The FREETALK Connect telephony system supports multiple Phone Services: PSTN, Skype for Asterisk and SIP-based services.

Skype Connect is a SIP-based service that provides:

• Inbound calling from a caller’s Skype client to either an Auto Attendant or designated extension (assigned to either a User or Team) on the FREETALK Connect
• Inbound calling from a Skype Online number to either an Auto Attendant or designated extension
  • Has the ability to detect which Skype Online number was used to make the call
• Inbound calling via a Click-to-Call button from a website or HTML email
• Outbound calling via SkypeOut to over 180 countries worldwide at standard SkypeOut international rates
  • Note that Skype Connect offers a reduced rate of 0.8 cents/minute for calls terminated in the continental United States.

Establishing a Skype Connect Profile:

Skype Connect Profiles are created in the Skype Manager[1]. Within a Profile the Administrator can:

• Calling channels: Set up channel subscriptions – voice channels — which are the equivalent of trunks on legacy PBX systems and can be shared across all inbound/outbound services within a Skype Connect profile. Cost is $6.95 per month per voice channel
• Outgoing Calls: Allocate Skype Credits to be used for any Skype Out calls made via the Skype Connect profile
• Set up CallerID for Skype Out calls from any of the voice channels on this Profile. This may be either a Skype Online number or a business’s landline number (verification by Skype required).

· Establish how incoming calls can be made:

• Skype Online Numbers: cost is $6.30 per month
  • ($4.02/month or $2.51/month for 3-/12- month subscription)
  • No charge for inbound minutes
• Mulit-user Skype for Business Accounts, which are totally independent of Skype Online numbers
• Note that inbound calls for each of the above to can be sent to the Auto Attendant or any User or Team extension on the FREETALK Connect

When you set up a Skype Connect Profile you will be provided with Authentication information for the Profile. Basically this information provides access for use of Skype’s SIP gateway to the PSTN.

Detailed information on setting up a Skype Connect Profile can be found in the Skype Connect User Guide and the Skype Connect Quick Start Guide.

A Skype Connect Profile can have multiple SkypeID’s and Skype Online Numbers attached to it. Each may be routed specifically to an Auto Attendant, an individual User or a Team that has been set up on the FREETALK Connect. Within a Skype Connect Profile up to ten Skype Online numbers may come in from any of the 20 countries where Skype Online numbers are available.

Prior to establishing a Skype Connect Service on the FREETALK Connect, it is assumed you have set up via Skype Manager:

• A Skype Connect Profile,
• The Skype for Business SkypeID’s and Skype Online numbers to be associated with the Skype Connect Profiles
• Purchase of at least one voice channel subscription via the Skype Manager.

There are two phases to setting up a Skype Connect Profile on FREETALK Connect:

• Establishing the Skype Connect Profile as a Phone Service, and
• Establishing Inbound Routes for each SkypeID and Skype Online number attached to the Skype Connect Profile

More Information on Skype Connect will be found in these documents (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):

• Skype Connect Product Data Sheet
• Skype Connect Technical Data Sheet
• Skype Connect IT and Requirements Guide (guidelines for managing the Internet connection)
• Click and Call Data Sheet
• Outgoing Calls Data Sheet
• Online Numbers Data Sheet

Establishing a Skype Connect Profile as a Phone Service on FREETALK Connect

Go to Phone Services in the Administrator Portal; click on “Add a phone service” in the left sidebar or “Phone Services” in the Call Settings page. Then click on the button to launch the “Add/Edit Phone Service” screen.

In the resulting Phone Services screen shown below:

• Select SIP as the Service Type and enter a Description.
• In the Username and Passwords fields enter the SIP User “990” number and Password from the Skype Connect Profile Authentication page, an example of which is shown above.
• The Proxy/Port field has two sections when you place a cursor on it: enter “sip.skype.com” in the left section and the Port “5060” in the right hand section.
• Finally check off “Enable ‘From User’” in the right hand panel.
• Click “Save Changes” (not “Save and Close”)

Click on the “Codec Preferences” tab and Select G.711u and G.711a.

