Skype PBX

FREETALK Connect

Put Skype on every phone in your office.

Imagine the money you'd save if you were able to seamlessly make Skype calls from any phone in your office. Imagine being able to do this with a phone system that is a fraction of the cost of comparable systems. Meet FREETALK Connect.

  • Skype Certified

    Skype Certified

    Engineered to give you the highest quality Skype audio experience.

  • Extremely cost effective

    Extremely cost effective

    A fraction of the cost of comparable systems.

  • User friendly

    User friendly

    Easy to set up and use without requiring IT expertise.

  • Full featured

    Full featured

    Compares favorably to high-end enterprise-class systems.

Setup & Management

Auto-Provisioning of IP Phones

Just by connecting your IP desktop and conferencing phones to your network, your phones will be detected and configuration files for your phones generated and pushed out to your phones. FREETALK Connect auto-provisioning works with almost all models of desktop and conference IP phones from providers such as Aastra, Cisco Small Business Pro series, Linksys, Polycom and snom.

Wizard Driven Setup

The FREETALK Connect is designed for the do-it-yourselfer. The wizard walks users through a series of simple questions about their organization and uses this information to automatically configure the system for basic communications management within the organization. The wizard installs and configures all basic networking, telephony system and user functionality on the FREETALK Connect and requires no IT or telephony expertise or experience.

Remote Management

If your FREETALK Connect system administrator or support resource is located somewhere that does not permit direct access to your FREETALK Connect appliance, that’s no problem. FREETALK Connect has remote administration capabilities that enable the system to be administered from anywhere Internet access is available.

Report Exporting (.csv)

Extend FREETALK Connect’s powerful reporting engine, including Call Detail Reports, by creating .csv files that you can import into applications such as Excel and Access.

Status Pages

View the real-time status of the FREETALK Connect system. You can quickly see which phones are connected and which analog and VoIP phone services are up and running.

Networking

WAN Connectivity

FREETALK Connect provides Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity for all standard broadband connection services. FREETALK Connect supports always-on connections using DHCP (typical of cable and some DSL connections); username and password supported systems (PPPoE, typically used by DSL connections); or Internet connections requiring a static IP address.

LAN services

Local Area Network (LAN) services such as DHCP server, static DHCP, DNS caching and static DNS naming are supported and easily managed by FREETALK Connect.

Routing

FREETALK Connect incorporates a complete network router supporting NAT addressing, port forwarding, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and quality of service (QoS).

Dynamic DNS

Dynamic DNS is supported for most popular dynamic DNS services (DynDNS, etc.)

Skype

Skype Enabled

FREETALK Connect enables you to receive and make calls via Skype on every phone in your office. Easily integrate with supported IP phones and users’ Skype clients.

Receive Inbound Calls

Accept calls via a Skype for Business ID or a Skype Online™ number.

Make Outbound Calls

Make outbound calls using Skype-to-Skype connections or SkypeOut™ with low rates worldwide.

Click-to-Call

Use the FREETALK Connect SkypeID to create click-to-call services on Websites or email signatures.

Skype Manager

Use Skype Manager to establish and manage Skype for Business accounts for users, to purchase Skype Credits and allocate to users, and to view call detail reports for Skype calling activity.

Telephony

Auto-Attendant (IVR)

The FREETALK Connect Auto-Attendant lets callers press options to reach destination extensions within your company. For example, "Press 1 for Support" or "Press 2 for Sales." The Auto-Attendant feature is easy to use and powerful. With a few simple clicks of the mouse you can manage call flow, forward calls off-site, and more.

Instant Number Portability

Attach up to four existing PSTN lines and let the FREETALK Connect manage your existing phone numbers. Easily transition into the additional features and benefits offered by FREETALK Connect and its Skype enhancements.

Unified Voicemail-to-Email

Receive your voicemails as emails! FREETALK Connect can send an email to the voicemail recipient whenever they receive a voicemail. The email has an audio attachment so that you can listen to the voicemail right from your Inbox. Alternatively, FREETALK Connect synchronizes messages with your IMAP server to unify your inbox. If the message is opened or deleted in email it will also be opened or deleted from the phone and vice versa.

Voicemail

FREETALK Connect offers easy ways to retrieve your voicemail messages:

  • Press the voicemail button on your phone.
  • Call the voice mail extension.
  • Dial in remotely from any outside phone to access the voicemail options.
  • Receive attached .wav files in your email.
  • Listen via your user portal.
  • Voicemail to IMAP synchronization.

Unlimited VoIP Accounts

In addition to Skype, FREETALK Connect comes VoIP-ready with no limit to the number of third party VoIP service provider accounts you can setup. In a few minutes, you can configureFREETALK Connect to include your favorite VoIP Providers (SIP or IAX) and configure VoIP for inter-office and intra-office calls while keeping regular calls going out over PSTN or Skype.

IP Phones

FREETALK Connect is one of the most flexible phone systems on the market today, supporting all analog phones and auto-provisioning popular IP phones such as Aastra, Cisco Small Business, Linksys, Polycom, and snom. FREETALK Connect supports MWI (Message Waiting Indicator) on all IP Phones.

