Absolute curmudgeon cheap home VOIP option

Forums › VoIP › Absolute curmudgeon cheap home VOIP option

1 | 2

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#2752626 30-Jul-2021 18:44

SirHumphreyAppleby:

Call costs are still the main issue for me. Even going copper-free, VoIP calls are still a lot more expensive than basic mobile plans.

Fixed line providers don't have inbound termination rates to fund their business model. Remember every call does actually costs somebody money.

shk292

2916 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#2798791 21-Oct-2021 14:04

A quick update to this thread - I finally got around to porting my rarely-used home line from Slingshot to Hero today, so am now paying $2 per month rather than $10 and have more flexibility with changing ISP. Altogether a very painless process, with good info on Hero's website for configuring the LinkSys PAP2T I use. The only slight hiccup was that at the time of changeover, I lost internet connection but a quick reset of ONT and router restored that.

I know it's only $100 per year but the principle is there

ajw

1968 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 369

#2798792 21-Oct-2021 14:09

SirHumphreyAppleby:

mobiusnz:

One thing I do like about 2Talk is I actually got 3 logins for the same line so I have 0335XXXXX 0335XXXXX-1 and 0335XXXXX-2 which meant I had the first port on the ATA logging in as the main one, port two logging in as -1 so I could plug a phone directly into the back of the ATA in the cabinet in the garage and then when testing I could log a SIP deskphone in as -2 at the office so if I wanted I could answer the homeline there.

I'm picking I'm going to lose that ability but in reality its only the nerd in me that uses that to play with.

I believe Hero has this as well, but not for DID.

I'm using DID numbers for incoming calls and a cellular gateway for outbound calls. I'd prefer to use a complete VoIP solution, but 2talk/Hero simply don't compare to unlimited call offerings from cellular providers. If they could do unlimited calls to Australia and New Zealand for $15, I'd be VoIP only.

Especially Kogan mobile $13.25 per month on the entry level 12 month plan.

shk292

2916 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#2798820 21-Oct-2021 15:04

Outgoing calls not required in my case - I never get through the minutes on my $19 cellphone package. We just want to retain the landline number for incoming international and work calls, and the Hero service seems perfect for that.

mobiusnz

477 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 114

#2798863 21-Oct-2021 17:14

shk292:

Outgoing calls not required in my case - I never get through the minutes on my $19 cellphone package. We just want to retain the landline number for incoming international and work calls, and the Hero service seems perfect for that.

You are in the exact boat I was and the exact same outcome - Mines been an absolute rock with companies ringing me for political polls :)

Matt Beechey Mobius Network Solutions

Lewk

572 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

dns4me

Lifetime subscriber

#2798864 21-Oct-2021 17:17

I currently have a landline with Vodafone but we don't have any phones connected to the landline - it's is only used for the Alarm system which rings our mobile phones if the Alarm is triggered. Because we are with Vodafone and have the Landline, we have to use their Router rather than an alternative - this limits me in what I want to do with the router. Does anyone know if I had one of these Hero DDI phone numbers if our Alarm System would work over the DDI number and say a FritzBox 7490? Our Alarm System is a Paradox MG5000

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

shk292

2916 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2040

Lifetime subscriber

#2798922 21-Oct-2021 19:24

Lewk:

I currently have a landline with Vodafone but we don't have any phones connected to the landline - it's is only used for the Alarm system which rings our mobile phones if the Alarm is triggered. Because we are with Vodafone and have the Landline, we have to use their Router rather than an alternative - this limits me in what I want to do with the router. Does anyone know if I had one of these Hero DDI phone numbers if our Alarm System would work over the DDI number and say a FritzBox 7490? Our Alarm System is a Paradox MG5000

I don't see why that wouldn't work - you effectively get a standard phone line. I use a separate phone adapter rather than a router with this function.

bj99

169 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 24

#2799105 22-Oct-2021 06:44

shk292:

Lewk:

I currently have a landline with Vodafone but we don't have any phones connected to the landline - it's is only used for the Alarm system which rings our mobile phones if the Alarm is triggered. Because we are with Vodafone and have the Landline, we have to use their Router rather than an alternative - this limits me in what I want to do with the router. Does anyone know if I had one of these Hero DDI phone numbers if our Alarm System would work over the DDI number and say a FritzBox 7490? Our Alarm System is a Paradox MG5000

I don't see why that wouldn't work - you effectively get a standard phone line. I use a separate phone adapter rather than a router with this function.

I agree. It should work fine.

mobiusnz

477 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 114

#2799344 22-Oct-2021 12:25

Lewk:

I currently have a landline with Vodafone but we don't have any phones connected to the landline - it's is only used for the Alarm system which rings our mobile phones if the Alarm is triggered. Because we are with Vodafone and have the Landline, we have to use their Router rather than an alternative - this limits me in what I want to do with the router. Does anyone know if I had one of these Hero DDI phone numbers if our Alarm System would work over the DDI number and say a FritzBox 7490? Our Alarm System is a Paradox MG5000

Yeah - Should work fine - I used a 2talk voip number on my fritzbox for a little while (had no real use - Just experimenting) so they are configurable. The only catch is $2.50 per month for the line but then you'll need Mobile minutes as you are ringing your cellphones - I guess you only need a few minutes in credit as it won't be ringing all the time but does your vodafone line give you any free calling to your mobiles on the same bill as that might be beneficial?

Matt Beechey Mobius Network Solutions

Lewk

572 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 256

Trusted

dns4me

Lifetime subscriber

#2799424 22-Oct-2021 13:43

Thanks @shk292, @bj99 and @mobiusnz

Yes, I do get free calling to Mobile on Vodafone but the main reason I want to move off Vodafone for the landline is that I have to use their router to use the landline through them. This is limiting and when I tried to get Vodafone to guide me in setting the landline up on the FritzBox, they couldn't do it.

I take it that I can just use the Hero DDI option with the FritzBox rather than the more expensive cloud line?

SirHumphreyAppleby

2939 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1860

#2799425 22-Oct-2021 13:44

Lewk:

I take it that I can just use the Hero DDI option with the FritzBox rather than the more expensive cloud line?

Yes. Just set it up as a you would any other SIP account.

Lenovo

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

mobiusnz

477 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 114

#2799459 22-Oct-2021 14:14

Lewk:

Thanks @shk292, @bj99 and @mobiusnz

Yes, I do get free calling to Mobile on Vodafone but the main reason I want to move off Vodafone for the landline is that I have to use their router to use the landline through them. This is limiting and when I tried to get Vodafone to guide me in setting the landline up on the FritzBox, they couldn't do it.

I take it that I can just use the Hero DDI option with the FritzBox rather than the more expensive cloud line?

Good call - There is nothing like the freedom of seperation of services. My router is my own so no contract with any provider. Phone and Internet seperate. Mobiles I haven't signed a contract over for many years which meant when switch from V to 2D seamed like a good idea it was a breeze.

I do have some interest free handset purchases with 2D but I can just pay them off if I want to leave - The actual accounts aren't contracted at all.

I try and convince people not to tie themselves to a provider - I have a client with issues with Trustpower internet but he's stuck on a contract and can't leave them without penalties. A "free" TV is never free.

Matt Beechey Mobius Network Solutions

1 | 2