IP Telephony PSTN Integration

Many enterprises are investigating the convergence of their voice PSTN access with their IP/VPN data access so that the enterprise does not have to manage PSTN gateways at each of its offices except for emergency calls.

To determine provider capabilities on this issue, ask the following questions:

• IP PSTN service outbound Do you offer, or plan to offer, an IP PSTN service for calls outbound to the PSTN from VPN sites? If planned, please provide a timeline.

• IP PSTN service inbound Does your IP PSTN service also support inbound calls from the PSTN? If planned, please provide a timeline.

• IP PSTN protocol support If you support either outbound or inbound PSTN service, what IP telephony protocols do you support in your PSTN access service (H.323, SIP, MGCP, and so on)?

• IP PSTN platform What technology platform is your IP PSTN service provided on?

• IP PSTN number portability Where do you have the ability to redirect existing PTT/ILEC allocated direct inward dial (DID) numbers to your inbound PSTN service so that the enterprise will not have to provide new telephone numbers to its offices and employees?

• Emergency calling (IP PSTN) Does your IP PSTN service make any provisions for emergency service (for example, 911)? What special handling, if any, is required for such capability?