Thought I would follow-up and perhaps even ask another question or 2. In any event, I went back to the client and the ownership issue regarding the cable plant is still up in the air. The plant was put in over 40 years ago and who exactly owns is a little murky. The cable itself is in horrible shape. AT&T is suggesting that the plant is the property of the owner; yet all the pedestals and NIDs all have the usual AT&T warning stickers and "call -800XXXXXX" for buried cable notices. AT&T is also using a number of the pairs to serve homes that reside in between and next to the rental Villas. The new owners are suggesting that the cable is AT&Ts as they think that like streets in a new development, the plant and easements were dedicated to them back in the late 60's. They also think that AT&T is suggesting that the plant is not AT&Ts as they (AT&T) don't want to invest or be responsible for the repairs to same. Over the years some pairs have failed and unused pairs have been used in their place. The new onwers are now thinking of challengiing AT&T about how, if it is their cable, then why is AT&T using the resort's cable plant to provide service to the aforementioned homes without compensation? Also, if a pair that they (resort) use goes bad and it is their plant, then what stops them from re-possessing a pair used by AT&T? They don't want to antagonize AT&T and are still working with them and researching it more. In any event, the owners are also exploring their options to even include going wireless. If it is their plant, then abandoning it and using wireless is cheaper than replacing/repairing the cable. If it is not their plant, then the concerns reverse as there is nothing on their bill that indicates how or if they have ever paid for its use and no document has yet been found to see if perhaps there was some kind of usage rights that remained with the resort after the dedication (if it ever occured or if even feasible). This is out of my league and not sure how it will shake out.
In any event, I was curious as to recommendations on best practice with regard to setting up a hotel console. The owners are looking at a 32 Sim Call package with the hotel option to include the PMS. There will be about 70 rooms in the resort for rental purposes along with another 30 or so for the offices, golf course, maintenance, etc. The rentals are/will be analog single line phones with ATA. The owners looked at different makes and liked the Yealink line - nice feature set, attractive and at a modest price point. So, will likely go with a T-28 and a couple of EXP39, but curious as to how others may have addressed a front desk situation in a hotel environment when I think it highly likely that a number of callers may try and get to the front desk/operator all at the same time. Did you set the phone with mutiple extensions with call forwarding if busy to another extension on the same phone so that they could put the first call on hold to at least answer the second and ....so on? This is my first hotel opportunity and I welcome/appreciate input from those who have done this and even from those who haven't (yet), but have thoughts on the matter.
Thanks and sorry for the long post.