Whirlpool

Have been looking for ages to update my tired old Voip phone and came acrosss the new Siemens C470 internet phone [dual line]. My phone has to be by the computer [an old Uniden with no display ] and I often can't hear it ring. The Siemens can be located anywhere and just a base station plugged into the modem. Looks good but wonder if anyone has andy experience with Siemens.
elaineh

Looks like a nice little phone. A bit too expensive for my liking when you compare a really good cordless phone and an ATA.

hughes2 writes...

Looks good but wonder if anyone has andy experience with Siemens.

It's a bit too new for anybody to have used it. :-) IIRC it's only been available in Australia for three or four months.

D-Link also do a VoIP cordless, and at $195 it's cheaper. However, I don't know how good either unit is.

hughes2 writes...

Have been looking for ages to update my tired old Voip phone and came acrosss the new Siemens C470 internet phone [dual line]. My phone has to be by the computer [an old Uniden with no display ] and I often can't hear it ring. The Siemens can be located anywhere and just a base station plugged into the modem. Looks good but wonder if anyone has andy experience with Siemens.
elaineh

I'm waiting for my order to to come in from OS, it is much cheaper plus they can sell me the additional handsets. For some reason they are not selling the additional handsets here.

I've been on the look out for the right SIP/DECT phone for several months and decided this is the one.

As soon as I get it was was planning to post my experiences on WP.

Z

zforum69 writes...

I'm waiting for my order to to come in from OS, it is much cheaper plus they can sell me the additional handsets. For some reason they are not selling the additional handsets here.

It is worth noting that imported cordless phones are almost certainly illegal to operate in Australia (refer here)

meric writes...

It is worth noting that imported cordless phones are almost certainly illegal to operate in Australia (refer here)

True, but like many others out there I would do my own telephone wiring even though I'm not an austel approved tech, and would buy other telephony equipment that has not got the austel a tick.

Your point is valid though, if people would not do the above they probably should buy their phone from Australia

Z

zforum69 writes...

I'm waiting for my order to to come in from OS, it is much cheaper plus they can sell me the additional handsets. For some reason they are not selling the additional handsets here.


As a matter of interest what did you pay? Freshtel are the cheapest at $199 but have been unable to locate an extra handset.
Ordered one today so will post my experience when I get it set up and working. With family scattered and some overseas, VOIP saves me heaps as I only use the landline phone to receive calls.
elaineh

hughes2 writes...

As a matter of interest what did you pay?

I ended up buying 2 extra handsets (total of 3) for AUD$383 delivered (or soon to be delivered), I had a previous quote with one extra handset for AUD$278. Interpolating from that, the standard unit with a single hand set would be around AUD$170-180.

I presume your purchase from freshtel would be locked to that VSP. as the best unlocked price I found was in the order of $270

Z

zforum69 writes...

I presume your purchase from freshtel would be locked to that VSP. as the best unlocked price I found was in the order of $270


No, it is not locked to Freshtel but if I had wanted the $100 worth of calls then I would have had to sign up to Freshtel VOIP service. I am completely happy with Mynetfone. Visit the Freshtel sight to see the offer. Also available from JB HiFi in conjunction with Freshtel.
RYDA communications sell it for $249+postage.

www.freshtel.net
elaineh

hughes2 writes...

No, it is not locked to Freshtel but if I had wanted the $100 worth of calls then I would have had to sign up to Freshtel VOIP service. I am completely happy with Mynetfone. Visit the Freshtel sight to see the offer. Also available from JB HiFi in conjunction with Freshtel.
RYDA communications sell it for $249+postage.

The Freshtel deal sounds pretty good ($220 total cost). Ryda was the best one I found ($270 total cost) but they just could not get extra handsets, and Siemens did not call back. I really needed the extra handsets which is why I ultimately went and bought it OS.

I am looking forward to trying it on my my Asterisk system. The possibility of centralised phone directories, the ability to support each phone as a separate extension with individual voicemail accounts, MWI etc.

In your case it seems you are using it to connect directly to your VSP. Is there any reason why you did not look into the 475IP with integrated digital answering machine? It would have been useless to me as my Asterisk system would do a much better job, but I would have thought it would suit your needs better.

