sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information Two-wire vs. One-Wire

Looking for opinions, articles, previous posts, and/or snide remarks.

We have a building wired for Cat5 for data and Cat4 for voice, with about 85 users in a single building. We are looking at a new voice system and debating between a digital system that could be run over the Cat4 network (two-wire) vs. an IP phone system that works over the Cat5 data network along with the data traffic (one wire). In either case, we're probably looking at ISDN PRI connection to the outside world as an upgrade from our multiple analog trunks, since T1 service up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is uncompetitive and expensive.

Our data system traffic is probably not terribly high volume, and we have invested in QoS data switches over the past two years, but I'm getting different stories from vendors about the advisability of one vs. two-wire solutions within our building. Two-wire is probably preferable, but dual Cat5e cabling costs would prohibit a full pure VoIP solution.

Can anyone point me to a source for more information or tools to help me analyze the question?

save your money and a lot of headaches and keep with a traditional phone system with its own wiring

There's been a ton of debate over this subject around here and the general consensus appears to be what Merritt stated. You should search the VOIP category here for plenty of valuable discussion on this topic.

I have to say that my personal belief is the same; stick with a traditional system. At the same time, you should invest in a system that offers both technologies (most do) so that your company can benefit from the cost savings of VOIP features.

I concurr with Merritt and Ed. If you have no need for VoIP in-house (most don't but think they do) then stay with a hybrid. Many models to choose from and you can have VoIP for external users and traditional PBX (and wiring) for internal users.

As much as I like VoIP and technology you just can't beat the traditional PBX systems.

Please find one with VoIP addon if you think it may be a concern down the road. You will hate to want it and have to replace everything again.

Quote from a member of this board!

"A Telephone makes an excellent Telephone"

I don't know how your business wants to use your future telephones VoIP or Traditional however most businesses do the following big 4:

1 Make a phone call.
2 Answer a phone call.
3 Transfer a phone call.
4 Make intercom call within the business.

Those 4 things make up 90% of a business use of the telephone system. The other 10% is following:

Automated Attendant
Voice Mail
Conference Calling
Call Recording
Day/Night Mode
Forwarding to remote numbers (cell phones)
MOH
List to long to continue......

All of these things can be done with any of the manufacturers and reps of the companies you will see listed below the general category starting with Avaya and on down the list.

The Cat4 cabling that is in place is more than adequate for a new system to be installed so from a financial aspect your ahead of the game an amount equivalent to the price of a mid size new car.

If you can post an ability you will gain by going with VoIP as opposed to the the proven veteran of 125 years, that being Traditional, you will be the first, but not the first to try.

I'll have more on this later...

John :read:

HERE
Is a picture of a recent VoIP installation gone bad. Notice some of the contents never made it out of the bubble wrap.

What does CISCO stand for, I forgot?

John

Can I Still Call Out?

I agree with grider the 4 most important things is as he said. In some aspects VOIP is over kill that would be like selling someone who want a can on a string selling him a full T1.

All the big players push : One wire.
Soon as any problem comes up, (and they have your money), Two Wire, Two Wire!!

Just echoing from what has been said:

From my experience...except for very specific niches, VOIP offers no advantage over digital systems. And there is no reason to install VOIP if we are talking a small office in one building.

If you expect to get a satillite office, and you're willing to get a Point-to-Point T1 to that location then you ought to consider a system that offers VOIP as an option (Such as the Intertel Axxess...many other such systems are out there).