FXO vs FXS : Know the difference

Rashmi Bhardwaj | Blog,BUZZ
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Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS) and Foreign Exchange Office (FXO) are the two most common interfaces discussed in analogue telephony environments. The usual query is – What is the difference between FXO and FXS?

FXO vs FXS

The comparison below will clear some of the queries on both interface types –

FXSFXO
Foreign Exchange Subscriber
 
Foreign Exchange Office
FXS interface delivers POTS service from the phone company Central Office and must be connected to subscriber equipment (- Analog phones, telephones, modems, and fax machines). In other words an FXS interface points to the subscriber side.FXO receives POTS service, usually from a Central Office of PSTN i.e. an FXO interface points to the Telco office
Provides Dial ToneDoes not provide dial tone, rather Requests for dial tone.
FXS is a port that receives a callFXO is a port that initiates a call
Points towards Subscriber side.Points towards telco office or PBX system.
An FXS interface provides the following service -
- Dial tone
- Battery current
- Ring voltage
An FXO interface provides the following service –
- On-hook/off-hook indication (loop closure)
- Detecting the ring voltage supplied by the FXS device
FXS port can available on –
- PBX System
- Voice Gateway Router (pointing towards CO or PBX)
- Central Office Side
FXO port can available on –
- Analog phone
- PBX System
- Voice Gateway Router (pointing towards Analog Phone)

Download the comparison table here.

FXO vs FXS

Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS) interface delivers POTS service from the phone company’s Central Office (CO) and connects to subscriber equipment (telephones, modems, and fax machines). In other words, an FXS interface points to the subscriber. An FXS interface provides the following primary services to a subscriber device:

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  • Dial tone
  • Battery current
  • Ring voltage

Foreign exchange Office interface receives POTS service from Central Office of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  An FXO interface provides the following primary service to the Telco network device:

  • On-hook/off-hook indication (loop closure)

FXO and FXS interface go hand in hand to complete a connection. If we connect an FXS device to another FXS device, the connection will not work. Likewise, if FXO device is connected to another FXO it will not work. Hence, one cannot plug a standard analogue telephone (FXO) directly into a standard analogue telephone (FXO) and talk phone-to-phone. A telecommunications line from an FXO port must connect to an FXS port in order for the connection to work. Similarly, a line from an FXS port must connect to an FXO port in order for the connection to work.

Related- Commonly Used VOIP Terms and Concepts

Below video will also help enlighten understanding of FXS and FXO interfaces and their usage in telecom –

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