When you get yours and post your experiences on a thread, put a pointer on this thread. I'll add to it with my experiences when mine arrives.

Z

zforum69 writes...

When you get yours and post your experiences on a thread, put a pointer on this thread. I'll add to it with my experiences when mine arrives.

Yes I'll do that. I did not see any C475's in Aus but felt that I did not need an answering machine as I already have one with the telstra landline and most of our incoming calls are on that. Only 2 family members have Mynetfone who can ring for free and they know when to ring [ being retired and home most of the time] . Am also a pensioner so have to get the best deal I can !

Not too sure what exactly an Asterisk system is. Have come to computers late in life so don't understand the complexities of all the tech stuff and don't think I have the right kind of brain to ever come to grips with most of it but am trying!!

thanks for your input
elaineh

Hughes2,

I have the Siemens S450IP, which appears to have identical features and Web interface to the C470IP, but is cosmetically different.

I find the S450IP system to be very good. One criticism I have is that some of the menu features are slow to operate e.g accessing the caller log and you tend to scroll past where you want to go.

The other criticism is the downloadable phone book - it requires a tab delimited text file. It has about 6 fields per entry - name number, ring tone, anniversary date, VIP etc - I only use name and number and editing a text file with invisble tabs is difficult - get one tab wrong for a blank field and it refuses to download. I may have to try Excel to see if it can produce a file in the correct format.

The audio quality for both PSTN and VoIP is excellent with no echo. This is probably due to the fact that there is no "4 wire" to "2 wire" analogue conversion that you get with ATA's and analogue phones. It is DECT digital to SIP without an analogue conversion.

I initially had only one S45 handset to go with the S450IP base, but I managed to register some older DORO GAP compatible DECT phones OK.

However when using generic GAP compatible phones you don't get any special Siemens Gigaset features like the Phone book or PSTN/IP buttons and you then have to use the #0 suffix to overide the VoIP default to get the PSTN line.

I like the ability to have 6 SIP accounts (with different providers with the latest firmware) plus PSTN plus the Siemens own VSP called Gigaset.net (not much use in Australia unless you have friends in Europe using similar equipment).

You can setup each handset to send/receive from/to any/all of the SIP accounts. All handsets can call the PSTN and you can select which handsets can receive calls from the PSTN - a very versatile system.

I have since obtained some Siemens C45 handsets on eBay and they work well with all the special feature buttons working, but with a smaller display. (not sure about the SMS, email and messageing feature which I don't need and have not tried)

I have the S450IP connected to the PSTN and my TrixBox server with each DECT handset as a different extension. This allows me to "integrate" the VoIP system with the PSTN without using TrixBox to handle PSTN calls (the family are not ready for this type of phone integration yet!).

Battery life from 2 x AAA NiMH cells is good - on standby the S45 handset last for 4 -5 days without charging.

Another good feature is you can give each handset a user friendly name e.g. Kitchen, Study etc and make internal calls between each handset by selecting that name from the menu.

I am tempted to get the $199 Freshtel C470IP offer for another family member, providing it is unlocked.

Trevor

Trevor

Would you mind spelling some things out for me?

I have 4 BT Executive Diverse 4010 DECT phones (re-badged Siemens).

If I got one of the new Siemens DECT/IP phones what would I be able to do through registering my BT handsets to the Siemens DECT/IP base-station?

1. Would the BT handsets follow the dial-plan as a default and use a VOIP provider unless I use #0 suffix?

2. Can I transfer calls internally between the BT handets?

3. How about having 2 DIDs in the house: one for my daughter and one for the rest of us. Her calls go directly to her phone. Other calls go to all phones (including hers - she likes answering the phone as it is usaully for her).

I'm hoping the base-station does all the processing and will use default actions for the the 'dumb' BT handsets.

If it can do this - great!! Feel free to add anything else exciting it can do.

Ian

Iangh

Iangh writes...

I have 4 BT Executive Diverse 4010 DECT phones (re-badged Siemens).

If I got one of the new Siemens DECT/IP phones what would I be able to do through registering my BT handsets to the Siemens DECT/IP base-station?

