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Databug wrote:

> {{{{{Welcome}}}}} wrote:

>> When you dump the BT landline disconnect the incoming line from the
>> master socket, then using an ATA or VoIP router connected to your cable
>> broadband service, connect that to your master socket and then use you
>> existing phones as you would now,

Which is what I've done and it works a treat.

>> do it tidily and your wife wouldn't know the difference.

Especially if you port your BT number to your VoIP service - which makes all
the more sense if you're ceasing your BT line.

> Thanks for the enlightening info. It's given us food for thought. Wether
> we do this or not is another matter but at least it's an option that we
> can consider at any time. So in terms of outgoing expenditure I would
> need to invest in a ATA or VOIP router. Then presumably I have to run
> wires from that to all the phone sockets.

Surely your phone sockets are already wired together?

> Just a couple of questions. Does internet traffic ie downloading affect
> VOIP?

Yes. A VoIP router [1] should automatically protect you from this.
Alternatively, many ATAs have a WAN and a LAN port, so all internet traffic
for your LAN goes through them, and they automatically shape the traffic to
stop your VoIP calls sounding rubbish. So you could connect your ATA's WAN
port to your cable modem, and connect your old DSL router to the ATA's LAN
port and use your old DSL router as a switch/hub to share your internet
connection.

> Is there any chance that VOIP may be made illegal for taking away
> business from traditional Telcos?

And have every telephone in the UK stop working? Not likely.

> What's the difference between ATA and VOIP routers?

A DSL port, or the lack thereof.

> Do you have a link explaining simply how to rewire the phone sockets?

Shouldn't be necessary. Once you're certain that your old BT wiring is dead,
connect your ATA to one of the sockets with a RJ45<->BT cable [that will
probably come with your ATA if you buy it in the UK]. I've done exactly
that and recycled the old cable phone wiring in this house and it works a
treat. Installation time: 15 minutes.

> Which of the VOIP companies would you recommend? I've heard of Vonage
> and Sipgate.

Sipgate don't require any investment to test out, so why not give them a
shot, and if they're rubbish go with someone else?

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[1] are there any VoIP routers that are suitable for this, ie have an
ethernet rather than DSL WAN port?