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VoIP
One of the most frequently asked questions is: " How will Voice Over IP save me costs? "
In this section of our web site we to try address some of these questions.
Will I still be using Telkom if I'm using Voice over IP?
In a typical voice over IP implementation you will still be paying normal Telkom rates for making calls to Telkom's network. The reason for this is in order to make and receive call to any Telkom line you are still required to interface with Telkom's network at call termination. This situation should change in the future when interconnection costs come down and you are able to choose a different provider. At present you can choose a different provider but Telkom has set the interconnection cost so high that it makes it impractical (more expensive) to use any other provider.
So how will voice over IP then actually save me costs?
- The SnowPABX is is much cheaper and infinitely more expandable than any other propriety PABX on the market today. The reason for this is it runs on standard PC hardware and everything in the box is non-propriety and contributed to by the open source community. There is no propriety lock-in.
- If you make International calls you have the flexibility to choose your provider, and you can completely bypass Telkom's and use your data network to make these calls. You will require a voice over IP (trunk) provider to do this. Snowball has partnered with Connection Telecom in order to provide this service. For the cost for making international calls on this network - Click here
- Setting up a trunk with SnowPABX is real easy! If you know anyone else that uses Asterisk then you can set up a trunk and calls between your PABX and their PABX is completely free of charge! This is a great solution for companies that have multiple branches, or companies that make calls to specific suppliers and / or partners a lot.
How much does it cost to maintain this PABX? Will I have to pay a monthly service fee?
Snowball would have loved to charge you a monthly service fee for maintaining your PABX but running a SnowPABX is so easy and also fun so there really isn't any reason why you would need our help. It's not like the bad old days when every time you wanted to change something on your PABX you had to phone the telephone company. Now all you do is fire up your web browser and do the configuration changes yourself.
But I am not computer literate. I don't feel comfortable with doing configuration changes, setting up IVR (interactive voice response) etc.
When we do the installation we will show you how the system works. You don't have to be computer literate at all in order to make use of the system. All you need to know is how to use a web browser. Even setting up IVR is a breeze and you'll master doing IVRs in no time. Part of our installation service does include assistance with the IVR.
How much does PABX cabling cost?
PABX cabling is just like traditional UTP CAT 5 (computer networking) cable. So get your cable guy to give you a quote on laying a network cable and that's the whole cost?
Here is an estimate on how much it will cost to implement a voice over IP PABX based on Asterisk. To get an exact price contact us.
Snowball in association with Switch Telecom offers you the following Voice Over IP (VoIP) Services
Conferencing
Teleconferencing is an essential business tool, yet traditional teleconferencing systems are excessively costly, unintuitive to use, and lacking in productivity features.
Switch to a new generation of frustration-free teleconferencing that saves you time and money!
Hosted Switchboard
Switch Telecom offers a remotely hosted IP switchboard service for small businesses and teleworkers.
Unlike a traditional switchboard, however, your extensions need not be in the same office or even the same city! Calls between extensions are free, even if the extensions are in different cities or countries, and your incoming phone numbers can be easily reprogrammed to route to different extensions, enabling other staff to answer calls when the primary receptionist is unavailable. Voice mail is available for each extension and an automated attendant can be set up to answer calls or route calls to a person's mobile phone if nobody answers their office phone. Best of all, this service is much cheaper than the cost of purchasing or renting a traditional switchboard, despite offering functionality only found on the most advanced traditional switchboards. This service is entirely customisable and compatible with both Switch Telecom and Telkom phone lines (the latter in conjunction with a gateway device). We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular requirements with you.
International Phone Numbers
Switch Telecom is able to provide its clients with Voice Over IP (VoIP) Services including telephone numbers reflecting the area codes of hundreds of cities in 60 countries worldwide. This gives the impression of a local presence in foreign cities and makes it easier for foreign companies to do business with you or for family abroad to call you cheaply. The cost is typically around R100 per month per telephone number, depending on the cities required.
Snowball's Voice over IP solutions are ideal for call centres, businesses, and home users. We have unbeatable prices backed up by excellent support and ultra high line quality.
| Standard VoIP Line* | Business VoIP Trunk Line* | |
| Rates | ||
| Monthly | R 49 | R 25 per channel (minimum 4 channels) |
| Optional | None | R50.00 per block of 10 numbers |
| Setup | Free | Free |
| Contract | Monthly (30-day notice period) | Monthly (30-day notice period) |
| Features | ||
| Incoming telephone numbers | 1 | Multiple |
| Call Forwarding |  |
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| Call Waiting | |
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| Voice mail | |
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| Simultaneous Calls | 2 | Multiple (maximum = number of channels) |
| Directed inward dialing | |
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| Requirements | ||
| VoIP telephone | |
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| VoIP switchboard or gateway | |
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Service Application
- Download the VoIP Service Application (PDF)
Number Ranges
Number ranges available are:
Non-geographic number ranges
- 087 550 xxxx - National
- 086 700 1xxx - Inbound/Fax-to-Email
Geographic numbers ranges
- 010 500 xxxx - Johannesburg
- 012 004 xxxx - Pretoria
- 013 004 xxxx - Nelspruit / Witbank / Middelburg
- 016 004 xxxx - Vereeniging / Meyerton
- 021 300 xxxx - Cape Town
- 023 004 xxxx - Worcester / Beaufort West
- 031 100 xxxx - Durban
- 041 004 xxxx - Port Elizabeth
- 042 004 xxxx - Uitenhage / Somerset East
- 043 003 xxxx - East London
- 044 004 xxxx - George
- 051 004 xxxx - Bloemfontein
Geographic Number Portability
Did you know that you can switch from Telkom to Switch Telecom without losing your existing land-line telephone number?
Mobile Number Portability has been available between the mobile networks for a few years already, however, Geographic Number Portability it is now available between selected fixed networks as well. Switch Telecom prides itself in being a market leader and has been one of the first operators to offer this.
Q. Which numbers can I port?
A. A geographic telephone number is a number that starts with 01, 02, 03, 04 or 05. We presently allow for the porting of geographic numbers from Telkom to Switch Telecom and vice versa. Numbers starting with 080, 086 or 087 cannot be ported. We may offer porting to/from Neotel at a future date if there is demand.
Q. What happens to my existing service?
A. Your existing Telkom line will be cancelled once the port is complete. Any other services provided on the same line (e.g. ADSL access) may be cancelled as well.
Q. How long does it take?
A. Up to three working days for one or more individual numbers, or, up to ten working days for blocks of 10, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 consecutive numbers.
Q. What does it cost?
A. A once-off fee of R150.00 (including VAT) will be levied per number ported.
Q. How do I order it?
A. We require a letter (on a company letterhead if for a company) stating "Please port the following numbers from Telkom to Switch Telecom" and listing the exact numbers to be ported. This needs to be accompanied by a copy of your Telkom account (from page 1 up until the page showing the line rentals). If the port is to be future-dated, the letter should state the requested date (weekdays only) on which the port should be processed. You can email or fax us the documents.
Q. How do I know if the number I'm calling has been ported?
A. The network will play three short beeps before connecting the call if the number has been ported to a different network and cross-network rates apply. The beeps will not, however, be played if the number has been ported to the same network you are calling from an on-network rates apply.
