911 and VoIP - What You Need to Know

In recent times, the introduction of VoIP providers for telecommunications has changed the whole concept of the telephone, but one important issue you need to be aware of is  VoIP and 911 functionality.

It cannot be denied that the ability to dial 911 in case of an emergency can never be compromised, and for this reason alone many people are nervous to completely give up their traditional phones altogether. 911, is a number that should be available to the entire population, free of charge, twenty four hours a day, and the technology used to make the call should not matter. A 911 call automatically diverts to the Public Switch Telephone Network, and the Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to provide this same service with VoIP as from a standard landline, mobile or cell phone.

Using a VoIP provider for your phone calls means cheaper calling, with no phone lines and just the use of an Internet signal. In fact, VoIP has taken the business world by storm as well as being popular with individuals for totally free video calling. But what needs to be recognized here is the need to make emergency calls too in this way. The trouble that arises when trying to use a VoIP provider for traditional and emergency type calling is that the portable provider will not always recognize where the call is being generated from. In fact, this is something that many people like about VoIP service providers such as Datavo; they can call from wherever they want and stay anonymous. However, when calling 911, a vital component of the call is that the operator can identify your position immediately without you having to tell them; and here lies the dilemma of VoIP and 911functionality. 

Improvements have been made to step up the safety of relying on VoIP for emergency calling, and now all 911 calls will reach the correct public safety authority. What cannot however be done is to ensure that the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) staff answering the call can call you back if necessary as the origin of your call is not clear for them to see. In fact, although precautions are in place and improvements are being sought, at this present moment it cannot be guaranteed that one hundred percent of VoIP calls will be directed correctly, some being directed wrongly to unmanned lines of the PSAP. You can however set a location on your VoIP phone, but this will only work if you remember to change it as you move around. Also, as VoIP relies on an Internet signal, you need to be prepared for times when you simply cannot get enough signal to call in bad weather, or when your Internet goes down and you cannot call at all. Datavo makes sure in  providing their customers with up to the minute information on the limitations of VoIP and 911 functionality, the message for now being that if you are with children, the elderly or in a place where you may be at risk and need to call the emergency services, always have a traditional or cellular device on hand.

Overview of the Cisco SPA303 3-Line IP Phone

The Cisco SPA303 IP Phone is a feature rich VoIP phone that administers voice communication over an IP network that is fully functional with myDatavo. This model phone includes traditional features, such as redial, transferring calls, call forwarding, conference calling, speed dialing, and access to your voicemail. Calls can be handled through the handset, headset or over the speaker option.

IP Phones include specialized features that are not available on traditional phones. The SPA303 phone has an Ethernet port that allows it to be connected directly to the internet and linked to your computer network. It also included an additional port so that your computer can be connected to the network through the IP phone.

Included Features:

• Three voice lines
• Pixel-based display: 128 x 64 monochrome graphical liquid crystal display (LCD)
• Line status: active line indication, name and number
• Menu-driven user interface
• Shared line appearance*
• Speakerphone
• Call hold
• Music on hold*
• Call waiting
• Caller ID name and number
• Outbound caller ID blocking
• Call transfer: attended and blind
• Three-way call conferencing with local mixing
• Multiparty conferencing via external conference bridge
• Automatic redial of last calling and last called numbers
• On-hook dialing
• Call pickup: selective and group*
• Call park and unpark*
• Call swap
• Call back on busy**
• Call blocking: anonymous and selective
• Call forwarding: unconditional, no answer, and on busy
• Hot line and warm line automatic calling
• Call logs (60 entries each): made, answered, and missed calls
• Redial from call logs
• Personal directory with auto-dial (100 entries)
• Do not disturb
• Digits dialed with number auto-completion
• Anonymous caller blocking
• Support for Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) (IP) dialing (vanity numbers)
• On-hook default audio configuration (speakerphone and headset)
• Multiple ring tones with selectable ring tone per line
• Called number with directory name matching
• Ability to call number using name: directory matching or via caller ID
• Subsequent incoming calls show calling name and number
• Date and time with support for intelligent daylight savings
• Call duration and start time stored in call logs
• Call timer
• Name and identity (text) displayed at startup
• Distinctive ringing based on calling and called number
• 10 user-downloadable ring tones
• Speed dialing, eight entries
• Configurable dial/numbering plan support
• Intercom*
• Group paging
• Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal, including Serial Tunnel (STUN) support
• DNS SRV and multiple A records for proxy lookup and proxy redundancy
• Syslog, debug, report generation, and event logging
• Support for highly secure encrypted voice communications
• Built-in web server for administration and configuration with multiple security levels
• Automated remote provisioning, multiple methods; up to 256 bit encryption (HTTP, HTTPS, Trivial File Transfer Protocol [TFTP])
• Option to require administrator password to reset unit to factory defaults

*Feature requires support by call server.
**Feature activated via feature code.

