In reply to a post by j0hn83:

You're quite right.

https://www.bt.com/broadband/digital-voice-learnpage/

To experience HD quality calls and great new features, just plug in your new home phone (that we’ll send you for free) and you're ready to go.

I have a question...

I looked at that link and the guide they provide and that phone connects over Wi-Fi and not the actual Phone Socket on the the back of the SH2, and that you need to use the WPS to connect them up.

Soooo, my question is, does that mean we can still use our own 3rd party router and just connect that phone handset over our Wi-Fi for it to work?

The setup guide is found here: BT digital-voice--how-do-i-set-up-my-service- then section Set up your Digital Voice handsets

*** update ***
Scrub that, it uses DECT that's built into the SH2, so looks like we might be porting our number then when BT gets around to move us off FVA, I know BT have said they will be leaving us where we are as long as they can.

Paul

Edited by PaulKirby (Fri 10-Jul-20 10:09:06)

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

Sipgate. I've used them for years. Biggest best reason is its free to have a 'line', no subscription.

You can 'port' your number to them and I did this. First time was a pain (I had two lines, didn't need the fax line but wanted to keep the number). By the time I moved my second number they had made the system easier. I was moving and couldn't take my number so ported to Sipgate. Now I still receive calls on that number via my broadband using a FritzBox router with built in VoIP. I never make outgoing calls on that line so all it cost was a few quid in porting fees. Sipgate don't seem to care I don't pay them!

That looks a good option. How long did it take to port the number and do you know if you can port it away from BT easily while under contract? ie if I move my number to BT can I then move it away easily if needed?

Well spotted, it would be good if it just connects via wifi and contains all of it's own config.

I wonder if standard VOIP phones with the correct config would work?

In reply to a post by StuB:

That looks a good option. How long did it take to port the number and do you know if you can port it away from BT easily while under contract? ie if I move my number to BT can I then move it away easily if needed?

It was a while ago so to be honest I can't remember. Sipgate say a few days and that sounds right. At the time I was paying Zen for my line, but I think that was fine. I was also ceasing my line so I don't know what happens if you want to keep a BT line, maybe they give you another number, maybe they cease the line?

Where are you moving your number _from_ to BT to then move it out to Sipgate? Slightly confused!

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

As would be the CSP also .... not good. It’ll be all OK, as doubtless the insulation people will tell you, but the day you have an issue, you’ll be stuffed. It happens all the time with copper, and it’ll be much of an issue with fibre.

I can imagine losing access to the cable could cause future problems difficult to sort hence me trying to think about this now.

After a little bit of reading I noted a few comments about overhead supply installs from a pole not having a CSP. Is this info wrong or do some have them and some not?

In reply to a post by StuB:

Well spotted, it would be good if it just connects via wifi and contains all of it's own config.

I wonder if standard VOIP phones with the correct config would work?

I updated my post, it seems the SH2 also supports DECT and that the phone uses that to connect to the SH2, which is a shame.

I might look into porting our number over to a VoIP Service and then have BT just assign a new number to our line.

I think its silly for BT to force people to use their SH2 to use their phone service, what if they were with any other broadband provider that allows for Fibre without a phone service with them and you already had a phone service with BT, how would that work?

TBH I think they should of gone the Ethernet based VoIP Handsets route, that would resolve this issue.

Paul

I currently have phoe and fttc broadband with Pusnet and I signed up for full fibre from BT the other day and asked them to move my number from Plusnet to BT.

If I try and move the number from Plusnet to Sipgate before the move then I suspect it could cause confusion with the order hence wondering about letting the move happen and then if I need to then move from BT to Sipgate.

It's only incoming calls that I really need it for and if BT VOIP can be made to work with a 3rd party router then it's not a problem anyway and likewise it won't be if the voice part is left on copper either.

In reply to a post by StuB:

I currently have phoe and fttc broadband with Pusnet and I signed up for full fibre from BT the other day and asked them to move my number from Plusnet to BT.

If I try and move the number from Plusnet to Sipgate before the move then I suspect it could cause confusion with the order hence wondering about letting the move happen and then if I need to then move from BT to Sipgate.

It's only incoming calls that I really need it for and if BT VOIP can be made to work with a 3rd party router then it's not a problem anyway and likewise it won't be if the voice part is left on copper either.

Yes, complex, being as it seems you get a phone line with BT whether you want it or not. Personally I'd have moved the line from Plusnet to Sipgate anyway. Then its 'safe'. Then if BT give you a number, they give you a number. I have a line with Zen because FTTC but I have no idea of the number!

The danger with porting a number now is that I think, having glanced at the Sipgate guides, it will cease the line and any broadband associated. I think it may be too late for you to go down this route now. At least you have kept your number. If you want to move from BT in future that will be the time - in good time - to move. You need everything set up and in place - a Sipgate account - before you start.

In reply to a post by PaulKirby:

I updated my post, it seems the SH2 also supports DECT and that the phone uses that to connect to the SH2, which is a shame.

Why a shame? That's how I use my VoIP from Sipgate. My FritzBox router logs in to the VoIP and sends it over its built-in DECT. It means punters can use their existing DECT handsets. They don't want to mess about with special VoIP phones or adaptors.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

In reply to a post by PaulKirby:

I updated my post, it seems the SH2 also supports DECT and that the phone uses that to connect to the SH2, which is a shame.

Why a shame? That's how I use my VoIP from Sipgate. My FritzBox router logs in to the VoIP and sends it over its built-in DECT. It means punters can use their existing DECT handsets. They don't want to mess about with special VoIP phones or adaptors.

I was referring to I was hoping it was over Wi-Fi, that way we might of been able to use it on our own routers, but BT probably won't allow for any other routers that supports DECT to be used.

But you never know what happens later on.

Paul