Now click on “Save and Close”. Return to the Phone Services Screen where you will see the additional Service with its Username information (note that “Skype for XYZ Power Products” is the Skype for Asterisk service):

Establishing Inbound Routes associated with a Skype Connect Profile

The next step is to add Inbound Routes, or inbound calling rules, for the Skype Connect Service. An Inbound Route needs to be established for each Skype for Business SkypeID and each Skype Online number associated with the Skype Connect Profile.

Skype for Business SkypeID’s

Go back to Skype Manger, select Skype Connect Profiles[1] and select the Skype Connect Profile associated with this FREETALK Connect. Click on Incoming Calls where you will see this screen:

Enter a Skype for Business Account name associated with this Skype Connect Profile[1]. Click on Confirm and you will have an option to enter an Extension to which you want to have calls to this SkypeID directed to; ignore this option as the FREETALK Connect Administration portal offers more flexibility for routing calls to pre-designated extensions. At some point you will also have the option to “Add the Contact” to any Skype account you may have open in a Skype client on the same PC.

Return to the Administrator Portal for the FREETALK Connect and select “Change where incoming calls are sent” from the left sidebar. You will enter the Inbound Routes screen where any of the white routes below will already exist:

To set up an Inbound Route for Skype Connect associated with the SkypeID we have set up above:

• Click on “Add a New Rule”
• Enter a Rule Name (any text will do)
• Under “Route From” select the “Pattern” button and enter an exclamation point followed by the SkypeID (in this example case “!freetalkconnect.skc”)
• Select the Application tab on the right and scroll down to the Auto Attendant application (usually the last application in the list). Or designate that calls to the Skype ID would go to a Team or an individual User by clicking on either the User or Team tab.
• Click on “Save Details” and you will see a new Inbound Route as highlighted above.

Repeat the above process for any additional Skypefor Business SkypeID’s and Skype Online numbers associated with this Skype Connect Profile.

Skype Online Numbers

A similar process applies to using (a) Skype Online number(s) associated with this Skype Connect Profile

· Sign up for a Skype Online number at the Incoming Calls line of the Skype Connect Profile’s “Profile Settings” screen. Again you will have the option to assign an Extension on the FREETALK Connect to a Skype Online number.

· Go the the Inbound Routes screen and set up an Inbound Route for the Skype Online number where now the Pattern would be “!(Skype Online number’s digits)”.

· And then direct it to the Auto Attendant, a User or a Team.

Confirming the Skype Connect operation on your FREETALK Connect

Having set up Skype Connect, you can test outbound calling by calling the Skype Test Call at +1 (760) 660-4690 from any IP phone attached to the FREETALK Connect.

Test inbound calling by calling either the SkypeID’s from a Skype client on a PC or smartphone[1] and/or the Skype Online numbers from a PSTN-connected phone set.

[1] Works with Skype for iPhone, Skype for Symbian and Skype for Android. It does not work with Skype mobile on Verizon.

[1] Note that you cannot access any Skype for Business Account attached to a Skype Connect Profile via a Skype client on a PC or smartphone; this is all managed within the Skype Connect infrastructure. The Account’ SkypeID can be added as a Contact to any Skype user’s Contact list.

[1] Select the Features icon on the Skype Manager toolbar and select Skype Connect at the bottom of the left hand sidebar.

[1] Click on the link for the Skype Manager Guide.

FREETALK Connect supports works with common SIP desktop phones, but can also be configured to work with your favorite softphone. To configure a softphone, such as CounterPath’s Bria and X-Lite, as a FREETALK Connect Phone follow these four steps:

1. In the Administrator Portal go to Call Settings | Phones. Click on “Add a New Phone”.
2. Select “Softphone” as the Phone Type. Enter a User Name and Password; make note of them as you will need it when configuring your softphone. Assign the phone to the appropriate Owner who must exist as a User or be added in the FREETALK Connect’s Call Settings |Users screen).

1. Go to Networking | Status screen in the FREETALK Connect administration interface. Copy the PUBLIC HOSTNAME, it will also be needed when configuring your softphone.

