[asterisk-users] Advice on ISDN and Asterisk in the UK

[Tim Panton]

On 24 Oct 2008, at 17:00, Phil Knighton wrote:

> Hello all
>
> What I'm looking for is some plain speaking advice on ISDN.
>
> Currently using 4 analog lines connecting via a four port TDM400P  
> FXO card.  We need to physically move our installations, and on  
> requesting the analog lines be moved - our telco (BT) is suggesting  
> we replace our analog lines with ISDN2.  We would have 3 x ISDN2  
> connections, giving us six voice channels.  They've even offered us  
> free installation of the lines (as opposed to a £560 charge for  
> moving the analog lines!)
>
> What hardware would you recommend in the Asterisk box?  I don't mind  
> admitting I'm a newb and a lot of the info I've found is over my  
> head.  I've been looking at a TE410P - would this achieve what I  
> want which is to connect the 3 ISDN2 connections, giving me six  
> voice channels?
>
> Assuming the TE410P is what I'm looking for (or an equivalent -  
> suggestions?) what are the basic points for what I would need to  
> change in my current config?
>
> Any help or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated :-)
>
> Cheers
>
> Phil

Couple of things to look out for :
	1) FAX! If you currently have a fax on any of the 4 analog lines,  
then moving to ISDN will
require you to do a major dance to get it working with any degree of  
reliability. (same goes for
dialup modems, creditcard processing machines, alarm systems, sky  
boxes etc)
	2) There really isn't any competition in the ISDN BRI market in the  
UK - once
down that road you are tied to BT.
  If you do want to go to ISDN, think seriously of getting a PRI (30  
channels) with only a few channels
'lit'. The normal minimum is 8 out of the 30, but I once persuaded NTL  
(as was) to put up a 6 line
PRI. All the telcos have PRI offerings, and the cards for asterisk are  
cheaper than the equivalent
BRI card.


  In your situation I'd be taking 2 analog lines and an ADSL, use the  
ADSL to make voip
calls through a good VoIP provider and the 2 analog lines for  
emergencies, faxes and failover.


Tim.
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