Voip Pbx For 1-line Hotel

[simon43]

I want to install in-room telephones at my 10-bed hotel. The problem is that we only have a single telephone line on the property, due to lack of cable in the road. We cannot install a second line and I do not want guests to use this single line for their outgoing calls, (blocking incoming calls etc).

So the solution would be to use VOIP. We do have a reliable ADSL service and many guests report no problems when using VOIP from their laptops (via our wifi link).

So I think what I need is a VOIP PBX unit that can support 10 extensions.

Any suggestions as to hardware? And what about the VOIP service itself? Does TOT offer some sort of VOIP service that is billed like a standard phone-bill? (I don't want to have to prepay for Skype etc).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Simon

[RKASA]

You can google wellgate or welltech they have rep. in thailand and I think they have a PBX unit that can do up to 16 extention that you can program control over ie limit to in house use and has outside line via VoIP. Just connects to your LAN. If you e mail they can provide information.

edit ps yes ToT has VoIP I use it with a sigle line have whole house wired, same cost as a cell phone and billed seperate from My IPstar internet which I run it over. My line is 99 baht a month and 1 baht minute outgoing calls incoming free. All international calling plans can be used with it as well. They use the wellgate equipment, I talked to wellgate a while back and the rep was really nice gave me all kinds of info.

edit again brain not connected this morn. The VoIP connects to my IPstar and gets its own IP local from the IPstar modem and does not use my bandwidth it has its own so it does not bother the internet connection when in use. You don't want it behind your router because it will then be on your connection. It has a ported/switch built in so you can connect your PC or router to it and keep it up stream of your connection.

Edited September 4, 2007 by RKASA

[technocracy]

I want to install in-room telephones at my 10-bed hotel. The problem is that we only have a single telephone line on the property, due to lack of cable in the road. We cannot install a second line and I do not want guests to use this single line for their outgoing calls, (blocking incoming calls etc).

So the solution would be to use VOIP. We do have a reliable ADSL service and many guests report no problems when using VOIP from their laptops (via our wifi link).

So I think what I need is a VOIP PBX unit that can support 10 extensions.

Any suggestions as to hardware? And what about the VOIP service itself? Does TOT offer some sort of VOIP service that is billed like a standard phone-bill? (I don't want to have to prepay for Skype etc).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Simon

The problem for you is that the VOIP gateway needs a link to a 'telephony provider' in other words the VOIP would only occur in your hotel between rooms.

The gateway would required a connection to the local exchange via a FXO ports. The fact that you cannot get anymore PSTN lines installed is a big problem! Essential I'd say two more circuits would of done the trick - leaving the original circuit for your use and the other 2 for outgoing calls.

If you want to connect standard phones (non-IP based) then you need a devices with 10 FXS ports. Paying for FXS ports I think off the top of my head would be cheaper than buy IP phones.

Skype is an alternative - but obviously you have to set up a business account which is then billed as people use it which would give you a nice itemised bill - however as far as I know the Skype gateways need to be connected directly to an ADSL connect to work so this would mean DSL in each room.

But like you say people have use your wi-fi link and made 'calls' via Skype or using a messenger the simple thing would be set up and decent Skype IP handset in a soundproofed booth and provide cheap International calls this way. As if they used VOIP via the PSTN they would be paying TOT international call rates.

On top of all this the problem with using a VOIP gateway is you have no control over the billing - the only thing you could do is save the log files showing what phones have call what numbers and for how long then charge them at TOT + profit rates.

The summary is that VOIP isn't as simple as people like to think or just works because there is an internet connection. When countries have implemented NGN (Next Gen Networks) which use exclusively IP for both telephony and data then it will become far more simplified however I think Thailand is some way of a NGN roll-out. Which is a bit surprising as Vietnam is way ahead of Thailand in this respect.

[technocracy]

You can google wellgate or welltech they have rep. in thailand and I think they have a PBX unit that can do up to 16 extention that you can program control over ie limit to in house use and has outside line via VoIP. Just connects to your LAN. If you e mail they can provide information.

edit ps yes ToT has VoIP I use it with a sigle line have whole house wired, same cost as a cell phone and billed seperate from My IPstar internet which I run it over. My line is 99 baht a month and 1 baht minute outgoing calls incoming free. All international calling plans can be used with it as well. They use the wellgate equipment, I talked to wellgate a while back and the rep was really nice gave me all kinds of info.

