[finance_coder]

Hi all. First post.

I live in a building that has a "buzzer" for the front door: a guest comes to the building, looks up my name in a directory, and dials whatever phone number I have configured via the directory device. When I answer the call, I can talk to them, and optionally unlock the front door by pressing "9".

Originally, when I moved into this building, I had the number tied to my cell phone, which is in a different area code, so I got a long-distance bill from the building administration (with obscene long distance rates).

Since then, I've got a local phone number via Comcast's Triple-Play package. I'd like to drop Comcast for voice and TV, and keep them for Internet only.

But I need a local phone number for the front door.

Now I'm looking for the cheapest way I can have a local phone number, accept phone calls, and for the touch-tone buzzer to work. I don't mind buying hardware, I'm just looking to avoid monthly fees. Quality doesn't even have to be all that good (the speaker/microphone in the building lobby is already bad enough). I'm also not opposed to setting up and/or configuring software, as long as it's Linux-based.

As far as I can tell, I need an ATA and a SIP provider. There are lots of providers, and many of them don't make it obvious what the rates are for an application as simple as mine (most providers I've looked at offer packages that are completely overkill for my needs).

So I'm hoping to get a few provider suggestions, and maybe any pointers or other info that will make me more certain about all this.

Thank you!

[bobgus]

I have the same door-buzzer-on-phone system. It has the advantage of ringing all over the house where we have phones, but it doesn't work well when we are actually on the phone talking with somebody else.

If you want to try a no-fee hardware-only system, get a Linksys SP3102 ATA and an IP phone.

In any case, it would take some experimentation with the door-buzzer tech guy around. The question is whether the line to the door-buzzer box is a powered line (acting like a central office line), or is dead, which means your ATA would have to supply the power and act like a CO.

The Linksys SP3102 can work with a jumper between the FXO and FSX ports. If the door-buzzer line to your apartment is a dead line with no outside power, you can connect that line in parallel with the jumper between the FXO and FSX ports on the SP3102. Then configure the SP3102 so the door buzzer rings your IP (SIP) phone.

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I am using the SP3102 on my 2nd line, so I haven't tried it with the door buzzer. I have an Asterisk platform on a PCEngines Alix2.3 with AskoziaPBX, but with your simple application, I think you only need the SP3102.

I had a Grandstream BT200, but left it with my brother-in-law. Will have to get a replacement IP phone - there are lots of choices.

[hwittenb]

The previous poster sounds like he has had experience with complex door arrangements which I am sure can be tricky to setup.

I don't know anything about door buzzers but if your buzzer previously worked with a cell phone it sounds like all it takes is to press 9 and the apartment has the equipment to detect the dtmf signal and then open the door. In that case if you want a local number the cheapest thing to do is find one at a pay-as-you-go provider. The challenge is to find one that has numbers that are local to your apartment. The industry term for a local number is a DID (stands for direct inward dial).

If you wonder if a local number is a local call for you, this data base has tables that can tell you.

VoiceStick gives out local numbers for free and then charges 1.18c/minute for an incoming call. CallCentric has some local numbers for $2.95/month with free incoming calls. They have others in other places that are a little more and have an incoming per minute charge. CallWithUs has local numbers, as does FutureNine. These are all good pay-as-you-go providers. Most of these companies will have an additional charge for the 911 service which is mandated by the FCC if you are in the U.S. You can buy an analog telephone adapter that you configure yourself to work with these providers. A Linksys PAP2T, or Linksys SPA3102 will work.

[finance_coder]

Originally Posted by bobgus

...
In any case, it would take some experimentation with the door-buzzer tech guy around. The question is whether the line to the door-buzzer box is a powered line (acting like a central office line), or is dead, which means your ATA would have to supply the power and act like a CO.
...

If I understand, I believe you're suggesting trying to plug in directly to the door buzzer (or at least its circuit). In principle, that sounds like fun and something I would do, but this is actually a condo building and I'm renting one of the units. If I owned a unit, I'd probably go this route, if only to play, but given that I rent... I don't want to make waves. I think renting makes me a second class citizen anyway, so I'm not sure how cooperative the association would be with me.

So I think I'm going to go with a (hopefully) simpler route, just getting a DID line.

Also, I neglected to mention that we do want to use this line occasionally for local calls like ordering pizzas.

Thanks for the suggestions and ideas though, much appreciated!

[finance_coder]

Originally Posted by hwittenb

I don't know anything about door buzzers but if your buzzer previously worked with a cell phone it sounds like all it takes is to press 9 and the apartment has the equipment to detect the dtmf signal and then open the door.

That's what I'm banking on

Originally Posted by hwittenb

If you wonder if a local number is a local call for you, this data base has tables that can tell you.

Great link, that is immensely helpful!

Originally Posted by hwittenb

VoiceStick gives out local numbers for free and then charges 1.18c/minute for an incoming call. CallCentric has some local numbers for $2.95/month with free incoming calls. They have others in other places that are a little more and have an incoming per minute charge. CallWithUs has local numbers, as does FutureNine. These are all good pay-as-you-go providers. Most of these companies will have an additional charge for the 911 service which is mandated by the FCC if you are in the U.S. You can buy an analog telephone adapter that you configure yourself to work with these providers. A Linksys PAP2T, or Linksys SPA3102 will work.

Excellent. I'm going to give CallWithUs a try. I'm also going to do some research on ATA devices (starting with the ones you suggested).

Thanks again!