Spark Fibre 200 with Landline (Voip)

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark Fibre 200 with Landline (Voip) - New Plans

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13

29117 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10231

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1317584 4-Jun-2015 21:20

One of the alarm standards uses DTMF tones really fast, and the conversion from inband to out of band and back at the other end screws it up, as you get little bits of the inband tone get thru, and this causes doubleups.

If DTMF is not taken out of band by the ATA, it is usually quite reliable so long as the call quality is good. Out of band really came about because all the horrible lossy codecs cant pass DTMF in band, and also the echo cancelling will munge it as far as trying to interupt annoying IVR's, whereas out of band will bypass the echo cancelling and compression and come thru cleanly.

Richard rich.ms

Jase2985

13746 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6230

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1317588 4-Jun-2015 21:39

my bro in law whos an alarm tech said the system over sparks VoF could possibly be hit and miss because it all depends on the codec and encoding/decoding times, and all it would take is a ms worth of delay and it can screw up a signal, so i would say you best bet would be to get an alarm server so you can use your alarm over IP.

couple of hundred bucks to connect it via IP (if your monitoring company supports it) then some money for a UPS and you should be good to go.

HamishO

7 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1317590 4-Jun-2015 21:56

Interesting comments, the alarm company guy I spoke with (who was an actual technical person it seemed) was very certain it would not work anywhere near well enough over VoIP, and the salesperson readily gave me their IP options as if she had done it many times before. If I was really interested I guess I could try get another alarm company to come and give a quote/opinion for free, but I'm not that motivated.

I agree that $200 or so for an IP module isn't very much for those of us who understand the difference UFB can make and don't won't to pay a $40 a month premium (yes, it's now $150 for 100/20 + POTS landline as you have to buy two plans, and I assume other ISPs are similar). When I asked, the salesperson said that as part of their installation they would power the ONT and router off the alarm (or use the mobile network for a slightly higher cost) avoiding the need for a separate UPS - I guess that makes up for the $160 they wanted to charge for installation.

Jase2985

13746 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6230

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1317658 5-Jun-2015 07:36

it could work well, if both spark and the alarm use the same codecs etc but then again they might not, as there is no set standard for Voip or VoF.

its a shame but it is what it is, i would just go for the IP solution if it were me.

hobsonlea

314 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 51

#1317730 5-Jun-2015 09:17

hobsonlea:
hobsonlea:
hobsonlea:
GregV: Moving from Fibre30 to Fibre100+LL, and it has been a slow process. I understand that there were new things for the CSRs to learn, but my order placed over the phone on the 5th - launch day - was actually cancelled with no notification to me. It was only when I contacted Spark to see how the plan change was going that I was told about the cancellation. Resubmitted on Tuesday, and I now have a reference number, so fingers crossed.

How long should it take to do the plan change, and VoIP cutover (no wiring visit required)?

I had exactly the same issue - ordered on 5th May, on 6th got email saying new modem on way, modem arrived a day later, but then it went quiet... I managed to find the original ref no,- only when I rang up on the 12th to find out status, did they tell me there was an issue - that they needed to stop the copper and move me to VOIP and had cancelled the order. Eventually got a new Ref number for the job ... still no action as of 20/5 - I asked for update and was told "it is still in our (Spark) system and then the handover to Chorus will take 5-10 days ... they continue to insist I need a technician onsite.. the ONT is next to the existing main RJ45 outlet - where the one Cordless base station sits.. sigh....

Pete

Sigh a number of more interactions with Spark.... Seems my
1 order / 2 modem arrived / 3 delay / 4 sorry its wrong order needs to be re-entered correctly / 5 new order / 6 new promises new dates... / 6 DECT Phone eventually arrived after a couple of calls .. / 7 sorry wait anther 5-10 days then we can pass over to chorus... / 8 so called today / 9 sorry wrong order in system - seems I need to do the order online / this generates the sending of the modem (already here...) and this generates the sending of the DECT Phone (here) and this generates the booking of Downer for the switchover to occur...

which is now scheduled for one month after the order was placed accepted... crikey it shouldnt have to be this hard... I must have spoken to >10 people and had >10 Chat sessions and about 10 emails.... sigh.. so 5th June supposedly something happens in a switch somewhere - and I move my Phone to the ONT port and 200Mbs will pour down my new speedy Fibre Connection...