1. Would the BT handsets follow the dial-plan as a default and use a VOIP provider unless I use #0 suffix?


In the S450IP/C470IP web setup, you select either PSTN or VOIP as the global default outgoing line. You can then overide the default on any handset by suffixing the dialled number with #0 for PSTN or #x (where x=1-6) for the VOIP lines. Usually you would only have 1 or 2 VOIP accounts. The dial plan is in the base station would work with any registered phone.

2. Can I transfer calls internally between the BT handets?


Not sure about this as the Siemens Gigaset series phones have an "INT" key to initiate transfers. I will have to re register an old DORO phone to try this out. (I will report back later)

3. How about having 2 DIDs in the house: one for my daughter and one for the rest of us. Her calls go directly to her phone. Other calls go to all phones (including hers - she likes answering the phone as it is usaully for her).

Yes this is easy to set up using the web interface. You just match up the VOIP line(s) and PSTN line with particular handsets in a tick box matrix. A handset can answer any or all of the lines or you could block a handset from making outgoing calls (VOIP only) All handset can make PSTN calls by using the #0 suffix.

I'm hoping the base-station does all the processing and will use default actions for the the 'dumb' BT handsets.


The base station seems to most "processing" but the Phonebook probably won't work on the generic handsets. I will report back on the ability of the DORO to transfer calls.
I know the DORO can make internal calls between it and Siemens handsets by using the "Page" key and entering the other handset number (1 to 6) , whereas the Siemens phones have user friendly names to facilitate transfers.

Trevor

Trevor,
Thanks for the reply - it's looking like a useful solution as it allows me to use the existing phones.

TrevorB writes...

Not sure about this as the Siemens Gigaset series phones have an "INT" key to initiate transfers. I will have to re register an old DORO phone to try this out. (I will report back later)

I have INT keys on BT phones so looking good.

I have been wading through the manual and need some clarification.

I know how to register the base to my router using a staticIP address. It's the bit about port-forwarding which I'm confused about: from reading posts here it's just the UDP & TCP 5060 I need to forward?

Ian

Ian,

I have just confirmed that a DORO 530 (GAP compatible DECT) phone registered to my Siemens S450IP base can transfer incoming calls to other Siemens handsets. The transfer can be announced (i.e. speak to the 3rd party and hangup or un announced (just hangup and the 3rd partys phone rings). The original caller gets music on hold until the transfer happens.

The DORO 530 has a "R" button used for recall and "Paging" other handsets.
On an incoming call just hold the "R" button until the "HS-" displays and then enter the numeric number of the handset you want to transfer the call to. The number assignment is shown on the S450IP base web page (with friendly user assigned names for Siemens handsets).

I assume most GAP compatible phones would have a similar feature that will probably work with the Siemens Gigaset range. Your BT phones being rebadged Siemens should have a higher probability of working OK.

Re Port forwarding: You only need UDP 5060 forwarded, not TCP for the SIP protocol used to setup a call. If the phones ring and you get no audio or one way audio you need to port forward more UDP ports for the RTP (real time protocol) used for the audio.

Don't know what RTP ports are used from memory as I don't need to port forward on my ADSL router (old Billion 741). I only recently port forwarded UDP 5060 because my Freshtel line would sometimes drop registration and prevent incoming calls.

Trevor

Hi guys

Just to confirm, the current batch of Siemens phones that Freshtel are selling now are not locked to Freshtel in any way. The later models will be, so if you want that deal unlocked then you'll need to be in the first 500 sales (JB and online). We have already sold a bunch - but we have not sold out yet.

BTW, we have a very high opinion of these phones, and have no issues with them. If you have a Freshtel account we'll preconfigure it for you (no charge of course).

Hope that helps someone.

Cheers, Simon

Simon,

Is the packaging of the C470IP's at JB Hi Fi marked in any way to indicate it is one of the 500 unlocked units?

Trevor

If I were back in the UK in my home town I could drive to a shop and get:

EDIT: this is for the 475IP (built-in answering-machine). They don't sell the 470IP.

1 h/s = $192
2h/s = $276
3 h/s = $360
4 h/s = $423
all include VAT (GST) at 17.5%.

Handsets can be bought separately for $85.

I think it may be worth waiting for the local pricing to improve if you are after extra handsets. Otherwise, the Freshtel offer is good for 1 h/s if you can pick-up from JB's.

EDIT, again: UK launch is due in March.

