'Best' std DECT to Voip adaptor?

[T i m]

Hi all,

After leaving it far too long to get round to porting my old BT number
to VOIP, it happened this morning (to A&A, thanks to those who pointed
me in their direction) and I now have that with my old Sipgate 'Starter'
on a Yealink W60B/W53H combo. ;-)

However, I also still have a nice 4 handset Philips DECT phone set and
assuming the main functions (making a VOIP call on the default line and
answering a call from either etc) can be covered by those, is there a
make / model of 'adaptor' that is generally considered a good bet please?

I only need these phones to pick up any callers who may not have my
mobile number or be able to get though to it for some reason, and maybe
making the odd call when it suits.

I'm just thinking it might be 'good' to be able to continue to use my
existing DECT handsets, especially given I'm not sure how much actual
use they will be getting, even over the VOIP system.

On similar lines, is there a 'goto' Android phone softVOIP app and if I
was to install / configure such, would it impact the use of any of the
other solutions please (looking for 'gotchas' here).

I'm, guessing it should work over WiFi and could work oner 3/4G?

Cheers, T i m

[Peter Johnson]

Post by T i m
Hi all,
After leaving it far too long to get round to porting my old BT number
to VOIP, it happened this morning (to A&A, thanks to those who pointed
me in their direction) and I now have that with my old Sipgate 'Starter'
on a Yealink W60B/W53H combo. ;-)
However, I also still have a nice 4 handset Philips DECT phone set and
assuming the main functions (making a VOIP call on the default line and
answering a call from either etc) can be covered by those, is there a
make / model of 'adaptor' that is generally considered a good bet please?

The only one I know is the one that I have, the Gigset N300A IP. You
can register your hansets to it.

[Theo]

Post by Peter Johnson
The only one I know is the one that I have, the Gigset N300A IP. You
can register your hansets to it.

+1.

Generally there's an advantage to stay same-brand, because basic DECT (GAP)
compatibility only covers making calls, it doesn't cover things like shared
addressbooks or any kind of config sent from the base to the handsets.. But
I don't think Philips make VOIP adapters so you have to switch brand in this
case.

Theo

[T i m]

Post by Theo

Post by Peter Johnson
The only one I know is the one that I have, the Gigset N300A IP. You
can register your hansets to it.

+1.

Good to know. ;-)

Post by Theo
Generally there's an advantage to stay same-brand, because basic DECT (GAP)
compatibility only covers making calls,

Given I can see these (realistically) only being used to receive a very
few calls, that shouldn't be a problem.

Post by Theo
it doesn't cover things like shared
addressbooks or any kind of config sent from the base to the handsets..

Whilst such features are 'nice', I'm not sure it would be a big issue,
given the above.

What if I retained the existing base (to retain the good features you
mention), is there an adaptor that allows the use of the std telephone
connection? I'm happy for it to only be a single call at a time.

Post by Theo
But
I don't think Philips make VOIP adapters so you have to switch brand in this
case.

If I was going in that direction I guess it would make sense to stay
with Yealink handsets ... it just seemed a shame to stop using the
Philips ones as they are already in place and might still be overkill
for the likely usage.

I thinking of something simpler along the lines of my FritzBox! FON WAN
router that I took offline because it was throttling my BB throughput
(but I guess I could just tack back into my system tweaked down to be
just a analogue phone to VOIP adaptor? Possibly not as energy efficient
and something simpler / more modern ... ?

Cheers, T i m

[Theo]

Post by T i m

Post by Theo
Generally there's an advantage to stay same-brand, because basic DECT (GAP)
compatibility only covers making calls,

Given I can see these (realistically) only being used to receive a very
few calls, that shouldn't be a problem.

Post by Theo
it doesn't cover things like shared
addressbooks or any kind of config sent from the base to the handsets..

Whilst such features are 'nice', I'm not sure it would be a big issue,
given the above.
What if I retained the existing base (to retain the good features you
mention), is there an adaptor that allows the use of the std telephone
connection? I'm happy for it to only be a single call at a time.

You can do that - the downsides are it goes via analogue (so call quality
isn't so good - only as good as a regular landline) and only one concurrent
call. But it's an option if there are features in the base that you prefer.

Post by T i m
I thinking of something simpler along the lines of my FritzBox! FON WAN
router that I took offline because it was throttling my BB throughput
(but I guess I could just tack back into my system tweaked down to be
just a analogue phone to VOIP adaptor? Possibly not as energy efficient
and something simpler / more modern ... ?

Of course a full VOIP setup is nicer, but you could just pick up something
like a PAP2T that'll plug in and pretend to be an analogue connection -
ethernet in, analogue out.