For more information please contact Datavo at 1-877-7-DATAVO.

Smartbiz - A myDatavo Hosted Phone Solution

myDatavo Smartbiz is a VoIP, cloud based, fully featured phone system that lets you manage extensions, view voicemail, faxes and handle inbound or outbound calls to your business lines from the web, through free mobile apps and Windows software. 

With the click of a few buttons you can manipulate call handling rules from anywhere in the world by accessing Datavo’s easy to use portal. Our web portal mobile apps not only give you complete control over your business extensions but convert your team’s smartphones and tablets into a fully featured desk phones; therefore, when your desk line rings, your devices with myDatavo mobile installed will ring at the same time.

With myDatavo SmartBiz you only need a high-speed internet connection and everyone at your business is making calls in no time. Unlike old systems, myDatavo Smartbiz does not have any expensive, bulky hardware and can be set up online in minutes. Your Datavo phones will be sent directly to your office and will arrive Datavo Ring Ready® so there’s no time wasted.

Ultimately, myDatavo SmartBiz delivers the features and services you require to communicate efficiently with customers and colleagues no matter where you are.

Included Features:

• Administration Web Portal
• myDatavo Mobile for iOS and Android
• myDatavo Assistant Toolbar
• myDatavo Communicator Softphone
• Easy Phone Manager
• Easy Call Manager
• Music on Hold
• Visual Voicemail with VM to Email
• Phone Remote
• Unified Contacts
• Voice Mail Fusion
• Call Jump
• Cisco 3 line phone per Extension
• Unlimited local, station-to-station or on-net calling

Premium Options:

• MPLS dedicated T1 Access
• Unlimited Additional Users
• Easy or Premium Auto Attendant
• Unified Fax Messaging
• Incoming Call Manager
• Voicemail Speech to Text
• HD Conferencing
• Installation Services Available

Teleconferencing - The New Way of Doing Business

US Navy Holding a Teleconference

In the last decade, technology has made it possible for businesses to become larger and more spread out. As they spread out, more and more employees are working from home, other states, or even countries. Due to this, physical office locations and employees can often be thousands of miles apart from each other. Due to this it can be very difficult to get all of you employees in the same place to conduct training and meetings.

To remedy this problem Datavo suggests teleconferencing. What is teleconferencing you ask? It is a conference in which participants communicate from different locations via telephone or video network.

With teleconfrencing, your company can conduct training, workshops, staff meetings, and demonstrations by telephone or internet instead of in person. 

Let us go over a few of the different types of teleconferencing.

• Audio Teleconference is voice-only and is usually referred to as just 'conference calling'. To use this service participants are given a designated telephone number to call into at a certain time or an assigned moderator can call each participant. Participants are connected throught a confrence bridge, which acts as a telephone and pick up multiple calls at once.

• Video Conference is a combination of audio and video and provides voice and video communictaions. It is able to dispaly anything that can be recorded by a video camera. It has an advantage of displaying moving images making participants able to see each others expressions and demeanors from remote locations.

• Computer Teleconference uses a telephone line to connect two or more computers or modems. Anything you can do on a computer can be sent over the telephone line. It is used mostly by distance learning institutions where students are required to log into a system for a set period of time and download work. They are able to download their required files, complete their assigments and then upload them onto the confrencing system. 

Businesses utilizing VoIP (Voice over IP) are able to host teleconfrencing calls themselves if their VoIP software supports it. Teleconferencing can lower the costs of your business by reducing travel, meals and lodging since your employees are able to connect to each other from remote locations.

How Does Datavo Deliver VoIP?

If you have never heard of VoIP, be prepared to radically change the way you think about your current local and long distance plans. VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a method for taking analog audio signals and converting them to digital signals that are sent over the internet.

