Extension 0 or 000 on a 3 digit extension plan 1

[dpsguard]

Hello all, I am new to EMetroTel / Asterisk. A Hotel customer asked for frontdesk extension to be programmed as zero (0) for room analog phones to push to get to, in addition to a speed dial for it. I know here in US / Canada we can have a leading zero, and I have noted many times in hotels that pressing 0 takes you to frontdesk. But then being a 3 digit extension plan, phone will keep waiting for other two digits until some timeout. So technically should this extension be setup as a 000?

Actual phone could have a number like 123 and for that matter a second frontdesk phone could be 124 and then if someone in a room pushes 0, then it should ring both phone like in a huntgroup with a pilot number to be 0.

Can someone advise on what is the best way to achieve a 0 extension number please and to create a huntgroup for it?

Thank you so much.

 

[ucxguy]

On UCX systems, you can mix extensions/destinations with different numbers of digits - there are really no restrictions. Hence, you could have extensions using 3 digits (e.g., 221 - 299) and at the same time use 0 to reach the help desk.

The simplest way to provide the "press 0 to reach helpdesk" functionality with multiple helpdesk phones would be to add a ring group with the Ring-Group Number set to 0 and the phones listed in the Extension List.

 

[dpsguard]

Excellent reply. One last question on this subject is to how do we signal to UCX that no more digits are to be dialed?

 

[ucxguy]

The common way to all phone types is to press #. On phones with context sensitive keys (SIP, XSTIM), you can press the Call key. Waiting for the (configured) timeout is another option. For some phone types and/or gateways, you can configure dial patterns that define what is a completely number - when a pattern is matched, the phone dials immediately without any additional input.

 

[dpsguard]

Thanks again for your very prompt support on this. You are correct that we can add # after the 0, but here we are talking about creating speed dial for analog phone on hotel project. In that case, should we simply have analog phones program the button for 0#?

 

[ucxguy]

If you use an FXS gateway for the analog phones, you should be able to configure the dial patterns on the gateway to treat 0 as a complete number. That way, the gateway should make the call as soon as the digit 0 is dialed.

 

[dpsguard]

Perfect. Yes there will be multiple 16 channel FXS cards in the chassis. Essentially when they will not allow international dialing (and also to call out, there will be something like 9), then you are correct that as soon a first 0 is detected, it can be terminated and dial the frontdesk ring group. In that case, I can ask analog phone supplier to pre-configure phone for 0 (not 0#) for frontdesk and then rest of logic / dialling pattern will be done in the PBX to route the call.

Much appreciate your help.