As it happens I have one surplus to requirements that I've been meaning to
advertise... email above works if you're interested.

Theo

[T i m]

On 14/03/2024 21:29, Theo wrote:

<snip>

Post by Theo

Post by T i m
What if I retained the existing base (to retain the good features you
mention), is there an adaptor that allows the use of the std telephone
connection? I'm happy for it to only be a single call at a time.

You can do that - the downsides are it goes via analogue (so call quality
isn't so good - only as good as a regular landline)

As long as it's audible.

Post by Theo
and only one concurrent
call.

Again, unlikely to ever be an issue Theo.

Post by Theo
But it's an option if there are features in the base that you prefer.

Well, the idea of a shared phone book is nice, should I need to ring out
because my mobile is flat or in use etc. There are only two of us here
now and with her dementia, the chances are she wouldn't be able to
handle any 'featured' phone. I have set the emergency button on her Doro
to my mobile and she has used that to call me when she couldn't manage
the std menu.

Post by Theo

Post by T i m
I thinking of something simpler along the lines of my FritzBox! FON WAN
router that I took offline because it was throttling my BB throughput
(but I guess I could just tack back into my system tweaked down to be
just a analogue phone to VOIP adaptor? Possibly not as energy efficient
and something simpler / more modern ... ?

Of course a full VOIP setup is nicer, but you could just pick up something
like a PAP2T that'll plug in and pretend to be an analogue connection -
ethernet in, analogue out.

Yeah, that was the idea, as long as it could:

Support both my Sipgate and A&A accounts (one line / number on each).
Allow one to be default for outgoing (even if only by 'Account 1').
Ring my Philips DECT system on an incoming call from either account.

Post by Theo
As it happens I have one surplus to requirements that I've been meaning to
advertise... email above works if you're interested.

Funny I was talking about VOIP to a mate and he described such a device
that he used to 'keep the number' for his second shop that he closed for
a couple of years till it stopped ringing, making it surplus to
requirements. I'll check with him exactly what it is first and will get
back to you (asap) if it's not any good.

Cheers, T i m

[T i m]

On 14/03/2024 23:42, T i m wrote:
<snip>

Post by T i m
Funny I was talking about VOIP to a mate and he described such a device
that he used to 'keep the number' for his second shop that he closed for
a couple of years till it stopped ringing, making it surplus to
requirements. I'll check with him exactly what it is first and will get
back to you (asap) if it's not any good.

It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort of
thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and A&A
etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).

It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of it
could be pressed into use. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

[David Sankey]

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by T i m
Funny I was talking about VOIP to a mate and he described such a
device that he used to 'keep the number' for his second shop that he
closed for a couple of years till it stopped ringing, making it
surplus to requirements. I'll check with him exactly what it is first
and will get back to you (asap) if it's not any good.

It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort of
thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and A&A
etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).
It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of it
could be pressed into use. ;-)

Mine works just fine with A&A

D

[Spike]

Post by David Sankey

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by T i m
Funny I was talking about VOIP to a mate and he described such a
device that he used to 'keep the number' for his second shop that he
closed for a couple of years till it stopped ringing, making it
surplus to requirements. I'll check with him exactly what it is first
and will get back to you (asap) if it's not any good.

It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort of
thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and A&A
etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).
It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of it
could be pressed into use. ;-)

Mine works just fine with A&A

Roll on the days when routers with inbuilt ATAs are easily available.

[Malcolm Loades]

Post by Spike
Roll on the days when routers with inbuilt ATAs are easily available.

They are!

The Fritz!Box routers supplied by Zen to every customer have an in built
ATA. If you're not a Zen customer they're freely available on the open
market as well as eBay.

Absolutely great routers, I've got 3 of them. One is used as a standard
router but can also be enabled as a mesh master. The other two older
models are spread about my house as mesh repeaters. The ATAs remain
functional in the repeaters as well as the master.

I'm not sure of the maximum possible but mine is connected to 3
different VOIP providers for incoming/outgoing calls and a third
provider for outgoing going only. Outgoing calls are routed via the
most appropriate provider.

Malcolm

[T i m]

On 15/03/2024 15:39, Malcolm Loades wrote:

<snip>

Post by Malcolm Loades
The Fritz!Box routers supplied by Zen to every customer have an in built
ATA.  If you're not a Zen customer they're freely available on the open
market as well as eBay.

I finally retired my Fritz!Box FON WAN a little while ago as it was
throttling my cable BB speeds.

