The NBX 100, the first local area network (LAN) PBX system from the partnership between Telkom and 3Com, was launched to clients and the media last night.
It uses Ethernet to provide PBX services and supports both software and physical phones. 3Com says it will operate on virtually any existing network that can support the prioritisation of voice packets. It has a maximum of 150 connections.
Telkom product development executive Dan Winters says the NBX 100 will be pricier than a traditional PBX of comparative size, but cost of ownership will be reduced by converging voice and data into a single network.
"There is a lot of cost savings because you operate multiple functions off the network, and it reduces your management," he says.
The system has built-in functions like caller ID, multi-level automated voice responses, PC integration and call handling, and is also touted as a call centre solution.
However, the system runs into legal problems because of its voice over IP (VOIP) capabilities. 3Com says one of the big draw cards of the NBX 100 is that it allows voice traffic to be carried over a corporate wide area network (WAN), which could be illegal under the Telecommunications Act and Telkom`s own licence.
"There is some capabilities we may not be able to use," Winters says. "We are launching this as a LAN product. There have been lots of questions and the market wants us to go with it as a WAN product, but at the moment we don`t know enough about the legal issues."
He says Telkom will look at the options open to it to operate the system over WANs without contravening the law. "We believe the box has enough functionality so that we can manage it and not get into trouble."
Winters says such LAN products are being rolled out in anticipation of a liberalised market, when all capabilities will be legal to use.
The system will be co-branded and is available to order immediately. Telkom says it will have a support team dedicated to LAN products and has a 24-hour turnaround goal on installation and repairs.
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