VOIP with a WISP

Hi I use a Wisp for my connection. The router is a Ubiquity, with just a lan port. Is there a way I can use a VOIP service with this, without spending a fortune?

It will be for primarily residential use.
Suggestions for provider would be good too, ta

Many thanks
Woody

I use an ATA device a Linksys PAP2T specifically. This has now been discontinued but superceeded with the Cisco SPA112 (about £32).

You would connect the ATA to the lan port of your router and plug a phone into the ATA. You would also need to then subscribe to a VOIP provider. I use Voipfone and VoipTalk as providers and have done for several years as my ATA can support 2 Voip providers. I have tried other providers over the years also.

You can also go for Vonage from £8 / month. They will send you a cheap ATA all configured so you would just plug it into router and connect your phone.

Other avenues are available ie using Voip handsets but I have no experience in that field.

One thing to remember with Voip is that latency is the issue here not bandwidth. By that I mean how quick your internet responds. To test open a command prompt and say ping the bbc site. If you pings are in the low 10ms you are fine. Voip will work with latency speeds of 50-60ms. Beyond that level you will start hearing echoes, etc.....

Hope this has been of help.

Good Luck

Edited by risk_reversal (Fri 26-Aug-16 17:22:20)

The best way to find out if it works is to just try it. All it takes, at your end, is some (free) software on your PC.

We have used Voipfone in the past, and they have the following links that might help:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Free_Phone.php
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/softphone_download.php

There's a few numbers you can try to see if things work OK before adding any credit to try out real calls. 152, 154 and 155 for example:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/service-numbers.php

They do complicated business setups for business, but also cater for simple single-line connections.

If it turns out to work on the PC, you can turn to hardware solutions.

Voipfone sell some VoIP adapters that can be used for your existing phones. Or, if you're changing cordless phones, you might choose something with VoIP built-in. I'd choose a Siemens cordless based on an "N300 ip basestation" or an "N300a IP basestation".

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Hi I use a Wisp for my connection. The router is a Ubiquity, with just a lan port. Is there a way I can use a VOIP service with this, without spending a fortune?

It will be for primarily residential use.
Suggestions for provider would be good too, ta

Many thanks
Woody

VOIP on a Wisp connection is perfectly workable.

I work for a WISP in North East Scotland and we have many customers on VOIP telecoms, either sold by us or by sourcing their own supplier.

providing they have configured their network ok, have decent bandwidth and latency and haven't blocked the required ports you are ok

which WISP are you with?

In reply to a post by connormill:

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Hi I use a Wisp for my connection. The router is a Ubiquity, with just a lan port. Is there a way I can use a VOIP service with this, without spending a fortune?

It will be for primarily residential use.
Suggestions for provider would be good too, ta

Many thanks
Woody

VOIP on a Wisp connection is perfectly workable.

I work for a WISP in North East Scotland and we have many customers on VOIP telecoms, either sold by us or by sourcing their own supplier.

providing they have configured their network ok, have decent bandwidth and latency and haven't blocked the required ports you are ok

which WISP are you with?

WISP is a local one called Bluewave Internet. They do offer their own VOIP, but for various reasons I do not wish to take that

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Hi I use a Wisp for my connection. The router is a Ubiquity, with just a lan port. Is there a way I can use a VOIP service with this, without spending a fortune?

It will be for primarily residential use.
Suggestions for provider would be good too, ta

Many thanks
Woody

A bargain basement connection in your case will require:
1) A four port hub £15
2) An ATA adapter £35
3) Maybe a couple of Ethernet cables £8
4) A cheap corded phone £10
5) A PAYG account with DrayTEL

That £68 investment will enable you to carry out some test calls by making free calls to any 0800 number and to other DrayTEL users [although I guess you will not know anyone on that service at this time]. There is a DrayTEL test number to use.

You will be unlucky for the VoIP service not to work.

Then:
6) Buy £15 worth of call credit which will entitle you to a free 01/02 number selected from a pretty comprehensive range of exchanges.
7) You are then up and away to make and receive calls to any POTS number without call connection charges with call charges around 2p a minute. This "second" line does not attract a line rental.

Call quality may be affected if large downloads are in progress. You can opt to go for a more upmarket setup of which the VoIP Gigaset phones are worthy of serious consideration.

I can not see anything else cheaper on the market place that will get you up and running for under £100 . Hope that is not a fortune to you. PM with your DrayTEL number when up and running and I will be delighted to call you.

Thank you. Why the 4 port hub, please?

I'd strongly recommend a Gigaset N300A with as many Gigaset C430 (or similar) handsets as you feel you need.

