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Help required choosing the right device for the UK

Started by JeremyW, January 27, 2015, 09:03:34 AM

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JeremyW

I hope I'm in the right place. Please let me know if not. Briefly:

1) I used to use a Linksys SPA3102 but eventually gave up as I was experiencing dreadful echo on incoming PSTN calls - a common problem with that device.

2) For the last couple of years I've been using a Grandstream HT-503 which was working perfectly until a firmware 'upgrade' broke it - incoming PSTN Caller ID no longer works and, even with older versions of the firmware, call quality overall seems to have deteriorated, so I'm looking to make yet another change of device.

After much searching I came across the OBi110 which appears to be the right kind of device but I'm hoping to get some feedback from UK users who use it on a BT line before spending yet more money on a VOIP ATA.

Basically I use a SIP VOIP service provider that allows me to make free international / UK Geographic calls, so I need to be able to set up registration to that service in any device I use. I only use VOIP for outgoing calls, using a dial plan that will automatically route certain number patterns to the PSTN gateway, i.e. emergency calls, BT operator services, and 'non-geographic' local rate / free phone calls. All incoming calls come in to my normal BT number and are routed to the handset via the Grandstream box currently. I have no incoming VOIP number.

That's about it - unless you have any questions for me. I'm concerned a) about call quality (line echo is not acceptable) and b) compliance with UK (BT) standards so that things like Caller ID, for example, work correctly.

Any help / guidance that anyone can offer would be most welcome.

Thanks.

ianobi

I've been using OBi110s in the UK for several years now. For PSTN I have used Virgin Cable, British Telecom and even a GSM device to pair the OBi110 Line Port with a mobile phone. In all cases the call quality was fine after applying the UK settings.

The OBi110 comes with all defaults set for North American settings. However, it is highly configurable and all UK settings - phone impedance, line impedance, Caller ID etc are configurable. Also, the dial plan can be set to do just about anything. You may find the digit maps take a little getting used to after your previous devices as the OBi has a two-stage digit processing system. It is more complicated, but allows for all sorts of complex dial plans.

Look for posts by WelshPaul who has published UK config files that can be uploaded into your OBi with all UK settings pre-configured.

The physical connections are also North American standard, but I'm sure that you have sorted that with your other devices fitting US to UK adapters.

Buying an OBi device also gives you access to the OBiTALK network that allows free calls between all OBi devices around the world.

Feel free to ask any further questions.

JeremyW

Quote from: ianobi on January 27, 2015, 09:52:25 AM
I've been using OBi110s in the UK for several years now. For PSTN I have used Virgin Cable, British Telecom and even a GSM device to pair the OBi110 Line Port with a mobile phone. In all cases the call quality was fine after applying the UK settings.

The OBi110 comes with all defaults set for North American settings. However, it is highly configurable and all UK settings - phone impedance, line impedance, Caller ID etc are configurable. Also, the dial plan can be set to do just about anything. You may find the digit maps take a little getting used to after your previous devices as the OBi has a two-stage digit processing system. It is more complicated, but allows for all sorts of complex dial plans.

Look for posts by WelshPaul who has published UK config files that can be uploaded into your OBi with all UK settings pre-configured.

The physical connections are also North American standard, but I'm sure that you have sorted that with your other devices fitting US to UK adapters.

Buying an OBi device also gives you access to the OBiTALK network that allows free calls between all OBi devices around the world.

Feel free to ask any further questions.


Many Thanks. Can I just ask about Caller ID. There's a thread in the UK VOIP Forums about problems with Caller ID on incoming PSTN calls not showing up, which is the exact same problem I've been having with Grandstream. It frustrates the hell out of me that I have to look at buying another device at all but in the end it comes down to support and the manufacturers willingness to address issues.

ianobi

Presently, I do not have Caller ID service on my British Telecom line, but I have used it in the past with no problem and with Virgin Cable, so I have no doubt it works fine. The OBi110 relevant settings for UK Caller ID are:

Physical Interfaces > LINE Port > Port Settings > CallerIDDetectMethod: FSK(V.23)
Physical Interfaces > PHONE Port > Port Settings > CallerIDMethod: FSK(V.23)
Physical Interfaces > PHONE Port > Port Settings > CallerIDTrigger: Before First Ring

There are other UK users here in this forum. There have been no reports of Caller ID not working once it is configured correctly.





