HostedVoIPFAQ
- 1. CenturyLink® HostedVoIP FrequentlyAskedQuestions Q: What is VoIP? A: VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol (IP).Traditionally, calls were made by sending analog voice signals through a direct connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Now with VoIP technology, voice is digitized and sent as packets of data that are transported over a data connection. Q: What is a PBX? A: PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, is a telephone switch located on a business’s premises that serves a particular business or office. The PBX typically connects the business’s internal phones to the public switched telephone network. Q: What is CenturyLink® HostedVoIP? A: CenturyLink® Hosted VoIP is a network-based, fully hosted VoIP service, meaning you do not need to purchase and maintain a PBX on your premises. Voice and data traffic travels over a single connection to the private CenturyLink network (not the open Internet) and the network-based CenturyLink platform provides all the features and functionality of an IP-PBX. Q: How do I connect to the CenturyLink network to use HostedVoIP? A: A data connection to the CenturyLink network is required. CenturyLink has a range of access methods and bandwidth options, and a local CenturyLink representative can help you determine which one best fits your business’s needs. Q: Do I need IP phones to use HostedVoIP? A: Yes. IP phones are necessary to use the Hosted VoIP product. Q: What IP phones does CenturyLink support? A: CenturyLink sells and supports Polycom® and Cisco® brand IP phones. A CenturyLink account manager can advise you on which make and model phone is right for your company’s needs. Q: How do users select and change their features and settings? A: There are three ways for users to change their CenturyLink® Hosted VoIP features and settings: directly on their IP phones, through a Web-based portal and on a desktop toolbar. • IP phone: From their IP phone, users can activate features such as call forwarding. • Web-based administrator portal: Users can access the Web-based portal in office or remotely to activate and change feature settings. • Desktop toolbar:Through the user desktop toolbar, which sits in the browser or Outlook window, users can access commonly used features and remote settings. Q: How do administrators make configuration changes? A: Traditionally, system configuration changes to a network required on-site adjustments to a PBX by trained professionals. With Hosted VoIP, configuration changes, such as changing phone configurations, or dialing plans can be made easily and remotely via the CenturyLink Web-based administrative portal. Continued on back. Contact me to find out more about our Hosted VoIP. Visit centurylink.com/hostedVoIP ss141014 7/14
- 2. CenturyLink® HostedVoIP FrequentlyAskedQuestions (Continued from front) Q: Why choose HostedVoIP instead of investing in a new PBX? A: Purchasing, maintaining and managing a PBX phone system can be a complex and expensive endeavor. Considerable infrastructure space is needed for implementation, storage and digital backup. Plus, the upkeep requires retaining trained personnel and making regular updates in order to maintain the latest technology. By opting to have CenturyLink host the PBX functionality on its network, an enterprise can have a feature-rich and adaptable phone system without the cost of storage or maintenance. Q: How much willVoIP long-distance calls cost? A: In order to help ensure service quality, CenturyLink® Hosted VoIP services are routed over the CenturyLink network (not the public Internet), therefore your usage rates depend on your long distance plan and apply to long-distance calls unless they are calls from a different location of the same company on the Hosted VoIP platform (inter-company calls). Q: Does CenturyLink provide IP faxing? A: CenturyLink® Hosted VoIP does not yet support IP faxing. If you would like faxing service, CenturyLink can install a traditional fax line. Q: What features are available with CenturyLink® HostedVoIP? A: CenturyLink has bundled its features into three packages: Basic, Standard and Premium. Companies can select as many of the three packages as necessary for their workforce. • The Basic package is a set of CenturyLink’s most basic calling features such as call waiting and caller ID.This package is most commonly used for lobby or conference room phones. • The Standard package contains everything found in the Basic package plus many additional features such as call forwarding, music on hold, voicemail, and a variety of others. This package is ideal for customers who have traditional employees. • The Premium package contains all the features from both the Basic and Standard packages plus more advanced features such as the ANYWHERE feature, great for mobile or remote office workers. The Premium package is best for customers who have multiple locations and/or a set of mobile employees. In addition to the packages listed above, features such as receptionist console, auto attendant, and additional phone numbers can be purchased a la carte.To determine which a la carte features are available, contact a local CenturyLink representative for details. Q: Can HostedVoIP handle remote workers? A: Yes.There are a variety of productivity-enhancing features that can tie in remote workers, regardless of their location. CenturyLink also offers a mobile user profile in its Premium package that includes features that specifically address the needs of mobile users. Q: Can one extension dial between offices with HostedVoIP? A: Yes. Hosted VoIP allows site-to-site extension calling and virtual extensions can be set up for users who are 100% mobile. Q: Is HostedVoIP future ready? A: Yes. Because it is a hosted service, CenturyLink handles all migration to newer technology. Contact me to find out more about our Hosted VoIP. Visit centurylink.com/hostedVoIP Services not available everywhere. Business customers only. CenturyLink may change, cancel, or substitute services, or vary them by service area at its sole discretion without notice. ©2012 CenturyLink, Inc. All Rights Reserved.The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are trademarks of CenturyLink, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. ss141014 7/14