These kind of solution are dependant on the use of an Internet Telephony Service Provider (ITSP) - which could be answer to your problem.

You would need to shop around and find the best prices for the service from the ITSP.

One thing to remember is you are reliant on the Internet as the network and nothing is guaranteed - which isn't ideal when voice calls are involved.

[RKASA]

Thats why you need something like wellgate its a dail tone service provided by ToT vai internet (yes) but you don't see it its transparent. Every room has dail tone to the front desk. and you can dail outside line if your unit has premission to. Its not using your internet it just connects via your modem. Its really simple and billed seperate from your internet no software no PC required. It's phone service and if your connected to thailands wired phone lines it going to work as well as anything else connected to the that mess.

[technocracy]

Thats why you need something like wellgate its a dail tone service provided by ToT vai internet (yes) but you don't see it its transparent. Every room has dail tone to the front desk. and you can dail outside line if your unit has premission to. Its not using your internet it just connects via your modem. Its really simple and billed seperate from your internet no software no PC required. It's phone service and if your connected to thailands wired phone lines it going to work as well as anything else connected to the that mess.

But you are right one solution that could work is a Broadband based VOIP gate - although I don't know any IADs (Integrated Access Device) that would support this number of phones.

But then again I don't really deal with them that much, I just had a look on the Welltech site (who make Wellgate - confusing eh!) and there IAD will support 3 PCs and 1 phone - so not much doing there.

Edited September 4, 2007 by technocracy

[RKASA]

You don't want it to support all the phones just the outside lines the PBX supports all the in house dail tone so units can call front desk ect. They can then call room to room as well. Only units with permission can dail 9 and get an outside line. If he uses this he will have the line they have now and the new line via VoIP. He would most likey be able to connect both outside lines to the PBX and have two usable outside lines. The PBX works even if not connected to the outside world its like a private phone company in your building. For that matter a PBX will wire the Hotel to the line that he has with out the VoIP option included, but if you use the VoIP option you can add maybe four phone numbers without worry about no phone lines. ie FAX line, voiceline to front counter, private office number, and one for your living area. all with there own number.

edit guest are using wifi for internet so the phone thing is kind of seperate issue.

Edited September 4, 2007 by RKASA

[technocracy]

You don't want it to support all the phones just the outside lines the PBX supports all the in house dail tone so units can call front desk ect. They can then call room to room as well. Only units with permission can dail 9 and get an outside line. If he uses this he will have the line they have now and the new line via VoIP. He would most likey be able to connect both outside lines to the PBX and have two usable outside lines. The PBX works even if not connected to the outside world its like a private phone company in your building. For that matter a PBX will wire the Hotel to the line that he has with out the VoIP option included, but if you use the VoIP option you can add maybe four phone numbers without worry about no phone lines. ie FAX line, voiceline to front counter, private office number, and one for your living area. all with there own number.

edit guest are using wifi for internet so the phone thing is kind of seperate issue.

I understand what you are saying but in terms of the Broadband solution I am talking about using the Internet for everything - no additional PSTN lines - use an ITSP instead.

The phones aren't separate to the internet that's the whole thing - in theory he could have a wifi phone for connection to voice gateway/IAD.

A PBX isn't in the discussion here the VoIP gateway or IAD would replace the PBX and do everything that a PBX would do. You can pick up VoIP capable gateways supporting 10+ phones for not a lot of money. Like I said previously the cost of IP phones is quite high so it would be worthwile looking at devices with FXS ports which would support standard phones.

[RKASA]

You don't want it to support all the phones just the outside lines the PBX supports all the in house dail tone so units can call front desk ect. They can then call room to room as well. Only units with permission can dail 9 and get an outside line. If he uses this he will have the line they have now and the new line via VoIP. He would most likey be able to connect both outside lines to the PBX and have two usable outside lines. The PBX works even if not connected to the outside world its like a private phone company in your building. For that matter a PBX will wire the Hotel to the line that he has with out the VoIP option included, but if you use the VoIP option you can add maybe four phone numbers without worry about no phone lines. ie FAX line, voiceline to front counter, private office number, and one for your living area. all with there own number.

edit guest are using wifi for internet so the phone thing is kind of seperate issue.

