Wireless VOIP Phone Recommendations

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SamF

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Topic # 17334 21-Nov-2007 22:18

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can assist me with some VOIP hardware questions I have.

I am considering switching to VFX but am having trouble finding the kind of VOIP hardware I'm looking for. I really want a wireless handset which has a base station that plugs directly into the LAN (or even connects to our home wireless network directly) which I can use to connect to a service like VFX. Is anyone able to suggest a phone which would fit this description?

Alternatively, a wireless, USB connected base station solution would be the next best option. However, from what I can see, most wireless USB phones seem to be Skype only.

Also, are any of the Cisco (corded) IP Phones compatible with VFX and are they ok them for home use?

And finally, do I have to open incoming ports on my firewall to use VFX?

Note that I don't want to use an analogue to VOIP box, I really want a pure VOIP solution.

Thanks,

Sam.

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Reply # 96295 21-Nov-2007 22:33

I had a look at this same issue myself a few months ago, with the same idea as you -- namely an IP phone with wireless connection. First you need an IP phone which is compatible with VFX. One of them is SPA922:

Others are on this web page:

http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

Then you need a wireless adaptor:

Finally, NO you don't need to open any ports on your firewall to use VFX. It uses NAT traversal techniques to make this unnecessary.

Cheers,
Grant.

SamF

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Reply # 96297 21-Nov-2007 22:40

Hmm, interesting idea, I was actually thinking about a 'cordless' phone (ie; like the traditional analogue 'cordless' phones), but that's another great product that I didn't know existed!! That solves the issue of having to have an ethernet outlet wherever your corded phone is.

So while this might be useful for one of my phones, but I still want a 'portable, walk around and talk' VOIP phone as well.

Cheers for the info tho! :)

grant_k

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Reply # 96299 21-Nov-2007 22:49

SamF: ...I still want a 'portable, walk around and talk' VOIP phone as well.

Hmmm, AFAIK there isn't any such device in the Linksys range which is usable with VFX. For this reason, I use a VoIP-equipped router which is connected into my house wiring, thus providing phone service at all jackpoints.

Into one of those jackpoints is plugged a 5.8GHz DECT base station which provides excellent audio quality anywhere in the house, and then at another jackpoint have a Voyager Long-Range Cordless phone with external antenna which works up to 2km away.

I think an ATA or VoIP-equipped router together with a cordless phone is the only way to achieve what you are wanting at present

SamF

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Reply # 96305 21-Nov-2007 23:22

I found this tonight:

http://www.ecofone.co.nz/vowifi.asp

Which I think is what I'm looking for... no price, but I've e-mailed them.

grant_k

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Reply # 96307 21-Nov-2007 23:30

SamF: I found this tonight:

http://www.ecofone.co.nz/vowifi.asp

Quite a sexy piece of kit definitely

However, Ecofone's charges don't look so flash:

1) $17 per month "line rental"
2) 38c per minute to mobiles
3) No free local calls

It would also be interesting to know what sort of voice quality you would get from their service, and how much lag is present.

coffeebaron

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Reply # 96329 22-Nov-2007 08:20

I'm hanging out for a decent cordless IP (DECT) phone for VFX too. But nothing yet. BTW stay a way from WIFI versions, they are only good when in good range of the wireless AP.

If you have the $$ to spend, then maybe set up VFX on Asterisk and use one of these:
http://nicegear.co.nz/ip-phones/aastra-57i-ct

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NZtechfreak

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Reply # 96330 22-Nov-2007 08:48

Wow, for that price just buy something like an N95/N80/E65 and use that for VoIP!

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coffeebaron

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Reply # 96332 22-Nov-2007 08:56

NZtechfreak: Wow, for that price just buy something like an N95/N80/E65 and use that for VoIP!

