BMC Telecom has partnered with Binary Telecom, a Portland, Or based company to provide VoIP Internet Telephony services.

More Than Placing Calls on the Internet
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a whole lot more than just using the Internet to circumvent Long Distance charges.

VoIP allows a business to converge voice services with its data network. VoIP utilizes the packet switching and routing technology used on IP Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) to send voice calls. Now voice traffic can run on your business' data network, right along with your information system, email and web access. Managing voice and data systems can be done by one department.

Also, the VoIP switch is loaded with most of the features that small and medium sized businesses had to pay very high prices for on the phone company's Centrex system. The alternative to Centrex was using an expensive, on-premise PBX to have those features. Customers tell us they are saving up to half the previous cost for phone service, without compromising voice quality.

If you currently use analog phones, a low cost Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) is all you need to connect. Some level of Internet access above dial-up, usually referred to as Broadband, will get you calling on the IP network. Binary Telecom's IP network has redundant gateways to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), serving all of the US and Canada. International calling is available at very low rates as well.

Is this service anything like Vonage or Skype?
All three of our companies use the Internet Protocol to carry all or a portion of their calls. This allows us to reduce costs by as much as 50%. Binary Telecom's focus will be on business users with residential service also available.

Do I need to have a computer?
In all likelihood a computer is there because an always-on connection to the Internet is necessary.

What Protocols and Codecs do you use?
Our server/switch supports G711 and G729 codecs. We run on SIP protocol, and support T-38 for faxing.

What is the billing increment for origination and termination?
Calls are billed in 6 second increments.

Can I get a number from another area code?
This is a very good idea for setting up a virtual office location. If you want to receive local calls from customers in an additional location, we can provide a number that rings as a local call to you in your present business office. So if you are in Los Angeles and you want customers in New York to call you on a New York number, we can set that up for you.

How does a business use VoIP if it has already invested in a PBX to manage its calls?
A Gateway device can be added to bridge the analog-to-digital voice signaling. We can also assist with the installation of a suitable Gateway or PBX system. Open source software can bridge voice and data systems into one. If your PBX is a newer one, and already VoIP enabled, you may be able to use this service with your current system. If you don't have a PBX system and are interested, contact us and we can install one for you.

Is this service restricted to customers on the Internet, or can a call go through to any phone number?
Your calls will go through to people and businesses with numbers on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) as well as to those using VoIP. Unlimited calls can be made anywhere in the US and Canada.

Am I locked into a long term agreement?
Service is month-to-month. If you or your company are not satisfied, there will be no Early Termination Penalty fee. And very importantly, we do not lock you out of your Analog Telephone Adapter, or keep the password from you. You can then use it with other providers.

Can I keep the same phone number?
Binary Telecom will handle the "porting" of your number with an LOA and a copy of your most recent phone bill.