This eliminates a box from the analogue phone + ATA adaptor situation (as the N300A is the base station without the ATA adaptor).

Provider wise, I use AAISP, they are very fair on pricing, have a simple but powerful control panel, and I was able to port my old BT number in (I'm now on VM and have no line rental, I pay £1.20 a month for the SIP line, and very little for calls. Most of those that give you a free line are way overpriced for calls).

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Thank you. Why the 4 port hub, please?

The 4 port hub is because you said you have a ubiquiti router with one port only, so without the hub you can only connect one device. The hub is to allow you to connect your PC as well as the phone and whatever else you are using.

If you already have something behind the ubiquiti you may not need the hub.

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Thank you. Why the 4 port hub, please?

Because of this statement:
The router is a Ubiquity, with just a lan port.
I took this to mean it was a single LAN port router; the ATA requires a LAN port.

Thank you all very much for your help and advice, I do appreiate it. My isp is making a significant upgrade to their network next week, which hopefullybwill vastly improve dropouts and latency. (When working correc tly it is excellent with minimal delays or jitter). So I shall spend a few days reseaching my options then if all goes well make the switch to a voip providor and ditch the landline as it is so rarely used and no has bb on it either). My landline is so bad voip cant be any worse,lol

Woody

You may wish to look at the Gigaset N510 IP as it is cheaper than the N300 and a pure VOIP base station without landline support. All the Gigaset's VOIP base stations can be used with either Gigaset handsets or other DECT handsets (although you lose some functions for non Gigaset handsets).
Have a read of the manuals online to see what each device is capable of before buying.

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Thank you all very much for your help and advice, I do appreiate it. My isp is making a significant upgrade to their network next week, which hopefullybwill vastly improve dropouts and latency. (When working correc tly it is excellent with minimal delays or jitter). So I shall spend a few days reseaching my options then if all goes well make the switch to a voip providor and ditch the landline as it is so rarely used and no has bb on it either). My landline is so bad voip cant be any worse,lol

Woody

My use of VoIP goes back as far as 1988 and has enabled me to have extra lines at an affordable cost. But there is one often overlook issue of when power is lost, you are then in a communications black hole. A mobile is not always a get you out of jail card as a prolonged power outage can see that service going off line as well. A corded POTS phone has an unenviable reputation of always being live except under the most extreme circumstances. For that reason alone I will always retain a landline even if it was no longer a requirement for a broadband service.

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Thank you all very much for your help and advice, I do appreiate it. My isp is making a significant upgrade to their network next week, which hopefullybwill vastly improve dropouts and latency. (When working correc tly it is excellent with minimal delays or jitter). So I shall spend a few days reseaching my options then if all goes well make the switch to a voip providor and ditch the landline as it is so rarely used and no has bb on it either). My landline is so bad voip cant be any worse,lol

Woody

Why not just ditch it all together then and use your mobile?

if you are set on VOIP, we resell Kube Networks services, based in Glasgow and their support and pricing is fantastic

would recommend taking a look at them, if you buy a phone or ATA from them they will deliver it pre-configures

I would second the suggestion of using Voipfone. We recommend it to customers on our network. I use it myself and we use other lines for customer service. Voipfone will supply configured equipment that will work with most routers & networks. We use Mikrotik routers but I am sure that the kit will work with Ubiquiti routers.

Some points to note

A. It is all much easier if you have a static IP address.

B. Ubiquiti had some serious problems with VoIP in some of their beta firmware for their radios over the last 6 months. The underlying issue is the transition to mixed 11n/11ac operation. Check with your WISP whether they use mixed mode on any of the firmware on the route from you to their central hub. Be careful if they do. We have given up on use of mixed mode for this reason until we are sure that the firmware problem has been resolved.

C. All VoIP services have problems when networks get severely congested, unless the ISP has implemented quality of service (QoS) management of traffic. The general characteristics of wireless links - latency, etc - are absolutely fine for VoIP. It is delays caused by congestion that mess things up. If this is a concern, eg about evening calls, check with your WISP about whether they have or are willing to install QoS for VoIP traffic. Generally it is good business to do so because it means that customers can cut the BT cord.

In our experience Voipfone are helpful and reliable, but don't expect them to sort out network problems that are outside their control.

Edit: For the avoidance of doubt. There is no problem of VoIP compatibility with Ubiquiti's router firmware. The issue concerns the recent versions of some firmware for the Ubiquiti radios which I assume that your WISP (like many other WISPs) use for their network. There would be no problem if your WISP uses, for example, Cambium radios.