Datavo can provide VoIP to a business customer with the following two methods: ATA or IP Phones.

What is an ATA?

An ATA or Analog Telephone Adapter is the most common way of using VoIP. It is a communication device that allows you to hook up the phone or phone system that is already in your business to your Internet connection. It converts the analog signals your phone sends out into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. ATA's are largely cheaper compared to normal analog telephone systems.

Most ATA's are a small box with an Ethernet port, a power adapter, one or many FXS telephone ports and at times may include a FXO link as well. Depending on the brand and model, it consumes around 3-5 Watts of electricity.

What is an IP Phone?

The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP Phones instead of you desk phone. The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and cradle, the only difference is that instead of plugging your IP phone into the wall jack like you would with a normal analog phone, it gets plugged directly into your router or modem.

This option allows you to circumvent your personal computer, and it also means that you will not have to install any software, because it is all built into the handset. Additionally, the fact that WiFi IP phones have now become available, which allows callers to make VoIP calls from any WiFi hotspot, make this option an exciting possibility.

What is an IP Phone?

An IP Phone is one which uses the internet, as opposed to a traditional telephone carrier, to make calls and receive calls. The calls are made over an IP network like Internet or can be made via a companies private IP network.  IP Phones uses protocols allowing callers to view the individual on the other line, and can be viewed by those they are calling.

How does an IP Phone work?

There are certain elements which a IP Phone requires in order to properly function including:

• phyical hardware (earpiece, keypad, display screen, etc); 
• DNS client, STUN client, DHCP client; 
• video & audio capabilities; and,
• a friendly user interface. 

These elements make up the internal system of an IP Phone. 

What features does an IP Phone have? 

There are also several great features you will get with an IP Phone including:

• caller id; 
• encrypted communications; 
• conference calls; 
• call transfers; 
• directories; and, 
• other features (depending on the IP provider, and depending on whether it is the internet, or a private network provider)

An IP Phone also has several features which a traditional phone does not have. Some of these features includes:

• email contacts (making it easier to remember the contacts or phone number); 
• easy sharing contact lists (multiple accounts); and, 
• other features similar to PC based phone services.

The IP Phone is great for businesses that do conference calls, and want to que in everyone who should be involved in the meeting. With the audio and visual, you can easily interact, and can include a larger group of people in to a call, than other phones allow you to do.

What You Should Know About VoIP and 911 Functionality

In recent times, the introduction of VoIP providers for telecommunications has changed the whole concept of the telephone, but one important issue you need to be aware of is  VoIP and 911 functionality.

Using a VoIP provider for your phone calls means cheaper calling, with no phone lines and just the use of an Internet signal. In fact, VoIP has taken the business world by storm as well as being popular with individuals for totally free video calling. But what needs to be recognized here is the need to make emergency calls too in this way. The trouble that arises when trying to use a VoIP provider for traditional and emergency type calling is that the portable provider will not always recognize where the call is being generated from. In fact, this is something that many people like about VoIP service providers such as Datavo; they can call from wherever they want and stay anonymous. However, when calling 911, a vital component of the call is that the operator can identify your position immediately without you having to tell them; and here lies the dilemma of VoIP and 911functionality. 

It cannot be denied that the ability to dial 911 in case of an emergency can never be compromised, and for this reason alone many people are nervous to completely give up their traditional phones altogether. 911, is a number that should be available to the entire population, free of charge, twenty four hours a day, and the technology used to make the call should not matter. A 911 call automatically diverts to the Public Switch Telephone Network, and the Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to provide this same service with VoIP as from a standard landline, mobile or cell phone.

Improvements have been made to step up the safety of relying on VoIP for emergency calling, and now all 911 calls will reach the correct public safety authority. What cannot however be done is to ensure that the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) staff answering the call can call you back if necessary as the origin of your call is not clear for them to see. In fact, although precautions are in place and improvements are being sought, at this present moment it cannot be guaranteed that one hundred percent of VoIP calls will be directed correctly, some being directed wrongly to unmanned lines of the PSAP. You can however set a location on your VoIP phone, but this will only work if you remember to change it as you move around. Also, as VoIP relies on an Internet signal, you need to be prepared for times when you simply cannot get enough signal to call in bad weather, or when your Internet goes down and you cannot call at all. Datavo makes sure in  providing their customers with up to the minute information on the limitations of VoIP and 911 functionality, the message for now being that if you are with children, the elderly or in a place where you may be at risk and need to call the emergency services, always have a traditional or cellular device on hand.

