Telephone questions - VOIP or DECT, Vonage or Sipgate?

[purps]

Hi guys, couple of questions if you don't mind.

Am currently with Vonage, using a DECT phone which is plugged into the switch via a converter. Currently, LMCE does no more than provide tinterweb, and I would very much like to change that.

Is it as simple as changing from Vonage to Sipgate, and re-running the setup wizard in order to integrate it all into the system? Can I continue using my DECT phones to take advantage of all the features on offer, or do I have to upgrade to proper IP phones?

Cheers,
Matt.

[purps]

Sorry, am going to have to bump this.

[posde]

You need to get an ATA to turn your analog phone into an IP phone. Grandstream, Linksys have those.

[purps]

Thank you for the reply.

Is the ATA you refer to anything special, or would the "standard"(?) one provided to me by Vonage do the job?

Will I miss out on any features using this approach, or will it be exactly the same as a normal IP phone i.e. properly integrated into the LMCE system?

[totallymaxed]

Hi guys, couple of questions if you don't mind.

Am currently with Vonage, using a DECT phone which is plugged into the switch via a converter. Currently, LinuxMCE does no more than provide tinterweb, and I would very much like to change that.

Is it as simple as changing from Vonage to Sipgate, and re-running the setup wizard in order to integrate it all into the system? Can I continue using my DECT phones to take advantage of all the features on offer, or do I have to upgrade to proper IP phones?

Cheers,
Matt.

Look at the Siemens Gigaset IP range. These are DECT handsets that talk to a basestation (like all DECT phones do). But the IP models have a POTS RJ11 and an RJ45 for connection to your VOIP Switch ie your Core. On the SIP side all the Gigaset handsets can make or receive calls consurrently (they all appear as extensions to the Asterisk server) and you can also switch back to analog quickly at any time to make a call over POTS.

Very nice products all around actually.

all the best


Andrew

[purps]

Thank you for the advice.

Assuming I don't have a normal phone line (I don't) and am only interested in using VOIP, and am therefore using this phone in "IP mode" only, is there any advantage to them over a standalone IP phone?

Will this Siemens Gigaset/any other IP phone behave any differently to my current POTS-only Motorola handsets plugged into the switch via an ATA (as per my current setup)? In other words, will my current POTS-only phones appear as extensions to Asterisk?

[totallymaxed]

Thank you for the advice.

Assuming I don't have a normal phone line (I don't) and am only interested in using VOIP, and am therefore using this phone in "IP mode" only, is there any advantage to them over a standalone IP phone?

Will this Siemens Gigaset/any other IP phone behave any differently to my current POTS-only Motorola handsets plugged into the switch via an ATA (as per my current setup)? In other words, will my current POTS-only phones appear as extensions to Asterisk?

Adapting a POTS only phone to SIP using an ATA is a great way to extend the life of old hardware. But you will not get all of the features of a fully integrated SIP handset...the older phone was just not designed for that. You will get access to most of the centralised services that Asterisk offers but even then the lack of display etc and other physical omissions will always place the older phone at a disadvantage.

The Gigasets will work purely on IP if you have no POTS line and offer a range of good features and capabilities and as they are wireless are very flexible.

Hope the above is of help.

All the best


Andrew

[b4rney]

I also recommend the Siemens Gigaset phones.

I have four phones. Not currently integrated with LinuxMCE but attached to the external router and normal pots line. You can get free incoming local numbers via sipgate.co.uk. You can configure which phone(s) ring for which number and set default outgoing provider etc using the web page setup. I use voipcheap.co.uk for most outgoing calls (90 days of free landline calls per top-up £12.50).

Reception is outstanding and I have used these at the bottom of the garden with no problems. I love the fact you can make/receive multiple calls at the same time.

Others may help with the LinuxMCE setup.
Barney

[purps]

Thank you for the advice.

Assuming I don't have a normal phone line (I don't) and am only interested in using VOIP, and am therefore using this phone in "IP mode" only, is there any advantage to them over a standalone IP phone?

Will this Siemens Gigaset/any other IP phone behave any differently to my current POTS-only Motorola handsets plugged into the switch via an ATA (as per my current setup)? In other words, will my current POTS-only phones appear as extensions to Asterisk?

Adapting a POTS only phone to SIP using an ATA is a great way to extend the life of old hardware. But you will not get all of the features of a fully integrated SIP handset...the older phone was just not designed for that. You will get access to most of the centralised services that Asterisk offers but even then the lack of display etc and other physical omissions will always place the older phone at a disadvantage.

The Gigasets will work purely on IP if you have no POTS line and offer a range of good features and capabilities and as they are wireless are very flexible.

Hope the above is of help.

All the best


Andrew

Thank you Andrew, very helpful indeed. In that case, perhaps I'll have a play with my current hardware and think about replacing them with these Gigasets at a later date. Thanks again.