Time Warner phone connection
Grotman:
So I have an OBi100 happily running Google voice. Recently I purchased an OBi200 for possible other use but haven't yet connected it. Turns out, I had to change over my ISP and I now have Time Warner who provided a single modem for Internet, TV and Telephone. I would like to throw out this all-in-one device and replace it with my own devices. The Internet and TV are no problem. The telephone presents a different dynamic altogether.
My question is: Would it be possible to hook up the OBi200 to the TW telephone system via the Internet connection. If anyone has done this, or knows how to do it, I would appreciate any help and advice on how to go about setting this up. Thanks.
SteveInWA:
Hi:
Short answer, no.
Longer answer: The cable companies use their own, managed IP networks and equipment to provide VoIP. You can't use your own ATA (like an OBi) with their telephone service; you have to use their combo modem/router/ATA.
Depending on the economics of switching from a triple-play to a double-play (without TWC telephone service), you could discontinue their telephone service, and get service from some other provider (a SIP VoIP provider like Callcentric, PhonePower or voip.ms, for example). You'd buy your own (Surfboard) cable modem and a router of your choice, and plug the OBi into the router.
I have a friend in Hawaii who did just this, with my help, and TWC was cooperative in providing a lower price. Here in WA, I tried this with a friend on Comcast, and, true to their incredibly evil nature, Comcast refused to un-bundle the telephone service -- they wouldn't give my friend a double-play price lower than the triple-play! So, price out the difference before you leap.
Grotman:
Steve,
Thanks very much for the detailed reply. Fully explains the situation.
Unfortunately(?), I have just switched to TWC (from U-Verse who raised their prices to unacceptable levels). I signed up for a really good special offer on a triple play. I didn't need the phone either since I have Vonage that I have been using for more than 10 years (very early adopter). On reviewing TW's phone rates, I see that they can be quite a bit lower than Vonage given that we make many International calls to different countries and Vonage can't be beat for the quality (that comes at a price). But all good things often may and do come to an end.
I tried to get TW to switch me from this special triple play to a double play and guess what.....? They wanted $55 more per month!!! After asking them what planet they lived on and who designs their business models, I just kept the triple play plan - for now anyway. The day will come when all these companies will regret their past avarice.
My plan is to cancel their modem rental and purchase my own cable modem and wi-fi router. I hear tell that they allow you to keep their combo modem to run the telephone only and you pay no rental for it (go figure!). Only have to use a co-ax splitter to link the two modems. Don't know what impact this will have on upload and download speeds or on the quality of the phone service. Hopefully, will be able to play with QoS and some other settings and see what happens.
Will also investigate other phone service providers for the OBi and see what they come up with. If it was only up to me, I'd cut the cord and just have HS Internet and do my own thing for the rest (TV, phone, etc.). But.......
Thanks again for the help. Much appreciated. Hope this helps others too.
ceg3:
The free modem for telephony, with the use of a splitter if you have a customer owned modem for Internet service is a common setup at TWC. I've never had this setup, but from what I hear the splitter doesn't impact your bandwidth. The phone service at TWC can begin really cheap, at 10.00 a month for 12 months, but taxes and fees will add a few dollars. I imagine you can negotiate to keep that rate after the first year, but of course there is no guarantee. I do think they have excellent phone service, having had the service years ago, and you should be able to get good support for the phone service if you have issues.
dircom:
I have Time Warner internet at a summer home. (and occasionally Time Warner TV)
I use my own modem, router and obi
It all works fine
In NY TWC offers DBL and Triple bundles, Sometimes a triple bundle is less expensive than a DBL bundle YMMV.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page