Advice for New Setup

dubsaab

Hi everyone,

I am new to both Boards & VoIP and would appreciate a little guidance on setting up VoIP in my home, fed up paying line rental. I plan to use UPC 10MB BB with Blueface, and I will be adding my own router (All advice welcome). My main issue is that along with the main house phone I have two extensions, one in the Kitchen and one in the main bedroom. How can I integrate these locations into the VoIP setup? I have to get a DECT phone yet and am holding on until I know the route to take to cover all the locations mentioned above.

Thanks,

A Proud Kerryman.

Johnboy1951

If you are getting a router I suggest one with built in VOIP capability.

I also saw a post here a few days ago mentioning the Fritzbox router which has VOIP and Dect phone capability .... it acts as the base station for Dect phones and they can use the VOIP (and/or a landline if installed)

You shouldn't need Dect if the present phones are sufficient as you will be able to use them just as you did for the landline.

The choice of router is the important bit IMO.

Regards.

dubsaab

Thanks Johnboy1951,

The phones I currently have are 'wired; that is plug into sockets in the Kitchen and Bedroom, is it then just a matter of taking the wires that run to these sockets and plugging them into the back of the Fritzbox? I live in a bungalow so finding the wires should not be a problem.

Regards,

Johnboy1951

dubsaab wrote: »

Thanks Johnboy1951,

The phones I currently have are 'wired; that is plug into sockets in the Kitchen and Bedroom, is it then just a matter of taking the wires that run to these sockets and plugging them into the back of the Fritzbox? I live in a bungalow so finding the wires should not be a problem.

Regards,

I do not have a FritzBox but do use a Draytek router with two sockets for standard analogue phones.

Essentially those sockets accept an RJ11 connector, so it should be just a matter of making the connection to the existing phones. You may need assistance with crimping a plug to the wire, or you could just use standard lengths of pre-made telephone cable.

It is the router you choose that is the important decision.
It should have all that you presently need and more.
Do not scrimp on it.

You should be able to see what is needed from the info on the two sites below.

This is one site which shows the FritzBox
http://www.fritzbox.eu/en/products/FRITZBox_Fon_WLAN_7270/index.php?tab=2

You might also want to look at this router
http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2820.html

Some models have capacity for ISDN and other stuff you will not need I guess, so choose the model carefully.

There are many other manufacturers of similar products also. Those are just examples.

A good firewall and QOS are essential IMO.

Regards.

Johnboy1951

Sorry for the double post, but there is some reading down the page on this site which should be of interest to you.
It is directed to the Fritz Box, but equally applies to other manufacturers products also.

http://www.maxit.ie/

T-Square

I had a Fritz box one, it was great.
I could plug my house phone in, and dial any number in the world for peanuts, via my BlueFace account.

dubsaab

Thanks to everyone for their posts and advice, I ma going to give the router a lot of consideration before picking one out.

Regards.

dubsaab

Got my UPC 10MB installed today, and I have my Fritzbox ready to go.

Can anyone guide me on how I can disable the wireless on the Cisco EPC2425 router that UPC gave me?

Thanks,

Johnboy1951

dubsaab wrote: »

Got my UPC 10MB installed today, and I have my Fritzbox ready to go.

Let us know what you think of the Fritzbox ....... which model did you get?

dubsaab

I have the 7270, only problem I am having so far is that the speedtest using the Cisco router gives me 10MB, but when I run a speedtest using the Fritzbox the speed drops to 5MB.

Has anyone any ideas why this might be so?

Johnboy1951

dubsaab wrote: »

I have the 7270, only problem I am having so far is that the speedtest using the Cisco router gives me 10MB, but when I run a speedtest using the Fritzbox the speed drops to 5MB.

Has anyone any ideas why this might be so?

Can you try both wired and wireless to see if there is any difference?

Is there some setting for allocation of bandwidth that may be effecting it?
I do not have a FritzBox but with some routers you can limit the throughput on different channels so that nothing hogs all bandwidth ..... maybe something like that?

shebop

Am I right in thinking that with a router like Fritzbox, you can connect any normal landline phone and use it with your VOIP service?

I was thinking of getting the Siemens Gigaset C475 Dect VOIP phone, but if it were possible to run a normal non-VOIP with a Fritzbox, I'd get this instead.

Are Fritzbox routers available easily in the likes of PC World? Approx how much do they cost?

Dubsaab, how long approx did it take to get connected with UPC? And good luck with the new setup!

dubsaab

Hi Shebop,

Yes, you can connect an 'ordinary' phone to the Fritzbox, that's what I have done and the reception is perfect, no difference from a landline.

I have not seen the fritzbox in any shops, I got mine from www.marxcomputers.ie, it cost €220 plus €7.50 delivery.

I ordered my broadband from UPC last Wednesday and it was installed yesterday, I ordered it over the 'phone as I could not do so online, there was a €30 installation charge by doing it over the phone.

dubsaab

Hi Johnboy1951,

I have tried wired to both the cisco and the fritzbox, and the cisco gives me 10MB download and 1MB upload, the fritzbox gives me 5MB download and 0.2 upload, so I figure it must be something wrong with the settings on the fritzbox

shebop

Thanks for the info and link for the Fritzbox, Dubsaab.

If I were to get the 90 euro Fritzbox router, would I still be able to plug in a normal phone and use VOIP this way?

dubsaab

Hi Shebop,

From what I can tell you should be able to do what you want with the €90 Fritzbox, but, not being an expert it might be a good idea to give them a call to make sure it is suitable for your needs. It is usuually best to get the best one you can afford so as to future proof yourself.

shebop

Thanks a million for getting back to me, Dubsaab.

I went ahead and bought the 90 euro model with Marxcomputers, who advised that for what I had in mind, it was the best option. Honest and helpful!

Hope to get my broadband installed soon too! Fingers crossed this all works!