"Herman" <whitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> schreef in bericht
news:wZYJh.1978$B37.1019@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...[color=blue]
> Something interesting I just learnt in be.telecom (assuming there is
> nobody here who knows differently).
>
> It was stated that the Annex A/B refers to the style of ADSL. This means
> that you can use Annex B devices in England so long as you have either a
> cable modem or separate ADSL modem or router with ethernet port.
>
> The reason why this could be interesting to some people here is that the
> prices of Annex B in Germany are far lower, and there are many more
> second-hand ones too (7050 on e-bay.de yesterday for 53 Euros + p&p with
> two hours to go). Not a bad saving if you don't need the ADSL modem part
> of it.
>
> Can anyone corroborate/contradict this?
>
> --[/color]
You are 100% correct, it is possible to bypass the ADSL modem part of a
FritzBox and connect it via LAN to the network. In fact, you than have a
super ATA.

There is a disadvantage, though. The FritzBox connects VoIP when using the
ADSL modem with the outside of the network. No firewall/NAT problems and QoS
(Quality of Service) works. Behind your (cable) modem/router, you depend on
the mercy of the modem/router. Most problems can be solved bu using a STUN
server. This option only appears in the FritzBox when using it as an ATA.

The German FritzBoxes are speaking German. Not many people in England. do.

Reflashing from German to English is possible for a number of FritzBoxes.
But it is not so easy. I have done it many times, but I do not want to
explain how because I am sure that many persons will loose their boxes if
something goes wrong. In fact, I better say "when" than "if". And if
(errrrr.... when) you do that, you loose your 5 yr warranty. In fact, the
box can still function as a nice paperweight. FritzBoxes have different
colours (red, blue, black), so be sure to select one in the colour you
prefer :-).

But if (when?) you do it anyway, than change the Annex B to A at the same
time and use it in England as an Annex A ADSL modem. According to the
manufacturer, this would not be possible because of a difference in
frequency spectrum. I am not so sure that this is true, to me it seems that
the hardware is identical and I never experienced any problems with modding
B to A.

Grz Henk van Andel