Now more than ever is a great time to take a good look at what Comcast has for its customers in the way of savings and convenience. With bundled services from Comcast you can receive all of you homes telecommunications services and have them all covered on one easy to understand bill that has only one fee that covers all of the services from Comcast.

There are no catches or gimmicks and the savings start on your first day of service. Take for instance their state of the art digital telephone service and the real savings that it offers, due to its streamlined efficiency of digital technology. All phone bill surprises are completely eliminated with Comcast’s new flat rate phone billing system, which allows you to pay one reasonable fee to use your phone as much as you like.

You get free unlimited nationwide long distance calling including Canada and Alaska and that’s any time, day or night, all week long including weekends. Charges for phone calling convenience features are eliminated also, because you get all twelve of them at no cost to you including voice mail, call waiting and call forwarding just to name a few of them. So it’s not hard to see how the real savings can start to add up with this new phone system from Comcast.

Comcast also has a new internet service as well that is a full one hundred times faster than standard dial up and six times faster than DSL. It’s called broadband high speed cable internet service and it makes the internet far more fun and expedient to use. If you are currently using a standard dial up service provider, then you are having to endure a lot of waiting time on the net and you may have even grown used to it.

There is a log on wait and then a wait for anything else that you do online but with this new high speed service there is none of that, because everything happens instantly with the click of your mouse. There isn’t even the slightest wait to log on because you are always logged on with Comcast high speed cable. Now that you will be zipping around the net at breakneck speed you run a higher risk of encountering viruses and Comcast has you covered there. They provide each and every customer with free McAfee anti virus software for life and it comes with free lifetime upgrades as well. Your personal information is also protected with state of the art firewall software which also is free of charge from Comcast.

Comcast has completely upgraded its TV programming service and they are now broadcast entirely in digital format for a crystal clear picture and sound every time you turn on your TV set. They also now have two-hundred and seventy-five channels to offer their viewers as well including a wide choice of high definition channels as well. Also because Comcast is a cable service provider there is no need for you to have any unreliable receiving equipment mounted on your home and no risk of trips to the electronics repair shop.

Internet calls can be accessed from any place of the World. What is required is just an internet connection and a gadget used for accessing the connection. The users find it to be absolute fun to access the technology. The voice quality remains very clear whenever a call is forwarded using this technology.

It is actually very easy to forward calls using the internet calling service. The users need to be a little tech savvy and that is everything required to communicate using the service. People can make use of internet calling equipments such as a headphone, a computer and ATA to complete this connection. The software used for the purpose is meant to enable the callers listen to voice, see images and send files. It is very effective for users if the equipments are supplied by the service provider. It is because certain software may not work with a particular service provider.

Basically there are two ways to make internet calls. One method involves making use of the computer and the other is not making use of computers. In the second case, mobiles phones are brought to use to make the calls. In such cases where computers are not used, the handset is connected to a ‘router’ that often includes an adaptor box that remains connected to the router. In case of computers brought to use to call over the internet, installed software is used for establishing the connection. With such software, the user is able to keep control of calls and the voice mail messages.

With such calling service, it is possible to make free internet calls. The users can forward the calls from their PC to other PCs or from PC to mobile phones. Thus it is actually possible to forward a call to people located at any place of the world. The service is one of its kind and users can directly contact a person on his or her mobile or a regular phone. The service is also very affordable and much cheaper in comparison to the traditional system of connectivity.

The best thing about this network is that it makes use of digital packets to transfer voice message to the end user. It means that the voice is converted to digital forms that is then sent to the recipient at the other end. On reaching the recipient, the digital signals are reconverted to voice signals for the listener to hear the voice. As the transference is digital, so the voice quality too remains very sharp. There are also other benefits of the system. One benefit is that the user can now share files with the person to whom one is talking. Then there is also the option to make 3-way conferencing that enables to directly involve a number of people to join in a conversation. With internet calls, the user can also see the person to whom he is talking at the other end.

The service providers of call over the internet come up with several plans from time to time. Free internet calls is one service that draws people toward this technology. It is this reason that even people in remote places of the world have started to access the service . Wholesale and resellers too have extended their services to enable people access this new technology. Information about the latest deals offered by the service providers can be accessed from the internet. It is the internet that hosts the service and also provides detailed information about it.

