[voip] VoIP by Atomwide/LGfL

[JHarris75]

Hello,

 

A Secondary school I work with in West London is exploring Atomwide/LGfL's VoIP "IP Telephony" system. School is seeking cost savings on equipment and calls, and Atomwide's proposal to use the existing LGfL/Virgin internet connection makes financial sense. Atomwide hosts the Call Manager in its network and provides on-going support (at a cost).

 

Does anyone have experience of this system and, if so, any highlights (or lowlights)?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeremy

[Wave9_Lee]

Using your existing broadband connection for telephony does generally save money and make sense (we do it often), but i would also suggest that it ties you into that provider. You can't move your broadband to someone else without impacting your phone service, especially if the contracts aren't co-terminus. It's also worth considering whether the school is likely to federate or become part of a MAT as it would be nice to have the option to have the same service on multiple sites, which might not be possible with an 'on-net' solution.

 

I'm not going to comment on a competitors service, but if you would like an alternative quote to see what else is available, I'd be more than happy to oblige.

[SchoolsBroadband]

There are plenty of other hosted VoIP providers which won't tie you into their connectivity piece. @Wave9_Lee is correct in what he says.

 

Once tied in to an LA VoIP service we've seen lots of horror stories around schools trying to leave but having overlapping contracts with the VoIP and leased line so having to pay out contracts. Sometimes we've even see LA's refusing to allow the schools numbers to port out as they belong to the LA and not the school!!!! Best double check this with whoever you move to.

 

We offer very competitive hosted VoIP telephony systems too. PM me if you'd like some information.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

[victory2015]

We use LGFL VOIP here and i had it tied into the contract length so they both match, also LGFL atomwide are not the LA so dont get confused with that. Ive found it great and so easy to manage through atomwide plus saving on the cisco call manager it just works. If for any reason you want to move after ocntract over port the number to another supplier and install cisco call manager on premises..