CISCO 7961 IP Phone -- Can this work with DIGITAL LINE???

[Tony]

Hi All,

I purchased  4 Cisco 7961 IP Phones based on ATT technician recommendation for there UVERSE Bundled package (Voice and DATA).  I purchased the service and when the network was installed I found out the package is not true VOIP but the ATT modem puts out a digital signal on single pair wire.

My question is can this phone be used on a digital line, I see an AUX port looks like for a phone line jack.  I spoke with Cisco but without a service contract, they could not support.

Any support would be appreciated.

Tony

[Dan Lukes]

I assume you mean Cisco Unified IP Phone 7961G

Please note that 7961G is End-Of-Sale for more than  7 years ...

It have just Ethernet, moreover with Cisco proprietary Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) support only. The AUX port is a proprietary serial interface for sidecars. Sue ATT technician for bad advice ...

[Leo Laohoo]

moreover with Cisco proprietary Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) support only

All 796X support SIP (as well as SCCP).  I know this because I have a 7940, 7960 and a 7970 at home running SIP connecting to an Asterisk-based call controller for my personal use.  Doesn't have all the bells-and-whistle as a full-blown Cisco CUCM/CUE pack but it will do the basic stuff:  Inbound/outbound calls, Call transfer, park, hold, call blacklist.  

The AT&T may know some bit but he didn't provide you with the whole pictures.  The phones require a call controller/call manager.  This can either be a Cisco-based systems or a 3rd party (like 3CX or Asterisk).  Alternatively, there are some internet-based voice service provider (VSP) that will happily perform the call control/call manager function. 

Now, when we say "call manager" or "call control" function, I mean "something" has to manage your phones.  It manages how to assign each extension number is assigned to which phones, what numbers can/can't be called, etc.  

[Tony]

Thanks Leo, I'm a startup company trying to keep my costs down.  Sound from your response I need another service to get these phones working.  It may be better if I ditch these IP phones for a standard digital office phones.  Your thoughts??

Tony

[Leo Laohoo]

It may be better if I ditch these IP phones for a standard digital office phones.  Your thoughts??

Look, I'm no expert on these phones.  The phones I have are my hobby and for home use.  

In my humble opinion, unless you've got a Cisco-based call manager, I will decline to assist helping anyone get these phones to go to a non-Cisco based call manager (out of respect) because the phones are meant to be used for business purposes.

However, I would also recommend to get these phones integrated with your business because even at it's simplest level, it can still do some function ordinary phones can't or won't do.  Ordinary phones may not have extension numbers, can't park/transfer calls.  These phones, if integrated to the right call managers can.

At the end of the day, it's your call.