IP phones and numbers
 

Does anyone know the answer to this?

If I have the use of an office in, for example, the UK, and it has a + 44 1xxxxxx geographic telephone number on the UK network, which is actually an IP phone, and I take that phone and the laptop associated to the network and plug it in to an ADSL connection elsewhere a) in GB or b) anywhere else, will that number be ported through the associated IP address, so I could for example be at home in CPT and someone could reach me by dialling + 44 1xxxxxxxxxx?

Sorry if this sounds confused, I am!

A friend of mine (who is a FO on 738 AND a computer engineer) says it is possible even at international level. Although I don't remember how.


Rwy in Sight

It depends on the actual setup you have, but it is certainly possible.

I set up a softphone system a few years ago, where laptops had IP phone client installed, and by using a VPN connection (SSL or IPSEC) to their home network, they could send and receive calls via the "home" office VoIP system.

I'm sure that there are other ways of doing it as well!

SD

Take the phone. Setup firewall to firewall VPN between your location and the UK. Job done.

If the office has an SBC (session border controller) infront of the phone system, then theoretically you could eliminate the need for a VPN (and end up with a Vonage style setup). But personally, I'd always opt for a VPN ... it doesn't add much in the way of complexity, but adds a lot in terms of security.

Yes, it's totally possible.
No, it doesn't require a VPN.
Yes, it's a good idea to have one (although if you're going to want an all-in-one hardware solution you'll need a handset with enough flash memory to contain some open source VPN s/w as well as the SIP stack).

HTH.
Mike.

p.s. - you'd need to look for a broadband connection with decent QoS (and an appropriate router) in order not to sound like Norman Collier.

Thank you all. What I'm understanding (limited) is it will work if the network administrator wishes to make it so.

It's simply that I've been offered some work over a period of time, but for various reasons I do not want to be stuck in a fixed location, nor do I want to have to tell people to contact me on this number on these days, and another number on other days and so on. I realise that a Skype number would provide this solution, but it would look more professional all round for me to have a 'real' geographic number associated to the company. I can do the work from anywhere but prefer people who call me to assume I'm at the UK office and to see that number if I call them.

The idea of sitting in Tableview looking out over the bay and the Berg whilst people think I'm in the UK rather appeals to me!

I know a few micro-businesses (one man bands) running their operations from their villas in sunnier climates whilst presenting a UK number. Vonage appears to be a popular choice.

(And to put the mods at ease, no I am NOT advertising Vonage, have never used them myself and don't work for them either).