So, you’re in the market for a new telephone system or looking to migrate to a larger system? The choices are abundant, but how do you make a decision that is right for you, your business and your budget

Consider the following:

A. The features you like,
B. The features you need,
C. The features you don’t like,
D. Your customer/client expectations,
E. Your Business Communication plan for the future.

The need to communicate effectively and efficiently:

Every business has to communicate with its customers. A small business may only need a line or two from the local Bell Company, whereas, a large business may need a robust system that offers an Auto Attendant/Receptionist, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), a Voice Mail, CDR (Call Detail Records), or even, Call Center Technology.

To find the system that meets your needs will require that you do a bit of research and ask yourself some questions related to your current and future business model.

By answering a few questions your organization will be stirred to a Telecommunications system that meets current needs and encompasses future growth.

How many numbers* do you need? ______
How many Fax Machines will you have? ______
How many modem lines will you need? ______
How many Analog sets will you need? ______
How many Digital sets will you need? ______
Are you planning on having an Operator Console/Position? ______
Do you want Caller ID capabilities?______

* – Numbers could be a 1 to 1 relationship (Analog lines) or a DID (Direct Inward Dial) range with the use of a T1. See T1 information below.

Trunks

Trunks allow your business to communicate to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The two common Voice Grade Trunks are: Central Office Trunks (Analog telephone numbers) and T1′s (Digital Circuits). Many systems are moving into VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) while maintaing their Legacy System features.

Do you need a T1?

A T1 contains 23 B-Channels and 1 D-Channel. The B-Channels are the dedicated Voice Connections and can be broken up into Incoming and Outgoing trunks/routes, and the D-Channel carries call control and signaling information.

Consider the following criteria:

How many calls are made in a typical business day? _______
What is the average length of the calls being made? _______
Have you every received a busy when attempting to access an outside line? ______
Is receiving a busy acceptable? ______
Is your business expecting considerable growth in the near future? ______
Does your business perform outside transfers and conferences? ______
Are you planning on buying a Toll Free number? _____

Note: A T1 may make sense for your organization – as it allows for DID (Direct Inward Dial) and outgoing routes to be associated to the number of concurrent calls. Thus idle talk paths are offered to system users when they are not in use – maximizing your system resources.

Analog lines perform the same action in a hunt group. A lot of small businesses over expand the hunt groups to prevent busy signals during the busiest time of day – the line is unused most of the day. T1 cost varies – As of 4/24/05, I’ve found a number of T1 Business lines for $359.00 and up.

Example:

If your organization has 20 associates, you would most likely want each associate to have a private number (a DID). Thus, 20 analog lines @ $35.00 to $40.00 per month = $800.00.

In this case a T1 would make sense as it allows the system programmer to route DID calls in and create a separate route for calls out, ensuring maximum efficiency.

On the other hand, if your organization as 8 or fewer employees then it maybe cost effective to keep your analog service dependent upon the features needed.

What features and applications do you want? Hold and Transfer, Conference, Music On Hold, Multi-Line Phones, Associate/Employee controlled call foward, Auto Attendant/receptionist, Voice Mail, CDR (Call Detail Records), Time of Day Announcements, ACD (Automatic Call Distribution), Advanced Call Center Applications,

Hold and Conference – Can be performed by Non-KSU (Centrex), KSU, and PBX Systems.

Music on Hold – Requires a KSU or PBX.

Multi-line phones – on a Non-KSU you are limited to 2 lines. KSU’s and PBX Systems allow for multiple lines. If you would like to view every line – you’ll need to insure that the system and phones allow for Busy Lamp fields or that the phones have enough programmable keys.

Associate/Employee Controlled Call Forwards – Can be performed with Centrex Services, KSU and PBX Systems. This is an important feature as it allows the associate/employee to determine where calls will go when not answered or when he/she is busy.

