Linksys Answers The Call For VoIP Service

There have been times in the not-so-distant past when getting phone service installed or fixing an existing line was a slow, painful process. In such a scenario, businesses would be hit especially hard, as a malfunctioning phone line or system could seriously compromise business activities and cut into profits and productivity. It's amazing how much things have changed. Today, for any solution provider offering broadband Internet access, it's a simple matter to also provide VoIP telephone service. After all, much of the telephone system is already digitized.

In fact, business users with broadband Internet access can set up new phone lines on their own, and solution providers can provide telephone service even in areas where conventional phone service is not available. There are many ways to go about it, but one of the easiest is by using Linksys' new WRT54GP2A-AT Wireless-G Broadband Router in conjunction with AT&T's VoIP telephone service.

The WRT54GP2A-AT router includes an 802.11g wireless access point, which works with 802.11g receivers at 54 Mbps and with 802.11b receivers at 11 Mbps. It also contains a four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch for wired Ethernet devices. Up to four PCs can connect directly, or additional hubs and switches can be added to create a network of any size. The device's router function lets the entire network share a single high-speed Internet connection.

The WRT54GP2A-AT router also features two standard telephone jacks, which operate independently. These jacks can only be activated for users of AT&T's CallVantage Service, however. The service allows the attached phones to be used like traditional phones through the broadband connection. Phones attached to these jacks are functional even while other users are surfing the Internet. The CallVantage service provides each user with a new, unique phone number and connects VoIP calls to the existing telephone grid. The WRT54GP2A-AT router is compatible with all standard telephones, though for large offices it's better to use cordless phones so users are not tethered to the router. The WRT54GP2A-AT router costs $139.

If only one CallVantage phone number has been paid for and assigned, both phone jacks on the WRT54GP2A-AT router use the same number. This configuration is ideal for a small business with few employees. For an extra fee, users can receive a second CallVantage phone number, ideal for installing a phone and fax machine in a small office. CallVantage convenience features include call waiting, caller ID, voice mail and call forwarding. Users keep the same phone number for life, regardless of where in the country the phone is used.The WRT54GP2A-AT Wireless-G Broadband Router can encode all wireless transmissions with up to 128-bit encryption. The router supports both Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). It can serve as a DHCP server, and an integrated SPI firewall protects connected PCs against intruders and attacks. The firewall supports VPN pass-through and can be configured to filter Internet access. Setup and configuration is done using an intuitive, easy-to-use browser-based utility.

CRN Test Center engineers tested the WRT54GP2A-AT router using a cable modem. Even though solution providers can offer customized configurations, the router worked right out of the box based on default settings programmed by the manufacturer. Signing up for CallVantage was quick and easy. Subscribers simply have to visit www.att.com/callvantage and select a calling plan. Users can receive a new phone number or can transfer an existing phone number to the CallVantage service.

AT&T CallVantage offers an unlimited local plan for $19.95 per month and an unlimited local and long-distance package starting at $29.95 per month. Additional lines cost extra. Once signed up with CallVantage, subscribers or solution providers visit a CallVantage Web site to activate the router's phone ports. The new phone line becomes active as soon as the subscriber or solution provider enters the required information. CallVantage sound quality is as good as any other telephone service. A host of convenience features are offered, including do not disturb, locate me, call logging, record and send, conference calling and more.

One drawback to this and other VoIP solutions is that emergency 911 calls may be routed to a different dispatcher than that used for traditional 911 calls. This dispatcher will be located at a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) center designated for wireless services associated with the service address provided to AT&T. For 911 emergency dialing to work properly, a business' service address must match the physical location of the phone. Another drawback is that the CallVantage service doesn't work during a power outage.

Linksys' single-level channel program offers registered resellers additional discounts on select Linksys small-business class products. The company also offers special reseller-only promotions, demo program pricing, marketing tools and select products from Linksys' line of small-business wired and wireless products. Monthly training on Linksys products is done live via the Web. Technical support is available 24x7 through a dedicated technical support line for Linksys registered resellers.