JeremyW

Thanks. I guess I'll take the plunge and be back when I struggle with the dial plan  ;)

drgeoff

#5
I also have a 110 and it handles all incoming PSTN calls from a BT line. Caller ID works fine.  Almost all outgoing calls are routed  to a VoIP SP.  I previously had a Linksys SPA3000. I'm very satisfied with the OBi and it has so much more functionality and configurability than anything else in its market segment.

If only it (and all OBis) could do time based routing!

Go for it!

WelshPaul

#6
Quote from: JeremyW on January 27, 2015, 10:11:47 AMThere's a thread in the UK VOIP Forums about problems with Caller ID on incoming PSTN calls not showing up, which is the exact same problem I've been having with Grandstream.

The thread you're on about located here https://www.ukvoipforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=310 is about a custom setup using Asterisk on a Raspberry Pi to route his calls according to whether the caller id is withheld or not.

Caller ID works just fine. The issue the poster had in the end was that although the caller id shows that it is a Withheld call, this is not passed to Asterisk, here it sees CALLERID(num)='Trunk Name' and CALLERID(name) is null.

Mark put forward a feature request to add call route syntax that will allow you to identify and route WITHHELD and UNAVAILABLE calls individually, rather than grouping them together as a single call type.

Get yourself an Obi, you won't regret it. :)
For everything VoIP
www.ukvoipforums.com

JeremyW

Quote from: WelshPaul on January 27, 2015, 11:16:04 PM
Quote from: JeremyW on January 27, 2015, 10:11:47 AMThere's a thread in the UK VOIP Forums about problems with Caller ID on incoming PSTN calls not showing up, which is the exact same problem I've been having with Grandstream.

The thread you're on about located here https://www.ukvoipforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=310 is about a custom setup using Asterisk on a Raspberry Pi to route his calls according to whether the caller id is withheld or not.

Caller ID works just fine. The issue the poster had in the end was that although the caller id shows that it is a Withheld call, this is not passed to Asterisk, here it sees CALLERID(num)='Trunk Name' and CALLERID(name) is null.

Mark put forward a feature request to add call route syntax that will allow you to identify and route WITHHELD and UNAVAILABLE calls individually, rather than grouping them together as a single call type.

Get yourself an Obi, you won't regret it. :)

Many thanks. I sussed that in the end. I was a bit 'quick on the draw' and paranoid after my dreadful experiences with Grandstream.

If I may be so bold... my OBi110 arrives tomorrow and as we use it for making international business calls I have to crack on and get it working pdq. I'm reasonably technical and always happy to learn about a new device but I'd be super grateful if you could do 2 things for me:

1) Point me at the UK config for the 110 so I can get that in place quickly.
2) Tell me how to translate my current dial plan into the correct format for the 110:

Dial Plan: {L: 1x+ | L: 999 | L: 0[38][047][013458]x+ | x+}

Essentially this allows all number beginning with '1' (BT operator for example), Emergency numbers (999), and then various combinations of digits that represent free-phone and non-geographic numbers to be routed to the PSTN gateway. All other calls go to the VOIP gateway which is a SIP service registered elsewhere in the settings.

WelshPaul

You can find the full UK configuration settings here: https://www.ukvoipforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=368

Download the file UK-OBi110-Profile-15NOV14.zip

Simply upload the XML to your Obi110 via it's web based GUI. (or obitalk portal)

System Management> Device Update >Restore Configuration > Choose file

The dial plan is already configured for the UK and covers the numbers in your current dial plan and more.
For everything VoIP
www.ukvoipforums.com

JeremyW

Quote from: WelshPaul on January 28, 2015, 06:39:13 AM
You can find the full UK configuration settings here: https://www.ukvoipforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=368

Download the file UK-OBi110-Profile-15NOV14.zip

Simply upload the XML to your Obi110 via it's web based GUI. (or obitalk portal)

System Management> Device Update >Restore Configuration > Choose file

The dial plan is already configured for the UK and covers the numbers in your current dial plan and more.

Wow. I'm impressed already and I haven't got the box yet! Great to see that there's so much support and advice for this device. :)

WelshPaul

I jumped the gun there a bit... I totally blanked out the bit where you wanted some numbers such as non geographical to go out via the PSTN. While there is a UK dial plan included in the XML file I'm sure only 999 calls are sent out over the PSTN line. All others are matched and sent out over the primary line unless you use the obihai short codes **1 etc to route it else where.

