Never had VOIP, any pitfalls?

DrPhilG

Hi all

I've never made the switch to VOIP, partly because I wasn't familiar with it and partly because I had alarm monitoring that needed the copper line.

Anyway I'm now using a wifi system for alarm monitoring, and my broadband provider is very uncompetitive for a package to retain the line (18mth deal including 12 months at €55) so I'm looking into changing. Eir have a 500mb package for €35/month.

I have a Unifi wifi access point system in place, so my existing router goes into the Unifi switch and then everything is managed from there. If I change provider, will I have to change that router? Am I right in thinking that I can connect my existing phone to the router directly, or can I connect it to the switch?

I don't need to fart about with different providers or different rates etc. We very rarely use the house phone at all, other than calling friends in Canada occasionally. My wife just wants to keep a house phone for peace of mind and a backup so I want to make the switch as smooth as possible so I'm just curious about the actual physical setup process.

KildareP

All of the providers at this stage are providing the phoneline element of the service as VoIP on new connections and migrations, as copper voice is starting to be retired, however it's a closed system that is only accessible from behind one of their own broadband connections.

The big players like Eir, Vodafone, Pure, etc. will not give you any of the SIP credentials and details needed to run it on your own hardware, you have to use their supplied router - no exceptions. The likes of Airwire, Digiweb, etc. will give you details if you ask nicely but it's entirely up to you to do the configuration and if there's any issues they'll only entertain you on their own router. Plus, even if you do get the credentials, the likes of Digiweb's residential VoIP service does not work from a non-Digiweb connection so it'd be of no use configuring it through an app on your phone and have a roaming landline while out and about, for example.

The router will have an analogue phone port on the back that you plug your existing phone into and it "just works". Benefits, none really, it's not "HD voice" and not really any quicker to connect calls. Downsides, no power = no phoneline and if you had your own internal extension wiring it will need to be modified by yourself to connect into the phone port on the router while also being disconnected from the existing copper line.

Router wise - you don't say whether you're using the current provider's router or your own?

If it's the current provider, then you swap that straight out for the new provider. Any port forwards you might have for CCTV, alarm monitoring, etc. will need to redone on the new router and you might need to reboot everything on your network if the IP range changes. Your existing phone goes into analogue port on the back of the router instead.

If you're using your own router, then you'll need to run BOTH your own router for internet AND the Eir one side-by-side for the voice element:

• Connect a 5-port switch to the fibre ONT box ethernet port
• Connect the WAN port of your router to a second port on this switch, and the LAN port into your existing network
• Connect the WAN port of the Eir router to a third port, but connect only the phone to the analogue port, do NOT connect any of the LAN ports to your network.

babelfish1990

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058384139/never-had-voip-any-pitfalls

The main issue is that VOIP doesn't meet the stringent requirements for monitored alarms, and you may void your house insurance if you are claiming that your home alarm is monitored via a VOIP line. (A burglar simply needs to shut your power off at your meter box in order to shut off your VOIP)

If you have already migrated your house alarm to broadband monitoring, this is no longer an issue for you. (However, you should check with your home insurance if Broadband monitoring on your alarm qualifies for discount.).

The only other minor issue is that your VOIP phones will drop if your power goes, unlike traditional landlines which were powered from the Eir exchange.

For peace-of-mind, you should make sure that you have your broadband router and ONT powered by a small battery-backed UPS (uninterruptible power supply). I am not sure that this is recognized by the NSAI standards authority or insurance companies, but it should keep your alarm monitored in the event of a power cut. You can also power your cordless phone base station from the UPS.

The VOIP is delivered via a standard RJ11 socket on the Eir router. You won't be able to use a different router or distribute it via your Ethernet switch. Just divert any internal phone wiring or cordless phone base stations, and plug them into your router instead of the RJ11 socket on the wall.

banie01

The main issues with VOIP in Ireland have already been fairly well outlined. The main players won't give you the SIP credentials, the smaller ones will but won't support it on hardware they haven't issued.

I was in a similar situation to yourself regarding keeping a phone line for an alarm. That said I ditched my copper and went to WiFi alarm 8/9 years ago and I left my landline go at the same time. Prior to letting the landline go, I honestly had maybe 3 calls on it in the previous 18mths that weren't spam.

Now I'm not saying noone needs a landline, some folk really do but, it's an increasingly rare need.

DrPhilG

Feck me, I have almost no clue what most of the above posts mean, I must be getting old.

I'll try to provide some more info. I'm with Pure, have been since FTTH arrived. They sent me a router (Fritzbox 7530 I believe), I have that router's wifi turned off and there is an ethernet cable from that router into a Unifi switch. That switch is then connected to a number of Unifi access points which provide my wifi and hard wired internet connections. I haven't messed around with any kind of port forwarding, nor do I know how to!

My alarm fella tells me that my system works on wifi AND their GSM system, so no phone line is needed. I don't need any kind of roaming landline etc.

Apologies for my lack of knowledge, this is exactly what has put me off messing with VOIP in the first place.

banie01

To use your VoIP landline with Pure,you plug your phone into the rj11 socket on the Fritz box, that's it. You now have a landline phone that'll ring.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122948464#Comment_122948464

Babelfish gives a great explanation of what's needed if you want to ensure your landline is serviceable in a power outage.

There's no need to worry about port forwarding for your landline service in a domestic setup.

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122949724#Comment_122949724

Thanks, appreciate the dumbing down lol.

Well I'll be switching from Pure, but I presume it'll be the same situation, the new provider will send me a router and it's a straight swap from the Fritzbox?

As for power outages, I have a sizeable storage battery and a changeover switch so I'm able to stay live off grid in the event of a cut.

babelfish1990

That's perfect if you have a battery. Your Unifi switch and access points will work exactly the same on the Eir router as currently. Just switch off the Eir router's WiFi, and plug your phone cable into the phone socket on the router.