Auto Attendant/Receptionist – Is usually an additional module or software enhancement to a system. This enhancement when grouped with other systems/applications (Digit collection, Voice Mail, etc.) offers a powerful solution to handling incoming callers. Some KSU’s have this feature, most PBX Systems have this feature.

Voice Mail – Voice Mail allows each associate to create personal greetings, passcodes and manage messages. Ideal for creating and maintaining CRM (Customer Response Management). Can be performed by Centrex lines, KSU and PBX Systems

Call Detail Recording – Your organization may like to collect Call Details (the number dialed, the cost of the call, Date/Time, etc.). You may want to bill back to a client, associate, or department for calls made. Some KSU’s have this feature, most PBX systems have this feature.

Time of Day Announcements – Requires a KSU or PBX.

ACD (Automatic Call Distribution) – Some KSU’s support this feature, most PBX systems support this feature.

Finding your system

When you’ve developed your Business Communication plan – take a look at some of the KSU/PBX systems on the internet or this site and find the one that matches your plan the best.

Now that you have an idea of what features you need and the feature that you like – attempt to match them to the systems in PbxInfo’s · System Comparison. The only side-by-side system comparison on the internet.

Finally, be prepared to ask the following questions when you’ve decided on a system.

• Ask the vendor, “Are you an authorized dealer?”

• Ask if it’s possible to visit the last site the vendor performed an install at. Look for well documented systems, cable labeling, housekeeping and neatness.

• Visit the vendors place of business. Many times a vendor will have a mock-up of the system that you are interested in.

• Ask about service support and maintenance contracts – including how much it costs and whether it is offered over the phone.

• Ask about the possibility of buying a refurbished or used system.

Other areas of interest:

Looking for used equipment – Vist PbxInfo’s Market Place.

Looking for a vendor – Visit PbxInfo’s RFQ Area.

Related article,  Saving Money on Your Long Distance.

Related article, ·Auditing Your Telephone Bill.

Related article, ·Bundled Services.

Related Website:  CS2 Communications

Related Website: Pbx Info

Article by Charles Carter

If you haven’t been keeping up with the latest technological innovations in the telecommunications industry then you may be unaware of what Comcast has been up to recently. It’s called bundled services and it brings far more savings and convenience to their family of customers in an industry that has been in dire need of lower prices for years.

Its supermarket style shopping that allows you to receive all of your homes telecommunications services from one reliable source for greater savings and convenience. Comcast has been the leader in TV programming for decades now and they have been able to fall back on their vast trove of experience in customer service when they broke new ground with their state of the art digital phone service.

It’s a flat rate phone service that has completely done away with all charges for phone service that have ran up your phone bills in the past. With Comcast you get free nationwide long distance calling in the entire U.S., including Canada and Alaska, any time night or day, all week long, including weekends. There is no charge for your calling convenience features and there is twelve of them in all including voice mail, caller ID and call waiting just to name a few of them.

It’s all brand new digital technology that makes for faster, more expedient service with unbelievably clear reception on both ends of the phone line. If you are at all hearing impaired, then you will love making phone calls with the crystal clear reception.

Their all new broadband high speed cable internet service is also completely state of the art and with the new speed that it brings you can do so much more during the time that you spend on the internet. With speed that is one hundred times faster than standard dial up, no matter what you are shopping for on the net you will be able to scout out all of the best bargains. This is because websites pop right up instantly with the click of your mouse and moving among points of interest is that much faster also.

There is no need to worry about computer viruses with Comcast, because they provide all of their customers with the latest McAfee anti virus software with free lifetime upgrades as well. Your personal information is always secure also, because you get the latest technology in firewall protection from Comcast and it too is free of charge.

Comcast is still the leader in home entertainment for your TV set as well and cable will always be the most reliable source for your TV programming. With Comcast cable there is no need for any delicate and fickle electronics equipment to be mounted on your home, so you can always count on a perfect signal when you turn on your TV set.

Due to a recent complete upgrade of their entire service systems infrastructure, Comcast now carries a full two-hundred and seventy-five channels of programming for you to select from in a broad range of well blended programming packages. With Comcast’s bundled services you only receive one bill each month with one simple fee that covers all of your services and it doesn’t get any easier than that.