VOIP using 4g router

Hi, I live in a rural area where the BT landline is very slow and frequently interrupted. For my internet access I jhave switched to a 4g router using 3's network (Smarty). I would like to connect my home phones to this and get VOIP but suspect there may be problems with getting a good phone reception. Has anyone done this successfully.
Thanks
Derek

You need an ata or something like the gigaset n300 or n510 pro

In reply to a post by dft46:

I would like to connect my home phones to this and get VOIP but suspect there may be problems with getting a good phone reception.

Mobile broadband is often a challenge; VoIP services need to keep connected to the server otherwise you don't get incoming calls, and most mobile broadband forces you behind two levels of Network Address Translation, one in the network and one at your router.

You would need to buy an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor) such as the Grandstream HT801 that you connect by Ethernet cable to the Three router. You then connect your home phones to the HT801.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grandstream-HT801-SIP-ATA-H...

You also need a Voice Service Provider (VSP) such as AAISP or voipphone or gradwell or the others out there. Check the VSP can help you configure the ATA and are willing to help if you have problems with your mobile broadband connection (many will say no to this).

It can technically work, but it may not be reliable. You should set the Registration interval on the ATA to quite low, e.g. 5 or 10mins.

Not directly related but I have Three Home Broadband (see my sig).

I do not have a landline but my mobile is set to use WiFi calling where available. I often see from the phone status bar that it is connected to that. I have never found any problems with incoming or outgoing calls.

More importantly for your query there are two places I visit where mobile signals are dismal to the point of non-existent nearly all the time ad the broadband is via landline FTTC. Which is why I have WiFi calling enabled.

Works fine there.

My point being that VOIP through Three mobile broadband and other people's FTTC works for me. In your case the earlier advice on how to have access to it with your (DECT?) phone system still applies. The resultant VOIP should work well.

Edited by pluralist (Mon 07-Oct-24 00:03:59)

Thanks, I think I understand the problems. Iwas hoping taht someone had actually successfully done it and could recommend the router, SIM provider etc.
Thanks anyway.

I switches to internet via 4G and VoIP almost two years ago, saving massive amounts of money over a rubbish ADSL2+ connection which I had before that. It has been working without a glitch since then

Setup is as follows:

SIM card from Three (their 3internet APN gives you a public IPv4 address, that's essential for VoIP). You can buy a "phone" SIM card, they also work in routers and are cheaper than their home broadband offer. I am paying £12.95 per month for 120 GB (more than enough for me). Look out for deals with cashback, you can get 100GB for £6.00 or unlimited for £9.00 per month at the moment. Black Friday is a good time to pick up a bargain.

Router from eBay, second hand. I have a ZTE MF286D, is Three branded but works with other SIMs as well. The router is set to bridge mode and connected to a Fritzbox 7590 (which I already had for ADSL broadband), Fritzbox 7530 would be OK as well as you won't need analogue phone line.
With a bit of patience, you can get both MF286D and 7530 for around £30 each on eBay.

The Fritzbox has a DECT base with VoIP support built in, plus router etc. so no clutter etc. You can also connect POTS phones if you want.

I ported our BT landline number to Andrews and Arnold, they charge £1.44 per month for the "line rental". All incoming calls come in through A&A. For outgoing calls, I use freevoipdeal as they are a lot cheaper for international and calls to mobiles, but you could set up several VoIP accounts on the Fritzbox and then configure dialling rules to get the least cost.

Any questions, then please feel free to ask

Thanks for that timely information. My private road is not yet cabled for Full Fibre by Openreach. So, I am in the process of changing my long term broadband provider Plusnet FTTC plus landline to 5G Three broadband with an external modem receiver. I am also considering the viability of porting my landline number to a VOIP provider and using existing kit where possible. I have Dect phones, so I will check out Ebay for the kit you suggest. I am interested to hear that you use A&A only for line rental and for free incoming calls. I hope that A&A would allow me to port my existing landline number too. About £10. Is that what you did?

I can't see why they would not want to port your number in. they charge £12 for porting in, not sure whether they will also charge you the one off setup charge as well (you better ask). They didn't have a setup charge when I joined but I believe porting was £15 then.

If your phone number is with Plusnet, the porting should work, I also moved from PN to AA. Although I set up another number with AA first (free at the time) to test the 4G setup before taking the plunge.

Best to try out Three coverage before you get all the kit, just in case it is rubbish. All the other networks won't give you a public IPv4 address which will give you issues with VoIP

My first impressions are that the proprietary 5G outdoor hub, model Y5-210MU, is very good. Only tested it about 10 foot above ground on a ledge. Have also been up a ladder and getting a really good signal strength above 90 consistently at the highest point just below the eaves. Will fix it there in due course and route the Cat cable to a dedicated router in my loft. Much better than the FTTC from BT/EE/Plusnet. The Three single little Eero wifi mesh router sited indoors is quite nippy too. I will likely go for the port from Plusnet to A&A. Is there a contract term for the line rental?

One month minimum term
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-informat...