I understand what you are saying but in terms of the Broadband solution I am talking about using the Internet for everything - no additional PSTN lines - use an ITSP instead.

The phones aren't separate to the internet that's the whole thing - in theory he could have a wifi phone for connection to voice gateway/IAD.

A PBX isn't in the discussion here the VoIP gateway or IAD would replace the PBX and do everything that a PBX would do. You can pick up VoIP capable gateways supporting 10+ phones for not a lot of money. Like I said previously the cost of IP phones is quite high so it would be worthwile looking at devices with FXS ports which would support standard phones.

Yes this still does it. If a unit wants an outside line they get premission and with the addition of new numbers witch he currently only has one, then they get connected to other then the main number thus not blocking inbound calls. all you need in the rooms is a J11 jack and a cheap phone. let the PBX make the outside connection to one of the new numbers which has to be VoIP because he can't get more landlines from Telco and the gatewell can provide the numbers to the PBX.

[monty]

Easiest would be cat2call from the CAT.

They have IP-phones (looks like a normal phone, but connects to your broadband using a LAN cable), and more important for you, the have an IAD (internet access device) as well.

The IAD connects to your broadband using a lan cable, and outputs a regular dial tone on a regular phone jack on the other end!

This means you can connect the phone jack to any PABX, and it will think it is a regular phoneline!

Calls withing Thailand are 3 baht/minute, overseas calls are between 4 and 15 Baht/minute...

You also get assigned a phonenumber, so you can receive incoming calls as well.

http://www.cat2call.com/plus/c2c_plus_en.html

[RKASA]

yes that is something of the same thing, but you don't want the expense VoIP phones you really only want and need extra [phone numbers to the hotel which he can't get. After the dail tone is in the building forget about VoIP even if that is the source of the connection. It just dail tone each number 99 baht a month 1 baht minute outgoing calls. restrict service to local call and sell guest calling cards for long distant no backend billing services needed. If they want he still has wifi and they can make their own VoIP calls from their own PC. He wants the hotel wired, but that is seperate issue from phone service outside building. Thats why a PBX it connects everything in the building, and can connect a call to an outside line if necessary.

[technocracy]

Easiest would be cat2call from the CAT.

They have IP-phones (looks like a normal phone, but connects to your broadband using a LAN cable), and more important for you, the have an IAD (internet access device) as well.

The IAD connects to your broadband using a lan cable, and outputs a regular dial tone on a regular phone jack on the other end!

This means you can connect the phone jack to any PABX, and it will think it is a regular phoneline!

Calls withing Thailand are 3 baht/minute, overseas calls are between 4 and 15 Baht/minute...

You also get assigned a phonenumber, so you can receive incoming calls as well.

http://www.cat2call.com/plus/c2c_plus_en.html

Exactly the kind of service I mean with ITSP.

Sorry of course you could connect the FXO port on a VoIP gateway to the IAD and it can use this for the PSTN service instead of a fixed line. Although this still limits the available circuits to one, but there isn't anything stopping the installation of 2 IADs and FXO ports.

I did have a quick snigger though . . IAD is 100% certainly a Integrated Access Device not Internet AD.

EDIT:

Just for clarity:

Internet

|

ADSL

|

IAD

|

VoIP gateway

| | | | | | | | | |

Ten IP phones

Rought costs -

Phones - 25,000baht (Linksys SPA901 - 2,500baht ea)

VoIP Gateway - 4500 baht (Linksys SPA3102) supports two active calls.

IAD and CAT2Call - costs . . dunno.

That'll do the trick - the costs for a full FXS supporting chassis would completely put it out of range so IP Phones in this case are far cheaper.