Distinctive Ring

Know who is being called or what type of call is coming in by the distinctive ring. In a small business the same person may perform many roles. Distinctive rings will identify if the call is coming in as a result of someone selecting the sales option from the auto-attendant or if it's a support call. In the home, distinctive rings can identify who the inbound call is for. Note: Not all phones support customizable ring tones.

Simultaneous Ring

Take one inbound call and ring all phones or those identified as part of a Team; the first to pick up gets the call.

Name Directory

FREETALK Connect comes pre-configured with a professional "spell-by-name" directory. Callers are simply prompted to "spell the first three letters of the party's first name." They are then automatically connected to the requested extension.

Call Forwarding

Users can use their personal User Portal to enable call forwarding to either an internal extension or to an external number.

Music/Messages on Hold

Music-on-Hold (MOH) is as simple as uploading audio files using the Web-based administration panel. The audio files may contain music or messages. You choose what you would like to have your callers listen to while on hold.

Least Cost Routing

FREETALK Connect can configure outbound routes such that local calls are prioritized to go out over local fixed-rate PSTN analog lines while long distance calls are routed via Skype/SkypeOut or an alternative VoIP service provider at low per-minute calling rates available via Skype or the VoIP service provider.

PSTN Failover

FREETALK Connect offers VoIP-users a PSTN failover in case of an Internet service interruption. PSTN Failover ensures that if your Internet service goes down, your PSTN phone line is still available and operational.

Remote User / Office

FREETALK Connect enables remote users/offices to work as though they were in the same location. Calls can come in through the main phone number and will be routed to them no matter where they are located. Extension to extension dialing works as if the remote user is just down the hall. Using soft-phones or Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones with a SIP client ensures the road warrior and frequent traveler is always in touch. IP phones, once provisioned, can optionally connect via any Internet connection worldwide.

User Portal

FREETALK Connect User Portal enables users to manage their phone system functions from an easy to use interface from their PC rather than using the phone keypad to manage their personal phone preferences. The User Portal allows users to quickly and easily manage their personal activities such as: listen to voicemail, enable do-not-disturb (DND), enable call forwarding, change their email address for voicemail to email, user PIN and personal password from anywhere they have Internet access.

Find Me

Allow callers to find you wherever you are. Simply indicate how you would like to be reached whether at home, a branch office, another internal extension or on your mobile phone. Find Me capabilities will allow FREETALK Connect to find you by ringing other numbers or extensions sequentially or can even ring multiple phones simultaneously.

Teams

FREETALK Connect includes a powerful Team feature that allows you to build multi-user Team extensions and assign permissions to those Teams. You can control Team permissions such as long distance dialing (outbound line control), distinctive ring tones, call forwarding and unique callerID.

Paging

Want to page everyone on your phone system? Simply dial *00 on your phone (or pre-programmed speed dial key) and broadcast your message or request to all phones in the system. Note: There are a few phones that cannot receive pages. Check your phone's user manual.

Custom Caller IDs

FREETALK Connect lets you customize the Caller ID name/number for each user and team allowing you to block, reveal, or change the Caller ID of every user or team on your system. Note: if you are using analog PSTN lines, for 911 reasons, PSTN outbound Caller IDs are always controlled by your carrier.

Routing by DID’s or CallerID

With FREETALK Connect’s ability to route by DID’s or CallerID’s, you can direct calls to a different call menu based on the inbound number dialed or caller’s number as defined by the FREETALK Connect setup.

Advanced Call Forwarding

With a few clicks of your mouse in the User Portal you can forward your extension to another extension, a mobile phone, or any other number.

Conference Bridge

FREETALK Connect comes pre-configured with one conference bridge ready to use for free! Up to ten participants can join a conference simply by dialing an extension and entering the conference PIN code.

Size and Weight

  • Height: 70.0 mm
  • Width: 308.0 mm
  • Depth: 247.0 mm
  • Weight: 2.09 kg

Connectivity

  • Telephony interfaces: 4 FXO, 1 FXS
  • Unlimited SIP trunks (fewer than 10 recommended)
  • Concurrent calls dependent on available Internet bandwidth
  • 1 x WAN (DHCP, Static IP, PPPoE)
  • 1 x LAN (10/100 Mbps)
  • USB, Audio In, Audio Out ports

Codecs

  • G.711, G.729*
  • * Requires purchase of license, included with Skype for Asterisk licenses. Only suitable for Skype calls.

System

  • ITX Main Board- ATOM N270 @ 1.6 GHz , Intel
  • GMA950 display core

Requirements

  • Broadband Internet connection.
  • Skype for Business SkypeID, established via Skype Manager.
  • Skype Manager Account to manage User Skype accounts, Skype credits, Skype Online numbers and usage reporting.
  • PC for access to Administrator Portal and User Portals.
  • If using IP phones, a multi-port Ethernet switch to connect via the LAN port for auto provisioning.
  • Ready access to power (110/240V) via UPS (preferred) or surge protector.

