Shifting to UFB and to a different Exchange

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pdh

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Topic # 151100 14-Aug-2014 06:38

Scenario: Will be leaving my home of 30 years in 30 days. Have a Telecom land line and 80 GB ADSL via Browns Bay exchange.

Will move about 8 km away, to a unit we own in Rosedale (Albany). I want to connect this to UFB.

It is one of a block of newish residential warehouse units – and the guys three doors along are having UFB connected this week (by Vodafone). One metre from each front door, there are large access plates in the driveway asphalt labelled ‘Telecom’ and, apparently, the next-door install is all happening from their ‘manhole’. Vodafone’s address checker says it doesn’t know… Chorus’s says UFB definitely there. So does the guy who’s having it installed.

We are going to be there for (at least) 12 months – so I’m liking Vodafone’s basic 30 plan (80 GB or unlimited).

So, I have a month – and I need help to plan this smoothly.

(1) I think I should get Vodafone started on connecting up UFB to our unit. It has ‘structured wiring’ and had a POTs connection until March – but has no current service (it’s vacant). Better to pay for a few days of ‘too early’ service, than to be late on the UFB install. Suggestions on how best to schedule this with VF ?

(2) I would love to take my number with me. Same LCA, but different exchange. Telecom says ‘no way’. Vodafone says ‘best effort’. Orcon says ‘of course’. Yeah, Right! I’ve read a lot of Geekzone threads about this – going back over the last 5 years – but none gave me an easy solution. Is there now any way to make this work ? using 3rd-party VOIP or other magic ? Yes, I know I can pay about $150 a year forever to have Telecom link it – but that’s such a 1980’s solution.

(3) If this is possible – what steps do I need to keep it working in the old house until I’m ready to shift ?

(4) Failing this, I could scrap out-bound land-line calls – and just ‘virtualise’ the land-line. Can anyone out there ‘port’ my number to a VOIP service which lets me direct incoming calls to an Android app ? Sort of half-naked BB ?

Any advice most welcome.

Paul

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Reply # 1108096 14-Aug-2014 08:32

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All providers of VOIP should be able to port your old number to their platform. You can add a low cost VOIP home line to any UFB product, you don't have to purchase the VOIP from the same provider as the UFB.

Buy a UFB solution without a home line and then add a VOIP home line to it and you are done and dusted.

I have used a few different apps on my Android phone to utilise my VOIP circuit. When my phone is on Wifi at home I have the option of making calls using the VOIP line and it automatically receives calls.

Matt.

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Reply # 1108097 14-Aug-2014 08:33

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Suggest you call up your provider of choice and ask them. You'll get a proper answer, not guesses by people who may or may not know what they're talking about.

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Mattmannz

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Reply # 1108170 14-Aug-2014 10:02

Suggest you call a range of providers not just one provider as you might only get the answer they want to tell you. My experience of doing exactly what the original poster is looking for is that some providers gave me information that wasn't correct.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1108426 14-Aug-2014 14:29

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The answer is pretty straight forward so there shouldn't be any confusion at all.

If you move between NEAX exchanges and keep a POTS line you can't keep your number. You will be issues a new number but can pay for a customerlink to keep your old number forwarding to your new number.

If you move to VoIP you'll be able to keep your number no matter where you move, providing your location is within the same LICA. Technically speaking you're not allowed to use a number outside the LICA that it was issued, although there is clearly nothing to stop this occurring.

DonGould

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Reply # 1108429 14-Aug-2014 14:36

All you need to do is put your number into a 2Talk account then deliver it on to an ATA which you can plug into the back of your router, ADSL modem, what ever.

2Talk account is $11.50 a month for 1 line, a bunch of minutes and your single PSTN (POTS) number.

A single port ATA is $65 dollars.

You can do all this yourself or allow an hours work for someone else to set it all up for you.

The benefit is that once you've got your number on your ATA you can then plug it in to what ever Internet router you like and your phone number just shows up.

Once your number is in the 2Talk cloud you can also cause it to ring on your mobile (at the same time as in your home) if you want.

