01
POTS retirement
Traditional analog services are becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.
Media Gateway • ATA • Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Integration
Keep your analog infrastructure. Modernize your communications.
M5 Technologies helps enterprises, carriers and critical facilities connect analog phones, fax, alarms, elevators, emergency endpoints and PBX infrastructure to secure SIP, cloud voice and Microsoft Teams Direct Routing through Microsoft-certified Sentinel SBCs.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing Certified SBC
Carrier-Grade Communications
30+ Years of SIP & VoIP Expertise
Made in Canada
Analog continuityPreserve compatible devices during POTS and PBX migration.
FXS & FXO optionsSelect the right interface for endpoints, lines and trunks.
SIP interoperabilityBridge legacy systems to carriers, PBXs, UC and SBCs.
Managed deploymentProvision, monitor and support distributed voice infrastructure.
How analog modernization worksLegacy endpoint → M5 gateway → secure IP voice
Modernization architecture
Analog and legacy systems
PhonesFaxElevatorsAlarmsPBX
↓
M5 gateway and SBC layer
Mediatrix ATAC7G7Sentinel 400SIP policy
↓
Modern communications platforms
SIP carrierCloud PBXIP-PBXMicrosoft Teams Direct RoutingEmergency services
PreserveWorking endpoints.
SecureThe SIP edge.
ModernizeIn controlled stages.
Microsoft Teams Direct RoutingSentinel SBCs are certified by Microsoft for Teams Direct Routing.
Carrier-Grade CommunicationsSecure SIP, gateway interoperability and enterprise voice continuity.
30+ Years of SIP ExpertiseTelecom engineering experience across enterprise and operator environments.
Made in CanadaCanadian-designed communications technology for global deployments.
The customer problem
Legacy devices still perform essential work, but copper, PBX and carrier infrastructure are changing.
Organizations need to modernize without creating avoidable replacement cost, service disruption or compatibility failures across fax, elevator, alarm, emergency and voice systems.
02
Working legacy assets
Phones, fax, elevators and alarms may still be operationally required.
03
Interface confusion
Choosing the wrong FXS, FXO, PRI or BRI architecture can stop the project.
04
SIP and security gaps
Gateway-only deployments may lack routing control and edge protection.
Customer impact: the wrong gateway or ATA can create failed fax, unreliable endpoints, difficult remote support and an insecure SIP edge.
Solution comparison
ATA vs media gateway vs SBC-gateway architecture.
| Criteria | ATA | Media Gateway | Sentinel SBC + Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Connect one or a few analog endpoints to SIP. | Bridge larger analog, digital, PBX or trunk environments. | Combine interworking with SIP security and routing control. |
| Typical interfaces | FXS | FXS, FXO, PRI, BRI and model-dependent combinations | Gateway interfaces plus SBC policy and secure SIP demarcation |
| Best scale | Small branch or limited endpoint count | Building, campus, PBX or larger migration | Enterprise, government, operator and critical infrastructure |
| SIP security | Endpoint-level security varies by model | Gateway-focused security and signaling | Dedicated topology hiding, normalization, routing and policy |
| Microsoft Teams Direct Routing | Requires a certified SBC | Requires a certified SBC | Supported through Microsoft-certified Sentinel SBC architecture |
| Best fit | Simple analog migration | Complex legacy-to-IP interworking | Secure hybrid voice edge and phased modernization |
Interface guide
FXS vs FXO: choosing the correct analog interface.
| Interface | Connects to | Provides | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| FXS | Analog phone, fax, alarm, elevator or endpoint | Dial tone, ringing voltage and battery feed | Connecting analog devices to SIP |
| FXO | Analog PSTN line or PBX station/trunk interface | Receives analog line service from another system | Connecting analog lines or legacy PBX trunks to IP |
| PRI / BRI | Digital PBX or carrier trunk | Digital voice channels and signaling | Migration of larger legacy PBX and carrier environments |
M5 portfolio guide
When to choose 4102S, C7, G7 or Sentinel 400.
| Platform | Best fit | Typical interfaces | Recommended scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediatrix 4102S | Small analog migration | 2 FXS | Two phones, fax, branch or limited POTS replacement |
| Mediatrix C7 Series | Higher-density analog endpoints | Multiple FXS/FXO configurations by model | Buildings, campuses, hotels, healthcare and public sector |
| Mediatrix G7 Series | Complex legacy migration | Analog, PRI, BRI, FXO and SIP options | PBX, carrier and mixed analog/digital transformation |
| Sentinel 400 | Secure hybrid voice edge | Microsoft-certified SBC plus gateway capabilities | Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, SIP trunks, PBX coexistence and policy-controlled migration |
Vendor comparison
Mediatrix compared with common gateway alternatives.
Capabilities vary by model and release. This table focuses on typical buyer considerations rather than absolute product claims.
| Vendor / Category | Typical strength | Typical fit | Mediatrix / M5 differentiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediatrix / M5 | ATA, gateway, SIP software and Sentinel SBC portfolio | Enterprise, government, operators and critical infrastructure | Balanced analog migration, SIP depth, lifecycle and secure edge architecture |
| AudioCodes | Mature media gateway and SBC portfolio | Enterprise, service provider and Microsoft ecosystems | M5 emphasizes Mediatrix gateway heritage plus Sentinel SBC flexibility |
| Grandstream | Cost-effective ATA and analog gateway ranges | SMB and cost-sensitive deployments | M5 is positioned for controlled enterprise and critical projects |
| Sangoma | Gateway and PBX migration products | SMB, branch and PBX modernization | M5 combines gateway migration with broader SIP security architecture |
| Dinstar | High-density cost-focused analog gateway options | Call centers and budget-sensitive analog migration | M5 differentiates on lifecycle, support, SIP expertise and critical use cases |
| Cisco ATA category | Simple endpoint conversion in Cisco-oriented environments | Small analog endpoint requirements | Mediatrix supports broader migration, provisioning and multi-platform architectures |
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing
Connect analog and legacy voice to Microsoft Teams through a certified Sentinel SBC.
