UKVoIPTalk.com

I'm looking to replace our NTL telephone service with a VOIP one using
the NTL broadband connection I've got.

I guess I could use an analogue telephone adapter (ATA), and use my
existing PSTN-based DECT answerphone.

I'm using a Linksys WRT54G router flashed with SIP@Home-enabled DD-WRT
(so I could then use a SIP-enabled wifi phone for around the house), but
as the cost of a standalone ATA appears to be about as much as a
replacement wireless router with built-in ATA, I'm also up for any
suggestions on replacing the router (as long as I can also flash it with
DD-WRT).

The only pain is that I also have a Sky HD box connected to the existing
phone line. Rather than replace the existing wired extension with an
alternative, it looks like I could use a wireless phone extender
(specifically the one advertised on
[url]http://www.netshop.co.uk/productcategorydetail.aspx?categoryid=55456[/url], as
most sites claim that alternatives don't work with Sky+ or SkyHD
boxes). Unless, of course, anyone knows differently.

Oh, and is there a way of doing this such that my existing NTL telephone
number could be used with the VOIP provider?

Thanks,

Ian

Ian Richardson presented the following explanation :[color=blue]
> I'm looking to replace our NTL telephone service with a VOIP one using the
> NTL broadband connection I've got.
>
> I guess I could use an analogue telephone adapter (ATA), and use my existing
> PSTN-based DECT answerphone.[/color]

Yep.

[color=blue]
> I'm using a Linksys WRT54G router flashed with SIP@Home-enabled DD-WRT (so I
> could then use a SIP-enabled wifi phone for around the house), but as the
> cost of a standalone ATA appears to be about as much as a replacement
> wireless router with built-in ATA, I'm also up for any suggestions on
> replacing the router (as long as I can also flash it with DD-WRT).[/color]

Look on Broadbandstuff for the Linksys/Sipura SPA1001 - very good ATA.
I use the same router as you with NO one-way audio issues, or port
forwarding requirements. Don't bin it. You could get 3 or 4 SPA1001s
for the price of a WiFi phone - they're also not the most reliable of
devices, by all accounts.
[color=blue]
> The only pain is that I also have a Sky HD box connected to the existing
> phone line.[/color]

Disconnect it. No need to have it connected & it won't dial in using
Voip - the modem within the Sky box will only connect at speeds above
those which can be (relatively) reliably achieved over VoIP.
[color=blue]
> Rather than replace the existing wired extension with an
> alternative, it looks like I could use a wireless phone extender
> (specifically the one advertised on[/color]

For your Sky box? Don't bother.
[color=blue]
> [url]http://www.netshop.co.uk/productcategorydetail.aspx?categoryid=55456[/url], as
> most sites claim that alternatives don't work with Sky+ or SkyHD boxes).
> Unless, of course, anyone knows differently.
>
> Oh, and is there a way of doing this such that my existing NTL telephone
> number could be used with the VOIP provider?[/color]

No. Unless it's a BT number that you've ported to ex-NTL.

Jono wrote:[color=blue]
> Ian Richardson presented the following explanation :[color=green]
>> Oh, and is there a way of doing this such that my existing NTL
>> telephone number could be used with the VOIP provider?[/color]
>
> No. Unless it's a BT number that you've ported to ex-NTL.[/color]

Um, there is no reason why a VoIP provider could not port a number from
NTL. You just need to find one which supports it or who would be willing
to setup a porting a agreement with NTL.

"Paul Cupis" <paul@cupis.co.uk> wrote in message news:45f2e009.0@entanet...[color=blue]
> Jono wrote:[color=green]
>> Ian Richardson presented the following explanation :[color=darkred]
>>> Oh, and is there a way of doing this such that my existing NTL telephone
>>> number could be used with the VOIP provider?[/color]
>>
>> No. Unless it's a BT number that you've ported to ex-NTL.[/color]
>
> Um, there is no reason why a VoIP provider could not port a number from
> NTL. You just need to find one which supports it or who would be willing
> to setup a porting a agreement with NTL.[/color]

In theory you're right but I think he may be a while searching.

