Advice re multiple extensions off a single line (and number)

[jumboselfdrive]

Hi,

I am aware of a company who has 1 number with multiple extensions. Is able to hold 2 concurrent conversations AND send/ receive faxes and take PDQ payments but they do not have an ISDN line OR a telephone system. They pay about £10.00 per month in line rental and an additional £4.00 for the feature which allows the multiple "lines" on the same number. All calls are free and an additional designated analogue line (for MOT purposes) is provided free of charge.

On the other hand... we have (until recently) had a Versatility system with and ISDN line, a designated analogue line AND a line for broadband/ fax and PDQ and have been paying a vast amount more.

We are now looking to sort out our system and, if there is an option of having a 1-line system which allows multiple calls without the need for an additional line (or ISDN line) and/ or an additional system, we would certainly be interested in it.

Incidentally, the other company is with BT, pays the £4.00 extra to BT and had BT reconfigure the lines in his office (I think they made use of unused pairs 1 and 6). I have posed the question to BT but... as normal have had no joy!

I look forward to your responses and what options you recommend.

Many thanks

Dave

 

[Lectrician]

ISDN is far superior, and a two channel line costs roughly the same as two PSTN lines.

ISDN can be used to route outgoing PDQ and FAX calls, and a DDI number can be used for incoming FAX calls.

Sure, you still need a line for your ADSL unless you get broadband provision elsewhere.

Your friends may have a set of BT Featurelines. These used to be offered cheaply to tie you into contract. A group of lines on a single pilot number (if one line is busy, the next line rings). Each line also has it's own number. Calls between these lines is free.

It could also simply be PSTN lines with a main line and a few "auxiliary" lines which share the number and will ring in rotation.

 

[SimonH2]

I can't remember the name of it, but BT have (or had, don't know if they still offer it) a system where you have multiple "extensions" on your premises - each of which is a line back to the exchange. At the exchange, BT run "PBX" software so you effectively have a powerful PBX with the sort of features you normally pay a small fortune for - while only renting extensions from BT without the capital outlay.

It sounds like this is what you are thinking of.