VOIP basics?

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kUD

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Topic # 87835 8-Aug-2011 16:08

Hi - where can I get some good information on the basic concepts around VOIP?

I have a couple of DECT handsets which I want to replace, as the sound quality is poor (they also have UK charger plugs, and I want to move the charging points somewhere that will require an NZ plug). I hear things like DECT interferes with your wifi signal, so was wondering if there is a solution that allows me to have 'wireless phone handsets' that either use the wifi in my house, or won't interfere with it. This led me to this VOIP forum.

As an aside I currently just have a bog standard dlink604 802.11g router from telecom, but am intending to upgrade to something that offers dual 2.4Ghz/5GHz bands to enable me to stream video from my NAS to my WD Live.

Any reading recommendations would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

freitasm

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Reply # 503412 8-Aug-2011 16:14

VoIP (Voice over IP) is a service that will put your phone calls over the Internet. VoIP in itself is not a replacement for DECT - DECT is just the wireless communication between the handset and the base.

VoIP at home can use a box (sometimes called ATA) that will encode/decode your phone call, and put it through the Internet to a provider. You will plug a phone to your ATA. This could be an old corded phone, or a cordless phone - even DECT!

Alternatively some providers allow you to connect to their services using a "soft phone", a software that runs on your PC or smartphone, basically performing the same functions as the ATA.

Obviously there are things to consider - if you use the soft phone option then you either have to keep your PC running all the time and use a headset for better voice results, or use your smartphone all the time - and if you take it with you then no one in the house will have a "landline".

You can port your existing landline to a VoIP provider (XNET VFX, Orcon Genius, iTalk, 2Talk) but remember you will still need a landline for Internet, otherwise VoIP won't work.

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

sbiddle

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Reply # 503446 8-Aug-2011 16:53

DECT does not interfere with WiFi. DECT uses the 1.8GHz to 1.9GHz band. Regular WiFi uses 2.4GHz.

Many old non DECT cordless phones from the likes of Uniden used the 2.4Ghz band and would cause interference to WiFi and also suffer from issues when you tried to use them near a microwave oven.

nickb800

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Reply # 503460 8-Aug-2011 17:28

As sbiddle said, true DECT operates at 1.8ghz so shouldnt affect your wifi at all.
BUT uniden markets some of their phones as 'WDECT', which while sounding like DECT, operates on 2.4Ghz, thus can interfere with your wifi.

Wifi voip phones tend to be expensive, an ATA with normal cordless phones is much more cost effective

allstar1

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Reply # 503469 8-Aug-2011 17:56

[

You can port your existing landline to a VoIP provider (XNET VFX, Orcon Genius, iTalk, 2Talk) but remember you will still need a landline for Internet, otherwise VoIP won't work. ]

But you can use Voip with wireless or mobile Broadband .. so not strickly true about needing landline for internet. I get excellent phone via 2talk VOIP and Vodafone mobile internet.

freitasm

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Reply # 503470 8-Aug-2011 17:59

If you are replacing POTS and want at the very minimum the same quality of service, I wouldn't go near mobile broadband for VoIP...

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

allstar1

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Reply # 503477 8-Aug-2011 18:12

POTS .. Plain old telephone service .. learn something everyday

.. your right . VOIP over mobile BB is slightly fragile but with good gear and antenae I get pretty good service ,, But then I dont have a choice .. given choice .. yes definately go naked BB.

kUD

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Reply # 503721 9-Aug-2011 10:12

Thanks all - I appreciate the tutorial :-)

jonb

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Reply # 503723 9-Aug-2011 10:18

I'm in about the same situation as you, looking to change over to VoIP but haven't actually done it yet. My imaginary setup is using the vodafone complete modem, with built in VoIP port, together with the cheapish Siemens Gigaset A580IP handset. That allows you to save a few different VoIP accounts at the same time, for example a UK account with a UK number and an NZ account with a NZ number. There are other handsets that can do the same thing too.

allstar1

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Reply # 503754 9-Aug-2011 11:14

I saw 2talk say they now have london numbers .. so you might be able to have a Uk and NZ number on the one 2talk account. then you can probably do diverts from the uk to nz number for incoming calls.
Also if your modem has voip why would you need a voip phone? Usual setup is interet of some sort then ata then normal phone. (other arrangements like soft phones possible)