Ok - so I now have two Gigabit Router/Modems... and Two DECT Phones.. sigh..

Today 4th our Fibre connection went offline - after call to 123 it seems Chorus has taken down my Fibre connection in prep for the upgrade tomorrow... I cant understand why they would so this, certainly not without advance warning - what a poor poor service from Spark / Chorus.. How can they make money with quality of service like this...

Yeah... internet / fibre went down yesterday , got a call from Spark this morning - I needed to get the Serial no from the ONT in order for Chorus to make the change... got a call back 20 mins later on the DECT phone plugged into the ONT ! Yeah !!

deadlyllama

1283 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 476

Trusted

#1317736 5-Jun-2015 09:27

The lady who answers the phones at our alarm company (Wanganui Security, recently bought by Electra) tell me that using voice over fibre for our alarm is absolutely fine, and is what she uses at her house.

Our alarm is some random brand and therefore probably ContactID. It worked absolutely fine over the ATA in the Orcon Genius we had, and absolutely fine over the ATA in the ONT now that we're with MyRepublic.

[edit: I can't type]

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

jeffreyh

54 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1318026 5-Jun-2015 16:07

If you get VoFr can you then take your number to another fibre connection in the same city (enable). We have to move for repairs and Spark say that we cant move the number. I understand you cant when its on copper as its on the old platform, but if its voip then surely you can take it with you from one fibre connection to another in the same city? The person at Spark I spoke to said I would need a new number we want to keep the number as we will only be out for 6 months then will move back in and we have had the number fo a long time. Is this correct about having to get a new number?

richms

29117 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10231

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1318031 5-Jun-2015 16:22

If they wont let you take it with, then just port it to 2talk. Moving back to a telco is optional when you return to your house.

Richard rich.ms

GregV

932 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 304

#1318772 7-Jun-2015 16:55

GregV: Yeah - definitely some teething issues. Took me much longer than expected, but I now have internet and phone coming off the fibre. As soon as I could authenticate with and complete the Downer online form, things happened as and when they should (there was still an issue with the cordless phone offer, but that was resolved by cbrpilot on here). Plan changed, and voice was cutover on the day/time agreed.

I'll give it another go moving parents over to FibreLL solely using the online process. Hopefully it is smooth sailing.

Just tried to move parents over to FibreLL (they currently have Fibre30 with copper LL). Like me, they plan to connect a phone directly to the ONT, and not use any copper. Once again, the Downer form does not match the work required. Their UFB install was requested just before Spark announced FibreLL, so Chorus did not do the copper wiring install when the fibre went in. The tech enquired about it on install day, but received confirmation from Chorus that it was UFB only, with no phone wiring to occur.

So my parents two options when completing the Downer form are to say:
1. They don't have the copper interface box thingy, which rolls a tech (unneeded, as they will plug into ONT directly)
2. They do have the box on the wall (they don't), which allows them to select a cutover date with no tech visit required. Dad didn't want to do this, in case it causes problems later with Spark/Chorus thinking equipment is in place when it is not.

Neither option mentioned the magical free cordless phone, unless it was after the very final acceptance, which we didn't want to accept without getting an answer to the issue above. I had the same issue with my FibreLL, and it took manual intervention by cbrpilot here to get the phone to me.

