Phone Lines and Extensions for idiots (ie me)

[Major_Disaster]

Hi All,

Was wondering if you could help me understand how this works - sorry if im being a bit thick.

Currently in the office we have two phone lines coming in. Say each line has a number 012345 111111 and 012345 111112 but the advertised business telephone number is a different (memorable) 012345 678910. Customer calls 678910 and thanks to the wonders of VOIP (Gradwell) 111111 rings. Great.

We've got a fax machine on the end on 111112 so can only call out on it (and send out faxes). but have realised there is no real point of having a physical fax machine (we have an advertised fax number 012345 678911 but again through the magic of VOIP this comes through on email).

SO, I want to get rid of the fax machine and somehow utilise the line so if someone is already on the line on 111111 you dont get a busy tone if someone else calls. I know this is a pretty basic thing, but I have no idea how to go about setting it up. Do i need a PBX (whatever that may be)?

Sorry for rambling - im not sure which details are relevant so have put it all down. Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot

 

[dave-lew99]

Are your lines BT lines directed from a voip provider?

If so on your primary line (11111) set the call divert on busy feature (See http://www.britishtelephones.com/btnetwk1.htm - i don't think the codes have changed) and divert to 11112

Set your fax machine not to answer when the line rings (since your incoming faxes are via email) that way phones on 11112 will ring but the fax will not answer, yet you can still send outgoing faxes with the machine.

 

[Major_Disaster]

Thanks for the tip.

Apparently that "service is not available" (ie i need to buy the call feature from BT) but i think for 2.50/month its worth it so cheers for the heads up