What is an ATA?

An ATA, or Analog Telephone Adapter is a communication device that connects one or multiple analog telephones to a computer or a digitalized telephone network using VoIP so that users can make fast and efficient phone calls over the internet. ATA's are largely cheaper compared to both normal analog telephone system as well as specialized VoIP phones that are directly connected to the USB port of a computer.

How do ATA's work?

Most ATA's are a small box with an Ethernet port, a power adapter, one or many FXS telephone ports and at times may include a FXO link as well. Users have the provision of plugging in one or more traditional analog telephone equipment into the ATA and all connected analog devices operates independently over a VoIP network. ATA' s generally communicates with VoIP servers using a set of protocols like IAX, SCCP, MGCP, SIP and encodes or decodes voice signal using voice codecs like iLBC, GSM, G.729, G.711 etc. Depending on the brand and model, it consumes around 3-5 Watts of electricity.

Types of ATA's:

Next, there are numerous types of ATA's that create a physical connection between a computer device or a computer and a phone. Some other types of adapters also performs functions like analog to digital conversion by connecting directly to the VoIP server.When used in a commercial setting, in most cases an ATA comprise of a few telephone jacks and an RJ-45 cable connected to a standard 10/100 Base T Ethernet switch or hub which in turn is connected to a LAN. 

Top 10 VoIP Features for Small Business

Top 10 VoIP Features for Small Business

Here is a look at the Top 10 VoIP features for small businesses:

1.  Automated Call Distribution helps businesses make the most of their contact center staff, by automating call distribution to the next available agent.

2.  Call Routing and Forwarding provides remote access for a mobile workforce. Features include “Find Me-Follow Me” , which forwards calls from office desk phone to mobile phones, laptops, home phones, and more.

3.  Data Integration links the softphone system with inventory, customer relationship management (CRM), and sales systems.

4.  Auto Attendant routes calls to a standard greeting, voicemail, or a self-service directory.

5.  Conferencing. VoIP business softphone systems feature instant conferencing, as well as video and Web conferencing applications.

6.  Directory Service relies on interactive voice recognition (IVR) to support automated directory access and call routing. Callers navigate the directory system by speaking a name or extension number.

7.  Voicemail. VoIP voicemail services feature unified messaging, which sends messages as an audio recording or an email. Users can access voicemail from any device, including mobile phones, laptops, and home phones.

8.  Wed-Based Administration Interface allows users to set routing and call preferences, as well as make adds, changes, and moves.

9.  Presence Management helps business employees work together across the world. The presence tool identifies who is available and the best way of contacting them (email, phone, IM).

10. Unified Communications Collaboration Tools help business workers collaborate with partners, clients, and colleagues worldwide. Features include screen sharing, document sharing, wikis, virtual whiteboarding, and business “social networking” applications.

Today’s small businesses face many logistical challenges as they compete in the global marketplace. Without the global office network of large enterprises, small businesses rely on their data networks to bridge the locational divide. VoIP services afford small businesses access to basic and advanced IP communications features, bringing together colleagues and supporting relationships with business partners and customers worldwide.

Why VoIP?

Why VoIP?

 A regular telephone system uses a PSTN (Public Switch telephone Network) which is connected through a network of cables and wires. Maintaining and upgrading of these wires and cables make recurring costs for the users high. On the other hand  VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) for the layman can be understood as a combination of technologies that facilitates the conversion and transmission of sound and voice data over the internet.

VoIP is ideally suited to small and large business houses who need to communicate between clients and branches through telephonic conversations and conferences where the PSTN communication expenses rise beyond validation.

Statistics from 2008 onwards signify that 80% of all new PBX lines were VoIP. The reason for the switch in telephony systems by users are numerous and very obvious. Not only are  VoIP lines cheaper, they are also much more efficient. VoIP systems lets you connect seamlessly through various interfaces and locations through your computer using voice and video technologies. It not only saves on telephone costs, but organizations are also saving huge amounts on travel. Meetings and reviews can now be held through video conferencing, cutting down travel costs of executives based in different locations. The benefits are so apparent that 80% of the users of normal PBX systems have shifted to VoIP systems, a statistics that just underlines the communication trends of the future.

