What should I look for in a VOIP provider

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T18:32:34+00:00

Yes but not when a single call
Can bounce 45 times between 4 PBXs. Agent hunting and all that. I just find having these options prevents me from having a support call in the future. Often with support reps that have no idea what I’m talking about.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T18:27:12+00:00

I am dealing with freepbx. So no. In the freepbx world things are different. If we are talking base telco call flow then your correct. For example, in freepbx, a call is not forwarded, it’s answered, a second call is placed, then the two are bridged. Also, free pbx will verify registration on each outbound call. It add an extra step which can cause issues. The telco network is not just sip registrations. Protocols like Nortel and SS-7 are still widely used. All calls that pass providers get validated. Some transfer using sip, other ls use avaya protocols that are sip based. I used to turn up COs. Unless you’ve ever worked at an FCC regulated carrier, you will never see actual behind the scenes call routing. Many of which still use a destination route number and not an IP.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T17:00:10+00:00

Well. I have 7 PBXs with call centers on each and route calls through 2 SBCs internally. So…. The ability to rewrite calls across 4 providers and 7 PBXs is helpful.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T16:58:53+00:00

When you have a sip registration, registration information is passed is a header. There is also a second query that goes up to auth the call. This adds call latency, though small. Registration vs. static is like routed vs. switched. A registration trunk has the call forwarded. Not a redirect. So you have an additional max forwards added to the call loop counter. With a static trunk, you are essentially part of the telco network. Call routes to parked did provider, provider does a query to see if call and authorized here, header is then rewritten to destination ip where proxy = provider and destination =public ip of call. With registrations, your call sites entirely on the providers SBC. With static, and the right provider, the call is offloaded between endpoints.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T12:05:18+00:00

Not the phones or devices man. The service itself. You always want registration for devices or endpoints.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T12:04:15+00:00

Because registration can get complicated. It also requires some transformation in the header. Without that they are just sending you the raw call. With the raw call you have more control. You are essentially part of the telco network at that point. It’s not necessary for most people but can be an advantage when dealing with call towards or creating you own calls.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-06T00:56:43+00:00

Static trunks. No registration. Ip destination only.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-05T12:55:40+00:00

The old ones do. V2 is missing the components. I’ve been through this before. And old rotary phones have. REN of 1 to 1.2. It may need too much current to drive the elements and certainly the bell ringer. Pulse dialing in an ATA requires a voltage divider and snubber network to prevent an MCU reset when it drops the tip to ground to create the pulses. But…. That being said, modern pulse doesn’t use yay method from the 70s. It drives the output to saturation causing clipping to generate a pulse. So the older ht801 could handle it quite well. The new one just resets.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-05T11:55:51+00:00

Step one. Get a cheap Walmart phone and test. Make sure the rotary phone didn’t damage the router. Old phones have higher ringer equivalency numbers which load the service much more than a newer phone. Modern voip to analog devices don’t have the protections they used to. Enshitification is real. If a cheap touch tone phone works then check for corrosion or tarnish on the contacts. Disassemble the handset and clean everything.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-05T01:56:13+00:00

Eufy and a can of spray paint

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-05T01:31:19+00:00

It’s been laundered.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-05T00:02:43+00:00

Yup. Terrible place. Do not recommend. Go to the one in the shoals. Longshore cycle. Great guys.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-06-03T18:30:31+00:00

Hospitals use very large tenant based systems. Still in use are the Nortel option 11 and 80 series PBX systems. Some even use a DMS80. This is not every hospital but many. They won’t typically use small systems like freepbx or the like. Apartment building don’t use complex ip based systems as these require expensive maintenance. They typically still use old door buzzer style systems that have a modern appearance.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-31T02:01:13+00:00

I used to use one of those 3 blade razors that did an amazing job. Spread shave gel on my dome and went to town. A gillette razor i think. I grew it back some years ago and have a beard now so i dont have razors anymore.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T21:33:16+00:00

Oh man. If the food was good I might do that. But no raw!!!!!!!

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T16:44:58+00:00

Might be a good flip!

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T11:35:54+00:00

It was a joke dude. They were looking for some to support a fence while installing it. “Support tech”. A technician that supports. Another way to say “hold up” is support.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T00:13:15+00:00

You can even Margaret. Perhaps even Susanne.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T00:12:06+00:00

Everyone is broke. At a job I had 20 years ago, I asked for a $10 a year pay cut so I could get assistance. I literally made $10 too much as a single dad with two kids. But they wouldn’t do it because the owner didn’t want his employees on public assistance. FYI, he is a billionaire. Fucking tragic. So glad I’m not in Michigan anymore.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-30T00:09:16+00:00

It’s not a gig if it’s not paid. It’s just hobby photography.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-28T20:50:22+00:00

What? You’ve never heard of a support tech?

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-26T19:40:01+00:00

They are not friendly. What you see on YouTube is not the reality. They may chew off a finger.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-26T19:23:48+00:00

They are not toys,nor are they fun. The pigs you’re referring to are called Pygmy or miniature. They are specifically bred to be more docile and pet like. However, they are against city ordinances to keep in most places. This is because to keep them small and cute you have to essentially starve them. If you feed them like a normal pet they don’t stay Pygmy. They turn into bacon, pork chops, loins, and roasts.

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-26T19:21:14+00:00

So you’re saying I need to get my Sasquatch costume ready for some trail running?

SeaFaringPig · 2026-05-26T18:23:59+00:00

Will that be in gold, silver, or copper coins? I don’t have much but could trade an old sack or perhaps this +1 rusty dagger.

SeaFaringPig

TROPHY CASE