VoIP Software/Hardware incompatibility?

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › VoIP Software/Hardware incompatibility?

JermCool

35 posts

Geek

#6599 8-Feb-2006 12:06

We've ditched Telecom! Yay!

We're still working out the kinks with Woosh. Boo.

Here's my situation: We got jacked up on the Woosh Fusion plan last week, so we've go the modem, VoIP gateway, headset, yada-yada. After a couple of hiccups, we finally got the gateway to handle the login, so we're connected to the net via ethernet and have dial-tone on our standard telephone (SLT) through the gateway. After reading through the manual, going through the setup disc (more than a few times), and reading through the FAQ, we finally got the Software phone to work too...but it screwed up the Gateway, which then required a complete reset (unplug the Gateway, reboot the modem, etc).

Seeing as how the Gateway isn't sending Caller ID messages through to the SLT, I figured the Software phone could be used as a caller display - that and I could rewire the cordless into another room.

Has anyone else tried to use the software phone and an SLT through the gateway at the same time or am I trying to achieve the impossible?

You say I'm a geek like it's a bad thing?

Andy_Walker

89 posts

Master Geek

#28361 13-Feb-2006 22:24

I can't think why caller display would not be working. It has always worked for me. The only problem I get with the caller display is that it drops off the 0 from the prefix of incoming numbers. So if I receive a call from a 021 Vodafone mobile & try to auto call it back it gets dialled is 21 XXX XXX missing of the 0 and thus not connecting. I find this annoying, but when I receive calls forwarded to my mobile that does not happen. If you try a different handset or a separate caller display unit you may find that it works just fine.

I would not bother with the software phone. I can't think of any advantage of using it. That silly little headset thing they give you is a waste of time if your PC sits to your right, because it won't fit on your left ear. You pretty much need a PC actually sitting on your desktop with audio plugs in the front (not rear) in able to use it. My PC sits on the floor to my right and the only way to use that headset it to get down on the floor myself & sit with by back to the PC to I get get it on my right ear. Trying to make calls through your PC when you can easily use good old regular phone seems pretty pointless to me.

If you really want to use the software phone I recommend a USB handset like this:

http://i13.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/e6/1d/03_1_b.JPG

I use one with Skype & it is like using a regular phone.

JermCool

35 posts

Geek

#28372 14-Feb-2006 08:25

Turns out the Caller ID hadn't quite been introduced. It's working now!

It still doesn't quite explain why the softphone and the SLT won't work together, though. Oh well. I'm not terribly concerned about it anymore now that we know which calls to ignore. :)

The 0 insertion is something to do with your phone (believe me...I've researched a LOT on Caller ID in NZ). Most Uniden equipment will automatically insert it unless you tell it not to. Most Chinese-manufactured equipment doesn't, though - unless the importer specifically asked for it. There's probably a blurb in your user guide telling you that you can't use the callback feature or how to tell the phone to insert the 0. But that's another topic entirely.

You say I'm a geek like it's a bad thing?

Andy_Walker

89 posts

Master Geek

#28375 14-Feb-2006 09:30

There's probably a blurb in your user guide telling you that you can't use the callback feature or how to tell the phone to insert the 0. But that's another topic entirely.

Well that is a very interesting topic. I have a Uniden phone so I am going to see if I can adjust anything to get it going. Thanks for the tip.

Andy

Andy_Walker

89 posts

Master Geek

#28376 14-Feb-2006 09:34

Fantastic! I have got my zero back again! All this time I assumed it was a fault with Woosh but it was just the settings on my phone. Thanks.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#28378 14-Feb-2006 10:05

Most people incorrectly think that 0 is part of the phone number when infact it's only an access code. When many toll providers including Ihug first introduced their phone service they didn't require the 0 which confused a lot of people, ie you dialed the ihug access code (can't remember what it was now) and then 4 1234567 without the extra 0. Clear wanted to do that when they had 050 so you would dial 050 4 1234567 but belived it would cause confusion so stuck with the extra 0.

One of my pet peeves is people who also list their phone number as 0064 for NZ when it should be +64, NZ is only one of a handful of countries that use 00! ANZ made a big deal about listing international contact numbers on their statements about 3 or 4 years ago and listed them in the 00644xxxxxxx format. My sister who was working for them at the time lodged it with them and it took over 6 months to change because nobody believed it was an issue!

JermCool

35 posts

Geek

#28379 14-Feb-2006 10:35

Glad it's working, Andy!

Sbiddle, I'd go for that, but the networks should be catching up with the times. Realistically, there's no reason why they can't send the leading 0 for long-distance calls and with-holding the area code for local calls. They're smart enough to figure that much out.

It's actually a complaint I've had for a while: New Zealand just has to be different!

Man - we have moved way OT!

You say I'm a geek like it's a bad thing?