ISDN phone systems

I know it's a tad OT, but at work where we hope to get broadband (not
completely OT <g>).

I was told that we are getting a phone system in that uses ISDN. We
have four lines and if somebody dials a number that is busy, the call
will switch to a free number automatically.

1) Is the above really ISDN and 2) if it is, is it compatible with
ADSL?

Perhaps it would be cheaper to get another phone line put in?

--
Cheers,

Guy

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

Dr Teeth wrote:
> I know it's a tad OT, but at work where we hope to get broadband (not
> completely OT <g>).
>
> I was told that we are getting a phone system in that uses ISDN. We
> have four lines and if somebody dials a number that is busy, the call
> will switch to a free number automatically.
>
> 1) Is the above really ISDN and 2) if it is, is it compatible with
> ADSL?
>
> Perhaps it would be cheaper to get another phone line put in?
>

ISDN is totally incompatible with ADSL as it uses frequencies higher
than an analogue phone line to get the two 'lines' on one piece of copper.

You probably have two pieces of 'copper' into your building each with 2
ISDN lines on each.

It is part of the BT service that can re-route calls like you have.

If you still need the 4 incoming ISDN lines, you have no choice other
than to get another (analogue) line for ADSL

Mike

On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:52:40 +0100, m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
>
>
>ISDN is totally incompatible with ADSL as it uses frequencies higher
>than an analogue phone line to get the two 'lines' on one piece of copper.
>
Then why are most ADSL lines in Germany over ISDN, rather than POTS,
lines?

"Ken Wheatley" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 15:52:40 +0100, m <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>>ISDN is totally incompatible with ADSL as it uses frequencies higher
>>than an analogue phone line to get the two 'lines' on one piece of copper.
>>
> Then why are most ADSL lines in Germany over ISDN, rather than POTS,
> lines?

Because in Germany they chose a subtly different ADSL standard.

"m" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Dr Teeth wrote:
>> I know it's a tad OT, but at work where we hope to get broadband (not
>> completely OT <g>). I was told that we are getting a phone system in that
>> uses ISDN. We
>> have four lines and if somebody dials a number that is busy, the call
>> will switch to a free number automatically.
>>
>> 1) Is the above really ISDN

Yes (with hunting).

and

>> 2) if it is, is it compatible with ADSL?

Not in BT land.

>>
>> Perhaps it would be cheaper to get another phone line put in?
>>

Keep an analog line for emergencies, the fax and ADSL - works fine. Many
people do this.

>
> ISDN is totally incompatible with ADSL as it uses frequencies higher than
> an analogue phone line to get the two 'lines' on one piece of copper.

The two bands need not intersect and this has been working just fine in
Germany since the 1990's (originally front paged on Computer Weekly).

BT persist in saying it is not technically possible. This is a classic
example of BT's Loose Interpretation of English and Standards (LIES), which
has bedevilled ISDN and Highway in many ways ever since BT offered it.

>
> You probably have two pieces of 'copper' into your building each with 2
> ISDN lines on each.
>
> It is part of the BT service that can re-route calls like you have.
>
> If you still need the 4 incoming ISDN lines, you have no choice other than
> to get another (analogue) line for ADSL
>
> Mike
>

ADSL via ISDN lines work fine in Belgium and Netherlands too.

--
obsidian


"R. Mark Clayton" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:quednfUhiLMgkInYnZ2dnUVZ8s-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "m" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>
>> Dr Teeth wrote:
>>> I know it's a tad OT, but at work where we hope to get broadband (not
>>> completely OT <g>). I was told that we are getting a phone system in
>>> that uses ISDN. We
>>> have four lines and if somebody dials a number that is busy, the call
>>> will switch to a free number automatically.
>>>
>>> 1) Is the above really ISDN
>
> Yes (with hunting).
>
> and
>
>>> 2) if it is, is it compatible with ADSL?
>
> Not in BT land.
>
>>>
>>> Perhaps it would be cheaper to get another phone line put in?
>>>
>
> Keep an analog line for emergencies, the fax and ADSL - works fine. Many
> people do this.
>
>>
>> ISDN is totally incompatible with ADSL as it uses frequencies higher than
>> an analogue phone line to get the two 'lines' on one piece of copper.
>
> The two bands need not intersect and this has been working just fine in
> Germany since the 1990's (originally front paged on Computer Weekly).
>
> BT persist in saying it is not technically possible. This is a classic
> example of BT's Loose Interpretation of English and Standards (LIES),
> which has bedevilled ISDN and Highway in many ways ever since BT offered
> it.
>
>>
>> You probably have two pieces of 'copper' into your building each with 2
>> ISDN lines on each.
>>
>> It is part of the BT service that can re-route calls like you have.
>>
>> If you still need the 4 incoming ISDN lines, you have no choice other
>> than to get another (analogue) line for ADSL
>>
>> Mike
>>
>
>

On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:55:47 +0200, obsidian wrote:

> ADSL via ISDN lines work fine in Belgium and Netherlands too.

BT use a different system albeit slightly different.
I guess it's got leverage more money out of UK consumers!

"Doz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:h8j4tckus3m5$.1rqaywqghd8mf$.(E-Mail Removed).. .
> On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:55:47 +0200, obsidian wrote:
>
> > ADSL via ISDN lines work fine in Belgium and Netherlands too.
>
> BT use a different system albeit slightly different.
> I guess it's got leverage more money out of UK consumers!

I think its more to do with preserving ISDN as a "high cost" "premium"
"business" (i.e. rip off) service....

Generally in Germany (and too some extent Belgium and Holland) when you get
ADSL you also get your land line updated to ISDN. I gather that as there can
be issues if ADSL over ISDN and ADSL over POTS are used in the same "bundle"
(for free I gather).

For BT to do that in the UK would mean they would have to give away ISDN....

The result is normal telephony in the UK is back in the dark ages. Still
very little ISDN. Its pathetic....