Ask HN: Fax Over Voip

[relm86]

I want to setup a web app for sending Fax over Voip. What would be the best way to go about it? I know I need to obtain a SIP trunk and an asterisk server. Where can I get one at a good price? What are the biggest hurdles to doing this? I really appreciate any advice you can give.

[viraptor]

The biggest hurdle is that it doesn't work. Ok - it does in general, but 1) you need a T.38-compatible termination (to get past ~90% reliability) 2) Whatever you do, you're unlikely to ever reach 99%. Unless you peer directly to the SIP termination network, standard packet drops and jitter will give you enough random connection errors to annoy at least one customer.

Other notes: 1) Please don't assume "voip == asterisk". Have a look at FreeSwitch or Yate too. 2) If you don't feel like reading and understanding most of RFCs 3261, 4566 and some texts about T.38 renegotiation -- start looking for some experienced VoIP person to set you up with the basic gateway. VoIP is unfortunately far away from the "make install && forget" types of services - it needs a maintainer who knows the stuff inside out.

So the best way to go about it? Unless you've got some VoIP / telecom. experience, I'd recommend finding someone who can do it for you either on the *-biz mailing lists, or on typical freelancer portals.