7 Oct 2025
A comprehensive phone system is installed to resolve existing communication issues with family and establish a legitimate business presence. This setup integrates various phone types, from modern softphones to retro analog devices, and extends functionality to include AI and home automation control.
The inability of family members to answer phones, despite being provided with various devices, necessitates a new communication solution to ensure connectivity.
Installing a phone system is primarily driven by the desire for a fun and nerdy project, the need to solve existing communication issues, and the aim to establish a legitimate business phone number.
The 3CX phone system, sponsoring this project, is a versatile platform capable of supporting diverse innovative ideas and offering a free forever SMB plan for up to 10 users with cloud hosting.
The 3CX system can be set up in mere seconds via a cloud installation, requiring users to sign up on 3cx.com, choose a user tier (1-10 for the free version), and agree to the license.
After initial system setup, softphones are quickly configured by downloading the 3CX app and using the provided QR code option to register the device.
For advanced users and businesses, an on-premise 3CX instance can be installed as a virtual machine on a cluster like Proxmox, offering extended features and greater control.
User accounts and extensions are easily added through the 3CX settings, allowing for the assignment of softphones or physical devices to family members or employees.
Family members expressed a clear preference for old-school, retro physical phones that could be mounted on the wall, reminiscent of classic telephone aesthetics.
To connect physical phones to a cloud-hosted 3CX instance, a Session Border Controller (SBC) is required, which can be implemented using either a router phone or a Raspberry Pi running SBC software.
Setting up a Raspberry Pi as an SBC involves flashing its operating system, configuring network settings, enabling SSH, and subsequently adding the SBC within the 3CX admin portal.
A modern physical phone, such as a Snom D735, is configured by ensuring it receives power (often via Power over Ethernet - PoE) and network access, then adding its MAC address to the 3CX user settings and connecting through the SBC.
Old analog phones, utilizing POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and RJ11 cables, present a challenge as they communicate via analog signals, unlike modern SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phones that use IP networks.
An Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) serves as a bridge, translating analog signals from old phones to SIP and vice versa, thereby enabling them to connect to the modern 3CX phone system.
The ATA is configured by adding it as a DECT/FXS device in the 3CX portal, accessing its web interface to upload a specific configuration file, and then physically connecting the analog phone.
To enable external calls and acquire a public phone number, a SIP trunk is established, connecting the 3CX system to an external telephone number provider like VoIP.ms.
Setting up a SIP trunk with VoIP.ms involves creating an account, adding funds, ordering a DID (Direct Inward Dial) number, and configuring its inbound routing to the 3CX system.
The SIP trunk is configured in 3CX by adding a new trunk, assigning it a name, setting a default route for incoming calls, and defining outbound dialing rules, often using a specific prefix.
An Interactive Voice Response (IVR), also known as a digital receptionist, can be effortlessly set up in 3CX to provide callers with a customizable menu of options, directing them to specific extensions or departments.
The phone system integrates with local AI, specifically Home Assistant's assist platform, allowing users to call their AI voice assistant and control home automation devices.
For users with cloud-hosted 3CX, an analog phone connected to an ATA can be configured to directly dial Home Assistant via its IP address using an 'off-hook auto dial' setting, bypassing the 3CX cloud.
With an on-premise 3CX system, a generic SIP trunk can be established to Home Assistant, requiring the explicit configuration of an Opus codec for proper audio communication.
The fully configured phone system significantly improved family communication, enabled legitimate business operations, and provided immense satisfaction through its advanced capabilities and home automation control.
The 3CX Call Flow Designer enables highly customizable call logic, such as creating IVR menus that can trigger webhooks to interact with other systems like Home Assistant to control smart home devices.
You can call AI with your phone system.
| insight | description |
|---|---|
| Problem Addressed | Resolved family communication issues by providing reliable phone access, ensuring people answer calls. |
| Core Technology Utilized | The 3CX Phone System serves as the central platform, offering versatility for various applications, including a free SMB plan for up to 10 users. |
| Diverse Phone Compatibility | The system supports a wide range of devices, from modern softphones (3CX app) and physical SIP phones to nostalgic analog phones. |
| Analog Phone Integration | Analog Telephone Adapters (ATA) bridge old analog RJ11 phones to the modern SIP/VoIP network, translating signals for seamless communication. |
| External Connectivity Solution | SIP Trunks connect the 3CX system to external telephone providers (e.g., VoIP.ms), enabling outbound calls and providing a public phone number for inbound calls. |
| AI and Home Automation Control | Integration with Home Assistant allows users to call a local AI via the phone system to control smart home devices and query information. |
| Physical Phone Bridge for Cloud Systems | For cloud-hosted 3CX instances, a Raspberry Pi running SBC (Session Border Controller) software acts as a local bridge for physical phones to connect to the cloud. |
| Advanced Call Flow Customization | The 3CX Call Flow Designer facilitates advanced programming of call logic, including IVR menus that can trigger webhooks for external system interactions. |
