Zen Internet and VOIP

SpellowHouse

SpellowHouse

SpellowHouse

Soldato
Joined
31 Jan 2022
Posts
3,630
Location
UK
A year ago I moved over to Sipgate, and have found the service to be extremely unreliable.

I wondered about using the Zen service, but unfortunately that requires the Fritzbox router, which is just not practical for me. I could possibly use the Fritzbox just as a switch and voip unit. Connect it in series with my main router. I can't see any reason why this would not work, as long at the Fritzbox has a different IP.

Anyone any clue (unlike me)?
 
Silly question, but have you asked Zen technical support? I’m certain I have one of my remote locations running a USG-3P with VOIP and no Fritzbox.
 
If the FritzBox units that Zen ship are working in the same way as an ISP a bunch of my German users are using is, then it's probably not going to work.

It isn't just that the FritzBox needs to have a working internet connection, it needs to have a public WAN IP address or the SIP services don't start at least that's our theory. One of my guys had a play about to see if he could get it working with the FritzBox being behind another NAT router but gave up in the end.

But with that said, if you're already with Sipgate then stick with Sipgate. That'll work fine behind any old NAT router. Ignore the fact that Zen offer a SIP service and carry on using the hardware (or software) you're already using.
 
I use Sipgate & AAISP VoIP with Zen and its been a flawless service for me, I don't use the Fritzbox though as I have a UDM SE.
 
WJA96 said:
Silly question, but have you asked Zen technical support? I’m certain I have one of my remote locations running a USG-3P with VOIP and no Fritzbox.
Click to expand...

Yes. They haven't a clue. They just say it won't work without the Fritzbox. I believe their system is based on something BT uses which they say is incompatible with other VoIP boxes.
TBH they are remarkably clueless about it really.
 
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the-evaluator said:
If the FritzBox units that Zen ship are working in the same way as an ISP a bunch of my German users are using is, then it's probably not going to work.

It isn't just that the FritzBox needs to have a working internet connection, it needs to have a public WAN IP address or the SIP services don't start at least that's our theory. One of my guys had a play about to see if he could get it working with the FritzBox being behind another NAT router but gave up in the end.

But with that said, if you're already with Sipgate then stick with Sipgate. That'll work fine behind any old NAT router. Ignore the fact that Zen offer a SIP service and carry on using the hardware (or software) you're already using.
Click to expand...

The problem with Sipgate is that it's turning out to be very unreliable. I keep getting strange issues with it.
 
RSR said:
I use Sipgate & AAISP VoIP with Zen and its been a flawless service for me, I don't use the Fritzbox though as I have a UDM SE.
Click to expand...

One of the problems I have with Sipgate is that it seems to randomly report my caller ID. This presents a problem when I phone services that depend on that ID.
The other problem was they had a major outage yesterday which left me without a phone.

I don't use the system very often, but it must work when I do!!!
 
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I've got sipgate (basic) and use Zen but I run it via a Gigaset n300a (also does landline) which is connected to the fritzbox 3490 via ethernet. Can't say I've had any major issues with it but it's more for incoming than outgoing.
 
SpellowHouse said:
One of the problems I have with Sipgate is that it seems to randomly report my caller ID. This presents a problem when I phone services that depend on that ID.
The other problem was they had a major outage yesterday which left me without a phone.

I don't use the system very often, but it must work when I do!!!
Click to expand...

I can't say I have experanced that issue, I use a Gigaset 510n with Gigaset handsets so not sure if that's making a difference.

I assume you have setup all the port forwarding correctly?
 
SpellowHouse said:
The problem with Sipgate is that it's turning out to be very unreliable. I keep getting strange issues with it.
Click to expand...

If you're wanting to move away from Sipgate then personally I'd avoid getting VoIP services from your ISP as it'll make changing ISP in the future to lot more awkward. If you get your VoIP elsewhere then you can switch ISP without needing to consider the VoIP service.

Gradwell and A&A are worth looking at.
 
RSR said:
I can't say I have experanced that issue, I use a Gigaset 510n with Gigaset handsets so not sure if that's making a difference.

I assume you have setup all the port forwarding correctly?
Click to expand...

As far as I understand it, reporting the ID to the reciever of the call is down to the provider.
 
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