If Aus is the same we will see more outlets selling them soon. Siemens is not a big player in Aus so I'm hoping they will offer some good deals to get brand recognition.

Ian

<sub>I am tempted to get the $199 Freshtel C470IP offer for another family member, providing it is unlocked.

I have just spent 3 days trying to get my Siemens C470IP to work with my Billion 7404VGO-M using the help of both my son [in Sydney] and the local computer shop but to no avail. The computer shop tech says he thinks that the base is completing with the VOIP enabled router so I have turned the VOIP off in the modem but the phone still fails to register. There is a list on the phone of VOIP providers which supply automatic config. but Mynetfone is not one of them so has to be configured on the web which I have done.

I can receive calls but not dial out . As I am not technically clever [in my 70s] I think I will just have to revert to an ordinary phone and sell this one. Pity as it is a delightful phone and I'm sure someone smarter could fix the problem. I live in Taree so if anyone out there can help let me know otherwise it is for sale for $199 plus postage. It is definitely not locked to Freshtel and as I am a Mynetfone fan I don't want to complicate life with another provider and have to pay Freshtel.

Zforum requested
When you get yours and post your experiences on a thread, put a pointer on this thread. I'll add to it with my experiences when mine arrives.

Zforum it is not the phone that is the problem -it's a very nice unit,large display area etc it is the user that is the problem!!

cheers
elaineh</sub>

Hughes2,

Although you may have "disabled" VoIP in the 7404, it may still be redirecting UDP port 5060 to its internal VoIP circuit.

On the 7404 Try changing the UDP port from 5060 and 5061 to something else so they are available for the C470IP.

Also I found with the S450IP (similar to the C470IP) you have to fill in ALL the boxes for the IP configuration such as Domain, Proxy Server address and Registrar address
(mine are all sip.sipme.com.au for a SIPME account)

(Need to go to the Advanced tab under IP Connection)

On all my other SIP devices I never had to bother with Domain or Proxy Server address only the Registrar Server, account and password.

It took me a while to work out why my S450 did not regiter at first.

Trevor

TrevorB writes...

REPLYING TO
TrevorB...
Hughes2,

Although you may have "disabled" VoIP in the 7404, it may still be redirecting UDP port 5060 to its internal VoIP circuit.

Thanks TrevorB
I'll give that a go tomorrow-for now I am going to leave as is and watch a bit of TV
cheers
elaineh

hughes2 writes...

As I am not technically clever [in my 70s] I think I will just have to revert to an ordinary phone and sell this one.

Hughes2

You are an early adopter and feeling the pain.

The phone has only just been released and is nicely featured so I expect some of the VOIP experts on here will pick one up.

My advice is to wait a month to see what others post.

TrevorB has got experience and Zforum69 has three on order.

Others will follow.

I have no experience with VOIP so I am waiting for others to post the issues with MNF, PT, etc.

I wouldn't be to surprised to see MNF, PT, etc. add it to their portfolio as it is such a neat solution especially as you can get cheap additional DECT handsets.

Ian

hughes2 writes...

I'll give that a go tomorrow-for now I am going to leave as is and watch a bit of TV


Just to make sure you don't complicate things, make a softphone like xlite work on your PC first. That way you can pretty be sure that you got the router right. Then you can concentrate your efforts on the siemens. Then all you should need to do to the router is to change the settings to correspond to the IP address of the siemens rather than the PC running the softphone, and of course configure the siemens as well.

Until I actually get mine, unfortunately I can't help much more, but i do intend to post my experiences. trevorB might be able to help out in the meantime as I'm pretty sure with regard to configuring your VSP there would be little or no difference between a C450IP and C470IP, but you need to be sure the router is configured correctly .... which is why I suggested to get the softphone working first.

Z

zforum69 writes...

Just to make sure you don't complicate things, make a softphone like xlite work on your PC first.

I have been using an ordinary phone for quite a while connected to the router [I have an Intel iMac and a Billion 7404VGO)-M].
I disabled the VOIP in the router and the Siemens now works so that proves that the Base station of the Siemens is acting as an ATA which I don't need.
Think I should have opted for an upgrade of an ordinary phone eg a Uniden or even the Siemens C450 [not IP]. .
Is your router VOIP enabled? I'll be interested to see how others get on.
cheers
elaineh

hughes2 writes...

