atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services T1's, CSU's and DSU's PRI - include fax lines?

setting up new office w/2 separate businesses. 3 hunt groups, 1 4-lines, 1 3-lines & 1 2-line. The 2-line group is for the fax. Should I use POTS lines for the fax or include them in the PRI/T-1 which I intend to use for voice & data? Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

If POTS lines are available, we try as much as possible to keep our faxes assigned to POTS lines.

POTS lines are available. Just figured I'd save the $$$ and use the T1/PRI. What's the theory that Fax lines should use POTS? Is it in case the T1 goes down?

We also have several fax lines that communicate successfully over PRI/T-1. However, we do try to keep as many as possible assiged to POTS. I'll do some further research Monday, so that I can provide some exact details.

Thanks for all your help!

I'd use the pots simply to provide some type of dial backup if the PRI goes down.

the dial out back up isn't the issue it once was since everyone is likely to have a Cell

I have limited experience with PRI's but I just moved one with three fax's . they came up fine and have been working at the previous location without a issue

I do suggest customers bring in a couple of copper lines for the alarms and they can double as fax lines

I second Skip on this one. While we do have several clients on PRI for faxes they still have at least one line for the security system. I also have some security systems on analog ports of systems utilizing the PRI.

However, before you do that, remeber that some security systems will send an alarm if no dial tone present or don't check. (not sure how it works) In any event, if you take the system down the the security company may take that as an alarm. Also, some monitoring companies require POTS lines.

If you need lines for the security system you may as well utilize the fax on the same line.

since a security system is not an issue, I assume that I can safely run the fax through the PRI. XO says they haven't used POTS lines as backups for a while since call could be forwarded to cellphones. Also, if the power should be totally out in the office building we would lose the ability to do any work.

I don't see any reason why not , if you start having issues you could always add POTS lines