Post by Malcolm Loades
Absolutely great routers,

They are indeed. I would happily buy a newer one, if I wasn't supplied
with a cable router etc.

I've got 3 of them.  One is used as a standard

Post by Malcolm Loades
router but can also be enabled as a mesh master.  The other two older
models are spread about my house as mesh repeaters.  The ATAs remain
functional in the repeaters as well as the master.

I did consider putting the router back on as an ATA but imagined
something newer / simpler might also be more energy efficient.

Post by Malcolm Loades
I'm not sure of the maximum possible but mine is connected to 3
different VOIP providers for incoming/outgoing calls and a third
provider for outgoing going only.  Outgoing calls are routed via the
most appropriate provider.

I had 1 x BT and 2 X Voip and the BT line was connected to a 1x5 PABX.

After doing a home power audit I found the PAPX was drawing 50W idle so
I retired it. Then the BT line went 'bad' (again) and as I haven't used
it (but have been paying for it) for probably 18 months now, I had the
number ported to A&A, saving myself ~£24/m. ;-)

I've picked up the Cisco ATA earlier and hope to check it out later.

Cheers, T i m

[Malcolm Loades]

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by Malcolm Loades
The Fritz!Box routers supplied by Zen to every customer have an in built
ATA.  If you're not a Zen customer they're freely available on the open
market as well as eBay.

I finally retired my Fritz!Box FON WAN a little while ago as it was
throttling my cable BB speeds.

By cable I assume you mean FTTP?

When I had Toob FTTP connected I simply changed the Internet Connection
setting in my Fritz!Box 7490 to "existing connection over LAN". Then
connected LAN 1 on the router to the fibre Optical Network Terminator
and it was up and running exactly as before. Except that speedtest.net
now records 946 Mbps down and 942 Mbps up! Was yours an 'ancient'
Fritz!Box?

Malcolm

[T i m]

Post by Malcolm Loades

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by Malcolm Loades
The Fritz!Box routers supplied by Zen to every customer have an in built
ATA.  If you're not a Zen customer they're freely available on the open
market as well as eBay.

I finally retired my Fritz!Box FON WAN a little while ago as it was
throttling my cable BB speeds.

By cable I assume you mean FTTP?

No, 'cable' Malcolm. Started as CableTel then became NTL now Virgin Media.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTL_Incorporated

I think it was 512Mb/s when I first took it on and fitted the Fritz!Box,
currently 150Mb/s I think.

Post by Malcolm Loades
When I had Toob FTTP connected I simply changed the Internet Connection
setting in my Fritz!Box 7490 to "existing connection over LAN".  Then
connected LAN 1 on the router to the fibre Optical Network Terminator
and it was up and running exactly as before.  Except that speedtest.net
now records 946 Mbps down and 942 Mbps up!

Cool. ;-)

Post by Malcolm Loades
Was yours an 'ancient'
Fritz!Box?

By tech standards I'd say yes. 7140?

The last stats it logged on 28.08.2022 were:

Last month (Time) 743:31 (Total) 233135MB
(Sent / received) 9144MB / 223991MB

It was throttling the BB speed down to about 30Mb/s and so had been
impacting the throughput for quite some time (since the BB speed was
50Mb/s probably). ;-(

Cheers, T i m

[T i m]

On 15/03/2024 12:57, David Sankey wrote:
<snip>

Post by David Sankey

Post by T i m
It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort
of thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and
A&A etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).
It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of
it could be pressed into use. ;-)

Mine works just fine with A&A

Excellent. Thanks for the feedback David. I have since Googled to an A&A
setup guide for that range so have something to start the config from.

I've asked mate if he has the RJ11 to (BT)RJ45 adaptor but he's not sure
so I'll have a rummage when I pop up there later (if / when it stops
raining). ;-(

I think I read here somewhere a suggestion that you could also use an
ADSL filter, given they have an RJ11 plug and present a 'telephone'
socket? Given it's only voice going though that link, I can't see it
having much in the way of negative impact and many modern phones only
use 2 wire and produce their own ringing cct anyway (especially in the
case of a DECT setup)?