VoIP also allows efficient monitoring of employee calls and productivity. Additional effective communication tools can be integrated into the system through various software that enable employees to communicate efficiently. Call logs and costs too can be accessed at the click of a button on your computer.

VoIP can not only communicate voice but also transmits textual data applications like fax, sms, etc. It can also be used to communicate data like spreadsheets, presentations and can communicate across interfaces and mediums of PSTN telephone, Mobile telephones, VoIP systems and computers.

VoIP is easily installed through plug and play options which can be fused with your computer. The scalability cost of VoIP is virtually nonexistent, you just plug another system on the network and another work station is ready.

An archetypal setting of VoIP  integration is where an existing client calls one of the sales managers through your VoIP PBX systems. On the connection of the call all previous data of the client is displayed on your computer. His previous records, requirements, outstanding and payment schedule are at the display screen of the manager while he is still exchanging greetings. This allows the manager to communicate effectively and efficiently with minimal wastage of time. The clients to have evolved in their outlook and expectations for services required through the technological advances offered by bigger business houses.

The VoIP systems offer more at substantially reduced costs. Most Fortune 500 companies are already using the VoIP systems because they have been able to identify with the advantages of the use of VOIP systems.

Don't change the need to communicate instead change the way you communicate to achieve better results and rewards.

Why Virtual PBX?

A virtual PBX is a hosted private branch exchange phone system that does not require installation of any equipment or hardware that is otherwise required for a traditional PBX phone system. The virtual PBX, a cloud base phone system is typically hosted and managed by third party vendors. The users require an internet connection and VoIP enabled phones to access the phone service.


A Virtual PBX phone system provides access to the most advanced and feature rich phone system that is easy to install, configure, use and manage. With a cloud base phone system you can focus on your core business activities rather than focusing your time, cost and effort in operating a business phone system. This is possible as the Virtual PBX companies handle the installation, configuration and management of the system and you simply use it. Hosted PBX or a cloud base phone system works over internet through VoIP, public switched telephone network (PSTN) or both. A virtual PBX provides several benefits as opposed to a traditional PBX phone system such as the following:

• Big Savings:  The first and foremost benefit of a virtual PBX phone system is the low cost of ownership as it doesn't require purchasing expensive hardware and equipment that is required for a traditional PBX system.
• Low Call Costs:  A virtual PBX works over internet using VoIP which is cheaper as opposed to the traditional call using the PSTN.  All that is required is an internet connection and VoIP based phone systems.
• Faster Time to Market:  A virtual PBX is easy to install and doesn't involve complex configurations and setting up of systems. All the configurations and set up related tasks are taken care of by the Hosted cloud base phone system provider.
• Resource Optimization:  A virtual PBX phone system doesn't require resources or people to install, maintain and support the system as it is hosted and all these tasks are taken care of by the cloud base phone system provider. With a Virtual PBX, your business need not worry about the maintenance overheads, repairs or support of the PBX system which results in big savings.
• State of the Art Features:  Additional benefits include state of the art, Fortune 500 business features such as a toll free number, automated assistant, pushing voice mail to emails, call forwarding, call screening and many more. These Fortune 500 business features make the virtual PBX phone system a viable option for businesses of all sizes.
• Automation:  A Virtual PBX phone system allows automation of several tasks that otherwise require a physical resource or employee intervention, reducing the cost and effort. Automation can include, but is not limited to call screening, call forwarding, etc.  Automation can differ from company to company based on the business requirements.

With the ever increasing enhancements to technology, a cloud base phone system provides a robust and hassle free business phone system that provides state of the art features at an affordable price. The combination of easy to use, low cost, feature rich and quality of the cloud based phone system, makes virtual PBX a preferred choice for any business as opposed to the traditional PBX system.


About Us
Established in 1996, Datavo is a privately held, California telecom company headquartered in North Hollywood. We currently provide telephone service to over 12,000 businesses throughout Los Angeles and Orange County and recognized as a low cost leader throughout the state. Our primary goal is simple. We aim to provide you with cost effective solutions to meet your business's telephone and broadband requirements as well as provide the customer service experience you expect for your company.