Edited by deleted (Sat 27-Aug-16 13:33:57)

In reply to a post by connormill:

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

Thank you all very much for your help and advice, I do appreiate it. My isp is making a significant upgrade to their network next week, which hopefullybwill vastly improve dropouts and latency. (When working correc tly it is excellent with minimal delays or jitter). So I shall spend a few days reseaching my options then if all goes well make the switch to a voip providor and ditch the landline as it is so rarely used and no has bb on it either). My landline is so bad voip cant be any worse,lol

Woody

Why not just ditch it all together then and use your mobile?

if you are set on VOIP, we resell Kube Networks services, based in Glasgow and their support and pricing is fantastic

would recommend taking a look at them, if you buy a phone or ATA from them they will deliver it pre-configures

Becuae living rurally, mobiles are unreliable with poor coverage here, especially indoors. Furthermore we still need a landline "number" so people are not paying mobile rates tocall us (like my elderly parents)

In reply to a post by gah789:

I would second the suggestion of using Voipfone. We recommend it to customers on our network. I use it myself and we use other lines for customer service. Voipfone will supply configured equipment that will work with most routers & networks. We use Mikrotik routers but I am sure that the kit will work with Ubiquiti routers.

Some points to note

A. It is all much easier if you have a static IP address.

B. Ubiquiti had some serious problems with VoIP in some of their beta firmware for their radios over the last 6 months. The underlying issue is the transition to mixed 11n/11ac operation. Check with your WISP whether they use mixed mode on any of the firmware on the route from you to their central hub. Be careful if they do. We have given up on use of mixed mode for this reason until we are sure that the firmware problem has been resolved.

C. All VoIP services have problems when networks get severely congested, unless the ISP has implemented quality of service (QoS) management of traffic. The general characteristics of wireless links - latency, etc - are absolutely fine for VoIP. It is delays caused by congestion that mess things up. If this is a concern, eg about evening calls, check with your WISP about whether they have or are willing to install QoS for VoIP traffic. Generally it is good business to do so because it means that customers can cut the BT cord.

In our experience Voipfone are helpful and reliable, but don't expect them to sort out network problems that are outside their control.

Edit: For the avoidance of doubt. There is no problem of VoIP compatibility with Ubiquiti's router firmware. The issue concerns the recent versions of some firmware for the Ubiquiti radios which I assume that your WISP (like many other WISPs) use for their network. There would be no problem if your WISP uses, for example, Cambium radios.

Thanks very much. I do currently have a static IP, though not sure if that may be about to change to a small range of IPs - will dbl check. I will contact my Wisp and ask about mixed mode. They have just upgraded my router firmware AirOS, because of the recent secuirty concerns. Can't comment about the rest of network, However the mast I connect to will shortly have a fibre link as opposed to a wifi relay to the main mast 30KM away, so that may in itself negate some of those issues??

woody

Yes agree about mobile coverage, especially here, and totally understand your concerns. It is something that has not escaped my attention and I need to think more about.
woody

Just check that they are not running one of the beta versions of AirOS 6.0. If you are on AirOS 5.6.xx (most likely) you should be ok. As far as I am aware the VoIP problems were all associated with AirOS 6.0betaxx.

I am sure that they will be running mixed mode on any of the links upstream of your relay, especially for a 30 km link. Still, ask them to confirm that they are not aware of any problems with VoIP on those links. There should certainly be no problems from the point where you are connected to fibre backhaul since everyone feeds into that somewhere.

Woody - you don't need to buy anything to check VOIP out - don't start paying for high-falluting stuff you may not need, and using your computer means no need for '4-port hubs' or the like at this stage.

Voiphone or any 'Soft Phone' programme for your computer will do fine - and these are free. As said, they have 'test' numbers you can dial for free.

I assume you probably can rustle up a headset and mic which will plug into your sound card input so you can test the system? If not, a few quid will buy one, or borrow one.

I use Sipgate for my VOIP - they are fine and I also endorse Gigaset products if you want to proceed.

In reply to a post by mikejp:

Woody - you don't need to buy anything to check VOIP out - don't start paying for high-falluting stuff you may not need, and using your computer means no need for '4-port hubs' or the like at this stage.

Voiphone or any 'Soft Phone' programme for your computer will do fine - and these are free. As said, they have 'test' numbers you can dial for free.

I assume you probably can rustle up a headset and mic which will plug into your sound card input so you can test the system? If not, a few quid will buy one, or borrow one.

I use Sipgate for my VOIP - they are fine and I also endorse Gigaset products if you want to proceed.

A soft-phone will be a 10 minute wonder on a PC and is no substitute for a true 2nd line or even as your only 'landline' to the world. It is however a bargain basement solution requiring minimal equipment costing under £20. But who wants to leave their PC running 24/7 to enable calls to be received? Or be interrupted with a computing activity that could cause work to be lost?

