Fanvil IP Telephony in Kenya

Fanvil IP Telephony in Kenya

Fanvil IP telephony refers to any phone system that uses an internet connection to send and receive voice data. Unlike a regular telephone that uses landlines to transmit analog signals, IP phones connect to the internet via a router and modem.

The call travels in the form of packets, over a Local Area Network (LAN), or the Internet, avoiding PSTN tolls.

Fanvil manufactures a range of cost-effective and feature-rich VoIP telephones specifically designed for enterprise use. Fanvil SIP phones feature HD voice and have excellent usability, with the additional benefit of being fully compatible with 3CX, a software-based IP PBX.

3CX supports the Fanvil H Series and X Series of IP Phones. The interoperability between the two creates an end-to-end business telephony solution.

Benefits of Fanvil IP Telephony

Cost savings, mobility, and scalability are some of the key advantages of switching to IP Telephony.

1. Cost

With IP Telephony, the cost to your business is generally consistent and predictable as the charges that occur come from the internet service provider.

2. Mobility

With a rise in remote working, co-working, and hybrid setups, the use of IP Telephony significantly improves your ability to be agile. This allows your teams to set up their phone service from anywhere.

3. Unified Communications

IP telephones are popular for connectivity reliability and for transporting voice data over the internet. The popularity of IP telephony systems has also enabled the development of UC (Unified Communications). This allows businesses to benefit from communications functionality, including voice calls and video conferencing all on one platform. 

4. Scalability

Using IP Telephony over analog telephony means you don’t have to pay separately to add extra phone lines. IP Telephony Services have fewer restrictions, allowing you to scale up or down.

IP and VoIP Telephony

The essential difference is the type of data traffic we’re referring to. Namely, when using the term VoIP or voice over internet protocol, this means, for the most part, voice traffic via VoIP calls. Essentially, VoIP systems are simply a subcategory of IP technologies.

A VoIP phone means that the phone system transfer voice traffic via the internet connection exclusively. In contrast, IP technology can transfer voice, fax and messaging, and other data traffic.

In essence, VoIP services offer a specific mode that can transfer voice signals from analog to digital and transport these signals via the internet. 

How do Fanvil IP Telephones work?

IP telephone technologies work in the place of traditional landline phone networks and telephone systems. With an IP phone, internet protocol and LAN are usually used to transport phone calls and other information via your ISP’s network.

IP telephones work by scanning and identifying the speakers’ analog voice signals and turning that into digital versions of those signals. These digital signals transmit via a broad line in a data format. It essentially reconfigures a phone conversation and directs them via an IP system. It directs into the network and then out. The receiver’s network internet connection receives it.

The use of IP technology can make your business much more efficient by simply operating one internal network.

IP Telephony Deployment Models

Single site

For single-site model deployment, the call processing agent is at a single site, and LAN carries traffic internally. Calls beyond the LAN will use PSTN.

Multisite WAN with centralized call processing

With Multisite WAN and centralized call processing, the IP WAN transports voice data from one site to the other. Call control signaling would be also carried via the IP WAN between the central site and external sites.

This model is ideal if your business has a central site with multiple smaller sites. However, if your business requires full features, even in the case of a WAN outage, it might be best to consider alternative models.

Multisite WAN with distributed call processing

Multisite WAN with distributed call processing can be always deployed at multiple different sites, and each would have its call processing agent. Connected to PSTN or IP-WAN or a combination of the two. It can transfer reliably voice data and there is no loss of functionality due to call processing agents at each site. This model is best used for businesses with multiple sites in different regions.

Clustering over the IP WAN

Larger organizations with users across several sites might consider this deployment model. It would connect each site via IP-WAN with QoS features. The advantages of this model include having a unified plan, shared line appearances, and feature transparency.

Features of IP Telephony

IP Telephony empowers businesses with a much broader range of functionality and capabilities to make their business much more efficient in a modern working landscape. Below are the advantageous features of an IP phone system (IP PBX).

HD voice: Essentially ‘High Definition’ voice means users can leverage a more seamless, clearer quality of sound that wipes out background noise.

One number: Investing in IP technology allows users to have one single phone number to call from different handsets.

Least call routing: Least call routing (LCR) allows you to economize by letting the system automatically establish the best way to route your calls. This ensures that the pre-set, lowest-cost option will be usually selected as the routing path for each external call.

Call handoff: Call handoff is a feature that means users can switch from one device to another seamlessly and without audible disruption. For example, users coming to the end of their day can switch from a desktop to a mobile device. They continue their call as they shut down.