Edited September 4, 2007 by technocracy

[RKASA]

but that is not what he wants or needs. forget about the guest using VoIP. He only needs at least one more phone line to the hotel and can't get it but for VoIP service, once in the building its is just dail tone. a phone number. PBX wires the hotel like any other hotel. He can connect a room to outside if neceassary, but for them its is or is not VoIP its just a phone call. Guest can use their own PC to make VoIP calls on the WiFi if they want. He needs the hotel wired even if there was no VoIP involved. Each number vai internet is 1700 installed and 99baht a month 1 baht a minute outgoing. plug a cheap phone into it or plug it into the PBX its just dail tone from the phone company. edit that does not mean every room its each new number to the building do with it what you want.

Edited September 4, 2007 by RKASA

[technocracy]

but that is not what he wants or needs.

Why is that not what he needs or wants? He has stated they only have one PSTN connection into the hotel and due to lack of wires no more can be added. This 'solution' allows him to use his ADSL service on the said PSTN link to provide an addition 'virtual' PSTN service via an ITSP.

forget about the guest using VoIP. He only needs at least one more phone line to the hotel and can't get it but for VoIP service, once in the building its is just dail tone. a phone number. PBX wires the hotel like any other hotel.

You say forget about using VoIP for guests, why? As said above he doesn't need another PSTN connection in that solution. Why wire out the hotel for old PBX tecnology when it can be done easier and cheaper using VoIP. For less than $2,000 he can get the place hooked up with VoIP.

He can connect a room to outside if neceassary, but for them its is or is not VoIP its just a phone call. Guest can use their own PC to make VoIP calls on the WiFi if they want. He needs the hotel wired even if there was no VoIP involved. Each number vai internet is 1700 installed and 99baht a month 1 baht a minute outgoing. plug a cheap phone into it or plug it into the PBX its just dail tone from the phone company. edit that does not mean every room its each new number to the building do with it what you want.

Maybe guests don't have there own PC - not everyone takes a laptop everywhere they go. Wiring Cat5 into the room for the VoIP phones would also provide the ability for guests to connect via Cat 5 rather than wireless, which has many security benefits for users and not everyone has wireless! Also it's a hotel he wants to make money - just saying use your laptop doesn't get him anything.

As for rest - just reread the OPs subject:

We cannot install a second line and I do not want guests to use this single line for their outgoing calls, (blocking incoming calls etc).

Using a ITSP will also allow for easy charging of the customer for the calls - via their billing service. Something which in a hotel obviously needs to be considered that you need to know what they've used so you can charge them.

Anyway I'm off out and will leave the OP digest the thread for himself.

[RKASA]

Yes I see your point and its a great idea, I was just thinking along the cheap, because ten rooms did not sound like he is rolling in the cash. And the ADSL is up and running already picking a number off of it and connecting it a a cheap pbx without all the backend services would make it happen. If it fivestar and can afford it go CAT in every room and dump the ADSL for a up link with lots of bandwidth.

[gregb]

I want to install in-room telephones at my 10-bed hotel. The problem is that we only have a single telephone line on the property, due to lack of cable in the road. We cannot install a second line and I do not want guests to use this single line for their outgoing calls, (blocking incoming calls etc).

So the solution would be to use VOIP. We do have a reliable ADSL service and many guests report no problems when using VOIP from their laptops (via our wifi link).

So I think what I need is a VOIP PBX unit that can support 10 extensions.

Any suggestions as to hardware? And what about the VOIP service itself? Does TOT offer some sort of VOIP service that is billed like a standard phone-bill? (I don't want to have to prepay for Skype etc).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Simon

You need to contact these guys. They are a licensed ITSP in Thailand, and I think they have exactly what you are looking for.

http://www.deecall.com/products/deecallplus.php

You can either add phone lines to an analog PBX via an ATA, or they can help you choose an appropriate IP PBX. They have several promotions with various PBX manufacturers.

You get a physical, printed bill.

[Phil Conners]

I did have a quick snigger though . . IAD is 100% certainly a Integrated Access Device not Internet AD.

I don't presume to know what is right, but on http://www.cat2call.com/plus/c2c_plus_en.html CAT says:

Internet Access Device (IAD) is a telephone adapter that connects your home phone to the Broadband internet and turns your voice into a digital signal [..]

Edited September 4, 2007 by Phil Conners

[RKASA]

I want to install in-room telephones at my 10-bed hotel. The problem is that we only have a single telephone line on the property, due to lack of cable in the road. We cannot install a second line and I do not want guests to use this single line for their outgoing calls, (blocking incoming calls etc).

