BuddyTalk BT120
An Alexa Voice Service (AVS) enabled intelligent speakerphone and smartspeaker which can be configured to allow a VoIP subscription to deliver incoming and outgoing calls
The BuddyTalk BT120 is an Alexa Voice Service (AVS) enabled intelligent speakerphone and smartspeaker suitable for use in a home, office or conference room environment. With AVS, the BT120 brings you a broad range of AVS smartspeaker features such as standard Alexa questions & commands, timers, alarms, reminders, and voice-enabled control of AVS-supported IoT devices. A VoIP service provider’s account can be configured for both inbound and outbound calls (“BuddyTalk Calling”) throughout the service provider’s network coverage area.
The BT120 has a variety of convenient call control mechanisms: utilizing a tablet, an integrated touch panel on the device, a smartphone app, or a standard telephone. During calls, users can communicate either using the hands-free speakerphone, or using a smartphone or standard telephone handset for added privacy.
The BuddyTalk BT120 is a derivative product of the BuddyTalk BT110. They share common features and functionality with the following two differences:
- BuddyTalk BT110 has the Alexa Communication certified, and BT120 has the Alexa Communication disabled.
- BuddyTalk BT120 has feature calls enabled, and the BT110 has feature calls disabled.
Consequently, BT120 is particularly well suited for areas where ACM is not available, or applications for which availability of call features are highly desirable.
Alexa Voice Service (AVS)
Certified by Amazon AVS, the BuddyTalk platform supports a broad range of AVS smartspeaker features such as standard Alexa questions & commands, timers, alarms, reminders, and voice-enabled control of AVS-supported IoT devices.
VoIP Calling with Set-Based Call Features
The BT120 permits the configuration of a VoIP service provider, and utilizes the BuddyTalk SIP stack and VoIP application to allow all incoming and outgoing calls within the service provider’s coverage area. Additionally, the BT120 supports set-based call features such as Call Hold, Call Transfer, and 3-Way Calls. This universal calling capability, together with its superior voice quality in hands-free voice communications, convenience in call control, and its multiple voice interfaces make the BT120 an ideal Alexa AVS-enabled voice communications device for residential, SMB and enterprise customers particularly requiring the various call features when they are not offered by the VoIP services.
BT120 Call Control
The BT120 has the following flexible call control options:
- The device’s touch panel can be used to, for instance, adjust call volume and terminate calls.
- A companion tablet controller can be used to place and manage phone calls, as well as control the BT120 device.
- The Mobile App can be used to plance and manage calls, control the BT120 device, and allow a mobile phone based private voice mode.
- Traditional POTS-based telephony is available through the device’s FXS port.
See BT120 Tablet Controller and Mobile App for details about Tablet Controller and Mobile App call control features, and Managing Set-based Call Features with BT120 Tablet Controller and Mobile App for specific BT120 set-based call feature control.
BT120 Set-based Call Features
- Active call: putting the active call on hold.
- On dialing 2nd party: can perform blind call transfer or resume the on-hold call.
- 2nd Party connected: can perform consulted call transfer, 3-way call, or switch active and on-hold calls.
House Wiring Support
Equipped with Intra-building Lightning protection on its FXS port with support of up to 3 REN, the BT120 enables the use of house phones through house wiring.
Network Interface Options
The BT120 supports several configurations of its network interfaces to allow deployments into enterprises with different network architectures.
The BT120 has two physical network interfaces: Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n WiFi. In the redundant mode, either one can be chosen as the main physical interface. When both physical interfaces are connected, the Ethernet interface will be the main network interface.
The enterprise voice network may use an internal IP-PBX, an external VoIP SIP trunking solution, or a VoIP-based hosted service. If the enterprise voice network is separated and isolated from its data network, the BT120 can be configured as dual-homed hosts with one interface (e.g., WiFi) connected to the data network and the other (e.g., Ethernet) connected to the voice network.
Enterprise Network Traversal using VPN
The BT120 has a built-in VPN client, which, if enabled, performs enterprise network traversal. The VPN client has two routing modes: 1. all traffic (both data and voice) goes through the VPN, and 2. only voice traffic (both SIP signaling and RTP media) goes through VPN, and all other traffic is still routed to the original enterprise default gateway.
Traffic Segregation with VLAN
For Quality of Service (QoS), security, or other considerations, some enterprise networks employ VLAN to segregate traffic. Often, voice and data packets are separated using VLAN. The BT120 supports VLAN tagging, thereby, allowing enterprise VLAN segregation using VLAN switches.
VoIP Options
To equip it with VoIP capability in a business environment, the BT120 can be configured as an IP phone to the enterprise’s existing IP-PBX, or it can be configured to subscribe to an external VoIP service.
BT120 as an IP Phone Extension to an existing IP-PBX
The BT120 can be configured as an IP phone extension to the existing enterprise IP-PBX, utilizing the IP-PBX’s inherent calling capability to make incoming and outgoing calls. This will require minimal enterprise voice configuration modifications, and instantly turn the environment into a voice-enabled workplace.
BT120 with an External VoIP Subscription
An alternative to configuring the BT120 as an IP phone extension to the existing enterprise IP-PBX is to add an external VoIP subscription to the BT120. In such a configuration, the BT120 device acts as if a new phone line is added to the enterprise.
Digit Replacement Rules for Flexible Dialing
For businesses using IP-PBXs with prefix-based dial plans, Digitmaps and Digit Replacement Rules offer convenient and user friendly dialing to accommodate POTS dialing (with prefix), Call History-based dialing (without prefix), and Contacts-based dialing (without prefix) using the BuddyTalk Tablet Controller and Mobile App.
BuddyTalk Family
The BuddyTalk series is a family of voice-enabled intelligent speakerphone/smartspeakers comprised of the BT100, BT110, BT120, and BT200 products. Offering unprecedented calling flexibility, the BT100 is optimized for residential users while the BT110 is suitable for residential, SMB, and enterprise users. The BT120 is particularly well positioned for uses who require set-based call features or for areas where the Amazon Alexa Communication is not available. With Alexa-for-Business integration, the BT200 is uniquely positioned to provide a range of Alexa-for-Business supported enterprise applications and services.