1. Open your softphone SIP account settings dialog. Enter the username and password from step 2 above as prompted. Enter the PUBLIC HOSTNAME from step 2 above in the field for Domain. If there is a separate field for an outbound proxy, enter the PUBLIC HOSTNAME there as well.
2. If your FREETALK Connect is behind another router (such as a modem/router), whether in Appliance Mode or Router mode, it is necessary to open ports on the primary router connection to the Internet as follows:
   • Open Port Forwarding for UDP at Port 5060 to receive SIP signaling
   • Open Ports 10000 to 20000 to receive the audio stream

Occasionally situations may occur, during a Setup or Network parameter change, where the FREETALK Connect cannot be accessed via the Administrator Portal. Hopefully the user will have backed up his/her settings.

There two ways to restore the default settings via the hardware:

1.     Using an analog phone:

a.     Attach an analog phone to the Analog RJ-11 port on the rear panel

b.     Dial “****” (four asterisks)

c.     When prompted with “Please enter the  option code after the tone”, immediately enter “0001”

d.     When prompted with “To confirm factory reset, Press 1#, immediately enter “1#”

e.     You will then see the lights remain on for 1-2 minutes, then only the Power light (blue).

f.       When the Ready and Telephony LED’s have been turned back on and you hear three beeps the box has been restored to its default settings. Be patient, the entire process may take up to five minutes

If at any time during this process, you get messages or tones indicating that the process has not continued to completion, hang up the phone and repeat the above steps.  You need to respond to the prompts very quickly to complete the process.

2.     Using a paper clip.

a.     Insert an opened paper clip (or very small jeweler’s screwdriver) into the Reset hole to the right of the Power Light or to the left of the Power On/Off button

b.     Press the Reboot button while continuing to press the Reset button

c.     Resetting will take place when Ready (green) and Telephony (yellow LED’s are blinking followed by three beeps.

d.     Hold down the Reset button until you hear 3 beeps

e.     Release the Reset button and the box will reboot; reboot has completed when the Power (blue), Telephony (yellow) and Ready (green) LED’s are lit up steadily.

Once rebooted, you can go to http://192.168.50.1 from web browser to bring up the Setup Wizard.

• Calling. Save time and reduce travel by getting your business contacts and colleagues conference calls whether they’re in their office or on their mobile. Skype calling is free if everyone has Skype and cheap with Skype Credit, a Skype To Go number or subscription.
• Video. Collaborate, communicate and work smarter with Skype’s new video conferencing tool available with instant messenger and file sharing in the new business version of Skype. (We recommend purchasing the FREETALK Everyman Pro Pack for wireless freedom while making high quality audio and HD video calls on Skype.)
• Messaging. Send an instant message or file from your desktop or mobile to other Skype users, or text message using your computer keypad – which can save you money on your mobile phone bill.
• Managing.Take control of employee’s work accounts by managing credit, costs, features and users all from a single easy to use interface with Skype Manager. (No more social chatting during work hours!) Or enhance your SIP-enabled PBX and do more with Skype Connect that works directly with your existing phone system (IP PBX).

• Optimized inbound/outbound call routing. Find the right person fast with the Find Me feature that allows simultaneous or sequential ringing to your many Skype-enabled devices (PC, mobile, TV, phones) or office desktop IP phones. The system routes inbound calls based on a Skype Online number, callerID or custom patterns, while SkypeOut is used for the least cost routing of outbound calls beyond your local calling region.

• Geography is transparent. A user’s extension can be directed to a local desktop (IP phones, user’s Skype client, softphone) or remote locations (user’s Skype client, mobile phones and/or remote phones) so calls get to the right people quickly. Wherever they are.

• Use your Skype client as a “phone.” Log into either a business or personal Skype account on your PC as one means to receive inbound calls to your extension . On receiving a call you can use Skype’s call transfer and multi-party features. From your Skype desktop client you can make outbound calls via Skype to your Skype Contacts (including Skype video calls) or to the PSTN via SkypeOut using Skype Credits associated with the account. This way a person working within a business entity maintains privacy while masking their SkypeID behind the multi-user business SkypeID associated with the FREETALK Connect.

This versatile Skype-enhanced telephone system solution allows small businesses to have flexible enterprise-level PBX functionality on every phone in your office. Increase productivity, manage remote workers/telecommuters and minimize your communications costs by taking advantage of its adoption of Skype features for voice conversations to stay really Connected.

