Open-Source Faxing Software Based on T.38 Protocol
Faxing remains a vital communication tool for many sectors including healthcare, legal, finance, and government. Even with the growing dominance of digital communication channels, faxing is still considered one of the most secure and legally accepted ways to transmit documents. However, traditional fax machines are becoming obsolete due to high operational costs, dependency on analog phone lines, and limited flexibility. That’s where T.38-based open-source faxing software comes in — enabling secure, reliable faxing over IP networks without the cost or complexity of legacy hardware.
In this article, we’ll explore what T.38 is, how open-source faxing software like ICTFax utilizes it, and the benefits of adopting this modern faxing approach for your business.
What is T.38?
T.38 is a protocol developed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) that allows fax transmission over IP (FoIP – Fax over IP) in real-time. It was specifically designed to solve the challenges associated with sending faxes over packet-switched networks such as the internet.
Key Features of T.38:
- Converts analog fax signals into digital packets
- Uses RTP (Real-Time Transport Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
- Supports error correction mechanisms for improved reliability
- Enables real-time transmission with minimal latency
T.38 is commonly used in SIP-based VoIP systems to ensure that fax data is transmitted accurately, preserving the integrity of the document even over less-than-perfect network conditions.
Why Use Open-Source Faxing Software with T.38?
Open-source fax software built on T.38 protocol offers a cost-effective, scalable, and flexible alternative to expensive hardware fax machines. These platforms can run on standard servers and support various faxing workflows including Email to Fax, Fax to Email, Web to Fax, and API-based fax transmission.
Open-Source Faxing Solutions Supporting T.38
1. ICTFax
ICTFax is a feature-rich, open-source FoIP (Fax over IP) solution built on top of FreeSWITCH, ICTCore, and Angular. It supports T.38 and G.711 pass-through faxing, enabling businesses to send and receive faxes over the internet without the need for traditional phone lines.
Key Features:
- Email to Fax and Fax to Email support
- Web-based fax dashboard
- Multi-tenant support with user portals
- Support for multiple formats: PDF, TIFF, JPG
- G.711 and T.38-based fax transmission
- REST API for integration with third-party applications
- Scalable for service providers and enterprises
2. HylaFAX+
HylaFAX+ is a widely-used open-source fax server that supports various transmission protocols including T.38. It’s primarily designed for UNIX/Linux environments and is known for its robustness and high-volume faxing capabilities.
Notable Features:
- Support for Class 1, 1.0, 2 fax modems
- Integration with email systems
- Advanced scheduling and queue management
- Command-line tools and scripting support
3. Asterisk
Asterisk is a powerful, open-source PBX system that includes support for T.38 faxing when used with compatible endpoints or modules like Fax For Asterisk.
Highlights:
- Voice, video, and fax communication platform
- T.38 pass-through and gateway support
- Can be used in unified communication setups
- Flexible dialplan configuration
4. FreeSWITCH
FreeSWITCH is a scalable, open-source telephony platform that supports T.38 faxing natively. It acts as a solid base for custom faxing solutions and integrates well with modern SIP infrastructure.
Benefits:
- T.38 fax gateway support
- Compatible with ICTFax and ICTCore
- Modular and scriptable with Lua, Python, and JavaScript
- Excellent for high-availability deployments
Benefits of Using T.38-Based Open-Source Fax Software
✅ Cost Efficiency
Eliminate the cost of dedicated fax machines, phone lines, toner, and paper. Open-source platforms significantly reduce CAPEX and OPEX.
✅ Flexibility and Remote Access
Send and receive faxes from anywhere using web portals or email clients. This is particularly useful for remote teams and hybrid workplaces.
✅ Scalability
Whether you’re a small business or a large service provider, T.38-based solutions scale with ease. You can deploy multiple fax modems and handle hundreds or thousands of concurrent faxes.
✅ Security and Compliance
Supports TLS, HTTPS, and authenticated SMTP, ensuring fax data is securely transmitted and meets industry standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
✅ Interoperability
Most open-source faxing solutions integrate easily with VoIP platforms, CRM systems, and document management systems.
Conclusion
T.38-based open-source fax software is the modern answer to outdated fax machines. Solutions like ICTFax, HylaFAX+, Asterisk, and FreeSWITCH not only reduce operational costs but also bring flexibility, reliability, and security to fax communications.
If you’re looking to digitize your fax infrastructure, consider deploying ICTFax — a powerful, T.38-compliant fax server that simplifies sending and receiving faxes over IP networks while ensuring compliance and performance.
Need Help Getting Started with ICTFax?
Contact us today or explore our documentation to learn how to deploy and configure your own T.38-based fax server.
Product Of ICTinnovations