[Asterisk-Users] Mediatrix voip gateway 1124 and 1204 in UK setting

[Peter Hoppe]

Hello!

We are located in the UK, and we are planning to replace our old pbx with an asterisk based pbx. For 
outgoing calls our present pbx is connected to three PSTN lines which all have the same number. 
Internally, the pbx caters for quite a few extensions, and each extension can make outbound phone 
calls. Only very rarely does our call volume exceed three simultaneous connections (inside to inside 
plus inside to outside).

We have looked into the issue of connecting the phones and the outside lines to the system.

For the fxo connectivity we want to stick with the three PSTN lines, because they worked for us and 
we don't see a need to upgrade to ISDN. The asterisk system will be also connected to the internet 
anyway so we can perform VOIP calls.

For the fxs connectivity we want to re-use the old telephone wiring and provide standard two-wire 
telephones. Putting in IP phones would mean a massive installation effort, as we would have to put 
an entire new computer network in place - plus many IP phones constantly connected to mains, plus 
admin headaches, plus security issues and so on. The two wire solution seems the best solution for 
our setting.

We have looked into using a channel bank for the analog conectivity, and we are currently in contact 
with Carrier Access to purchase a new Adit 600 unit with space for 48 extensions. We cannot provide 
fxo connectivity via the channel bank because the fxo card from CA seems not to be EU approved. One 
downside of the channel bank is that we need a special T1 card for it to operate with the asterisk 
pbx. Also, channel banks seems to be a particular US concept, so we would have difficulties to get 
replacement parts, if something breaks.

Recently I heard of the alternative solution of a voip gateway, and the particular units I have seen 
are the Mediatrix 1124 for fxs connection and the Mediatrix 1204 for the fxo connection. Both units 
support the SIP protocol, so it should be possible to connect them to the asterisk PC via standard 
network connection. Mediatrix seems to have resellers in Europe as well, so it might be possible 
that their devices are Europe approved as well.

Question:

* Does anyone have any experience with these units in a UK setting?

* For the 1124: Does it work with standard UK two wire phones? Are there impedance problems
         (especially concerning echo problems)?
         Is the audio quality sufficient? Are they transparent to the asterisk system, i.e.
         does each fxs port look like a separate IP phone to the asterisk system?


* For the 1204: Would it be approved for connection into the UK PSTN (The prospectus from Mediatrix
         didn't say anything about regulatory approvals)? Can they initiate outside calls / receive
         incoming calls or are there problems (signalling compatible with UK PSTN)? Are they
         transparent to the asterisk system, i.e.does each fxo port look like a separate IP phone
         to the asterisk system?


I do realize that these questions are quite broad, but do appreciate any info. Thank you very much 
for your consideration.


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dyslexics of the world - untie !