Took the plunge...

[Simon]

I took the plunge and my PSTN line is being switched over to UBOSS VoIP tomorrow.  Well, actually, today now. 

Not sure how I'll know when it's actually switched.  The 'Phone' light is on on my TP Link VX230v router, which apparently means 'The SIP account is registered successfully', but the ported phone number hasn't appeared in the router settings yet, and the PSTN line was still connected as of about an hour ago.  I assume this is a manual process and someone at IDNet will flick a switch and send the configuration to my router?

[Simon]

Well, it all seems to be up and running.  Caller Display working as normal.  Names are displayed. 

[zappaDPJ]

You'll be telling me your bread fell butter side up next

[Simon]

I'm just waiting for IDNet to come back to me to confirm my number withheld setting.  The only slight niggle with this is that things like that have to be done by them, rather than a setting in the router, but once it's done it's done.  If I'd know it would be this simple I'd have done it ages ago and saved a bit of money as it's cheaper than the PSTN line, with all calls included. 

[nowster]

Dad switched over to VoIP (A&A) yesterday.

It's a bit more complex than your setup, of course:

• The Raspberry Pi 4 which is acting as router is now also running a VoIP exchange software called Asterisk.
• The extension wiring is now connected to a Grandstream HT812v2 ATA using an RJ11 to RJ11 cable (from DSL modem) into an old OpenReach NTE5 with split VDSL faceplate. That provides the RJ11 socket (for DSL) and also punchdown terminals for the extension wiring with a BT socket on the front. The internals of the faceplate also provide the ring capacitor.
• Switching over from PSTN was done by wiring the extensions into the new socket on Sunday, then using an old modem's BT-to-RJ11 cable to connect from existing OpenReach socket to new VoIP socket, with instructions given to my sister to replace one labelled RJ11 cable with a different RJ11 cable when the switch had completed.

There were a few minor hiccoughs:

• I'd asked for a particular date for the port, but because I'd gone through the One Touch Switch process, that didn't stick, so the port was arranged for a week before I'd requested.
• The Grandstream ATA has developed an internal fault which means there's a buzz on the lines. I suspect a dead capacitor in the DC-DC converter inside. It's still within the Christmas free returns period so I've already got and configured a replacement which I'll fit next week.
• My understanding of Asterisk's PJSIP syntax was incorrect, so outgoing calls weren't working. "PJSIP/trunkname/01632960960" is not the same as (the correct) "PJSIP/01632960960@trunkname"
• The actual port didn't happen until about 16:55, which made us think it wasn't going to succeed.

Caller ID works fine, and was something we didn't get by default on the IDNet PSTN service. I've even got it matching some incoming numbers to display the names.

I've set up a few short codes for dialling friends and relatives in Ireland and Australia. I also have set up an IAX trunk back over VPN to my own place, which allows a few novelties:

123 gets the Pat Simmons speaking clock. https://github.com/paulseward/asterisk-tim
160 gets a "Dial A Disc" which is my own private radio station automation system.

So, the cost of the phone line has gone down from £220 per year (inc VAT) to £22 per year (inc VAT). The £400 Ecoflow Delta 2 (1kWh) battery pack to keep it all running when the power goes out doesn't factor into it. 

From tests the battery will keep things going for a minimum of 2½ days and has options to charge from solar power or a car battery as well as the mains. It came in useful today when the electrician turned off the fusebox for an hour to wire in an electric shower.

[Simon]

Yes, that's definitely a more complex set up than mine. 

The one thing that does concern me a bit is call blocking.  I'd had over 70 scam / spam numbers blocked in my old CPR Call Blocker, but that was powered by the phone line, and has no AC power ability, so it's had to go.  I've yet to see if any of those numbers are still active (I suspect not), but the call blocking function seems clunky at best.  IDNet have said I'd need to email them each time I want to block a number, but there is a facility within the TP Link VX230v router settings to add numbers to a block list.  I don't know what reason there might be for this not to work, and for me to have to contact IDNet, which could soon become tedious.

[nowster]

Can't the new router power your call blocker device just like your phone line did?

[Simon]

Can't the new router power your call blocker device just like your phone line did?

I didn't think it could.  Does the router port provide power, like a PSTN socket does?

[Simon]

Can't the new router power your call blocker device just like your phone line did?

