Digital Customers Only Connection on plusnet 2 hub

[#1]

@HPsauce  The old thread has been resurrected today by @SomeOldCodger which explains the new posts.

[#2]

Thank you for your replies guys and apologies for resurrecting an old thread

As it turns out my existing cordless phone setup is a Panasonic Model No. KX-TGJ420E which I believe is NOT VOIP compatible so, in the meantime, I've asked A&A if they have an ATA which will handle the connection between my PN 2 router, (with the 'nobbled' VOIP connection :(), and my existing phone system.

Am I missing anything obvious?

Tkds/Rgds

Codger

[#3]

@SomeOldCodger 

The easiest way, though not the cheapest, is to buy the pre-configured ATA from A&A.

You can buy your own unit cheaper but have to configure it yourself - plenty of help on here if needed.

What you must NOT do is to initiate the number port until you have confirmation from PN that your Full Fibre connection is up and running. There will be a few days of downtime on the phone service.

Note that VOIP dosn't work in power cuts unless you have power back up - ONT, Router & ATA.

Brian

[#4]

It's because SomeOldCodger posted about 12 hours ago, rather that creating a new post.

Edit, started edit this and got waylaid

[#5]

What Martin is doing looks closest to my situation and, in any event, it's what A&A have suggested. The only thing is they want Pds 72 for the Grandstream HT801, whereas I've seen them on Amazon new for just over 40 quid. I don't think I need to spend extra on Gigaset things as I don't use the phone that much anyway.

Is it relatively easy to set up the Grandstream HT801 if I buy one direct from them or on Amazon?

[#6]

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@SomeOldCodger wrote:

Is it relatively easy to set up the Grandstream HT801 if I buy one direct from them or on Amazon?

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Here are the A&A instructions so you can decide for yourself how easy that looks to replicate -

https://support.aa.net.uk/VoIP_Phones_-_Grandstream_HT8xx 

Note that if buying new, then you might as well get the updated  Grandstream HT801 v2 

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@SomeOldCodger wrote:

I've seen them on Amazon new for just over 40 quid

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or less on eBay -

[#7]

Ah, that's interesting stuff. Thanks.

So, as I see it, my existing phone number is effectively routed through an A&A server and it's THAT that sends the communications, (voice, in this case, obviously), to mt router and the grandstream ATA box sends it to me phone system. Does that sound right?

The setup, as I see it,  looks relatively straightforward.

The SIP USerID and Authenticate code is just my phone number, (using the international phone number format with a '+' sign and 44 for the UK), and the authenticate password will be assigned to me by A&A, presumably?

I assume most of the settings can be left as per the example on that page unless I have some sort of special requirement.

I can't remember if I mentioned but I have a 4 phone Panasonic cordless setup but they're all used as a landline and I don't do anything fancy like forwarding calls between handsets. It's only used in my house and we only get 3-4 calls a week so I'm not envisaging spending any more money than I need to

So, I connect the GS HT801 to my router using an RJ45 cable, (or a powerline adaptor presumably), and the phone base unit plugs directly into the other port using the normal phone connection tingie.

Am I missing anything obvious?

[#8]

Yes your layman's description is pretty much correct, and would work if you did what you've outlined.

When I first setup my A&A VoIP, I had it working within three minutes, including checking the A&A member's portal to verify that the SIP connection was synchronised with my ATA.

Good luck with your FTTP upgrade and adventures with VoIP ! 

.

[#9]

I finally got around to initiating the porting of my BT landline number to A&A last Weds 10th Sept (using the OTS) and the port is AIUI scheduled at 10:00am tomorrow (Wed. 17th Sept).  I entered the SIP details for my allocated A&A account into my Gigaset N300-IP and it registered immediately even though the port has yet to take place, so I'm assuming the number will work without further intervention from me.

The BT line is still working ATM so I'm interested to see how much downtime there is from the port time, although I have to go out for a while tomorrow morning before the time mentioned above.

As an aside, I have no intention of using the A&A account for outbound calls so I've disabled them by setting the call price limits for both national and international to 'Free calls only', and I'll just carry on using my other third party cheaper VoIP accounts for those.

[#10]

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@RobPN wrote:

I entered the SIP details for my allocated A&A account into my Gigaset N300-IP and it registered immediately even though the port has yet to take place, so I'm assuming the number will work without further intervention from me.

That is exactly what I did, and yes when the port completes, the line starts working without intervention.

For me it was only a few minutes of downtime on outgoing calls, but for incoming calls it took my mobile phone provider about 30 minutes to change their call routing from my analogue phone provider (Pulse8) to VoIP provider (A&A).

[#11]

I just use my voip provider's app on my mobile. I get all my home phone calls now, wherever I am with no extra equipment.

[#12]

Update on my OTS port/downtime;

I called the number from my mobile at 9:59 and it rang my Gigaset handset via the landline.

Next attempt was at 10:03 and it rang via the A&A VoIP account.

I haven't tried outgoing calls via A&A because I've set the account to only allow free calls.

So if there was any downtime, it was less than 4 minutes - I'm happy with that!

[#13]

There's something I'm not clear about and that is, what advantage is there in getting a new Gigaset, (or whatever), phone setup as opposed to sticking with my existing Panasonic system? I understand it's 'digital'... but, so what? What advantage does it give? It just seems like an unnecessary expense.

[#14]

@SomeOldCodger - if you are happy with your existing phone system, then replacing it would be an unnecessary expense.

.

[#15]

Yeah, I get that. I was just wondering if there is any extra facilities these new digital systems give. I doubt they'd be any use to me anyway as I only receive a few calls a week.