Mediatrix ATAs and media gateways are not themselves Microsoft-certified SBCs. They integrate with Microsoft Teams Direct Routing when deployed behind a Microsoft-certified Sentinel SBC, which provides the certified SIP boundary, routing, security and interoperability layer.
01
Microsoft-Certified SBC
Sentinel SBCs provide the certified Direct Routing connection between Microsoft Teams Phone and enterprise voice infrastructure.
02
Mediatrix Gateway Integration
Mediatrix gateways preserve analog, PBX, PRI, BRI, fax and legacy services inside the broader Teams architecture.
03
Controlled Hybrid Migration
Organizations can migrate users and sites to Teams while maintaining existing analog and legacy voice services.
Analog & Legacy SystemsPhones, fax, PBX, elevators, alarms and emergency endpoints
→
Mediatrix GatewayFXS, FXO, PRI, BRI and SIP interworking
→
Microsoft-Certified Sentinel SBCTeams Direct Routing, SIP security and routing policy
→
Microsoft Teams PhoneEnterprise calling, collaboration and cloud communications
Use cases
Where media gateways and ATAs create the most value.
POTS replacement
ProblemCopper service is retired but analog endpoints remain.
M5 approachMove compatible endpoints to SIP using the correct gateway and SBC layer.
OutcomeReduce copper dependency without unnecessary device replacement.
Fax and modem migration
ProblemFax and modem workflows must survive the move to IP.
M5 approachUse appropriate gateway, codec and T.38 or pass-through design.
OutcomeRetain compatible workflows on modern transport.
Elevator and emergency phones
ProblemLife-safety endpoints require reliable power, signaling and calling behavior.
M5 approachEngineer the endpoint, line, gateway, power and emergency path together.
OutcomeModernize while preserving operational requirements.
PBX migration
ProblemLegacy PBX and digital trunks must coexist with SIP.
M5 approachUse G7 or Sentinel 400 for controlled hybrid interworking.
OutcomeMove users and services in phases.
Hospitality and healthcare
ProblemMany rooms, devices and facilities still depend on analog service.
M5 approachDeploy managed multi-port gateways with centralized provisioning.
OutcomeStandardize large analog estates and reduce support effort.
Long-loop environments
ProblemEndpoints are far from telecom equipment across large sites.
M5 approachValidate distance, voltage, impedance, cable and endpoint behavior.
OutcomeReduce installation failure in campuses, utilities, rail and industrial sites.
Reference architecture
From analog endpoint to secure cloud or enterprise voice.
Analog systemsPhones, fax, alarms, elevators and PBX lines
→
Mediatrix gatewayFXS, FXO, PRI, BRI and SIP interworking
→
Microsoft-Certified Sentinel SBCTeams Direct Routing, SIP security, routing, normalization and policy
→
Modern voice platformCarrier, cloud PBX, IP-PBX, Teams or UC
Migration roadmap
Modernize analog infrastructure in controlled stages.
1
Inventory
Document endpoints, ports, lines, distances, PBXs and carrier services.
2
Classify
Separate standard phones from fax, alarm, elevator and emergency devices.
3
Select
Choose ATA, C7, G7 or Sentinel 400 according to interfaces and scale.
4
Validate
Test signaling, fax, DTMF, loop behavior, power and failover.
5
Deploy
Roll out by site with provisioning, monitoring and rollback plans.
Expected outcomes
What the architecture is designed to improve.
Lower replacement costPreserve compatible analog and legacy endpoints where practical.
Better SIP controlUse explicit routing, normalization and edge-security policy.
Reduced support burdenStandardize provisioning and distributed gateway management.
Safer migrationValidate critical device behavior before large-scale rollout.
FAQ
Questions buyers ask about ATAs and media gateways.
What is an ATA?
An Analog Telephone Adapter connects one or a few analog endpoints to SIP or VoIP infrastructure.
What is the difference between an ATA and a media gateway?
An ATA normally serves a small number of analog endpoints. A media gateway supports larger or more complex analog, digital, PBX and trunk-migration requirements.
What is the difference between FXS and FXO?
FXS provides line service to an analog endpoint. FXO receives analog line service from a PSTN line or PBX interface.
Can a media gateway replace POTS?
It can be part of a POTS replacement design, but endpoint behavior, power, life-safety, emergency and regulatory requirements must be validated.
Can a Mediatrix gateway work with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Mediatrix gateways integrate with Microsoft Teams Direct Routing through a Microsoft-certified Sentinel SBC. The Sentinel SBC provides the certified Teams connection, SIP security, routing and interoperability layer.
Which M5 products are certified for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing?
The Sentinel SBC portfolio is designed for Microsoft Teams Direct Routing deployments. Certification status should be confirmed for the specific Sentinel model and current Microsoft certification listing before procurement.
What is long-loop analog voice?
It refers to analog endpoints located far from the gateway or PBX over copper cabling, requiring validation of distance, voltage, impedance and endpoint behavior.
Media gateway assessment
Validate the endpoints, interfaces and SIP architecture before deployment.
Provide a high-level overview of the analog estate, sites, platforms and migration goals. M5 can help identify the correct ATA, gateway, Sentinel SBC and rollout path.
- Analog phones, fax, elevators, alarms and emergency endpoints
- FXS, FXO, PRI, BRI and PBX requirements
- SIP carrier, cloud PBX, IP-PBX or Microsoft Teams Direct Routing architecture
- Long-loop, power, failover and survivability needs
- 4102S, C7, G7 or Sentinel 400 selection