Fixed-mobile convergence: For many roles, such as sales and client servicing or support, businesses need an ‘always on’ model for these profiles. Fixed Mobile Convergence means that a mobile phone can act as another hub with all the functionality of the phone system. This includes call transfer and conference features.

IP Telephony Protocols

Session Initiation Protocol

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol that establishes a ‘session’ between two or more participants.

H.323

Similar to the SIP protocol, H.323 boasts the same functionality. The H.323 protocol is commonly used for the initiation, modification, and termination of a session.

Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP)

This protocol features a packet format for the transmission of audio or video in packet format across the internet. We mostly employed this for streaming television services, videoconferences, and voice media.

Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP)

This protocol works in tandem with RTP and defined in RFC 3550. It is the protocol accountable for transmitting control packets, the respective recipients of a call.

Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP)

Secure Real-time Transport Protocol, defined as RFC 3711, is always used for WebRTC technology as one of the security protocols. It adds security elements, such as message authentication and confidentiality.

Session Description Protocol (SDP)

Published as RFC 4566, SDP is the internet protocol standard for defining the type of multimedia communication session for session announcements and invitations. This protocol supports streaming video conferences and voice-over IP applications.

Factors to consider when installing the Fanvil IP telephony system

Do you have multiple locations?

Many businesses today have more than one location or have future growth plans that will increase the number of offices and locations served. One of the most valuable features of modern business phone systems is the ability to integrate different locations under the same phone system. If you operate in multiple locations or plan to expand geographically, consider a phone system that is highly scalable and easy to integrate across locations.

Do you have virtual employees who require mobility?

A lack of effective technology leaves remote employees missing business calls or messages, disconnecting them from clients, vendors, and coworkers. Having a phone system that adapts to the needs of a remote workforce ensures that it centralized all voice communications to a single device. This simplifies the process for you and your employees.

  Do you have the resources to host your phone service on-site, or will it need a provider?

Landlines through a local or regional phone company require on-site hardware to route the phone lines and connections, requiring significant IT support and maintenance. VoIP systems use the internet as opposed to traditional telephone lines to make phone connections. This solution requires a stable internet connection to be effective. The internet functionality also requires you to choose if you have the resources necessary to host the system on-site. Also, if you will use an external provider to host in the cloud.

  Are usability and ease of adoption important to you?

Having a phone system that is easy to use and simple to train employees on is important. Finding an intuitive system that makes it easy for users to find and call their coworkers increases user adoption. Your directory should provide complete and accurate information so users are confident they are calling the right person. Common features of your phone system, such as making, receiving, and transferring calls, should be easy for users to execute.

  Do you require customization or standardization updated?

Business phone systems typically require customizations to company standards, such as greetings, caller groups, and call routing. With most VoIP options, you can change the greeting through the virtual receptionist. When evaluating phone system options, consider the time it takes for installation and maintenance due to your required customizations. Typically, the more complex the usability of the phone system is, the more your IT team requires more labor.

Hubtech Limited provides the following categories of Fanvil IP phones:

V Series High-end IP Phone

  • V67 Flagship Smart Video Phone
  • V65 Prime Business Phone
  • V64 Prime Business Phone
  • V62 Essential Business Phone

X Series IP Phone/Call Center Phone

  • X7A Android Touch Screen IP Phone
  • X7A Android IP phone with a camera
  • X7 Enterprise IP phone
  • X7C Enterprise IP phone
  • X210 High-end Enterprise IP phone
  • X4/G Enterprise IP Phone
  • X3SG Pro Entry Level IP phone
  • X3SG Pro/X3SP Pro Entry Level IP phone
  • X3S/X3SP Enterprise IP phone
  • X3SG Lite Entry Level IP phone
  • X3S Lite/X3SP Lite Entry Level IP phone
  • X3SG New Version IP phone.
  • X3SW Wi-Fi phone
  • X1SG Entry Level IP phone
  • X1S/X1SP Enterprise IP phone
  • X2P/X2C Call Center Phone

XU Series Business IP Phone

  • X6U High-end IP phone
  • X5U High-end IP phone
  • X5U-R Special Red IP Phone
  • X4U Enterprise IP Phone
  • X3U Enterprise IP phone
  • X3U Pro Entry Level IP Phone

H Series Hotel IP Phone

  • H5W Wi-Fi IP phone
  • H5 Hotel IP phone
  • H3W Wi-Fi IP phone
  • H3 Hotel IP Phone
  • H2U Compact IP phone