Supported phones

  • Aastra (most models)
  • Cisco Small Business Pro
  • Linksys
  • snom
  • Polycom

Skype for Asterisk

  • Skype inbound & outbound
  • Skype Online
  • SkypeOut
  • Buddy lists
  • One license included
  • Additional licenses required for additional voice channels.

Certifications

  • Skype
  • FCC

In the box

  • FREETALK Connect
  • Universal power adaptor (UL, CSA, CE Approved)
  • 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet cable
  • 2 x RJ-11 Y-cables (for PSTN line inputs)
  • 1 x RJ-11 cable (for analog phone or device)
  • Quick start guide
  • Quick reference cards

Environmental

  • Operating temperature: 0°C to 45°C

Product Identification

  • SKU: TALK-1000
  • EAN: 3744706100011
  • UPC: 374470610008

Manufacturer

  • 1 year limited warranty
  • Manufactured in China
  • ISO 9001 qualified
  • ISO 14001 qualified

Packaging

  • Height: 142.0 mm
  • Width: 390.0 mm
  • Depth: 314.0 mm
  • Weight: 4.14 kg

Setting Up Your FREETALK Connect for the First Time

There are a few steps to take prior to turning on the hardware. FREETALK Connect facilitates your implementation by initially taking you to a Setup Wizard which:

  • establishes your Internet connection,
  • checks for any software updates,
  • associates the unit’s Skype for Asterisk feature with a Business SkypeID,
  • adds Users,
  • creates Teams and
  • sets up an Auto Attendant.

Once the Setup Wizard is completed you are then taken to the Administrator Portal where you can set up many additional features such as (but not limited to):

  • Backing up your FREETALK Connect configuration
  • Setting up a Skype Connect Profile
  • Setting up Find Me by adding “phones” such as mobile phones and remote landline phones to a User’s extension
  • Adding other SIP-based services, including SIP-based telephone accounts from third party service providers
  • Etc.

To prepare for running the FREETALK Connect Setup Wizard the preliminary steps are

FAQ

Does FREETALK Connect require specific phones?

FREETALK Connect is designed to work with standard SIP phones. Phones from Aastra, Linksys, Polycom and Snom have the advantage of being provisioned automatically with the FREETALK Connect system so there is no need for you to do anything but plug them in. You may use other standard SIP phones but you will need to be able to perform some basic provisioning tasks.

Does FREETALK Connect support VoIP service?

While FREETALK Connect has been optimized to take advantage of Skype’s many services it also works with a long list of VoIP service providers or Internet Telephony Service Provider’s (ITSP) services. FREETALK Connect can be configured with multiple providers enabling the ability to select the best rates for the destinations you wish to call.

How do I direct certain calls out a specific line or telephony service?

You can create Dialing Rules that would send calls of different types out different ITSPs, differentiating based on different prefixes. Refer to the documentation for more information.

Why is FREETALK Connect a network router and phone system?

FREETALK Connect has been designed to provide flexibility along with ease of use. If FREETALK Connect is the default network router as well as the phone system issues like Quality of Service (QoS) can be dealt with by default and enabled to manage all traffic helping to ensure that quality of you telephone conversations. As the network router FREETALK Connect is also able to detect when devices such as a SIP phone have been plugged in anywhere on the network. This enables the system to auto-detect and configure phones from providers such as Aastra, Linksys, Polycom and Snom. Additional information on using FREETALK Connect in Router Mode or Appliance Mode may be found here.

Does FREETALK Connect work during a power outage?

The FREETALK Connect will not work without power but does include a PSTN failover for emergency calls. This means that if the power fails the PSTN Line In will work with the PSTN Phone line on the back of the box so that calls can be made using an analog phone plugged into the Phone port. It is strongly recommended that you use a Uninterruptible Power Supply with your FREETALK Connect.

How do I access my voicemail?

Voicemail can be accessed in one of the following ways:

  • Dial 800 from any phone connected to the office network
  • Dial the office phone number and dial extension 800 when the auto-attendant picks up
  • Dial your own extension from any phone assigned to you as a user.

Once you have accessed the voicemail system simply login using the username and PIN provided by your system administrator.

How do I page other phones on the system?

To page other phones on the system, dial *00 from any phone and say your message. When finished, disconnect. Note: Most phones will support inbound pages but some cordless phones may not. Check with your phone provider to determine functionality.

How do I set my voicemail greeting?

Login to your voicemail box and select "0" for mailbox options. Follow the prompts to record the appropriate messages.

How many PSTN lines will FREETALK Connect support?

The FREETALK Connect appliance provides 4 FXO (PSTN lines) on the box.

What is ‘Call Park’ and how does it work?

Call Park enables you to park a call on one phone for retrieval (pick up) on another phone. To use Call Park press the transfer button on your phone and enter extension 700. Listen for the system to announce the number (extension) to access the parked call. Note the number and then press the transfer button again. The user who will pick up the parked call simply needs to pick up the phone and dial the number (extension) to pick up the call.

Will FREETALK Connect work with a SIP softphone?

Leading softphones such as CounterPath’s Bria or Xlite can be easily configured with FREETALK Connect. Simply follow the instructions in the HOWTO section of the support page of this web site.