atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Nortel Telephones & Systems Confused about DID over T1

I am confused about DIDs. I will have a site with Telepacific T1 service (One-Pack Office), 12 lines, 20 DID numbers. I assume they will configure a "DID trunk" of selected lines (like a hunt group) and leave me the rest for my FAX machines etc - ie "POTS" analog lines. So these are not true DID lines, correct? They are "emulated DID" if that is the term? The MICS will have 2 DID analog trunk cards and 1 DS/CID trunk card. Will I still only be able to use those 8 lines as DID only even though the DID is really a service, aka emulation, on those lines? At the router/channel bank if I hang a butt set off a "DID" line I am told I'll be able to make an outbound call. So in this case the limitation is the Nortel hardware, correct?

I'm pretty sure a Norstar DID trunk card is only for inbound calls. How many users on this system? With this setup you only have 4 outbound lines and 8 DID trunks. If I were you (or your customer) I would opt for a PRI or a T1 E&M with DID service and run your faxes through the phone system with some ATAs. That way you can use all 23 or 24 lines for inbound and outbound. You could also go for a fractional T1 or PRI, perhaps that costs less.

The only way you will be able to get the full benefit of the One pack product is with a PRI card. I have used it several times and it is a good product.

Jsaad - not many. It is for a small office that currently only has 4 analog lines from AT&T. So they are not losing anthing and in fact the new service is cheaper. The PRI was nixed by them because it was more expensive. They went for cost. So yes, 4 outbound lines and 8 DID lines for 6 office staff. So do I have it right, they can configue a DID pool, say 6 lines, and leave me the rest for 4 outbound lines and 2 FAX lines, the FAX not being run through the switch as I don't want to use ATAs. Cost is a huge issue for them.

If they are providing a T1 circuit then you can set up all 12 lines as E&M with Auto Answer and use all 12 for Inboumd & Outbound. All you'll need is a T1 Card and Services or Combo card.