So the solution would be to use VOIP. We do have a reliable ADSL service and many guests report no problems when using VOIP from their laptops (via our wifi link).

So I think what I need is a VOIP PBX unit that can support 10 extensions.

Any suggestions as to hardware? And what about the VOIP service itself? Does TOT offer some sort of VOIP service that is billed like a standard phone-bill? (I don't want to have to prepay for Skype etc).

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Simon

You need to contact these guys. They are a licensed ITSP in Thailand, and I think they have exactly what you are looking for.

http://www.deecall.com/products/deecallplus.php

You can either add phone lines to an analog PBX via an ATA, or they can help you choose an appropriate IP PBX. They have several promotions with various PBX manufacturers.

You get a physical, printed bill.

yes the second picture is what I was thinking, with a low end PBX that is simple. ToT has it if you supply your own pbx or pabx I don't know all the proper icron's but its simple, or as was stated before it could be a real nice layout with more internet options for guest it has to fit there budget.

[simon43]

I forgot 1 addtional requirement. I need to be able to manage the outside calls from each 'extension', so that I can bill them accordingly....

Simon

[phazey]

Google for Trixbox or asterisk@home.

It's a soft PBX with IVR, voicemail (& to email), billing, call forwarding and a host of other lovely features. It'll also plug into a host of overseas VOIP providers so you can (for free) receive international calls over the Internet. I have this running at my office where it handles all my local calls, receives from UK and US, and sends my voicemail to my gmail account. I can also use this with a softphone when i am out of the country.

[ThaidleHands]

Why create another wired environment in the age of wireless comunications? Instead, why not invest in a dozen low-end Nokias with chargers and belt holsters?

Set them up with pre-paid SIM cards. If a guest wants a phone in his room he puts down a deposit against the replacement cost of the phone and SIM and pays you 50 baht a day for the phone rental. Have a big stash of top-up cards for sale at the hotel desk for a nominal markup. You provide a simple "how-to" card (including using the device as a GPRS modem) and the guest gets the option to buy his SIM at the end of his stay.

The guest manages his own billing this way; your labor cost falls to almost zero. The guest gets a tool that's useful for his whole vacation, not just in the room. There's nothing to install. You re-coup your investment much faster. You get three profit streams instead of one (rental, card sales, conversion of depositis on lost/stolen phones).

[technocracy]

I did have a quick snigger though . . IAD is 100% certainly a Integrated Access Device not Internet AD.

I don't presume to know what is right, but on http://www.cat2call.com/plus/c2c_plus_en.html CAT says:

Internet Access Device (IAD) is a telephone adapter that connects your home phone to the Broadband internet and turns your voice into a digital signal [..]

In the past 15 years or more I've been working in networking an IAD has always been an Integrated Access Device. Put Integrated Access Device in Google see how many hits you get for VoIP and Networking devices. Then put in Internet Access Device you'll notice a large differnce!

It could inreality mean Internet but in the networking business it's definately Integrated . . . that was the page I was sniggering at not montys post as it was copied from it.

Simon - the billing should be taken care by Cat2Call or which ever ITSP you use - they normally have online billing which will show the cost and calls made, you can then match the calls to extensions in the log on the VoIP gateway. Obviously this is something you'd need to check with the ITSP.

Thaidlehands - Nice thinking but one major flaw it doesn't allow free calls between rooms or receptions. I personally am a huge advocate of wireless and work on the very latest wireless technologies however sometimes wires are a far better solution!

Right best be off go and lock the chickens in!

[simon43]

I emailed Deecall. Didn't get a reply. Tried calling them. The number on their website seems incorrect since I was connected to Sawatdee company and they had never heard of Deecall.

Simon

[gregb]

I emailed Deecall. Didn't get a reply. Tried calling them. The number on their website seems incorrect since I was connected to Sawatdee company and they had never heard of Deecall.

Simon

He he...

Sounds like you talked to a receptionist. :-)

That's the right company. Sawasdeeshop is the company. Deecall is the brand. I always talk to an English speaking rep there. He's very quick to respond.

Try

[email protected]

I'm sure you'll get a response.