I disabled the VOIP in the router and the Siemens now works so that proves that the Base station of the Siemens is acting as an ATA which I don't need.
Think I should have opted for an upgrade of an ordinary phone eg a Uniden or

Can you clarify what you have done here. Have you plugged the analogue phone connection on the C470IP into one of the 2 "FXO" ports on the Billion 7404 or have you plugged the C470IP RJ45 ethernet connection into one of the 7404 LAN ports ?

Because if you have "disabled" VoIP on the Billion 7404, then if the Siemens C470IP is working, it must be via the RJ45 Ethernet IP connection, which is how it is supposed to work (and then you plug the C470IP analogue phone port into your normal phone socket - with ADSL filter fitted to achieve the dual function mode on the handsets)

Have you tried changing the VoIP ports away from 5060 and 5061 on the Billion 7404 yet ?

Recently I tried to set up an IP phone for a relative behind a 7404 and could not get it working, even though I thought I had disabled the inbuilt VoIP function of the 7404.
Not being familiar with the 7404, I gave up and just used an analogue phone on an 7404 FXO port.
So I think the suggestion of trying a soft phone behind the 7404 to be certain its internal VoIP is really disabled is a goog idea.

Trevor

TrevorB writes...

Can you clarify what you have done here. Have you plugged the analogue phone connection on the C470IP into one of the 2 "FXO" ports on the Billion 7404 or have you plugged the C470IP RJ45 ethernet connection into one of the 7404 LAN ports ?


Yes, I previously had an analogue phone plugged into one of the 2 FXO ports and had no trouble and after disabling the VOIP on the modem could use the C470IP phone .

However thanks to my son all this is behind me as I have sold the C470IP to him [he is a whizz at most things technical] and have just bought the E450 [Siemiens] which has a base station at computer and handset which plugs anywhere in house.

This is what I wanted in the first place and although I really liked the features of the dual model it was overkill for me. The E450 has almost the same menu with a 50 page booklet instead of a CD [186 page PDF document].

The only fault I can find [so far] with the E450 is the keypad which is a a bit unresponsive i.e has to be pushed in a certain way or won't activate the function. I guess it will just be a matter of getting used to it.
I appreciate your responses to my cry for help and thank you and the whirlpool forum regulars for their willingness to respond to queries.
So thanks very much
elaineh

Hi, we - hughes2(my mum) & I haven't tried playing with port redirection yet. I suspected there was competition between the 7404 & the C470, but because I convinced her to get the 7404 (so I could set up a VPN & help manage her gear remotely) we've decided not to waste the features in the mnodem; instead we're going to go with non-VOiP phone (S450?) hooked up to the 7404 and give the C470 a good home elsewhere. We didn't see the point in mucking around too much.

Cheers,
brianh

SNAP!! :)

brianh13 writes...

Hi, we - hughes2(my mum) & I haven't tried playing with port redirection yet. I suspected there was competition between the 7404 & the C470, but because I convinced her to get the 7404 (so I could set up a VPN & help manage her gear remotely) we've decided not to waste the features in the mnodem; instead we're going to go with non-VOiP phone (S450?) hooked up to the 7404 and give the C470 a good home elsewhere. We didn't see the point in mucking around too much.

Sound's reasonable. For me, I've past the "migration" phase between PSTN and VOIP, and have decided to commit totally to VOIP with the promise of all the features and capabilities that VOIP offers.

My cordless is 5 years old so I need a new phone(s). I primarily wanted a DECT/IP gateway where each handset can be treated as individual extensions, to support "multiple lines" without having to pay for multiple lines. Something that can only otherwise be achieved with an individual ATA and separate base station for every handset. Keen to also try out all the other features for an IP enabled phone, email, RSS feeds, centralised directories etc. WiFi phones were too expensive and had too little battery life. Aastra had a commercial grade system that was way over the top (price and capability) for home. I've seen the Dlink one before being released here when researching directly with the taiwan manufacturers and am worried about quality and support. Similarly the quality and support of the dualphone does not give me comfort.