Once I have the unit I can 'suck it and see'. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

[Andrew Benham]

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by David Sankey

Post by T i m
It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort
of thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and
A&A etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).
It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of
it could be pressed into use. ;-)

Mine works just fine with A&A

Excellent. Thanks for the feedback David. I have since Googled to an A&A
setup guide for that range so have something to start the config from.
I've asked mate if he has the RJ11 to (BT)RJ45 adaptor but he's not sure
so I'll have a rummage when I pop up there later (if / when it stops
raining). ;-(
I think I read here somewhere a suggestion that you could also use an
ADSL filter, given they have an RJ11 plug and present a 'telephone'
socket? Given it's only voice going though that link, I can't see it
having much in the way of negative impact and many modern phones only
use 2 wire and produce their own ringing cct anyway (especially in the
case of a DECT setup)?
Once I have the unit I can 'suck it and see'. ;-)
Cheers, T i m

I never had much luck trying to reuse ADSL microfilters or their leads.
The BT plug uses pins 2 and 5 for the line, a lot of the microfilters use
pins 2 and 5 on the RJ11/RJ14 to make the wiring easy - unfortunately
that's the setting for line 2, whereas the ATA will almost certainly be
using line 1 on pins 3 and 4 on the RJ11.

[T i m]

On 16/03/2024 23:00, Andrew Benham wrote:

<snip>

Post by Andrew Benham

Post by T i m
I think I read here somewhere a suggestion that you could also use an
ADSL filter, given they have an RJ11 plug and present a 'telephone'
socket? Given it's only voice going though that link, I can't see it
having much in the way of negative impact and many modern phones only
use 2 wire and produce their own ringing cct anyway (especially in the
case of a DECT setup)?
Once I have the unit I can 'suck it and see'. ;-)

I never had much luck trying to reuse ADSL microfilters or their leads.

Ah, ok.

Post by Andrew Benham
The BT plug uses pins 2 and 5 for the line,

Check (and 3 for 'ringing' isn't it?). [1]

Post by Andrew Benham
a lot of the microfilters use
pins 2 and 5 on the RJ11/RJ14 to make the wiring easy

OK.

Post by Andrew Benham
- unfortunately
that's the setting for line 2, whereas the ATA will almost certainly be
using line 1 on pins 3 and 4 on the RJ11.

But if we buy an actual RJ11 to UK BT adaptor, it's likely to be wired
correctly?

Cheers, T i m

[1] I remember my early days at The Post Office learning of all the
links in the early (well, 746 etc) telephones and how to configure them
for master, intermediate and final roles. That was handy in later life
helping people resolve all sorts of issues with not working to 'bell
tinkle' and other not ringing issues. ;-)

https://www.britishtelephones.com/documents/700circuitdescription.pdf

[David Higton]

Post by T i m
<snip>

Post by Andrew Benham

Post by T i m
I think I read here somewhere a suggestion that you could also use an
ADSL filter, given they have an RJ11 plug and present a 'telephone'
socket? Given it's only voice going though that link, I can't see it
having much in the way of negative impact and many modern phones only
use 2 wire and produce their own ringing cct anyway (especially in the
case of a DECT setup)?
Once I have the unit I can 'suck it and see'. ;-)

I never had much luck trying to reuse ADSL microfilters or their leads.

Ah, ok.

Post by Andrew Benham
The BT plug uses pins 2 and 5 for the line,

Check (and 3 for 'ringing' isn't it?). [1]

Post by Andrew Benham
a lot of the microfilters use pins 2 and 5 on the RJ11/RJ14 to make the
wiring easy

OK.

Post by Andrew Benham
- unfortunately that's the setting for line 2, whereas the ATA will
almost certainly be using line 1 on pins 3 and 4 on the RJ11.

But if we buy an actual RJ11 to UK BT adaptor, it's likely to be wired
correctly?

There seem to be two different wirings commonly available. I can only
assume that each of them is correct, in its own particular use case.

David

[Roger Mills]

Post by T i m
But if we buy an actual RJ11 to UK BT adaptor, it's likely to be wired
correctly?

There's a 50% chance! They'll all use 2 and 5 at the BT end but the RJ11
end may use 2 and 5 or 3 and 4.

[T i m]

Post by Roger Mills

Post by T i m
But if we buy an actual RJ11 to UK BT adaptor, it's likely to be wired
correctly?

There's a 50% chance!

Hehe.

Post by Roger Mills
They'll all use 2 and 5 at the BT end but the RJ11
end may use 2 and 5 or 3 and 4.

Thanks Roger (and David). I got a couple of Rhino branded adaptors from
Amazon and they seem to work so I either got lucky or there is a 'more
common' pinout etc.

Initially I thought I'd wasted some time / money as I noticed there was
already a RJ11 to BT adaptor on the end of this Philips DECT set.

However, when I removed it and plugged the phones straight into the
Cisco ATA, it could pick up dial-tome but they wouldn't ring. ;-(

I put the adaptor back on then used the additional RJ11 <> BT adaptor
and it would then ring.