Auto-Provisioning of IP Phones: Just by connecting your IP desktop and conferencing phones to your network, your phones will be detected and configuration files for your phones generated and pushed out to your phones. FREETALK Connect auto-provisioning works with almost all models of desktop and conference IP phones from providers such as Aastra, Cisco Small Business Pro series, Linksys, Polycom and snom.

FREETALK Connect Rear Panel: 4 PSTN Lines, WAN, LAN

Wizard Driven Setup: The FREETALK Connect is designed for the do-it-yourselfer. The wizard walks users through a series of simple questions about their organization and uses this information to automatically configure the system for basic communications management within the organization. The wizard installs and configures all basic networking, telephony system and user functionality on the FREETALK Connect and requires no IT or telephony expertise or experience.

Remote Management: If your FREETALK Connect system administrator or support resource is located somewhere that does not permit direct access to your FREETALK Connect appliance, that’s no problem. FREETALK Connect has remote administration capabilities that enable the system to be securely administered from anywhere Internet access is available.

It’s easy peasy.

Slashes Communications Expenses by Enabling Free Skype-to-Skype Calls and Low-Cost Calls to Landlines and Mobile Phones; Auto-Provisioning Streamlines Setup

GERONA, SPAIN — Oct. 20, 2010 — eBuyNow Limited today announced the immediate availability of the FREETALK^® Connect, the first communications system designed from the ground up to provide small and medium businesses with a fast, cost-effective way to enable Skype calls from supported office phones. With the FREETALK Connect, companies can make Skype-to-Skype calls with Skype users worldwide and can view and manage Skype contact lists using their supported office phones. Companies can also receive inbound voice calls from Skype users around the world via the FREETALK Connect.

At $1,995, the FREETALK Connect system costs significantly less than an enterprise PBX with similar features. Businesses that install the FREETALK Connect can also use Skype Connect™ (formerly Skype for SIP) to take advantage of Skype’s standard per-minute calling rates for calls to landline and mobile phones worldwide from their desktop phones. Skype Connect works with IP-enabled PBXs or third-party gateways that have been certified as interoperable.

The FREETALK Connect’s wizard streamlines the setup process. Simply plug each supported telephone into the company’s existing network, and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures it. An on-screen wizard then guides the customer through a few business-related questions that helps configure the company’s communication system and immediately enables Skype calling from every supported desktop phone in the office.

“The combination of the affordable FREETALK Connect system and Skype quickly adds up to incredible savings for SMBs,” said Craig Smith, CEO for eBuyNow Limited. “The FREETALK Connect’s auto-provisioning, wizard-driven setup, Skype integration, remote management and appliance design quickly gives small and mid-size business owners all of the advantages of Skype’s low-cost global calling rates and Skype-to-Skype calls.”

Designed for businesses with up to 50 employees, the FREETALK Connect offers true unified communications functionality, including Find Me, Follow Me; a unified voice mailbox; automated attendant, auto call distribution and presence.

The FREETALK Connect also features intelligent routing capabilities. Incoming Skype calls, as well as calls over SIP, the PSTN and IAX2, can be routed by the FREETALK Connect to any local or remote Skype user, SIP endpoint or analog or mobile phone.

The FREETALK Connect is available for purchase via the Skype Shop, (http://skype.com/shop) from In Store Solutions (http://freetalk.me/product/freetalk-connect/).

For more information about the FREETALK Connect communications system or to order a unit, visit http://freetalkconnect.com.

About FREETALK

FREETALK is a product innovation catalyst – identifying market gaps and working with its global partners to design, manufacture and quickly bring to market products that disrupt traditional categories.  Leveraging untapped market opportunities, FREETALK products are designed to be environmentally friendly, sold online and delivered globally at aggressive price-points. Always at the forefront of innovation, FREETALK is known for creating synergistic products that add unique value to its partners’ branded points-of-sale.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone services and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype Connect is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype Connect users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional fixed line telephone services, connected to the local exchange, or through other emergency calling capable telephone services.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

Imagine the money you’d save if you were able to seamlessly make and receive Skype calls from any phone in your office. Imagine being able to do this with a phone system a fraction of the cost of comparable phone systems. And imagine setting it up and managing it without hiring an IT worker or paying a consultant. Meet FREETALK Connect, the first truly affordable phone system.

