential developing entirely ways to enhance your customer service and ongoing operations. Integrated applications such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) lets you allocate valuable resources where they should be allocated: growing your business. The convergence of your voice and data provides can provide your business with enterprise-grade integration into your Customer Relations application providing your customers a higher level of service and personalization. Neturally Speaking’s VoIP solutions and Integrated applications can give your company the competitive edge.
What do you need to use VoIP?
The first thing you need is an Internet connection. The faster your connection, the better the call quality is. With a high-speed broadband connection, for example, you can make calls and surf the Internet at the same time.
What Phones Can I use with VoIP?
NeturallySpeaking IP-PBX systems support most analog and IP phones; including, models from Aastra, Grandstream, Cisco/Linksys, and Polycom. In order to ensure and maintain our business class quality standards Neturally Speaking supports only specific combinations of third-party phones and devices. Additionally, some non-supported features on analog or IP Phones may not work. Our Technical Support Services staff will advise you on the compatibility of specific non-supported analog and IP Phones.
What happens when the power goes out?
NeturallySpeaking VoIP solutions are implemented with high QoS guarantees; one of which is that VoIP services are protected against the loss of AC power. Our VoIP solution utilizes Power Over Ethernet ("PoE") switches to power VoIP phonesets. Power for the IP Phone is injected by the data switch or by a dedicated “inline” power device located between the switch and the VoIP phoneset (also known as “midspan” powering). The battery backup device then backs up the PoE switch or inline power device. Designed in this manner, your IP Phones will continue to function in the event of a power failure.
If I call 911, will my call go through to a local emergency dispatcher?
Yes. All Neturally Speaking VoIP deployments ordinarily contain a single analog line for 911 purposes. However, depending on system configuration, 911 routing will be configured utilizing one of several E911 routing methods such as E911. E911 provides emergency operators with a physical address for each incoming call. This offers obvious public safety advantages. E911-compliant systems connect you - and your address - directly to the local public safety officials. Our ELS phone lines are fully E911-compliant, offering you and your employees complete peace of mind.
What is SIP trunking?
SIP trunking is a means of leveraging the powerful
SIP technology to provide dedicated multimedia support to a physical location.
A SIP trunk
is a connection between your IP network and the SIP network of your telephony
provider - in essence, a SIP trunk is a phone line. Bandwidth.com is the leader
in SIP trunking technology, with an active and experienced
research and development team and 24x7 customer support.
What are the advantages of SIP over Analog lines and PRIs?
SIP trunks are less
costly than analoge lines, but still retains the quality level of service businesses
expect. In addition to the costs per
line, SIP trunk long distance termination charges are less than traditional
analog or TDM service. SIP trunks are
even more cost effective when compared to PRI circuits. Because a single SIP trunk costs less than a
traditional analog circuit 23 SIP lines cost far less than the same 23 lines
provisioned on a PRI. Moreover, many
organizations often feel “stuck” with having to get a PRI as they
need more than a few analog lines, but not the 23 provided by the PRI. With SIP trunks you receive the benefit of
lower cost per line, plus the ability to get only the number of trunks you actually
need.
Why should I get from SIP trunks from Neturally Speaking?
The simple answer is because Neturally Speaking provides comprehensive business-class VoIP solutions. This is in contrast to many providers that simply provide the components of a VoIP solution and leave you to figure out how to actually design, implement, and maintain a VoIP solution. Anyone can sell you SIP trunks, but it takes business class VoIP systems engineering and industry know-how to select the right SIP trunks, from the right provider, configured in the right manner, that best meets your specific SIP trunking needs
What About Faxing?
One drawback with VoIP is the difficulty in sending faxes due to software and networking restraints in most home systems. However, an effort is underway to define an alternate IP-based solution for delivering Fax-over-IP, namely the T.38 protocol. Another possible solution to overcome the drawback is to treat the fax system as a message switching system which does not need real time data transmission - such as sending a fax as a email attachment or remote printout . The end system can completely buffer the incoming fax data before displaying or printing the fax image
How secure are my calls?
VoIP traffic is as secure as any other data traffic you send out onto the public internet. There are ways of making the system more secure, including some technologies such as SRTP and TLS, but none of these technologies are available universally. The best way to ensure security for your VoIP traffic is to employ the use of a SIP-enabled firewall. If you employ the use of a SIP-enabled firewall, your VoIP traffic is relatively secure. For someone to gain access to your VoIP calls, they would have to steal all of the packets leaving your network. The only way to do that is to be physically present at one of the points of transmission