The service comes with all the 'smart phone services' under the sun. Caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, call transfer, etc.

Once you've done this, you can then change ISPs when ever you like without it having impact on your phone service.

D
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DonGould

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Reply # 1108430 14-Aug-2014 14:38

sbiddle: The answer is pretty straight forward so there shouldn't be any confusion at all.

If you move between NEAX exchanges and keep a POTS line you can't keep your number. You will be issues a new number but can pay for a customerlink to keep your old number forwarding to your new number.

If you move to VoIP you'll be able to keep your number no matter where you move, providing your location is within the same LICA. Technically speaking you're not allowed to use a number outside the LICA that it was issued, although there is clearly nothing to stop this occurring.

LICA is short for?

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Reply # 1108437 14-Aug-2014 14:52

DonGould:
sbiddle: The answer is pretty straight forward so there shouldn't be any confusion at all.

If you move between NEAX exchanges and keep a POTS line you can't keep your number. You will be issues a new number but can pay for a customerlink to keep your old number forwarding to your new number.

If you move to VoIP you'll be able to keep your number no matter where you move, providing your location is within the same LICA. Technically speaking you're not allowed to use a number outside the LICA that it was issued, although there is clearly nothing to stop this occurring.

LICA is short for?

(Google was not my friend)

Local Interconnect Calling Area, or LICA

A geographic "home" area associated with a Code Block, which is named as a LICA in the Schedule of LICAs in the Rules.

DonGould

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Reply # 1108475 14-Aug-2014 15:41

TimA: Local Interconnect Calling Area, or LICA A geographic "home" area associated with a Code Block, which is named as a LICA in the Schedule of LICAs in the Rules.

ta...

lol... that's all just a bit broken now.

I have a 2Deg provided chch (03) number on my mobile which picks up calls from my Melb (+613) number.

The Melb number rings on two (+643) local call numbers which then terminate on two different mobiles.

Days of those rules are just out the window.

As an export earner it's insanly useful

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pdh

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Reply # 1108580 14-Aug-2014 18:09

Thanks guys - a very useful overview... which is exactly what I was hoping for ;-)

I will investigate 2Talk - as it sounds a bit smarter than the VOIP included by the 'major' ISPs.

> The answer is pretty straight forward so there shouldn't be any confusion at all. [sbiddle]

Darn this imperfect world ;-)

Surely any phone I have on a UFB connection is going to be VOIP ? As I said originally, no POTs will be connected at the new address - so do the NEAXs still come into it for Telecom, Vodafone or Orcon ?

If not, then why are the CSRs on the sales teams at Telecom, Vodafone & Orcon unable to confirm that they could carry my number over to their UFB 'Homeline' & broadband service ? I can't be the only person moving from a POTs neighborhood to a UFB neighborhood - I would have thought it a fairly common scenario.

When I spoke with the CSRs on the three sales line (a couple of days ago), I even offered to pay for them to check this out. None were interested in doing so and gave me the answers ranging from 'impossible' to 'very likely' - but I would have to wait until the move was completed before I would know whether to reprint my cards.

Only Orcon was willing to promise even a 98% chance of 'keeping' my number - whereas you are all saying that a VOIP phone service will _always_ be able to grab that number.

It's looking smartest for me to go with a smaller company that specializes in VOIP telephony - and just buy the 'naked' service from someone with a reliable & fast commodity offering.

It sounds like I should transfer my number to VOIP here (old address) and then just carry the ATA over to the new address when I'm ready to 'move.

Paul

DonGould

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Reply # 1108586 14-Aug-2014 18:18

> It sounds like I should transfer my number to VOIP here (old address) and then just carry the ATA over to the new address when I'm ready to 'move.

Yes. That is exactly what I'd do.

> Only Orcon was willing to promise even a 98% chance of 'keeping' my number

Orcon have a good voip platform

> If not, then why are the CSRs on the sales teams at Telecom, Vodafone

They don't have a good simple voip platform as far as I'm aware. (Steve and Johnr might like to comment).

> Surely any phone I have on a UFB connection is going to be VOIP ?

