Broadband to PSTN?

LeaUK · 31st May 2008

A strange request but I wonder if anyone offers broadband to PSTN (dial up) services?

Our older systems still require users to dial our RAS servers over PSTN but we're experiencing intermittent issues with complete areas as BT implement their 21st Century network.

So as an intermediate solution, I was wondering if such a service existed, or perhaps it can be implemented using Windows Telephony (very novice on Telephony service).

Any pointers most welcomed.
Lea

Rebuke · 31st May 2008

If I understand what you're asking for correctly (effectively to use a modem over a voip service?), I think you're going to struggle to find someone able to do it, as most voip systems don't have the quality for it - e.g. see http://www.soft-switch.org/foip.html - it's about faxing over a voip network, but it's effectively the same thing.

I guess you might be able to get some way of sending the actual data rather than raw modem signals, and so effectively actually having a modem at the other end. It would be easy enough to do, you're just tunnelling a serial port but I'd be surprised if there was a market to make doing it worthwhile...

LeaUK · 31st May 2008

Hi Alex

Thanks for the reply.

Quote:

If I understand what you're asking for correctly (effectively to use a modem over a voip service?),

Guess so...

What I'm looking to achieve is: laptop -> broadband -> PSTN (0800 number). i.e. user has broadband but wants to dial a traditional 0800 phone number, but using data rather than voice.

I suppose VoIP perhaps is basicall what I'm looking for as you say but does it support v38 or simila used to tx data over PSTN? Off to look at your link..

Lea

LeaUK · 31st May 2008

Quote:

The bottom line

FAX, and other modem applications, operating over VoIP channels are quirky, and unreliable. This will not get better over time. It will get worse. In general, the more sophisticated the equipment gets in trying to make speech work smoothly, the worse it behaves for modems. In the near term (i.e. until all data applications are native IP applications) store and forward protocols, and protocols tailored to reasonably conveying modem data across an IP channel are the only way to achieve consistent results.

Great article Alex, thanks. Guess this sums it up rather...

othellotech · 31st May 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeaUK2

What I'm looking to achieve is: laptop -> broadband -> PSTN (0800 number). i.e. user has broadband but wants to dial a traditional 0800 phone number, but using data rather than voice.

User has b/band, so they have a phone-line, so just use the phone :P

LeaUK · 31st May 2008

Quote:

Our older systems still require users to dial our RAS servers over PSTN but we're experiencing intermittent issues with complete areas as BT implement their 21st Century network.

That's the problem

othellotech · 1st June 2008

Generally if the quality of the *phoneline* is cr'p then the quality of any b.band services over the same phoneline is significantly worse.

I'd be suprised if using voip ased on your comments anyone woudl veen hear it, let alone be able to receive a fax, and certainly not transit data.

If this is critical, but some mobiles and serial cables and use that.
If this is just annoying complain to BT - at least you'll never have another phone bill to pay.

LeaUK · 1st June 2008

Quote:

Generally if the quality of the *phoneline* is cr'p then the quality of any b.band services over the same phoneline is significantly worse.

I would generally agree here, but the issue is that BT are trunking PSTN over VoIP networks and Alex's article clearly notes the issues with this process in terms of data - not voice.

Quote:

I'd be suprised if using voip ased on your comments anyone woudl veen hear it, let alone be able to receive a fax, and certainly not transit data.

If this is critical, but some mobiles and serial cables and use that.
If this is just annoying complain to BT - at least you'll never have another phone bill to pay.

BT simply say 'it's not us' - we know different!

The issue is BT's national roll out of their new 21st Century network in combination with PSTN and v.3xbis. BB is fine, v.3x over PSTN is extremely poor. The issue is based on area and only affects users for a period of time.

We have 1400 users attempting to dial into an 0800 around the UK and we have carried out all the normal checks. The conclusion is BT's transitional implementation due to the transitional nature of the problem.

Unfortunately having users failing to dial in prevents them working effectively and in most cases at all. Of course the solution is to provide a VPN end-end connection (which is being investigated/implemented shortly), but I was rather hoping for a intermediate solution - but unfortunately that doesn't appear to available

Quote:

If this is critical, but some mobiles and serial cables and use that.

Good suggestion, we are looking at this too

Lea