Keeping your analog umbilical cord
When we deploy VoIP systems with our customers, we usually recommend them to keep at least a few of their analog or ISDN lines. Many of them are surprised as they expect a VoIP system to be all IP based, they also wonder how they are going to save costs if they keep their existing lines. But keeping a link to the Plain Old Telephone System can be more interesting than you think.
The reason for this move is threefold: first of all, many Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSP) will allow you to keep your current number (ie.: they will not port your existing number). This may be acceptable for residential users, but small businesses can usually not afford to change their phone numbers. The cost associated with a change (reprinting business cards, letter heads, brochures, …) is just too big.
Secondly, many ITSP’s cannot provide emergency calling. This is of course very significant and you absolutely need to confirm this before moving to an all IP based system. You may incur serious liability charges of your employees fail to call emergency services when required.
Finally, traditional players have been along for quite a while. They often own the copper in the ground and - especially when you’re working with an incumbent player - are less likely to go out of business. As SunRocket’s bankruptcy has shown, this may be more important than you think. Most of the ITSP’s are relatively new and are struggling to find their niche. If their only differentiator is price, they are very likely to have difficulties at one point or another.
ComputerWorld has a story about one small business owner still wrangling with VoIP providers as SunRocket went out of business. You can read the full story here.
