Analog and ISDN Comparison

Analog

• Users that benefit from this type of line do not receive high call volume, do not need to answer someone else’s line, and are not part of a departmental intercom group
• Common features available with analog telephones are 3-way conference calling, call hold, caller ID, call waiting with caller ID, speed dials, call transfer, message waiting indicator
• Advanced features are accessed by dialing a code such as *72 to activate call forwarding
• Analog Lines are most commonly used for:
• single line telephones
• 2-line sets
• Merlin / Legend systems
• fax and credit card machines
• Polycom conference phones
• fire alarms and emergency phones

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

• Users that benefit from an ISDN line receive high call volume, need to answer lines for others, or need to be in a departmental intercom group.
• ISDN telephones can have multiple call appearances of their own number, other ISDN lines, software numbers and analog numbers.
• Areas with heavy telephone activity or where calls are frequently transferred are ideal.
• Advanced features are accessed by pressing a feature button rather than dialing a feature code.
• The intercom feature with 2-digit dialing is available to members of the intercom group