Ditching the landline & looking for help from the experts here

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Elpie

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#39515 15-Aug-2009 18:16

Hi all,
I am trying to come up to speed with current VOIP options & would appreciate your advice.

I currently have two separate (not split) landlines with one dedicated to ADSL only, the other to telephone.
I only recently purchased a Linksys WAG 160N to set up for wireless (not yet taken out of the box) and was intending to move to naked DSL and use mobile instead of standard telephone. Then an friendly soul on Twitter suggested VOIP as an option ;)

Ok, so I have the router and since Wireless-N appeals to me, I guess I need to also buy an ATA (SPA2102 ?). Keeping the existing handsets appeals BUT I'm not sure I even need to do that - do I? Ideally, I would like to use mobile for all VOIP calls through the home network.

Current mobile is through Vodafone, on HTC Magic and an old Vodafone 715.

If I used just the mobile handsets could I get away with not using an ATA? Any issues with doing this (or extra costs I might be letting myself in for?)

This is for home use and one of the reasons for doing it is to reduce costs. I am currently paying an average $95 a month for the privilege of two lines, which is half my monthly telecoms bill. I can get naked DSL here, and will be moving to it after I get the VOIP service sorted out.

Apart from the hardware, I would also appreciate any tips on whether its possible to port the number from the phone line to use on the VOIP service, which will be running through the other line. I've been trying to get a response from 2Talk as to whether this is possible, or, even better, if I can port and keep both numbers.

2Talk do seem a bit slow in responding. Should I keep persuing them or look more closely at VFX?

Sorry for so many questions!

freitasm

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#247007 15-Aug-2009 18:24

An ATA device is a good option for non-technically minded people - it will allow you to just plug it to your router, and connect a standard phone to it. I have an ATA device here with two VoIP lines - my NZ number and an Australian number. Each is a different handset so we know when a call is national or from Australia.

When I decided to go VoIP I ported my number out of TelstraClear to WorldxChange VFX. This means I kept the same number we had for almost ten years, so no big deal moving technologies. Remember to port a number you don't close your account - you ask the new provider to do it. IIRC WorldxChange and 2Talk allow porting.

My parents-in-law moved house a couple of years ago and couldn't keep their number if they continue to use Telecom. So we ported their number to VFX and they currently have a fax line (they still use the fax) which is also their DSL line. Of course VoIP is over that DSL line. If they didn't need the fax then we could simply go naked DSL and add the VFX service.

You can have those services with any provider - I continue to use TelstraClear cable modem for our Internet and VFX for VoIP.

Using the mobile handsets for VoIP is possible - if they have "SIP Clients". Note the call quality may not be ideal, and this is not supported on WorldxChange VFX VoIP service.

WorldxChange is very protective of their network, only allowing certified devices to connect. This is great because you know 100% will work, and know that nothing you change will stop it working.

Also note the DSL quality may impact on your voice quality. If you have a low quality DSL connection with low speeds then certainly heavy traffic may impact on final quality. Things like Torrents for example that may affect your upload speeds.

Also make sure your Internet services is working well. Make sure you have filters where needed and I recommend using a cordless handset with your ATA since the ATA is pretty much fixed in your house. If you need more than one extension then you may need to either put the ATA as the first device and run all phone wiring from there or use structured cabling (what we have in my parents-in-law, with more than ten extensions around the house if needed).

nate

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#247195 16-Aug-2009 14:32

freitasm: An ATA device is a good option for non-technically minded people - it will allow you to just plug it to your router, and connect a standard phone to it. I have an ATA device here with two VoIP lines - my NZ number and an Australian number. Each is a different handset so we know when a call is national or from Australia.

(I used to be a dealer for both WxC/2Talk so I'm biased both ways)

My question would be how technically minded are you?

If you are reasonably comfortable with configuring an ATA (through a web interface) I would compare VFX/2Talk feature for feature and make a decision that way. Regardless of provider you will be making a monthly saving (for example, I recently swapped my Dad's two home lines - one for his home office, one for his fax - to 2Talk and the saving is quite substantial).

If you aren't technical, I would go with VFX - you purchase an approved Linksys (now Cisco) device, provide WxC with it's details and they auto provision it from their end. Basically as soon as you plug it into the internet they will lock it down and set it up for you. Easy peasy.

I've set this up for a non-technical friend of mine and it worked well.

Hope this helps.

sbiddle

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#247222 16-Aug-2009 15:59

If you want a basic PSTN replacement the best option would be to stick with the current new router and buy a SPA2102 to use for VoIP. This has two analogue ports on the back that enable you to plug a regular phone straight in and use it for calling.

If you want to usour mobile for VoIP calls you need to have a VoIP client on it. I'm not sure what VoIP options are like on the HTC Magic. If they do support SIP then you should be able to register this with 2talk and can register both at the same time. The Vodafone 715 is of no value as it has no VoIP capabilities.

Elpie

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#247228 16-Aug-2009 16:15

Thanks. ATA it is then!

nate:
My question would be how technically minded are you?

I'm pretty technical when it comes to computers but this is my first foray into telecoms since I dissected a phone handset when I was a kid. That wasn't entirely successful ;)

nate:
If you are reasonably comfortable with configuring an ATA (through a web interface) I would compare VFX/2Talk feature for feature and make a decision that way.

"Reasonably comfortable"... not yet, but I will be when I do it eh?

Thanks for the advice nate and freitasm -much appreciated.

Elpie

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#247229 16-Aug-2009 16:18

Thanks Steve.

sbiddle:
The Vodafone 715 is of no value as it has no VoIP capabilities.

THANK YOU! I've been trying to find a compelling reason for someone to buy me an HTC Hero LOL

nate

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#247367 16-Aug-2009 21:16

Elpie:"Reasonably comfortable"... not yet, but I will be when I do it eh?

There's plenty of info on this site about getting set up with VoIP or ask away, we are a friendly bunch...