WHAT IS ISDN 2 BUSINESS PHONE LINES?

WHAT IS ISDN 2 

Formerly known as OnRamp 2, ISDN 2 transforms your existing analogue telephone line into two digital connections. ISDN2 features are;

Two telephone numbers

• Two digital channels capable of transferring both voice and data at bandwidth rates of 2 x 64kbps or 128kbps when 2 lines are combined
• Quick safe and clear transfer of data including graphics, studio-quality videos and large data files
• Only one service line is required for telephones, faxes or computers allowing you to use the other line to work remotely in the field or at home
• Video conferencing facilities with live, full-colour, two-way video, audio and data communication (additional equipment required)
• When used with an ISDN compatible Internet plan it provides faster-than-dial-up internet and email access
• An ISDN2 service must be connected to an ISDN compatible PABX system at the customers premises

WHAT IS ISDN 2 ENHANCED

ISDN2 enhanced services are identical to standard ISDN2 services but are supplied with an integrated network termination device and router. Since this hardware is more expensive to supply, the monthly line rental is a few dollars higher than standard ISDN2.

The integrated unit supplied currently is the Open Networks NT1 plus II . This unit allows the customer to connect multiple computers on a small LAN to the ISDN service to leverage the ISDN investment. The NT1 plus II also allows customers to "bond" the two channels together for 128kbps internet access when no phone lines are in use. Although these units require mains power they have the ability to keep the main phone line active during a mains power failure.

WHY USE ISDN 2 PHONE LINES

ISDN 2 Phone lines are Digital phones lines delivering clearer and faster phone calls.

ISDN 2 are a scaleable service in that you can add an additional set of lines in increments of 2 lines at a time. eg start with 2 lines and add in 2/4/6/or 8 ISDN2 services as required.

ISDN 2 gives you the availability of a 100 Number Direct in Dial range. Even if you only have 1 or 2 ISDN 2 services you can have 100 phone numbers or more. ISDN 2 is ideally suited to small to medium business that require crisp clear digital communication lines in conjunction with a PABX phone system. ISDN 2 Business phone lines have access to all the great business phone line features you need including Line Hunt & Caller ID.

HOW DOES ISDN 2 WORK?

ISDN technology converts a standard analogue telephone line into 3 separate channels.

2 Bearer Channels

Each bearer channel has an available bandwidth of 64kbps which can be used for voice, video, data, or multimedia calls. These bearer channels can be aggregated together to give 128kbps bandwidth which is useful in areas where broadband internet access is not available.

1 Delta Channel

The Delta ("D") channel has an available bandwidth of 16 kbps and cannot, therefore, be used for voice calls. It is used primarily for communications (or "signaling") between switching equipment in the ISDN network and the ISDN equipment at your site.

Due to the above structure you may sometimes see an ISDN2 service referred to as ISDN (2B+D).

HOW DO I CONNECT TO ISDN 2 PHONE SERVICE

As ISDN is digital, there is no need for a modem. However, a customer will need a terminal adapter to receive the ISDN service. A terminal adaptor enables the communication from the user's terminal to the network and serves as an interface between the ISDN BRI line and the customers equipment.

Terminal adaptors are sometimes referred to as Network Termination (NT) devices or ISDN modems/routers, although this latter term is slightly misleading.

The terminal adapter is provided by the ISDN service provider.

To connect the customer's local area network (LAN) to an ISDN2 service the customer will require a separate ISDN router or (as is more common) a terminal adaptor with a modem / router built in.

Customer wishing to connect a LAN to an ISDN2 service should choose the ISDN2 enhanced service.

WHAT TYPE OF ISDN 2 SERVICES ARE THERE?

ISDN services come in two types known as Basic Rate Interfaces or Basic Rate Access(BRI/BRA) and Primary Rate Interfaces or Primary Rate Access (PRI/PRA).

ISDN services are only available in channel blocks of 2, 10, 20 and 30.

If a customer needs, say 6 channels they must implement 3 x ISDN2 connections. For customers wanting, say 14 channels they must implement an ISDN10 and 2 X ISDN2 channels. Customers cannot order an odd number of channels.

WHAT IS ISDN 2 USED FOR?

ISDN can be used for a range of voice, data, video and image transfer applications including - Telephony: ISDN provides clear telephone connections. In conjunction with digital telephones, small phone systems and PABX systems, ISDN can offer some additional call and messaging features compared to analogue services.

Prior to the increased availability of ADSL internet ISDN 2 was also used as the highest speed available Internet service.

WHAT IF I WANT MORE THAN 10 ISDN CHANNELS

ISDN primary rate services are only available in blocks of 10, 20 or 30. If a customer requires a number between two blocks they will need to combine a primary rate service with one or more basic rate services.

Since basic rate services only come in multiples of two it is impossible to have an odd number of ISDN channels.

As an example, to achieve, say 16 channels a customer would need

1 x ISDN 10

3 x ISDN2

This would require the customer to have a PABX with both a primary rate interface card and a basic rate interface card installed.

HOW DO I CONNECT TO ISDN 2 PHONE SERVICE

As ISDN is digital, there is no need for a modem. However, a customer will need a terminal adapter to receive the ISDN service. A terminal adaptor enables the communication from the user's terminal to the network and serves as an interface between the ISDN BRI line and the customers equipment.

Terminal adaptors are sometimes referred to as Network Termination (NT) devices or ISDN modems/routers, although this latter term is slightly misleading.

The terminal adapter is provided by the ISDN service provider.

To connect the customer's local area network (LAN) to an ISDN2 service the customer will require a separate ISDN router or (as is more common) a terminal adaptor with a modem / router built in.

Customer wishing to connect a LAN to an ISDN2 service should choose the ISDN2 enhanced service.

A Full explanation of ISDN 2 features is located at this link.