FWIW, my advice is keep the NTL line as a backup until you're happy with
your VoIP set-up and provider and then ditch the phone line if you want to.

Just for your interest though, I spoke to NTL retentions team and they
matched (as far as they could) the Orange deal I had found and so I now have
10MB BB + phone line + 24 hr geo calls for £20 pcm. I use the NTL line as a
backup, only because I once had an issue getting through to 999 on
voip.co.uk. They say they sorted the issue, but you I have no way of
knowing if that is correct until I try next time... If you have a unit with
PSTN fallover (or FXO as Linksys call it) could be a good way to get the
features of VoIP and keep your phone number.

I must get used to calling them VirginMedia. Sounds like it should have
very marginally better customer service...

Jono wrote:[color=blue]
> Look on Broadbandstuff for the Linksys/Sipura SPA1001 - very good ATA. I
> use the same router as you with NO one-way audio issues, or port
> forwarding requirements. Don't bin it. You could get 3 or 4 SPA1001s for
> the price of a WiFi phone - they're also not the most reliable of
> devices, by all accounts.[/color]

Except that the SPA-1001 is no more.

Replacement is the PAP2T, which does 2 lines and is only a little bit
more expensive.

Tim

Tim wrote:[color=blue]
> Replacement is the PAP2T, which does 2 lines and is only a little bit
> more expensive.[/color]

Or SPA-2002's are still available. Which cost a bit more, but they can
do two simultaneous G.729 calls.

Tim

Paul Cupis wrote :[color=blue]
> Jono wrote:[color=green]
>> Ian Richardson presented the following explanation :[color=darkred]
>>> Oh, and is there a way of doing this such that my existing NTL telephone
>>> number could be used with the VOIP provider?[/color]
>>
>> No. Unless it's a BT number that you've ported to ex-NTL.[/color]
>
> Um, there is no reason why a VoIP provider could not port a number from NTL.
> You just need to find one which supports it or who would be willing to setup
> a porting a agreement with NTL.[/color]

So the answer's still no.

Tim expressed precisely :[color=blue]
> Jono wrote:[color=green]
>> Look on Broadbandstuff for the Linksys/Sipura SPA1001 - very good ATA. I
>> use the same router as you with NO one-way audio issues, or port forwarding
>> requirements. Don't bin it. You could get 3 or 4 SPA1001s for the price of
>> a WiFi phone - they're also not the most reliable of devices, by all
>> accounts.[/color]
>
> Except that the SPA-1001 is no more.
>
> Replacement is the PAP2T, which does 2 lines and is only a little bit more
> expensive.
>
> Tim[/color]

Noooooo.

It's not at all the same.

"Tim" <nutnews@kooky.org> wrote in message
news:45f30123$0$762$bed64819@news.gradwell.net[color=blue]
> Tim wrote:[color=green]
> > Replacement is the PAP2T, which does 2 lines and is
> > only a little bit more expensive.[/color]
>
> Or SPA-2002's are still available. Which cost a bit
> more, but they can do two simultaneous G.729 calls.
>
> Tim[/color]

What if you only want/need one handset..? What I like about the 1001 is
that you can have two totally independent accounts feeding a single phone
or PBX line. I have a 1001 on my speaking clock, it has a Sipgate/PSTN
number (020 7043 1320) and also another number on a private system, an
incoming call on either gets the clock, if in use a caller on either line
gets ring tone until the system is free.

Ivor

Jono wrote:[color=blue][color=green]
>> Except that the SPA-1001 is no more.
>>
>> Replacement is the PAP2T, which does 2 lines and is only a little bit
>> more expensive.
>>[/color]
>
> Noooooo.
>
> It's not at all the same.[/color]


Sorry. I should have said, `nearest replacement`.

Tim