I'd imagine that there will be a lot of people in the same boat when Spark starts contacting everyone on fibre to start the FibreLL cutover progress. Without a third option on the Downer form of "plug only/cordless phone straight into ONT" there will be a lot of technicians dispatched needlessly. I was quite happy to stop using the copper altogether, as were my parents

hobsonlea

314 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 51

#1319670 8-Jun-2015 19:30

GregV:
GregV: Yeah - definitely some teething issues. Took me much longer than expected, but I now have internet and phone coming off the fibre. As soon as I could authenticate with and complete the Downer online form, things happened as and when they should (there was still an issue with the cordless phone offer, but that was resolved by cbrpilot on here). Plan changed, and voice was cutover on the day/time agreed.

I'll give it another go moving parents over to FibreLL solely using the online process. Hopefully it is smooth sailing.

Just tried to move parents over to FibreLL (they currently have Fibre30 with copper LL). Like me, they plan to connect a phone directly to the ONT, and not use any copper. Once again, the Downer form does not match the work required. Their UFB install was requested just before Spark announced FibreLL, so Chorus did not do the copper wiring install when the fibre went in. The tech enquired about it on install day, but received confirmation from Chorus that it was UFB only, with no phone wiring to occur.

So my parents two options when completing the Downer form are to say:
1. They don't have the copper interface box thingy, which rolls a tech (unneeded, as they will plug into ONT directly)
2. They do have the box on the wall (they don't), which allows them to select a cutover date with no tech visit required. Dad didn't want to do this, in case it causes problems later with Spark/Chorus thinking equipment is in place when it is not.

Neither option mentioned the magical free cordless phone, unless it was after the very final acceptance, which we didn't want to accept without getting an answer to the issue above. I had the same issue with my FibreLL, and it took manual intervention by cbrpilot here to get the phone to me.

I'd imagine that there will be a lot of people in the same boat when Spark starts contacting everyone on fibre to start the FibreLL cutover progress. Without a third option on the Downer form of "plug only/cordless phone straight into ONT" there will be a lot of technicians dispatched needlessly. I was quite happy to stop using the copper altogether, as were my parents

I was in same position, form worked fine, dect phone arrived as did HUAWEI gigabit modem and no technician turned up..

kapitikarl

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1319997 9-Jun-2015 09:19

Got mine today (206mbps dl; 19.8 mbps ul) and it works on my Asus AC87U router. Just trying to get my Panasonic KX-TG7621AZ dect phones to work. I really dont like the stock stuff Telecom have sent to me. WOuld welcome any answers to the following questions:

1. Do I insert the phone in POTS1 or POTS2 on the ONT?
2. Will this phone work?

Cheers all

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

kapitikarl

159 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#1320010 9-Jun-2015 09:33

Ignore my previous message - phone line came to life.

ajobbins

5053 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1279

Trusted

#1320050 9-Jun-2015 10:09

tdgeek:Next to the ONT is a white box, these have been installed in recent months prior to Spark's VoF capability. It is an ATA termination.

Why does it need a seperate ATA? Doesn't the ONT itself effectively have a 2 port ATA built in?

Twitter: ajobbins

GregV

932 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 304

#1320051 9-Jun-2015 10:12

It is more a wiring hookup into the legacy copper house wiring, allowing all existing jackpoints to connect to the POTS1 port on the ONT. Not needed if you plan to plug your phone directly into the ONT. The Downer upgrade form doesn't take this into account for any UFB installs done prior, insisting on sending a technician if you don't have one of these.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1320052 9-Jun-2015 10:16

ajobbins:
tdgeek:Next to the ONT is a white box, these have been installed in recent months prior to Spark's VoF capability. It is an ATA termination.

Why does it need a seperate ATA? Doesn't the ONT itself effectively have a 2 port ATA built in?

It's a 2 port RJ45 junction box.

It wired so the existing jack points connect to one port, and incoming copper to the other. Over the last few months this has been left with a jumper cable running between the two, but for a customer to move to ONT VoIP they simply need to connect a cable from the ONT voice port to the RJ45 socket to cut all their home wiring across to the ONT VoIP service.

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13