NTL BB & VoIP - what setup?

SwampThing

I've a few questions regarding a planned move to VoIP.

I'm currently a BT 3Mb customer. We have two lines (long story) one with BB and the other is our home phone number - which is a BT number.

I'm considering changing to NTL 20Mb broadband, ditching both the land lines, porting the number to blueface or something like that to maintain the home phone number.

So, as I see it, I get the wireless cable modem installed at the back of the TV, where cable is delivered. I setup my PC to access the web via a wireless card/router - no problem.

So to blueface and VoIP - I'd like to get a couple, may three wifi handsets, so I don't have to do any cabling - that's just not an option. So, what handsets would you recommed? Secondly, I've spoken briefly to a guy who has setup a VMWare PBX appliance and has five handsets working off this off his blueface account. This is something I'd like to consider - anyone have any experience of this?

There is one other small thing - we need to be able to send/receive faxes to an ordinary HP all-in-one copier/scanner/printer/fax - how does this work with VoIP?

By the way, slightly off forum - anyone got a comment on the NTL 20Mb product - good for gaming?

Thanks in advance.

steve-o

SwampThing wrote: »

So to blueface and VoIP - I'd like to get a couple, may three wifi handsets, so I don't have to do any cabling - that's just not an option. So, what handsets would you recommed? Secondly, I've spoken briefly to a guy who has setup a VMWare PBX appliance and has five handsets working off this off his blueface account. This is something I'd like to consider - anyone have any experience of this?

Sounds a bit complicated. Why don't you just use an ordinary DECT cordless phone set plugged into a bog-standard ATA? If you want to be fancy, get a VOIP-ready cordless phone like the Siemens IP series.

SwampThing wrote: »

There is one other small thing - we need to be able to send/receive faxes to an ordinary HP all-in-one copier/scanner/printer/fax - how does this work with VoIP?

Blueface can send/receive faxes direct from/to your PC. No need for a fax machine.

SwampThing

Thanks steve-o but I want to pretty much leave handsets located throughout the house where they currently are - in the kitchen, hall and bedroom. How do I use ATA's when none of these rooms are networked back to the PC? That's why I was looking at the wifi - but if there's an alternative, I'm open to suggestion.

As for the faxes, a lot of the faxes my wise sends are paper-based - I know she could scan and send them, but we already have the fax machine and it's more straight-forward for her to do that. One good thing - the fax machine is right beside the PC - mayve we could use an ATA for the fax machine?

Thanks again.

JimiMac

I'm also considering a similar move. Wasn't sure exactly where to post so I thought here would be as good as anywhere.
I have checked a good few threads regarding set-ups and experiences but some are a bit old and I am getting a bit confused. If anybody can help, here are a few questions:
1. Thinking of NTL for BB. This seems to be the best option. Any comments?

2. Is the wireless modem they provide any good or is there a better one for not too much more money? - I currently have a netgear WGR613VAL wireless router. Can anyone confirm that this won't work with cable BB?

3. Is anybody using the NTL phone service? How do you find it for value and quality?

4. I tried Blueface before but found it a bit hit and miss although this was probably the BB connection. I notice there are a lot of favourable comments for them.
So I'm a bit wary of changing over fully to VOIP. I need to get a new phone i.e. a cordless phone with 2 or 3 handsets. Can anybody recommend a phone that will cover normal but also VOIP and comes as a 2/3 phone pack?
(and possibly satisfy an other requirement see re alarm below)

5. Would the VOIP be much cheaper than the NTL phone service?

6. I currently have a wired alarm with an (autodialer?) which sends a text if there is a problem. It is connected to a phone(eircom) point in the attic. If I was to get rid of eircom and go with NTL or VOIP or both, is there a hardware solution that can satisfy the phone requirement above and the autotexter?

Any help greatly appreciated.

steve-o

SwampThing wrote: »

Thanks steve-o but I want to pretty much leave handsets located throughout the house where they currently are - in the kitchen, hall and bedroom. How do I use ATA's when none of these rooms are networked back to the PC? That's why I was looking at the wifi - but if there's an alternative, I'm open to suggestion.

I was suggesting a single cordless base station plugged into your VOIP ATA which is plugged into your router. A decent base station can have a whole bunch of phones. Anything else sounds a bit complicated.

SwampThing wrote: »

As for the faxes, a lot of the faxes my wise sends are paper-based - I know she could scan and send them, but we already have the fax machine and it's more straight-forward for her to do that. One good thing - the fax machine is right beside the PC - mayve we could use an ATA for the fax machine?

I don't think you'll get a regular fax to work over VOIP. Scanning paper into the computer doesn't sound very convenient, but I don't know of an alternative.

steve-o

JimiMac wrote: »

4. I tried Blueface before but found it a bit hit and miss although this was probably the BB connection. I notice there are a lot of favourable comments for them.
So I'm a bit wary of changing over fully to VOIP. I need to get a new phone i.e. a cordless phone with 2 or 3 handsets. Can anybody recommend a phone that will cover normal but also VOIP and comes as a 2/3 phone pack?

I can only answer this one... almost any cordless phone set will work with VOIP - you just plug it into an ATA instead of into a wall socket. If you want VOIP and regular phone at the same time, I've seen Philips and Siemens Gigaset IP models. I have a Gigaset S450 IP with 2 handsets and I'm very happy with it.