VoIP over 3G with an HG556a

Forums › VoIP › VoIP over 3G with an HG556a - possible?

philelvey

101 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 112294 4-Dec-2012 11:45
Hi guys, VoIP over 3G connection only on an HG556a - is this possible? I've done some searching through Geekzone and the only indication I can find is "no", but wanted to check to be absolutely sure. Cheers

johnr

13325 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vodafone NZ

Subscriber

Reply # 726701 4-Dec-2012 11:48
No as they do not have a 3G modem built in they can take a 3G mobile USB modem Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

philelvey

101 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 726703 4-Dec-2012 11:53
I was meaning when a Vodem is connected to the USB port and used as the internet connection - this I know works fine, it's just if someone has enabled the SIP account when only the Vodem (or similar) is used as the internet connection. Cheers

johnr

13325 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vodafone NZ

Subscriber

Reply # 726705 4-Dec-2012 11:54
Log in to the modem 192.168.1.1 user name / password = advanced What version of software is your modem running? Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

philelvey

101 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 726716 4-Dec-2012 12:08
Software version: V100R001C12B028 When I looked on the 3G Backup page, the text says: "Your Home Gateway is capable of backup data or voice connection to Internet through HSPA when ADSL is down. Furthermore,it could also switch back when ADSL is recovered." This indicates that it would work, but it would be great if someone can confirm. I don't have a Vodem myself to test (I want to use it for my folks, but it would be great to know it's going to work before I spend hours mucking around trying to make something work that can't!)

johnr

13325 posts

Uber Geek

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Vodafone NZ

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Reply # 726717 4-Dec-2012 12:10
http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/forum-19/announcement-8-23-aug-2012-new-hg556a-firmware-available/ Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

philelvey

101 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 726719 4-Dec-2012 12:12
Thanks for the link - what are the important changes in this firmware (that relate to my situation)? Can some others comment that have used this firmware? Any problems? Any improvements?

johnr

13325 posts

Uber Geek

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Vodafone NZ

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Reply # 726723 4-Dec-2012 12:15
A few bug fixes one is WIFI dropping and a few more I can't remember off the top of my head but well worth updating Systems Engineer Vodafone NZ http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

allstar1

57 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 726818 4-Dec-2012 14:06
In my experiance the HG556 is not as good with Voip. Ie voice mail alerts and some other issues that went away as soon as I put an ata on. But the HG556 is good if using 722 (But you would only want to use 729 codec for 3G) The other thing about using 3G for Voip is that you want a really good signal. The K3805 z vodem I dont think works in the HG556. The K3805 z vodem is good for 3G as an antenae can be attached. I think it would be great to get the HG556 using voip over 3G so I will be interested how you get on. The HG556's are a pretty cheap option.

rwkell

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 823838 22-May-2013 22:07
Hi all, I know this post is old, but just in case the question comes up again, the Huawei HG556a shipped by Vodafone does support VoIP over ADSL as well as over HSPA (and apparently 2G as well). I've had 2 WxC VoIP lines running reliably on ADSL for about 15 months. I've just recently managed to get the SIP accounts to register over a 3G connection and see no reason that this wouldn't work as reliably as ADSL. Just be aware that there is generally higher latency on mobile 3G networks so don't be surprised if you get delays (lagging) in the conversation compared to ADSL. I researched a few 3G modem sticks and decided on the Vodafone K3772 (made by Huawei), mainly because I was pretty sure that the HG556a firmware would support the modem stick. There is also a K3772-Z, which is made by ZTE, which I haven't been able to get to work in the HG556a. The K3772 I have is not SIM-locked and supported my 2 Degrees SIM, although it was a bit of a mission getting the 3G configuration working on the HG556a and there is not much literature I could find on the Internet on the VoIP side of this router. To summarise: I am able to run VoIP (1 x WxC 1 x 2Talk SIP accounts) on a Huawei HG556a router using a 2 Degrees SIM in a Vodafone K3772 3G stick (not a K3772-Z, which I've not managed to get working). My HG556a is running firmware V100R001C08B026 (Irish firmware released in 2010 I think), but I've loaded a few firmware revisions on this router and not found them to affect VoIP significantly (although NZ firmware gives nicer dial tones than the IE firmware and the plans will be optimised for NZ). I use the Irish firmware because it was the latest firmware that I could find that supports saving and restoring config files, which I found way faster and more reliable for configuring the router than the web interface. Assume that if you load firmware onto an HG556a from any source other than Vodafone NZ you will likely void any remaining warranty. Once you get past the lack of documentation and the fun and games configuring it, I have found this router quite reliable and a bundle of features for the money you pay. I hope this helps. I can post details on how to configure the router if anybody needs it.