Yes, very pricey. I'm sure there are some other cheaper DECT IP phones out their. There is a Dlink dual phone, but that's not really true IP, its PSTN with IP attached.
The WIFI phones definitely have their place, but for a good reliable cordless setup, you really need a DECT system. (Unless of course you live in a small flat, then WIFI is fine).

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NZtechfreak

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Reply # 96381 22-Nov-2007 12:09

coffeebaron:
NZtechfreak: Wow, for that price just buy something like an N95/N80/E65 and use that for VoIP!

Yes, very pricey. I'm sure there are some other cheaper DECT IP phones out their. There is a Dlink dual phone, but that's not really true IP, its PSTN with IP attached.
The WIFI phones definitely have their place, but for a good reliable cordless setup, you really need a DECT system. (Unless of course you live in a small flat, then WIFI is fine).

True, although we get great coverage all throughout our 3 bedroom house from the Linksys WRT54G - perhaps SamF could let us know what kind of home environment he'll be using his VoIP phone in?

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maverick

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WorldxChange

Reply # 96383 22-Nov-2007 12:34

grant_k: I had a look at this same issue myself a few months ago, with the same idea as you -- namely an IP phone with wireless connection. First you need an IP phone which is compatible with VFX. One of them is SPA922:

Others are on this web page:

http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

Then you need a wireless adaptor:

Finally, NO you don't need to open any ports on your firewall to use VFX. It uses NAT traversal techniques to make this unnecessary.

Cheers,
Grant.

I have this at home and at work ...except it's the colour 962

, works real well

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SamF

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Reply # 96384 22-Nov-2007 12:43

This is for my home, where I'm running a Linksys WRT54GL with DD-WRT installed. Wireless reception strength is excellent throughout the house on our laptop, however it is a metal framed house (don't ask, it's an Aussie kitset house) so this can cause reception issues which may manifest more noticably while being used for VOIP applications. In saying that, via the laptop, skype seems to work ok. I haven't tried walking around whilst on a skype call, but that could be done quite easily.

SamF

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Reply # 96449 22-Nov-2007 19:21

I previously e-mailed WxC with the same question as I originally posted here. This is their reply:


All the available hardware for our service can be found here:

http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/hardware.shtml

The Phones that plug into your router via ethernet are towards the
bottom of the page.

Only the linksys hardware is allowed on our service at the moment,
unless you run linux and can configure asterisk. We do not support
asterisk on the helpdesk though.

VFX uses UDP Ports 8060 – 8065 & 35384 - 35482



Does anyone know if this is true (regarding only allowing linksys hardware) as I didn't think that it was technically possible to restrict hardware by brand!?

Also, re the ports, I am assuming that these are outgoing ports?

joshp

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Reply # 97117 27-Nov-2007 12:21

We have done a number of tests in house with Wifi Phones, the wip 310 the wip 330, but have yet to find a suitable alternative. With all Wifi phones the battery life seems to be the biggest killer, with out a docking station they seem to be very limited and it gets annoying having to plug in constantly..

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sbiddle

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Reply # 97125 27-Nov-2007 13:00

SamF:
Does anyone know if this is true (regarding only allowing linksys hardware) as I didn't think that it was technically possible to restrict hardware by brand!?

Yes it is correct.

Your account is tied to a MAC address so only authorised devices will work and to configure your device you need to auto provision it through the VFX system by entering the URL of the provisioning server into your device. This will only work with Linksys devices.

hads

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Reply # 97590 29-Nov-2007 21:44

Yeah the Aastra 57iCT is probably priced a little unrealistically for a home user, it's more targeted at specific business situations.

I'm looking forward to getting the snom m3 in, it's a VoIP DECT phone which looks great. Unfortunately it's a new product and isn't available as yet; http://www.snom.com/en/snom_m3.html

There's also the Cisco 7921 WiFi although that requires Cisco access points. The E65/N95 etc. that were mentioned above all work really well too, I use one myself.

Of course none of these are allowed on the VFX network so you'll either have to stick with their approved products or use another service.

hads

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