Since not everyone is connected to VoIP, the concept of "lines" is still applicable since the call has to cross over to the regular PSTN network at some point, and requires a line from one of few incumbent local exchange carriers. An incumbent local carrier is the company that owns the physical telephone wire. In essence a "line" is the same as a "landline".
Although you don't have the same physical limitations with VoIP, a VoIP-to-VoIP call will incur cost for the provider (man-hours, hardware and bandwidth), but is minimal compared to interfacing with the (hard-wired) PSTN network. Imagine someone buying one subscription for $25, and setting up 50 simultanous calls (using 50 PSTN landlines)... ...or someone reselling that same subscription 50 times... The reason why VoIP is cheaper than a regular landline is the fact that a VoIP provider doesn't have to buy "the last mile" of cable into everyone's house. Plus the fact that VoIP companies are not tariffed like the big incumbent carriers of course. A VoIP provider is merely an interface between the internet and the physical landlines in most cases. If not, the provider is hosting a private voice network. Clear as mud? -----Original Message----- From: Ajay Krishnan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [on-asterisk] VoIP PBX General Queries Hi, I'm trying set up a VoIP PBX using [EMAIL PROTECTED], but in talking to service providers, I've become really confused! To give you some background, we are a small software company with < 20 employees. We would like to host our Asterisk server in-house. My main confusion is regarding the concept of "lines". In particular, one service provider quoted a rate of $25 per line with unlimited province-wide calling (long-distance extra). I always thought that IP-based providers quoted prices as a rate/minute, and that the concept of lines didn't exist?? I hope I'm making sense with my question! Also can anyone recommend a provider for a company of our size? Thanks, Ajay -- Ajay Krishnan Savvica Inc.--Know Better [EMAIL PROTECTED] Toronto (416) 907-8618 London +44 (0) 20 7993 2895 www.savvica.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