Now I just need to learn if the Cisco SPA122 can support two VOIP
accounts directed to the same Line port so I can combine both my A&A and
Sipgate services to the same phones, as I can on the Yealink solution.

Cheers, T i m

[T i m]

On 15/03/2024 12:57, David Sankey wrote:

<snip>

Post by David Sankey

Post by T i m
It turns out it's a Cisco SPA122 (with PSU) that looks to be the sort
of thing I would need, as long as it was 'compatible' with Sipgate and
A&A etc (I'm not sure who he had it with previously).
It's in his 'junk electricals' box so it would do us both a favour of
it could be pressed into use. ;-)

Mine works just fine with A&A

I *think* mine is now ready to work as it says it's registered at the
A&A end and has the Line1 LED on on the box, just waiting for some RJ11
<> BT socket adaptors to test it for real.

I followed the setup guide for A&A (most of it being default) but it
isn't obvious if you can have more than one account associated with the
same line (as I was able to with little effort with the Yealink W690B).

As with most Cisco stuff it's *very* involved in the config!

When I first got it I did a factory default using the reset button (10
seconds held in) and whilst I could then access it via the LAN ... and
then set it into Bridged mode and could access it from the WAN, I
couldn't seem to get to the 'advanced' pages (even from the LAN port
etc)? Changing browser helped a bit but eventually I Googled to a
solution, apply the 'soft' Factory Default and after that it was all
working as expected.

I upgraded the firmware to the latest and configured Line1 for my A&A
account and so fer, so good.

Cheers, T i m

[T i m]

Post by Peter Johnson

Post by T i m
Hi all,
After leaving it far too long to get round to porting my old BT number
to VOIP, it happened this morning (to A&A, thanks to those who pointed
me in their direction) and I now have that with my old Sipgate 'Starter'
on a Yealink W60B/W53H combo. ;-)
However, I also still have a nice 4 handset Philips DECT phone set and
assuming the main functions (making a VOIP call on the default line and
answering a call from either etc) can be covered by those, is there a
make / model of 'adaptor' that is generally considered a good bet please?

The only one I know is the one that I have, the Gigset N300A IP.

Ok, this one:

https://gse.gigaset.com/fileadmin/legacy-assets/Datasheet_N300-IP_N300A-IP.pdf

Post by Peter Johnson
You
can register your hansets to it.

To be clear Peter, do you mean I can 'pair' my std Philips DECT (non
Voip) handsets to it directly, without having to use the main Philips
base and analogue connection? I guess if they could pair directly that
could be handy, especially if I could find a matching basic dock/charger.

Cheers, T i m

[Woody]

Post by T i m

Post by Peter Johnson

Post by T i m
Hi all,
After leaving it far too long to get round to porting my old BT number
to VOIP, it happened this morning (to A&A, thanks to those who pointed
me in their direction) and I now have that with my old Sipgate 'Starter'
on a Yealink W60B/W53H combo. ;-)
However, I also still have a nice 4 handset Philips DECT phone set and
assuming the main functions (making a VOIP call on the default line and
answering a call from either etc) can be covered by those, is there a
make / model of 'adaptor' that is generally considered a good bet please?

The only one I know is the one that I have, the Gigset N300A IP.

https://gse.gigaset.com/fileadmin/legacy-assets/Datasheet_N300-IP_N300A-IP.pdf

Post by Peter Johnson
You
can register your hansets to it.

To be clear Peter, do you mean I can 'pair' my std Philips DECT (non
Voip) handsets to it directly, without having to use the main Philips
base and analogue connection? I guess if they could pair directly that
could be handy, especially if I could find a matching basic dock/charger.
Cheers, T i m

Any DECT base unit will handle 6 handsets of any make provided they are
GAP compatible. You may loose some facilities but otherwise they will
work. I have a BT4600 base using three handsets with two Panasonic
handsets and one Philips and they all work a treat.

[T i m]

On 19/03/2024 19:23, Woody wrote:
<snip>

Post by Woody

Post by T i m
To be clear Peter, do you mean I can 'pair' my std Philips DECT (non
Voip) handsets to it directly, without having to use the main Philips
base and analogue connection? I guess if they could pair directly that
could be handy, especially if I could find a matching basic dock/charger.

Any DECT base unit will handle 6 handsets of any make provided they are
GAP compatible. You may loose some facilities but otherwise they will
work. I have a BT4600 base using three handsets with two Panasonic
handsets and one Philips and they all work a treat.

Thanks Woody. I think I have since learned that the Yealink W60B *isn't*
GAP compatible and so won't even allow pairing with non compatible handsets.

Cheers, T i m