[PLUG] VoIP question

[Michael Ewan]

This sounds like the way to go for me.  I have Centurylink POTS, but
they have had a "cable break" so no phone for weeks.  We also have
Xfinity Internet which has been fairly reliable, but Vonage at $10 and
a T-Mobile home Internet box for $30, I am still cheaper than
Centurylink. My main concern with going VoIP was during a power outage
we would have no phone service, but a whole house generator made that
academic,

On Wed, Feb 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM Ted Mittelstaedt <tedm at portlandia-it.com> wrote:
>
> Yes.
>
> Hand's down the easiest way to preserve a "residential landline" is to go to
> https://www.vonageforhome.com/
>
> You can see the box here:
>
> https://www.vonageforhome.com/why-vonage/
>
> And on the description:
>
> "Simply plug the device into your router, then into your phone."
>
> When you sign up with them they will ask you if you want to do a "number
> port" you put in your Ziply land-line telephone number, and they will port
> that number to your service with them.   Once all that's working, then you
> contact Ziply and tell them you want to turn off your telephone service and
> just keep the Internet service only.   The number port may have already
> triggered that.
>
> There ARE cheaper VoIP providers and if you want to get fancy you can setup
> a FreePBX Asterisk based server and register a SIP trunk right into it.  Or
> just buy a VoIP phone, and find a SIP provider on the Internet you can pay
> to register your phone into.
>
> But to use any of your "old school" POTs phones you would still need a FXO
> device (which is what the Vonage box is)
>
> The reason I recommend Vonage to newbies to VoIP is that they are the
> largest, have a technical support number, and are sort of like Consumer
> Cellular in that they cater to the KISS crowd.
>
> As for getting rid of the $15 a month Ziply charge you need to find out if
> they are charging you "rent" on the "ONT" (Optical Network Terminal) since
> that device is mandatory for Ziply, in order to keep Ziply fiber you would
> need to continue paying for this even if you cancel phone service with them.
>
> Please post your results to the list!   It's been a while since I've checked
> up on what Ziply does on the Residential accounts.
>
> Ted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PLUG <plug-bounces at lists.pdxlinux.org> On Behalf Of Rich Shepard
> Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 9:02 AM
> To: plug at pdxlinux.org
> Subject: [PLUG] VoIP question
>
> I just discovered that the ZiplyFiber router/modem installed (separate from
> my Ubiquti Edge router and LAN switch) when the phone was converted from
> copper to VoIP costs me $15/month rent for what the company calls "Business
> Network Services". That's more than the taxes on copper phone lines.
>
> Knowing nothing about VoIP I ask if there's an analog voice (land line
> phone) to digital converter that I can connect to my switch (or directly to
> the router) to replace this rented unit? The Ziply installer told me he
> turned off the WiFi capability of their modem because I already have a
> working WAP.
>
> Advice appreciated,
>
> Rich
>