VoIP Telephone Service
Overview
Voice over IP (VoIP) is the next generation of communication service. With VoIP Telephone Service, the signal that carries calls between your telephone and Stanford's centralized voice switching equipment is in reality, a data network. That means your phone connection is part of the Stanford network instead of being hooked into the wiring of the traditional Stanford telephone infrastructure.
VoIP allows for the convergence of many separate systems into a single, managed voice and data infrastructure. It also dramatically lowers costs associated with moving lines and changing features. Because frequently requested functions come with the IP phone sets, VoIP eliminates the need to change service levels. A consolidated voice and data network positions Stanford to take advantage of increased network functionality in the future.
What’s different about VoIP phones?
VoIP phones plug into a network port instead of a phone port. There is a simple log-in procedure when starting up a Stanford VoIP phone, but otherwise the equipment works very much like the multi-line speakerphones Stanford departmental users are accustomed to. (See the user guide for VoIP phone set instructions.) VoIP Telephone Service includes most of the features currently offered with non-VoIP phone service, as well as many new functions only available with IP phones. To help your department adjust to the new phones, see the user documentation linked at the left.
Note that — at this time — VoIP service is not available for bridged extensions, modems, or courtesy phones.
Attractive pricing is available for departments switching to Net-to-Switch and VoIP at the same time. Linking VoIP to Net-to-Switch assures that IT Services engineers will be able to monitor and maintain network switch integrity. It also means that phone relocations are easy — department contacts can submit a request via the IT Services Site (itserviceshelp.stanford.edu) before plugging the phone into a new port. (The relocation order is required by law to assure accurate 911 location records.) Net-to-Switch service means installations are just as easy and seldom require additional, costly wiring charges.
FAX service at VoIP-only off-campus locations
FAX service can be provided at off-campus locations with VoIP-only phone systems. The service requires the installation of a specialized gateway within the local network. The gateway converts FAX signals to VoIP signals and then transmits them to Stanford's central voice switching equipment. Once a FAX call reaches the central equipment, it is handled the same as a traditional FAX transmission.
At on-campus locations, FAX lines will remain a non-VoIP service.