No idea exactly what's happening.

Do Spark even have a residential VoIP platform in place yet?

With the migration to mobile, I'd expect their focus to be in at direction.

Dropping POTS numbers on to mobiles is not hard.

D

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sbiddle

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Reply # 1108616 14-Aug-2014 19:13

pdh:
Surely any phone I have on a UFB connection is going to be VOIP ? As I said originally, no POTs will be connected at the new address - so do the NEAXs still come into it for Telecom, Vodafone or Orcon ?

Telecom do not provide VoIP services for UFB. If you don't have copper they won't be an option for UFB as voice is delivered over it.

coffeebaron

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Reply # 1108662 14-Aug-2014 20:41

WxC Communications do a very good VoIP product and have been in the Fibre game long before UFB. Check out their Fusion Unlimited plan.
https://www.wxc.co.nz/residential/fusion/

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maslink

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Reply # 1108667 14-Aug-2014 21:06

pdh:

(1) I think I should get Vodafone started on connecting up UFB to our unit. It has ‘structured wiring’ and had a POTs connection until March – but has no current service (it’s vacant). Better to pay for a few days of ‘too early’ service, than to be late on the UFB install. Suggestions on how best to schedule this with VF ?

(2) I would love to take my number with me. Same LCA, but different exchange. Telecom says ‘no way’. Vodafone says ‘best effort’. Orcon says ‘of course’. Yeah, Right! I’ve read a lot of Geekzone threads about this – going back over the last 5 years – but none gave me an easy solution. Is there now any way to make this work ? using 3rd-party VOIP or other magic ? Yes, I know I can pay about $150 a year forever to have Telecom link it – but that’s such a 1980’s solution.

(3) If this is possible – what steps do I need to keep it working in the old house until I’m ready to shift ?

(4) Failing this, I could scrap out-bound land-line calls – and just ‘virtualise’ the land-line. Can anyone out there ‘port’ my number to a VOIP service which lets me direct incoming calls to an Android app ? Sort of half-naked BB ?

Any advice most welcome.

Paul

1. Yes, I'd start with the UFB install...don't know that I'd recommend Vodafone, but whichever ISP you prefer is probably OK.

2. & 3. I'll defer to others on what is possible using this method

4. I did something similar a few years back...was moving overseas for ~12months, and wanted to keep my NZ number as I was planning on coming back. So ported my number to a VOIP service and used it to provide us with an NZ number (and free 'local' calls to family and friends) while we were overseas, and then ported it back once we returned home. With the exception of the last step, I'm sure that you could do the same using an ATA device to connect your regular phone, or as you suggest just use an Android app if that works for you. I would suggest using a third party for this rather than your UFB service provider for maximum future flexibility.

pdh

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Reply # 1108764 15-Aug-2014 01:42

Thanks sbiddle - I never would have dreamed Spark would run their phone service over copper into a UFB site; but it explains much !

I will now look at the various naked UFB suppliers. Vodafone had early appeal, but there are clearly other options.

I find the idea of having my phone number & service provided by a 3rd party (like 2Talk) very appealing. A bit like spinning off my Domain name and email from my ISP (many years ago).

Thanks again guys - I think I'm headed in the right direction.

Paul

sbiddle

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Reply # 1108768 15-Aug-2014 03:11

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pdh: Thanks sbiddle - I never would have dreamed Spark would run their phone service over copper into a UFB site; but it explains much !

I will now look at the various naked UFB suppliers. Vodafone had early appeal, but there are clearly other options.

I find the idea of having my phone number & service provided by a 3rd party (like 2Talk) very appealing. A bit like spinning off my Domain name and email from my ISP (many years ago).

Thanks again guys - I think I'm headed in the right direction.

Paul

They have made this very clear from day one that this is the case. They are deploying a VoIP solution but this is still in testing, all customers will eventually be migrated across to it when it does go live.

I totally disagree that having separate broadband and the VoIP providers is the best approach. Having both with the same provider will ultimately always deliver the best end user experience, even if it's simply because both ends of the call can be tagged correctly to use the UFB CIR.

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