Do I need to sign up with a VOIP provider to use my existing landline phone on VOIP?

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sparkvoip

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#185399 21-Nov-2015 08:10

I'm getting fibre connected in the coming weeks (Spark), so I was thinking I could ditch the landline and connect my existing landline phone to the modem by way of an ATA adapter. Is this possible, and would I be able to keep my existing number from the old landline? Or do I need to sign up with a VOIP provider? Sorry, I'm new to the VOIP camp.

hairy1

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#1432059 21-Nov-2015 08:20

Yes you can. It is called a number port and all VOIP providers are able to put in a port request. You can read about the number porting process with 2talk here:

http://blog.2talk.co.nz/porting.html

You don't need to use 2talk. WXC are a good provider:

https://www.wxc.co.nz/residential/voice/hostedvoice/vfxprimaryline/

You can sign up for a free 2talk number any time to see how things work. This is a good way of dipping your toe into VOIP.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

sbiddle

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#1432060 21-Nov-2015 08:20

If you want to pay an extra $50ish per month for your copper landline there will be nothing stopping you from keeping it.

As for "converting it to VoIP" it doesn't work in the way you imagine, so no.

sparkvoip

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#1432072 21-Nov-2015 09:19

Thanks for the answers guys, I've got a better picture of how it works now.

Jase2985

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#1432128 21-Nov-2015 11:53

pay the extra $10 a month with spark, and a $49 connection fee and spark will connect your existing home phone wiring into the ATA port on the ONT.

you can also keep your old number

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/fibre-help/voice-over-fibre-help.html