Nortel BCM50 or not the Nortel BCM50

Many first time customers ask me what kind of phone system is the best. Is it VOIP (voice over Internet protocol), or is it the standard analog line phone system. Depending on the range of needs and the company budget that can be a hard decision. In this case I want to talk about the Nortel BCM50 which offers both options in a compact shell.


The Nortel BCM50 is one of Nortels more recent communications systems. Its compact frame makes it ideal for small phone closets or server rooms that are limited in space. Being about the size of a package of printer paper it can be used as a VOIP switch or a standard phone system. It has a built in voicemail system as well as an auto attendant and can also support Unified Messaging. All of these functions are built in and are activated through purchased keycodes.


The Nortel BCM50 can physically support up to 4 incoming analog lines, 4 analog phones and 12 digital telephones without adding an expansion module. It can also be expanded to 32 phones using a VOIP option, or additional modules can be added to expand incoming lines and phones. All with the availability of voicemail. The Nortel BCM50 can also be used with a T1 Circuit as another option if the user would so choose.


The Nortel BCM50 is in my opinion a win/win when it comes to having a modern yet flexible phone system. It is programmed via a laptop or computer interface through the existing company network or directly. The Nortel BCM50 also allows a company to start with the standard old POT (Plane Old Telephone) lines and to grow into a more sophisticated communication platform without the cost of switching out the system. So, in my opinion the answer I give to potential customers that want to start with a more traditional setup and move up to a more advanced solution at a later date is the Nortel BCM50. It is very hard to go wrong with this setup if this is the type of system you are looking for.