Good cheap home PBX,?

Question

Hi, I have a medium sized house (larger than average) with 3 floors of livable space so its kinda spread apart. We are looking into a home PBX system to simply things. What would be the cheapest system and phones to get for a home that would allow us the following features - possibly used or refurbished - I live in Calgary, Alberta (Canada, hopefully you got that if you live in the states, its the oil capital of Canada):

-2-4 lines (We might use VoIP-PSTN/POTS adapters for 1 long distance line and 2 VoIP private lines).

-Transfering Calls

-Auto Attendant

-Voicemails (4 personal and possibly 1 general)

-Music On Hold (I know this seems kind-of like something we dont need but I just think it would be kinda cool).

Thanks very much in advance!

Answer 1

Most options may require some technical savvy to implement.

You could consider the Linksys SPA9000 Voice Sysem.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite...

It will work with up to 4 Linksys IP-telephones

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite...

This is an Ethernet based system, so you will need to have Ethernet lines throughout the house.  Or Ehternet over PowerLine system.  Or, Wireless-G connectivity throughout the house.

The SPA9000 should work with most SIP-based VoIP service that allows BYOD (bring your own device).

InPhonex sells the SPA9000 through their BYOD and pay-as-you-go VoIP service.  They are USA-based, but are among the few VSP's (Voip Service Providers) that provide e911 to Canadian subscribers.

I use InPhonex myself for my home phone service, primarily because they offer e911 in Canada.

I self-configure my own Linksys PAP2T-NA two-line ATA phone adapter with their service.  It seems to work pretty good.  

For my line-2, I configure CallCentric.  CallCentric is good and low cost, but no e911 for Canada.  So, it is a good out-going call provider.

I purchased my PAP2T-NA through Voip Depot:

http://www.voipdepot.ca/index.php?manufa...

The SPA9000 can also be purchased through:

http://www.voipgizmos.com/shopexd.asp?id...

http://www.voiplink.com/Linksys_SPA_9000...

Then, if you really want to build your IP-PBX system on a PC that runs 24/7, there is the "3CX Phone System for Windows".  They have a FREE edition version:

http://www.3cx.com/ip-pbx/index.html

The Linksys IP-Phones will work with this system.

I haven't used their IP-PBX system, but I do use their "3CX VoIP Client" as a softphone on my PC to connect through my preferred SIP VoIP services like, InPhonex, CallCentric, Les.net, and Voip.ms.

P.S.

I also live in Calgary

Answer 2

You can probably find a used Norstar PBX that will give you the features you're looking for. Norstars are small key systems used by small businesses.