Converting traditional BT business landline to 3cx, retaining phone number

[k_21_UK]

Hi all,

Hope you are all good.

I've currently got a traditional landline business phone system (one phone) with BT (UK ISP), I want to change this to a VoIP system where customers can call the existing number and they will go straight into an IVR configured though 3cx then something like "Press 1 to talk to the store" which will then call the physical handset on the business shop floor.

and of course, I require outgoing calls (UK only)

I'm new to VoIP systems stuff so go easy on me lol, I've seen I may need an ATA? Not sure

I definitely want to retain my current number, just not sure how.

BT is also our broadband provider.

Thank you,

I appreciate any help!

 

[nub]

Hi, get your 3cx system working the way you would like with a pilot/temporary number and then when you would like to go live, call forward your business number to the pilot/temporary number and do the porting later.

 

[Saqqara]

Select a 3cx supported sip provider https://www.3cx.com/partners/sip-trunks/

Get a sip trunk, choose how sip channels you need (one channel is one call) . configure the sip trunk in 3cx along with outbound rules.

tget the sip provider to mask your outgoing number with your current number.

Get the current provider to forward the existing number to the new sip number

Start the porting process to transfer the existing number to the sip provider, the sip provider will help you in this process. When the transfer is complete, adjust your sip trunk to reflect the required changes for your number

Note : if you are planning to host the 3cx server in-house, if you are using a bt hub, you may need to change it to allow the correct firewall setup https://www.3cx.com/docs/ports/

You could get 3cx to host the 3cx server, in which case select a sip provider that is supported for 3cx hosted.. if you go down this route you will require a sbc server for the handsets to work https://www.3cx.com/docs/3cx-tunnel-session-border-controller/
Select a supported handset that allows sbc configuration https://www.3cx.com/sip-phones/

 

[leejor]

I would first ask BT if they can convert your number to VoIP, for people that bring their own SIP devices, which in your case, would be 3CX and not an ATA. I know they are moving away from copper, and if they don't require you to use an ATA provider by them, it could go direct to 3CX as a trunk. This may limit you to hosting 3CX yourself, if you didn't plan on doing this, then porting the number, to another provider, as explained above, would be the answer.

You could also retain the PSTN line, connect to a gateway, then bring into 3CX as a trunk, again, if you are hosting yourself.

 

[ChrisC_3CX]

I think asking BT if they can convert the number as @leejor mentioned would be the way to go. After all, BT is a 3CX Supported provider: https://www.3cx.com/partners/sip-trunks/uk/