Unfortunately the OP only has a single LAN port on his router so unless that is replaced with the more common 4 port variety, then a hub is required. If we knew the maximum budget the OP was prepared to spend on this project then a very tailored/bespoke solution could be suggested. Today it would be pretty unusual not to have a voice service in the home that didn't have two or more extensions and so a Gigaset Wireless VoIP solution would suit a lot of people. With two or more handsets, simultaneous calls via VoIP and POTS are possible either on one handset or independently using two handsets. Selecting the route you want your outgoing call to use may be difficult or even impossible with some hardware.

Personally my view is that there is a lot to be said for routers that incorporate VoIP functionally because you can then use the very cheaper POTS wireless phones sold very competitively in supermarkets. However to get the best out of that setup may require you to set up a UK dial plane which is not easy to do.

Most hosted VoIP providers operate as an island with no inter-connectivity with other VoIP providers systems. Even where gateways do exist they ten to be unreliable.There will always be a gateway to the POTS which is access to the public telephone system. Some hosted VoIP services do not provide incoming facilities. VoIP doesn't normally come with call package options but they do exisit and can be an umbrella across several SIP numbers.

Security of your setup is important, otherwise you may find your PAYG credit stolen or many hundreds of pounds added to your credit account. Discuss this issue with your selected provider before using their service. As a general rule the hardware you have will work with any SIP provider with the possible exception of BT.

Embrace VoIP because running costs are ultra low and you have all the features which are normally chargeable for free. As such you will be surprised how often, for example, Conference calling, you will be using. Porting live POTS numbers into VoIP is normally not a problem.

Trollybus, the poster was not suggesting I use a softphone as a solution, meerly a way to experiment and test my setup (as per his earlier post). My budget really will be as low as I can afford to go otherwise there is no saving to be mad, ie if I spend £200, I might as continue paying line rental for another12 months.

Having looked around, there are now call packeges available, but I need to determin if they would be worth it for us,as the phone generally gets very low outgoing use, so payg may be a better option

Whilst two phones would ceftainly be benficial, we currently only have one, so its not essential, but certainly not to be overlooked especially for the future.

Fair point on security issue!
Woody

I have that equipment, so I agree. AAISP don't let you use your phone to get voicemails, you just get an email.

With Voipfone and Sipgate you can dial 1571 / 50000.

Voipfone have very good support and you can port a number to them.

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

WISP is a local one called Bluewave Internet. They do offer their own VOIP, but for various reasons I do not wish to take that

I would still ask them if there is anything they can do for you, to ensure that VOIP traffic is given priority. IME Voip calls don't always work as well as I would like.

My internet connection is a fixed wireless service, through a ubiquity powerbeam dish.

The dish connection goes into a TPlink router on the WAN port, the home network is on the LAN side of the router. FYI the router cost me around £40 from Amazon, so not a huge outlay for that.

I use a Gigaset N300A with two separate SipGate basic accounts with an 01 number each. The service works great!! We have opted to go for the £9.99 monthly service with SipGate which gets you unlimited UK calls. either way the service works really well. The gigset package came with the N300A and four handsets, again it was a good bundle from Amazon, though if i recall correctly it was around £120....but have a look online.

The main thing I had to do was ensure the router was set to forward the correct ports to the N300A and that recommended settings were as shown on SipGate's web pages.

I highly recommend this approach if using a WISP for you internet connection.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

In reply to a post by ukwoody:

WISP is a local one called Bluewave Internet. They do offer their own VOIP, but for various reasons I do not wish to take that

I would still ask them if there is anything they can do for you, to ensure that VOIP traffic is given priority. IME Voip calls don't always work as well as I would like.
[/quote,

ok I will check once link has settled down ta.

In reply to a post by mrvanx:

My internet connection is a fixed wireless service, through a ubiquity powerbeam dish.

The dish connection goes into a TPlink router on the WAN port, the home network is on the LAN side of the router. FYI the router cost me around £40 from Amazon, so not a huge outlay for that.

I use a Gigaset N300A with two separate SipGate basic accounts with an 01 number each. The service works great!! We have opted to go for the £9.99 monthly service with SipGate which gets you unlimited UK calls. either way the service works really well. The gigset package came with the N300A and four handsets, again it was a good bundle from Amazon, though if i recall correctly it was around £120....but have a look online.


good idea about the tplink router... I just happen to have 3xactly one of those laying about! Thank you


The main thing I had to do was ensure the router was set to forward the correct ports to the N300A and that recommended settings were as shown on SipGate's web pages.

I highly recommend this approach if using a WISP for you internet connection.