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[Jim Ray <jim AT neuse.net>]

i figured my POTS line would be my primary biz line and could 
send/receive fax/modem transmissions.  the VoIP line is my second line 
and is used for all outgoing calls with flat fee, no long distance or 
limit.  the PBX arbitrates all traffic and automagically detects fax 
tones and routes those calls to a specific extension (of course, nothing 
is plugged into the fax extension since i don't really care for faxes).  
if i have to send a fax or use a dial up connection, i can program the 
PBX to route outgoing calls through the POTS line in the middle of the 
night when the line does not need to be open for incoming customer calls.

i used to route calls from line 1 POTS out of line 2 VoIP and then to 
cell phone so customers don't get voice mail when i leave the office.  
however, it took so long to ring the office first and then ring the 
external extension that i decided to give folks the option to manually 
dial the external extension for urgent matters.

the problem with so many hops is that the latency is so bad you almost 
have to use walkie talkie style simplex communications: hi <BREAK> how 
are you <BREAK> just fine <BREAK> the phone connection sux <BREAK>

> I think, were I in this situation, I might consider getting the VoIP
> and using it as my primary voice line.  I could probably even transfer 
> the number, then get a new number for the old POTS line and use that
> as a primary-fax line.  Gets you to the same place (one POTS line and
> one VoIP), but gives the fax machine a fighting chance.
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note:Ask about our Clean Networks.  Established in the Triangle 1997.
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