The Siemens has good brand reputation and range, indicating commitment to the product range, and will have fewer problems as this not their first product in this space. for example there was the C450IP, and they have the upmarket S675IP and have other variants that include answering machines etc. Just have a look at gigaset.siemens.com under VOIP to see what they have ... just not much here in Australia for some reason.

The only other thing I would have considered is the Snom M3. Soon to be here in Australia but my research indicates a higher price point with no advantage over the Siemens.

I just have to be patient for my OS order to be delivered.

Z

zforum69 writes...

I just have to be patient for my OS order to be delivered.

I just received my Siemens C470IP with 2 extra handsets. For all those who are interested I plan to post my experiences here: forum-replies.cfm?t=927308#r1

Z

Hey I need a bit of help with the C470. How do you program the phone so gotalk is the service provider. Thanks

kuputnik writes...

Hey I need a bit of help with the C470. How do you program the phone so gotalk is the service provider. Thanks

Although i have sent the phone to my son as far as I can remember you go to" set up assistant" in the menu [on the phone] and there are a number of VOIP providers listed and if GoTalk is one of them you scroll down to it and it then automatically downloads the configuration .
If Gotalk is not on the list, in your browser [Firefox or whatever you use] type the IP address [192.168.001.001] after "http://" and that takes you into the web configurator. The default password is 0000 and where you see provider you enter "other " and then the authentication code and password of Gotalk plus other information .
Hope this makes sense-good luck
elaineh

Thanks elaineh,
I thought that might be the case. I went against male instinct and read the manual first. Gotalk isn't on the list of providers. So I pressed the find phone button, got the IP address, typed the number into firefox after the . Got an error message on the web page could not find address. Makes me think that my cable modem motorola surfboard dosen't support that type of application. The Siemens web sites are no help and there's no support to call in Australia. My german's kinda rusty all I know is "shvine hunt", that won't get me far ringing their head office in Germany. That frustrated I'll trade my 2 girls for 1 son.
"sigh!"

Regards
Peter

kuputnik writes...

So I pressed the find phone button, got the IP address, typed the number into firefox after the "http://" . Got an error message on the web page could not find address. Makes me think that my cable modem motorola surfboard doesn't support that type of application.

Getting to the configuration page is really not that hard and should have nothing to do with the modem. In fact, having no internet connection will not prevent you from connecting the the Siemens and configuring it.

By default the base station uses DHCP to get its IP address from you network. As soon as you plug it in to an Ethernet typically your router will allocate the next one in the range.

You post indicates you have a cable modem motorola surfboard, can I assume you also have some sort of router so that you can connect more than one device, ie. your PC and the C1470IP? If not we've found your problem. If you do, login to that router to find out what address the Siemens was allocated.

Z

Double post!

Thanks Zed for the info, still working on it. I think your right on the modem.

Regards Peter

Okay I've bought a router, because of the bigpond cable modem dosn't support networks. Got all that fired up, got into C470's web config page setup Gotalks registration details. Can recieve calls but can't make any calls, keeps on going to some women telling me, "for english please press 1", any ideas?

If interested, I can set up a guide so other people don't go through the same pain. Hopefully I'll be fully operational by tomorrow and on my way of getting rid of testra's copper!

kuputnik writes...

Can recieve calls but can't make any calls

Can you clarify that. Do you receive calls on your PSTN or on your VOIP number. If you can receive calls on your VOIP number I can't see why you can't call out.

I'm posting all my experiences on this phone in this thread forum-replies.cfm?t=927308. I've just posted instruction on getting it to work with Pennytel. I assume gotalk would be similar.

Also as a first step, park the C470IP, and make a soft phone like x-lite work. If you can get that to work then we know your network is fine and then we just have to concentrate on the C470IP.

Z

Downloaded the soft phone, same message, found out it's a prepaid message service.

Rang Gotalk for the fifth time, the last I.T. guy checked it out their end and found Gotalk put me on a prepaid plan instead of the Aussie Pack. They'll fix it within 24 hours. Hopefully this will help someone else in the same trouble.

They can actually dial in to your number and check things out. Their slack I.T. guys wasted my weekend, they need training in customer service, probably why IT companies use India, cheap and better service.

Found out once you disconnect your line from Telstra you can transfer your old Telstra number to ViOP. Don't go buying any Telsta Shares.

