How many calls in a conference call?

[rookie10]

I need to know how many calls can I conference in with norstar switch? Can it conference in atleast 4 outside callers?

 

[lowradiation]

No, you can only conference in 2 outside callers

 

[telemarv]

Actually there is a way...

you can use a telco service like Centrex lines.

Create two external Centrex conferences then conference between the lines. You have yourself plus four on the outside.

Marvy

 

[gsumners]

In addition to the "you and two others" limit, keep the following in mind: if the two others are both external calls, there will be about a 3dB loss between the two ends.

This is a fancy way of saying that YOU will be able to hear BOTH outside calls fine, but THEY will hear EACH OTHER only at about half volume.

There's protection circuitry in the KSU & trunk cards that keeps power from bleeding between phone lines in case of pair imbalance, it also induces the volume drop.

If you're on a T1 or PRI circuit connected to the KSU, the volume drop doesn't normally happen - the call is handled entirely differently on the KSU in this case.