I just tried it.  To my surprise, the call blocker was powered by the router, but clearly the system doesn't like it as it's not letting me receive calls.  It either blocks them, or the phone doesn't ring then the call goes straight to voicemail.  So I think it's probably best left alone. 

[nowster]

I didn't think it could.  Does the router port provide power, like a PSTN socket does?

It should. A few tens of milliamps.

On a Grandstream the config looks like this:



and the bottom one can be set to either 20mA or 30mA.

[nowster]

I just tried it.  To my surprise, the call blocker was powered by the router, but clearly the system doesn't like it as it's not letting me receive calls.  It either blocks them, or the phone doesn't ring then the call goes straight to voicemail.  So I think it's probably best left alone. 

You might need to make sure that the router is sending out the right format of callerid. Many phones will cope with different variants, especially the US type "bellcore".

You'll want one that's labelled BT or UK. Again, on a Grandstream ATA, the options look like this:

[nowster]

Of course, if your box doesn't like seeing Caller ID numbers starting +44, it probably won't work.

(A&A get this right. You can select either +44 or 0 as incoming number prefix. It wouldn't affect me, as I would be able to manipulate the caller ID inside Asterisk.)

[Simon]

I'm not keen on fiddling with the router settings.  The UBOSS Voicemail was switched on by default, but as I have my own answerphone, I wanted to use that, so first tried disabling Voicemail in the router, but it seemed to be off anyway.  Next, I tried increasing the number of rings before the Voicemail kicked in, with the idea that if I set it longer, my device would answer first.  The setting seemed to stick, but then I couldn't make or receive any calls at all.  Incoming was saying the number isn't available and outgoing just resulted in constant beeps. 

So, I rang IDNet, and Chloe said the line had been 'blocked', but couldn't see why.  She unblocked it and also turned off the Voicemail.  I don't know if it didn't like me changing settings in the router, but I'm not inclined to try anything else outside of IDNet's support hours. 

With regards the Call blocker, the one I have is quite old, and there are other models on Amazon which do say 'Landline & VoIP' so I'm guessing the one I have just isn't compatible.  I may look at getting another one, but since the switch, I've not actually had any unwanted calls, so I may just see how it goes. 

I think the router is quite limited in what it can do with the UBOSS service, much of which seems to need to be configured by IDNet.  I'd rather have a service which is more user configurable, but again, I'm going to see how things go for a couple of months.  UBOSS is a monthly contract, so I'm not tied down to it. 

[nowster]

This is what is configurable for me:

[Simon]

I don't think I have anything like that.  I do have Call Forwarding, Call Blocking (or so it appears), and Do Not Disturb settings, but other than that, I just have this.  It doesn't even actually display my phone number, just a six character alpha numeric code (masked).  I also have a Digit Map, but I haven't a clue what that does so I'm not touching it!   

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[nowster]

Well it is a router, not a specialised VoIP box, so compromises are often made.

But that said, the Grandstream on its own wouldn't be able to turn +44 into 0. It can change + into 00 however.

[Tacitus]

As I've just been bitten by the WLR switch-off I've been looking at this with interest. 

I'm currently on ADSL (part fibre) running a FritzBox 7530AX with the phone being handled by a gigaset N300A, which if memory serves will do VOIP as well as PSTN. This setup has worked well for a while now.

Don't want to junk any of my current hardware. Full fibre is not available round here apart from Virgin who are milking it for all they're worth, so that's a no go.

If iDNet will supply the VOIP credentials I'll stay with them otherwise it will have to be either the Grandstream or move the phone number to Voipfone.  A&A are probably OK but I'm getting a bit old for the heavy duty technical stuff 

Anybody any ideas?  Do iDNet supply the VOIP info or do Uboss prohibit it or restrict it to only their supplied kit - TP-Link or whatever.   

[Simon]

When I ordered my UBOSS through IDNet, the order process doesn't let you escape from ordering something in the way of hardware, but then you can put in the notes when ordering that you don't need any.  I also followed this up with an email when I got the order confirmation through. 

I'm using the TP Link VX230v router that IDNet supplied for my Fibre Broadband, which is VoIP enabled.  IDNet set up the UBOSS service at their end, and I didn't have to do anything other than plug my Gigaset phone into the router on switching day.

That probably doesn't really answer your question, but whilst it says on the website that IDNet will only support their own supplied hardware, I don't know if that means the UBOSS service can't be provided through any other hardware. 