What you want is easily achieved by altering the OutboundCallRoute parameter. I will sort out a dial plan based on your old one and post back later. (got to head out for an hour or two)
For everything VoIP
www.ukvoipforums.com

JeremyW


WelshPaul

Ok all you need to do once you have uploaded the above UK XML configuration is navigate to Physical Interfaces > PHONE Port and replace the OutboundCallRoute with:

{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>|999|112|101|111|116000|116111|116123|1471|1571|100|155|195|0[38]xxxxxxxxx):li},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**8:>(Mli)):li},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli}

Calls to 999,112,101,1471 etc all go out over the PSTN line.

Calls to numbers starting with 03 and 08 will also go out over the PSTN line. (e.g. 0300, 0330, 0333, 0345, 0370, 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845, 0870 etc.)
For everything VoIP
www.ukvoipforums.com

JeremyW

Quote from: WelshPaul on January 28, 2015, 09:21:52 AM
Ok all you need to do once you have uploaded the above UK XML configuration is navigate to Physical Interfaces > PHONE Port and replace the OutboundCallRoute with:

{([1-9]x?*(Mpli)):pp},{(<#:>|999|112|101|111|116000|116111|116123|1471|1571|100|155|195|0[38]xxxxxxxxx):li},{**0:aa},{***:aa2},{(<**1:>(Msp1)):sp1},{(<**2:>(Msp2)):sp2},{(<**8:>(Mli)):li},{(<**9:>(Mpp)):pp},{(Mpli):pli}

Calls to 999,112,101,1471 etc all go out over the PSTN line.

Calls to numbers starting with 03 and 08 will also go out over the PSTN line. (e.g. 0300, 0330, 0333, 0345, 0370, 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845, 0870 etc.)

Excellent. Thank you so much - saved me a ton of time.

By the way, I know some don't like them but I use voipcheap.com as all calls to Iceland, UK geographical and other countries are free (in return for topping up your credit occasionally to pay for calls to mobiles mainly). Are you able to recommend any others that are comparable?

ianobi

Although I use sipgate.co.uk as my main registered voip provider to make and receive calls, I use voipcheap.co.uk specifically for mobile phone calls as they are much cheaper to mobiles and quality has always been good. They have many free routes also if you top up a regular amount.

A fact that you may not be aware of regarding outgoing only services that do not require registration, is that you can use up to eight Voice Gateways on your OBi110 for use with those voip services. For this to work you must have at least one of the SPx slots configured for SIP, or set one up as a "fake" SIP provider. I won't load this thread down with all those details unless you ask.



JeremyW

OK. I'm strugggling to get voipcheap to register. The info provided by them is:

   SIP port : 5060
   Registrar : sip.voipcheap.com
   Proxy server : sip.voipcheap.com
   Outbound proxy server : leave empty
   Account name : your VoipCheap username
   Password : your VoipCheap password
   Display name/number : your VoipCheap username or voipnumber
   Stunserver (option) : stun.voipcheap.com

Thought I'd worked out where to put everything but outbound calls are not working.

JeremyW

Plugging the Grandstream back in sadly until I can get some help on this. Thanks in advance.

drgeoff

Did inbound calls work on the Obi?

If no you probably have not got SIP registration right.

If yes, maybe a problem with Primary Line, Digit Map or OutboundCallRoute.

JeremyW

Quote from: drgeoff on January 29, 2015, 06:00:13 AM
Did inbound calls work on the Obi?

If no you probably have not got SIP registration right.

If yes, maybe a problem with Primary Line, Digit Map or OutboundCallRoute.

Inbound works but that's PSTN so nothing to do with SIP registration. I have imported settings and dial plan as instructed by WelshPaul so I'm not going to mess with them until instructed otherwise. I have no idea what / where to define Primary Line and I may have put the SIP details in the wrong places. I can't find any instructions on how do that correctly and, I have to say, adding these details for a SIP provider are not very intuitive.

WelshPaul

#19
Sorry I have been busy updating servers most of the day and only now seen your posts.

First thing to do is find out if it is actually registering against your voipcheap account and to do that just navigate to Status > System Status and look at the SP1 Service Status (providing your voipcheap account is setup against SP1)

What does it say under the Status parameter? is it registered?

EDIT: I am currently setting up an account on an Obi200, will post back shortly.
For everything VoIP
www.ukvoipforums.com