Available now, FREETALK Connect is all about saving SMBs money without sacrificing functionality or quality by putting Skype on every phone in their office landline and mobile, receiving the same dramatic cost savings that Skype delivers to individuals with each and every call. At the same time, there are plenty of business features and services to increase productivity that will be announced in the next coming weeks, including Find Me, Follow Me, Route Me; a unified voice mailbox; an automated FREETALK Connect attendant; and auto call distribution.

FREETALK Connect Rear Panel: 4 PSTN Lines, WAN, LAN

FREETALK Connect has tons of features, and we’ll be introducing them over the next few weeks.  Here are just a few:

FREETALK Connect intelligently routes Skype, SIP, PSTN and IAX2 calls to any local or remote Skype user, or SIP endpoint– on your business desktop IP phone and including softphones or mobile phones. And Auto-provisioning of IP phones makes it simple. Just by connecting your IP desktop and conferencing phones to your network, a scan of your phones will detect them, configuration files for your phones generated and pushed out to your phones. FREETALK Connect auto-provisioning works with the most popular models of desktop and conference IP phones from providers such as Aastra, Cisco Small Business Pro series, Linksys, Polycom and snom.

Designed for offices with between two and 50 users, FREETALK Connect is the full-featured phone system you thought you couldn’t afford. Versatile, robust, and business-ready, FREETALK Connect delivers the price and performance with the features, services, and usability you demand.

MIAMI, January 20, 2010 — eBuyNow Limited today unveiled the FREETALK® Connect, the first communications system designed from the ground up to allow small and medium business owners to enable Skype calls from supported office phones. With the FREETALK Connect, companies can make free Skype-to-Skype calls with the more than 520 million registered Skype users worldwide and can view and manage Skype contact lists using their supported office phones. Companies can also receive inbound voice calls from users of Skype around the world via the FREETALK Connect. They can also participate in the Skype for SIP open beta, which will enable them to take advantage of Skype’s low-cost global calling rates for calls to landline or mobile phones around the world from their desktop phones.

The FREETALK Connect simplifies set up, enabling small business users that are not tech savvy to use it quickly and simply, without formal training. Supported telephones are plugged into the company’s network and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures them. An on-screen wizard then guides the customer through a few business-related questions that help configure the company’s communication system and enables Skype calling from every supported desktop phone in the office. Adding users and administering the system after installation is just as easy.

“Simply put, this product enables Skype calls from every employee’s desktop phone (or handset) in a small business, and it gives business owners all of the advantages of Skype’s low-cost global calling rates and free Skype-to-Skype calls,” said Andrew Hansen, FREETALK’s Manager for B2B. “This quickly adds up to incredible savings.”

Designed for offices with between two and 50 users, the FREETALK Connect offers true unified communications functionality, including Find Me, Follow Me; a unified voice mailbox; automated attendant and auto call distribution. Further distinguishing the FREETALK Connect is its intelligent routing capabilities. Incoming Skype calls, as well as calls over SIP, the PSTN and IAX2, can be routed by the FREETALK Connect to any local or remote Skype user, SIP endpoint, analog or mobile phone.

“FREETALK and Skype are dedicated to developing solutions that break new ground, like the FREETALK Connect,” said Perry Teevens, director of business development & strategic partnerships for the Skype for Business team. “This solution addresses the needs of the many Skype users who have been asking for a simple way to use Skype in their small- and mid-size business environment.”

Beginning in March, the FREETALK Connect will be available for purchase in the U.S. via the Skype Shop, (http://skype.com/shop) from In Store Solutions.

For more information about the FREETALK Connect communications system or to order a unit, visit http://freetalkconnect.com.

About FREETALK
FREETALK is a product innovation catalyst – identifying market gaps and working with its global partners to design, manufacture and quickly bring to market products that disrupt traditional categories.  Leveraging untapped market opportunities, FREETALK products are designed to be environmentally friendly, sold online and delivered globally at aggressive price-points. Always at the forefront of innovation, FREETALK is known for creating synergistic products that add unique value to its partners’ branded points-of-sale.

About Skype
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone services and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional fixed line telephone services, connected to the local exchange, or through other emergency calling capable telephone services.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.