They certainly didn't send me any new settings for the router, if that's any help.

Whilst this is an AI overview, this may provide some guidance for you...

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[nowster]

When you switch to VoIP you aren't restricted to using the same telecoms provider as provides IP connectivity to you.

I decided to use A&A which has no bundled hardware requirements and costs £1.80/month (after a £12 switching fee) versus IDNet/UBoss at £6/month. It does require you to know what you're doing though, but there are extensive configuration guides in their wiki.

One good thing is that VoIP contracts tend to be month-by-month rather than longer term, so you're not locked in to one if you have trouble with them.

[Tacitus]

Thank you for the replies.  My guess is the easiest thing would be to have one of the Grandstream converters, probably the single port.  If iDNet supply it, then it should be plug and play.

If it is a one month contract then I can sit back for a while to see what happens.  As @nowster says I'm not restricted to a single supplier so I could always move the phone at a later date.  TBH I don't really use the landline much nowadays, it's mostly the mobile but the signal at home is poor so I'm wondering whether a UPS might be a good idea.  We don't often get complete power failures but in bad weather they do happen.

I'll have a word with support and see what they have to say.

One thing that I am curious about is why just about all the VOIP suppliers use Yealink for their DECT offer.  Is it cheap, better or what?  Gigaset have always been decent but in the UK they don't seem to make any headway in the business world. Neither do AVM (Fritz) although I suppose they are aimed more at the domestic market.

[Tacitus]

My sister, also with iDNet is in a slightly different position.  She's on ADSL but can go full fibre with a handful of suppliers.  The phone and line are with BT Openreach. 

I think best for her would be to have a new full fibre line with Openreach and then transfer the phone number.  Given the age of her phones it might be best to go for a new DECT setup as I'm not sure a Grandstream would be able to power the ring circuit.  Still that's up to her. 

[Simon]

TBH I don't really use the landline much nowadays, it's mostly the mobile but the signal at home is poor so I'm wondering whether a UPS might be a good idea.

Have you tried WiFi Calling for the mobile?  I also have a poor signal at home and that's certainly improved things for me. 

[nowster]

TBH I don't really use the landline much nowadays, it's mostly the mobile but the signal at home is poor so I'm wondering whether a UPS might be a good idea.  We don't often get complete power failures but in bad weather they do happen.

We've got an Ecoflow Delta 2 battery pack (1kWh) here. Not cheap though!

There are 12V barrel connector outlets on the back which power the OpenReach ONT and the Grandstream ATA. The router is 5V USB, so that's powered off the USB sockets on the front.

With nothing else connected it runs for over 2.75 days. Switching on the mains outlets (even with nothing connected to them) drops that down to under 2 days.

Hooking up an old car battery to its solar panel socket adds another 18 hours of runtime. A newer deep discharge caravan type battery would probably last a lot longer.

I have it set for the slowest charging rate off mains (200W, about 5 hours to fully charge from flat) which should help with battery longevity. On the other hand, the old car battery took a couple of days to recharge from flat.

Last year we were off for over two days in Storm Darragh (with about four hours at night before it died again) and nearly three days completely off in Storm Éowyn. No mobile signal from any network during Storm Darragh either.

At that point we had an APC UPS but it only lasted 4 hours, so its use had to be rationed. The landline was still PSTN then and the hard wired phones kept working throughout.

[Tacitus]

That is certainly expensive but does look rather better than many of the alternatives. 

One other point. At present I'm on part fibre.  Will the move to all IP involve a modem change?  My feeling is it won't, that's only necessary with a move to full fibre and the installation of an ONT.  Just need to be clear.

[nowster]

That is certainly expensive but does look rather better than many of the alternatives.

We got ours during the Black Friday deals when it was "only" £399.

One other point. At present I'm on part fibre.  Will the move to all IP involve a modem change?  My feeling is it won't, that's only necessary with a move to full fibre and the installation of an ONT.  Just need to be clear.

If you're on FTTC (VDSL) all that will happen is that the dial tone will disappear off the line. IDNet will have to make sure that the DSL isn't cancelled with the phone line. Essentially your line will become SoGEA (Single order Generic Ethernet Access).

OpenReach can then reclaim the copper pair from the exchange to the cabinet, but probably won't take the cable to the scrap yard until some time after everyone's off it.