All-In-One Modem, Router and VOIP device for Telewest Broadband?

[Speed]

Hi Guys,

I've been looking into VOIP as a cheaper way to make and receive phone calls for my business. I plan to use a proper telephone handset and one of the many providers so I can have my own number. I currently have 10meg Telewest Cable Broadband, so there is plenty of bandwidth to play with. Currently the setup is simply a Motorola Surfboard SB4100 Cable Modem going into a Netgear RP614 v3 Router which shares the connection between 4 computers.

Now I'm very new to VOIP so bare with me. Now from what I understand, as my router isn't VOIP compatible I will need either a VOIP adapter or replace the current router with a VOIP one. I have also heard of IP Phones however and from what I've seen some have RJ45 connectors on them in addition to the standard phone connectors. Now is it possible to use one of these without the use of any kind of VOIP adapter or do I still need a VOIP compatible router? I have to buy a new phone regardless, so I guess it is worth considering.

I'm also wondering if there is a device out there that will replace both my cable modem and Netgear router to share the internet connection that will also give me VOIP connection, does anyone know of such a device? Would prefer wired really, but anything considered. I know that you can get ASDL modems built into routers, but haven't seen many Cable ones.

Any info would be great, also looking for a good provider, sipgate look good as does voip.co.uk so any feedback on those or alternatives would be great.

Thanks in advance!

Kind Regards,

Mark
(Speed)

 

[tolien]

haven't seen many Cable ones.

Because they don't exist. Telewest won't let you just connect any modem you like to their network.

You don't need a "VoIP adapter" to use an IP phone. You just connect it to any ethernet port. The "VoIP adapter" is just a box (AKA an Analogue Telephone Adapter) that takes an ordinary analogue phone, converts it in digital and fires it off through the network just like any other data.
The only difference between a router that's "VoIP compatible" and yours is the ATA is stuck inside the box instead of having to connect one. Your router's as "VoIP compatible" as any other.

 

[Speed]

Because they don't exist. Telewest won't let you just connect any modem you like to their network.

You don't need a "VoIP adapter" to use an IP phone. You just connect it to any ethernet port. The "VoIP adapter" is just a box (AKA an Analogue Telephone Adapter) that takes an ordinary analogue phone, converts it in digital and fires it off through the network just like any other data.
The only difference between a router that's "VoIP compatible" and yours is the ATA is stuck inside the box instead of having to connect one. Your router's as "VoIP compatible" as any other.

Hi Tolien,

I was actually hoping you might reply. I spotted you made some posts in another VoIP thread regarding a Cisco 7960 IP Phone.

Anyways firstly thanks for the information, I had thought that could be the reason I couldn't find any cable routers with built in modem, but thanks for the confirmation. Also thank you for the information on ATA's, most helpful.

So as long as I get an IP Phone that doesn't require a VoIP router then I can simply plug the phone into any normal routers RJ45 port and it will work once setup? If that is the case, the main problem is I will have is there are no spare RJ45 sockets on this router, so it looks like I will be replacing it anyways, unless there is another way?

While we are on the subject, I'm quite interested in getting a Cisco IP Phone, but hopefully something a bit cheaper, more of a budget phone I guess. Do you know which of the Cisco range is the cheapest and will still work without a VoIP router? Also what are the licenses with the phone? I've spotted some without licenses which were cheaper.

Thanks, feel free to send me an e-mail should you wish, details are in my signature and trust.

Thanks!

Kind Regards,

Mark

 

[tolien]

So as long as I get an IP Phone that doesn't require a VoIP router then I can simply plug the phone into any normal routers RJ45 port and it will work once setup?

None require a "VoIP router", and yes.

If that is the case, the main problem is I will have is there are no spare RJ45 sockets on this router, so it looks like I will be replacing it anyways, unless there is another way?

Buy a switch and hook it up to the router?
There are next to no routers with more than 4 ports.

Do you know which of the Cisco range is the cheapest and will still work without a VoIP router?

Any of them will work without a "VoIP router" (once again, there's no such thing, it's just an ordinary router with an ATA stuck inside and/or some QoS added). The cheapest one I can see's a 7912 at £102.21.

Also what are the licenses with the phone? I've spotted some without licenses which were cheaper.

The license is for Cisco Callmanager. Ideally you want one that runs the SIP firmware.

 

[Speed]

None require a "VoIP router", and yes.

Buy a switch and hook it up to the router?
There are next to no routers with more than 4 ports.

Any of them will work without a "VoIP router" (once again, there's no such thing, it's just an ordinary router with an ATA stuck inside and/or some QoS added). The cheapest one I can see's a 7912 at £102.21.

The license is for Cisco Callmanager. Ideally you want one that runs the SIP firmware.

Thanks for the reply and info.

Yeah that is a fair point with regards to the switch, but then again it is another piece of hardware taking up space. I guess get rid of the current router and go ahead and get a VoIP router, most have 4 LAN ports and one or more VoIP ports.

I guess this would also get rid any need of an IP Phone. Do IP Phones have any advantages over standard analogue handsets? Aside from not needing an ATA? For example would a normal analogue handset be able to display caller numbers and other such info while using VoIP in the same way that it would normally? Just trying to work out the most cost effective solution, obviously analogue handsets are cheaper, but they do need an ATA, where as IP Phones don't but cost more.

Yes I also spotted that 7912 at the same price without a license. As for Call Manager, from what I've read as a single phone user I don't really need it which does seem to reduce the price by a fair amount. As for SIP firmware, I assume that's simply user upgradeable?

Thanks again for your help btw, very much appreciated!

Kind Regards,

Mark

 

[tolien]

If you're only going to have one, you can do most of the things an IP phone can do with an ordinary phone. Just differently.

For example would a normal analogue handset be able to display caller numbers and other such info while using VoIP in the same way that it would normally?

I'd expect so. It'll depend on the ATA and the VoIP provider.

Yes I also spotted that 7912 at the same price without a license. As for Call Manager, from what I've read as a single phone user I don't really need it which does seem to reduce the price by a fair amount.

Quite.

As for SIP firmware, I assume that's simply user upgradeable?

Sort of. AFAIK not everyone can download firmware from the Cisco site.

 

[Speed]

If you're only going to have one, you can do most of the things an IP phone can do with an ordinary phone. Just differently.

I'd expect so. It'll depend on the ATA and the VoIP provider.

Quite.

Sort of. AFAIK not everyone can download firmware from the Cisco site.

Right ok, thanks for the info. I guess I'll just have to price it up and see what I can afford.

Thanks again for your help!