FXO Port - Important?

[chicha]

How important is an FXO port in an ATA device for a residential user? Many ATA's have no such port. To what purpose are these ports used? Thanks.

[jbkalla]

I could be wrong, but I think the FXO port is the PSTN port, which means it will hook up to your local phone service in your house (like Qwest or AT&T). This would allow the same telephone to either make calls via Qwest or via your VOIP service, like Vonage. I would imagine many people just get local regular telephone service and use VOIP for long distance only. This would give you a backup if your internet service went out and you needed 911 or something.

Somebody correct me if I'm incorrect, please!

[PhoneBoy]

You're basically correct, the whole point of an FXO port is to integrate with an existing PSTN line or a "PSTN Line Equivelant" such as Vonage or some other provider's locked ATA.