Obi100 as ATA for Skype?
Stewart:
First, you need to decide whether you will be keeping a landline (possibly dropping to a "measured", "low-use", or "lifeline" service). In an emergency, a landline will usually be the most reliable; VoIP won't work if your power, equipment, Internet connection or provider fails. However, if cellular coverage inside your home is good, you may decide that's an acceptable backup. If you have an alarm system without cellular backup, don't trust it to VoIP. Faxing is often iffy with VoIP, though you can also send faxes via an email-to-fax or web-to-fax service. Finally, if you have DSL, porting your landline away will cause it to be disconnected; you would have to get a dry-loop DSL installed, or get service from another ISP.
If you get service from VOIPo (or one of their competitors), they will supply you with a two-port ATA. Connected to two or more two-line phones, or to a two-line cordless base with multiple handsets, you will be able to make or answer a call from any phone, while another is in use. Porting your landline number (if desired) will be no hassle. You won't need to buy an OBi and you won't need to learn anything about VoIP.
If you are in the DIY mode, you can save more money and have a more flexible system. One choice is an OBi with a combination of GV and Anveo. Anveo's 911 is only $0.80/mo. If desired, you can get a "value" incoming number for $0.99/mo., though you'll pay for calls if you exceed the 40 free minutes per day. Outbound domestic calls are $0.01/min. Since GV will be your primary provider, I would expect your minute usage on Anveo to be very low. This system allows only one call at a time (except for three-way and call waiting). If you want two concurrent calls, you can add a second ATA. If the other ATA has a "router" function, e.g. SPA2102, you can set it up as a bridge, so it won't "burn" a port on your router. OBi will also soon be releasing an ATA with two Ethernet ports.
TimDan:
Quote from: RonR on January 11, 2012, 01:30:08 pm
Quote from: TimDan on January 11, 2012, 01:12:46 pm
Since I don't have any need for bridging between the landline and any VoIP service, I don't need the OBi110 and its PHONE port.
Unless you need the smaller size of the OBi100, I'd spend the extra couple of dollars on the OBi110 just to have the LINE Port. It can be used to connect another ATA , a Skype adapter, a MagicJack, or whatever.
Once you have the ability to bridge various services together, you'll be surprised at the ideas you come up with.
(I meant "LINE" instead of "PHONE" in my last post.)
Having the capability to bridge to a landline would make my imagination go crazy with new tricks to try and it would become a distracting obsession, I'm afraid. Gotta think about that one... ;)
TimDan
TimDan
TimDan:
Quote from: Stewart on January 11, 2012, 08:08:14 pm
First, you need to decide whether you will be keeping a landline...
I had intended to keep the landline with minimal features for several of the reasons that you mention.
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If you get service from VOIPo (or one of their competitors), they will supply you with a two-port ATA. Connected to two or more two-line phones, or to a two-line cordless base with multiple handsets, you will be able to make or answer a call from any phone, while another is in use. Porting your landline number (if desired) will be no hassle. You won't need to buy an OBi and you won't need to learn anything about VoIP.
I'd like to use Google Voice for the free service through 2012 (and beyond if the service and price are right), and that seems to imply using an Obihai device.
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If you are in the DIY mode...
Sorry, I'll have to turn a deaf ear - I'm starting to obsess... :)
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OBi will also soon be releasing an ATA with two Ethernet ports.
I've been reading about that device, the OBi202, and I've been hoping that Obihai would make some sort of announcement about it during the Consumer Electronic Show going on now. But I haven't seen anything so far. Could you clue me as to how one might use 2 ethernet ports?
TimDan
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Stewart:
OK, so you'll be keeping a landline. The next question is whether you need concurrent calls. If not, the simplest solution is an OBi110, configured for GV, connected between your existing phones and the landline. The OBi can easily be set to send most calls via GV, with 911 calls and those you specify (by dialing a prefix) going on the landline.
If the above does not meet your needs, be specific and I'll try to recommend something suitable.
The OBi202 (in addition to its router function) has two phone ports (it can handle concurrent calls), but no line port (it can't integrate with a landline).
TimDan:
Quote from: Stewart on January 12, 2012, 01:16:21 am
OK, so you'll be keeping a landline. The next question is whether you need concurrent calls. If not, the simplest solution is an OBi110, configured for GV, connected between your existing phones and the landline. The OBi can easily be set to send most calls via GV, with 911 calls and those you specify (by dialing a prefix) going on the landline.
Sounds good. Via the landline, I'd route 911, FAXes (indicated by a prefix), and local area code calls (we include the area code even on local calls).
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If the above does not meet your needs, be specific and I'll try to recommend something suitable.
Ignoring the 911 and FAX requirements for the moment, if I were to connect the analog side of a Skype or NetTalk ATA to the LINE port of an OBi110, would there be a noticeably added delay in the Skype/Nettalk calls?
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The OBi202 (in addition to its router function) has two phone ports (it can handle concurrent calls), but no line port (it can't integrate with a landline).
OK on the 2 concurrent phones, but why would there be 2 ethernet ports? I assume one would be for the Internet connection. Would the other connect to a PC or a LAN? If for a LAN, why not put the LAN router between the Internet connection (e.g. modem) and the OBi202/PC? Could putting the OBi202 at the lowest level be for congestion/QoS management?
TimDan
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