Best PC free VOIP hardware & software

yebaws

I know this is a little lazy as all of the info is probably on this board, but there's so much stuff I don't know where to start, so I hope somebody with experience can help. This is what I have:

Broadband connection (variable speed, usually 4 - 6MB, minumum 2MB) wired to room where I want the VOIP phone with an ethernet network cable.

This is what I want:

VOIP phone (or box that a normal phone will plug into) that will plug straight into the ethernet socket with no PC connection required

It's basically to provide a second line for when the main one is in use. Volume of calls won't be great so it's more important to have minimal standing charges than cheap per minute calls. A PAYG VOIP service with no standing charge would be ideal.

Help much appreciated.

BexTech

https://www.sipgate.co.uk has no monthly fees, you just pay for the calls.

A LinkSys PAP2 ATA is an excellent device for attaching your usual phones, though the LinkSys SPA 3000 allows you to connect the same phone to both VoIP and PSTN.

wiraone

I've both, firstly bought PAP2-NA ATA since I thought I don't really need the PSTN line but it was so confusing and my wife and children abandon the idea of using the VOIP set (I had two DECT sets). Now I'm using SPA3000 and I need not to worry, using just a single DECT set and all incoming calls from PSTN go through the same set .. and all outgoing calls now going through voipstunt except for the toll-free and emergency numbers still going through PSTN (this can be easily done using dialplan rules).

BexTech

I use the PAP2, no problems with it, excellent kit and so configurable. Don't have PSTN so no need for us to have a device such as a SPA3000.

With the DECT and corded phones connected up and the dial plans set, people don't even know they aren't using a standard phoneline.

Would be on the lookout for another PAP2 if it was a genuine bought open ATA and not a previously locked to Vonage device opened up and was a decent price.

yebaws

BexTech wrote:

I use the PAP2, no problems with it, excellent kit and so configurable. Don't have PSTN so no need for us to have a device such as a SPA3000.

With the DECT and corded phones connected up and the dial plans set, people don't even know they aren't using a standard phoneline.

Would be on the lookout for another PAP2 if it was a genuine bought open ATA and not a previously locked to Vonage device opened up and was a decent price.

£50.51 (delivered) at http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=370 is the best I have found for new and unlocked. Anybody can do better please let me know. I've seen cheaper ones from the US, but having been stung with import duty and VAT before I don't think I'll bother...

BexTech

yebaws wrote:

£50.51 (delivered) at http://www.broadbandstuff.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=370 is the best I have found for new and unlocked. Anybody can do better please let me know. I've seen cheaper ones from the US, but having been stung with import duty and VAT before I don't think I'll bother...

I bought mine from Broadbandbuyer when they were a little cheaper than they are selling for now, as I already have a PAP2 and wiraone has replaced theirs with a SPA 3000, I thought they may have offered it for sale at a good price!

yebaws

Seems that you can unlock the Vonage ones:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=96064

...but that's way beyond me so I think I'll just have to shell out for the unlocked version.

BexTech

yebaws wrote:

Seems that you can unlock the Vonage ones:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=96064

...but that's way beyond me so I think I'll just have to shell out for the unlocked version.

That you can, with the newer ones you have to make sure it's not connected to the web otherwise it's stuck as a Vonage device, also if you update the firmware you have to make sure it's not connected to the web.

I've had my PAP2 for quite a while now, I just couldn't take the risk of unlocking a Vonage one, even though I had an idea of what I was doing (work on the repair/install/configure side of IT).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Linksys_Pap2/ is a group I'm a member of, can be some useful advice in there.

wiraone

BexTech wrote:

I bought mine from Broadbandbuyer when they were a little cheaper than they are selling for now, as I already have a PAP2 and wiraone has replaced theirs with a SPA 3000, I thought they may have offered it for sale at a good price!

I'm a collector, so guess I'm not going to part with my PAP2 .. I've bigger plan .. Thinking of running Asterisk off my Buffalo Linkstation ..

BexTech

wiraone wrote:

I'm a collector, so guess I'm not going to part with my PAP2 .. I've bigger plan .. Thinking of running Asterisk off my Buffalo Linkstation ..

Sounds good to me!

SomeOne_2

A cheaper alternative to the PAP2 worth considering is the Zoom 5800 ATA which you can get for £36.90 from Savastore: http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10287244
It works with the fineara voip products (e.g. Voipcheap/Voipbuster/etc..) and allows you to use the phone with your PSTN line as well.
It's also not too bad to setup.