"Brian A" <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:iop5t2lnbeqvc8okccadjain2o0b967hnk@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:13:01 +0000, Roger Baker <me7@privacy.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I have an account with voip.co.uk and subscribe to their £1.99 a month
>>service.
>>
>>My mum is getting older now but has broadband as she tends to be a bit
>>of a 'silver surfer'. I seem to be making an increasing number of
>>calls to her these days and she likes to chat to her friends during
>>the week. The voip.co.uk option of 2p for up to one hour during peak
>>periods would seem to suit her and also allow me to phone her for
>>nothing.
>>
>>I have been looking at the option of one of the cheap Chinese ATA's on
>>Ebay for her, and was wondering if anyone could give any experiences
>>of having used one. The two common models seem to be the Gate 101 and
>>Gate 102. She doesn't need any bells and whistles, just something to
>>plug in and work.
>>
>>Anyone care to pass on any of their experiences with these devices?
>>
>>Many thanks,
>>
>>Roger.[/color]
> A factor you might consider....
> I haven't seen these devices so can't comment but I would think that,
> particularly with an older person, you would want to integrate the
> landline, if she intends to keep it (no choice if on BT of course).
> This a an additional safety factor should she become ill etc.
> Some ATAs have simple fallback to a landline if the power faills,
> others have full support for it.[/color]

The Gateway 102 does have PSTN fallback. Likewise, I'm not able to comment
on the quality of these gadgets. I have noticed that the 'Buy it Now' price
of the 102 from ebay's 'digidave_ie' is now £33. Seems to be quite a price
hike.