PTSN/VoIP ATA that defaults to PTSN

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michaelt

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Topic # 34823 29-May-2009 22:15

I'm looking at setting up an iTalk account to use for international calls only.

From what I've read, most ATA's default to VoIP and only make an outbound call via PTSN if a code is dialed or the VoIP network is done.

I'm looking for recommendations for an ATA that can be configured to default to PTSN and only use VoIP if a code is dialed.

I don't want to spend too much money, so the following 3 seem like my best options (cheapest first):

1) Grandstream HT-486 (~$54 including shipping from trademe)

2) Linksys AG310 (~$90)

3) Dynalink/Netcomm V300 ($90 for a 'MyNetFone' setup one, is this locked? (and can it be unlocked?))

4) Linksys SPA2102 ($109 on a 12 month contract through slingshot, and we're on a 12 month contract anyway for TNBT, are these locked (and can they be unlocked?))

If anyone can advise me as to which of those have the above functionality, or suggest any other low-cost options that'd be appreciated, as would any other relevant advice.

I'd also like confirmation that these can work from behind a NAT and don't require any port forwarding (if not, I'd like information on what they do require).

Thankyou

EDIT: Doing a bit more research into VoIP, and it seems I can use any international provider, not necessarily a NZ provider. Does anyone have experience with this that can comment on the quality of service, or can suggest a provider with cheap rates to Germany?

SECOND EDIT: Added the 4th option and costs of all 4.

wazzageek

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Reply # 219782 30-May-2009 13:10

Avoid anything that is locked - for what you are trying to do, you will simply find frustration.

I'm yet to experience other ATA's than the Linksys range, but my experience with them (ensure you get one with a PSTN connection) is that it is possible to configure them to default to PSTN.

Do you specifically require access through your telephone, or would a headset work out ok for you? If a head set will work, I recommend getting a headset that has a USB connection - it's simple and works without a hitch. (Mac and Windows ... and should be the same experience with Linux)

I have an older SPA3000 box - this allowed one side to be plugged into the PSTN (are telepermitted devices still a requirement in NZ?) and another side would connect into the network. The Sipura (now Linksys) allowed one to setup a dialing plan - basically you could program it so that if you dialed an NZ number, it would pump out the PSTN and then international through the internet / VoIP provider.

There's no reason not to use an international VoIP provider, if that suits you better and you get better calling rates.

Would Skype suit your situation? You can also purchase DECT phones which will connect into your computer via USB and allow calling to and from landlines and via Skype. You will need to have the computer turned on for this to work, however. The costs of the Skype phones that work without a computer seemed to be prohibitively expensive.

Latency will be a quick killer for your VoIP working, and bandwidth will need to be available. Woosh, Satellite and Dial up accounts are potentials for a bad experience. (Note that Woosh offers their own phone service - specifically designed to give a proper experience).

michaelt

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Reply # 219786 30-May-2009 13:22

wazzageek:

Do you specifically require access through your telephone, or would a headset work out ok for you? If a head set will work, I recommend getting a headset that has a USB connection - it's simple and works without a hitch. (Mac and Windows ... and should be the same experience with Linux)

..........

Would Skype suit your situation? You can also purchase DECT phones which will connect into your computer via USB and allow calling to and from landlines and via Skype. You will need to have the computer turned on for this to work, however. The costs of the Skype phones that work without a computer seemed to be prohibitively expensive.

I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require a computer. As you said, all the standalone Skype phones I've found are prohibitively expensive, and I'd also prefer an open solution.

I'm leaning towards one of the two Linksys models at the moment, as from what I can find on Google the Grandstream can't default to PTSN and the Dynalink/Netcomm seems to be locked by default. The AG310 seems to be the cheaper option and also has built-in ADSL, which'd save me running two devices.

Does anyone know if the AG310 is also able to connect to an existing network (in case I do decide to use another ADSL router)?

sbiddle

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Reply # 219796 30-May-2009 13:33

Buy a Cisco SPA3102 if you want just an ATA. The AG310 is essentially an ASDL router with a SPA3102 built in so will work just as well if you want a single device.

A Cisco SPA2102 is no good as it doesn't have an FXO port for interfacing to a PSTN line. It only has XFS ports for plugging in an analogue phone.

The SPA3102 (and AG310) has one of both and built in dialplan so you can configure outbound calls to default to the PSTN and international calls (or infact calls to any number you want) to go via VoIP or you can program in a code such as *1 before you make a call that will default these calls via a VoIP provider.

You can use any VoIP provider you want providing they offer SIP services. I have no idea what options there are for Germany.

michaelt

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Reply # 219802 30-May-2009 13:40

sbiddle: Buy a SPA3102 if you want just an ATA. The AG310 is essentiall an ASDL router with a SPA3102 built in so will work just as well.

A 2102 is no good as it doesn't have an FXO port for interfacing to a PSTN line. It only has XFS ports for plugging in an analogue phone.

SPA3102 has one of both and built in dialplan so you can configure outbound calls to default to the PSTN and international calls (or infact calls to any number you want) to go via VoIP or you can program in a code such as *1 before you make a call that will default these calls via a VoIP provider.

I didn't realise the 2102 doesn't have an FXO port, so thanks for pointing that out.

I'm leaning towards the AG310 currently. Can anyone confirm that it can be configured to default to PTSN and also that it's able to use an existing ADSL router (although I probably will use the built-in one).

sbiddle

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Reply # 219811 30-May-2009 14:19

michaelt:

I'm leaning towards the AG310 currently. Can anyone confirm that it can be configured to default to PTSN and also that it's able to use an existing ADSL router (although I probably will use the built-in one).

I haven't played with an AG310 but my understanding is the functionality is identical so it should.

The AG310 would work behind an existing ADSL modem if you put it in half bridge mode. If your existing ADSL modem/router doesn't go QoS then I'd recommend using the AG310 since it supports QoS.

michaelt

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Reply # 219816 30-May-2009 14:28

I haven't played with an AG310 but my understanding is the functionality is identical so it should.

The AG310 would work behind an existing ADSL modem if you put it in half bridge mode. If your existing ADSL modem/router doesn't go QoS then I'd recommend using the AG310 since it supports QoS.

The two ADSL routers I have currently are a D-Link DSL-504G that I'm currently using and a Dynalink RTA1320 I received with my connection to slingshot TNBT.

The DSL-504G seemed rock-stable over the last few years until I tried a SIP softphone, where it crashed after one call, so I'm going to try the RTA1320, however I think the AG310 will be a better bet.

I'm considering upgrading to an open firmware (dd-wrt/openwrt/tomato/etc) at some point in the future so would like to know that the AG310 is capable of operating as just an ATA as well.

EDIT: I mean, upgrading to an open firmware router (probably an Asus WL-500g premium, unless a cheap WRT45* shows up on trademe).