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Easy On Hold® for FreePBX

The future-ready MOH solution

FreePBX.org
Manage FreePBX streaming music and messages remotely through your Easy On Hold® portal.

Free PBX Streaming Music On Hold Integration

There's a cure for repetitive, outdated, boring default music on hold: FreePBX streaming music on hold from Easy On Hold® delivers live, licensed audio that keeps your callers engaged. Easy on Hold® created the first streaming music on hold service in 2013, helping IT teams, technicians, and contact centers provide dynamic, continuously updated caller experiences.

Streaming MOH is a simple, reliable upgrade that keeps your FreePBX system current. No file uploads, no loops, and no downtime.

Easy on Hold® streams work directly with FreePBX music on hold and Asterisk-based systems. Instead of static MP3 files, you can use a live HTTPS stream that updates automatically through the Content Control Center™.

  1. 100% legal, licensed for business use
  2. No repetitive loops—music plays continuously in randomized order
  3. Schedule updates by time of day, day of week, or even season
  4. Manage all streams and messages remotely via the Content Control Center™
  5. Integrates easily with Asterisk, FreePBX, and many other UC platforms

How to set up a custom hold music stream in FreePBX

01

Receive and test your stream URL

Receive a music on hold stream URL from Easy On Hold®. It will look like this (shown: demonstration, not a functioning stream): http://eoh-prod-9-ns.easyonholdcloud.com/25d56c9f75dc4cc49214806c5d8621f1

Test the stream URL in a browser to ensure audio plays.

02

Add a Streaming Category

  • Under Settings select Music On Hold
  • Choose Add Streaming Category
  • In the field for Category Name - type Easy On Hold Stream to name the category
  • In the Type field, choose Custom Application
screenshot of FreePBX integration category name and custom application
03

Enter the mpg123 stream command

Edit the new category. On the edit page you will enter the following parameters, including the stream URL. Example:

/usr/bin/mpg123 -q -r 8000 -f 8192 -b 1024 --mono -s http://eoh-prod-9-ns.easyonholdcloud.com/25d56c9f75dc4cc49214806c5d8621f1

  • Submit Settings
  • Leave Optional Format blank
screenshot of FreePBX integration settings
04

Apply to Call Queue(s) and test

When setting up a Call Queue or editing an existing Call Queue, the new category for the stream will be selectable from the dropdown. Select it and Submit the settings.

  • Click Apply Config
  • Call the queue to test
FreePBX integration configuration screen

Once configured, your system will stream music on hold FreePBX directly from the Easy On Hold® live, updating automatically with no manual uploads required. Instructions found at FreePBX.org

Upgrading mpg123 for HTTPS

FreePBX natively uses mpg123 for streaming hold music and messages. Please check for the latest version of mpg123 to utilize HTTPS.

Upgrade Options

  • Download the latest mpg123 source code from the official website and install the newest version on your platform.
  • Upgrade to FreePBX 17, which supports HTTPS natively on its Debian-based build.
  • Easy On Hold® can provide a non-secure http stream or HTTPS stream option.

Resources

Streaming Music On Hold Video Watch on Vimeo
FreePBX Music on Hold Guide Official Sangoma Documentation
mpg123 Official Website Download latest mpg123 for HTTPS
Hold Music Stream For Asterisk And OnSIP EOH Blog
Benefits of Streaming Hold Music Knowledge Base

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A Better Way to Manage Caller Audio

Streaming Hold Music vs. Audio Files

When a phone system supports a live audio source, streaming makes it easier to keep music and messages current. File-based audio remains a useful option for systems that require uploads.

Streaming Hold Music

Easy On Hold® delivers a live audio program to your communications system. Music and individual message topics are managed in the stream, so routine content changes do not require another phone-system file upload.

  • No recurring file uploads: connect the stream once and manage content separately.
  • Fresher playback: music and short messages can rotate instead of repeating one fixed sequence.
  • Precise scheduling: set start and stop dates, days of the week, times of day, and topic priorities.
  • Centralized control: authorized users manage topics for locations, departments, or queues in the Content Control Center™.
  • Fast content changes: approved updates can enter the stream without reprogramming the phone system.
  • Licensed content: Easy On Hold manages licensing for the music and content it supplies under your service.

File-Based Hold Music

A finished MP3, WAV, or other supported audio file is loaded into the phone system. This is a practical approach when the platform cannot accept a live stream.

  • Broad compatibility: many hosted and legacy phone systems accept uploaded audio files.
  • Manual replacement: updates may require someone with phone-system access to upload a new file.
  • Fixed sequence: callers may hear the same messages in the same order, often starting at the beginning of the file.
  • Platform restrictions: format, length, and file-size rules vary by system.
  • Outdated-content risk: expired promotions can continue playing until the file is replaced.
  • Licensing still matters: music must be licensed for telephone music-on-hold use.