Knowledge
Plain answers about business phones
The questions we get asked most, answered the way we’d answer them on the phone. Each article says where its facts come from and when we last checked them.
Articles
- What is a SIP trunk? A SIP trunk connects your phone system to the public phone network over the internet. When it fits, and what to ask a provider in Canada before you sign.
- POTS line replacement: what copper retirement means for your building Copper phone lines are being retired. What that means for elevator phones, fire panels, alarm and fax lines in an Alberta building, and your options.
- The elevator emergency phone: what it’s for, how it connects and how to test it What the elevator emergency phone must do, how it connects to a staffed location, why it gets forgotten when lines change, and how to test it in Alberta.
- Cloud vs on-premise phone system: let the building decide A cloud based phone system suits most offices. Some buildings need the system on site. Decide by connection, analog lines and life safety, not fashion.
- 911 from a business phone system: the short version What the CRTC expects for 911 from a multi-line business phone system in Canada, what is voluntary, and four things to check in your building.
Corrections
If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us at support@northstar.tel. We fix the page and note the date.
Not sure where your phone system stands?
The Telephony Health Check is a fixed-fee look at what you have, what 911 does from every phone, and where the money leaks. Or call (403) 698-0700 and a person answers.