Thanks Z & elaineh for your help!
Regards Peter

Just a update with Gotalk, their customer service was so bad I gave them the flick. Checked out Engin, got connected within an hour instead of a week. Good web site lots of impotant information and guides.

Set the C470 up in the family room, but haven't told anyone that the phone is setup for ViOP to check out if they notice any differance.

Hi all,
Have just brought this phone. Am yet to install- haven't got internet connected yet. My b/f and i are looking at getting AAPT livenet 20, ADSL 2 connected - 20gig downloads for 59.95 month (we download music, browse web, may download a movie or two-thats about it).

What is the best internet plan/VOIP plan.....around this size/cost.....?

So i've got some more qu's to ask:
- will we need more gig to operate the VOIP phone as well?
- will we be paying line rental thru aapt or our provider for the phone?
- we've got the option of $100 free credit with the phone (thru freshtel)..is this a contract? and how much is the average spend on a VOIP phone a month?
- do we need to pay line rental?
- we need a new modem for ADSL 2- wireless, any suggestions?

Cheers
Alison

rasali writes...

- will we need more gig to operate the VOIP phone as well?

If you have a 20 gig plan, you will hardly notice it. Even if you made a lot of calls using the G711 codec, you wouldn't use more than 1 gig.

- will we be paying line rental thru aapt or our provider for the phone?

Yes, if your phone line and ADSL are with AAPT, you will be paying line rental to them.

and how much is the average spend on a VOIP phone a month?

How much you spend depends on how much you use the phone, the VSP you use and the plan you choose. We make about 60 - 70 Australian calls and between 50 - 60 calls to Malaysia per month. Not counting calls to Aussie mobiles, we spend $10 a month.

- do we need to pay line rental?

As per above, you pay line rental to AAPT but not to your VSPs (voice service providers).

- we need a new modem for ADSL 2- wireless, any suggestions?

Billion 7404VGPM or a high end Draytek.

ozimarco writes...

Billion 7404VGPM or a high end Draytek.

Just a warning of the problem I experienced with the Siemens C470 IP. The above Billion is VOIP enabled and the phone base Station is also a VOIP device i.e a virtual ATA [analogue telephone converter] so the 2 don't work together. If you have a VOIP enabled modem then you only need a normal phone plugged into the modem.

I sold my C470 IP and purchased [from Telstra] the Siemens C450 and am very happy with the voice quality and other features. It also has a base station that plugs into the modem and the phone can be located anywhere in the house but its base station is not an ATA. I purchased the C450 IP from Fresthtel without the $100 credit so was not obliged to have an account with them.

I use Mynetfone which I reckon is the best value out there. You can choose no monthly fee or for a small monthly fee can ring anywhere in the world for 10c untimed. Can't beat that.
cheers
elaineh

hughes2 writes...

Just a warning of the problem I experienced with the Siemens C470 IP. The above Billion is VOIP enabled and the phone base Station is also a VOIP device i.e a virtual ATA [analogue telephone converter] so the 2 don't work together. If you have a VOIP enabled modem then you only need a normal phone plugged into the modem.

Couldn't you simply have disabled the VOIP in the router?

spunkarooney writes...

Couldn't you simply have disabled the VOIP in the router?

Yes I eventually did that but having paid for a top line modem I thought that the 470 IP was over-kill and the 450 has all the qualities of the 470 and simpler [for me anyway] to use. By having a Voip enabled modem there is simply no need for a phone with an ATA built in.
cheers
elaineh

Thanks everyone. You've been a HUGE help.
We've ended up choosing AAPT ADSL2 livenet 10gig (we can always upgrade if need be) for $49.95 per month. plus their anytime phone plan-whatever u spend u pay for, ie no spend, no pay- only line rental (29.95)....

and have gone with myNetFone- $9.95 plan as you get 100 free calls each month! :)

In terms of a modem (as we had to get a new one for ADSL2), were just getting the one AAPT provides- for $229... hopefully it works ok with the phone.

If i have any problems i will be sure to post up an enquiry here. thanks again :)

rasali writes...

and have gone with myNetFone- $9.95 plan as you get 100 free calls each month! :)

PennyTel gives u 65 calls for $5 and 8¢ per call thereafter, plus massive range of international destinations and mobile calls where price can't be beaten!

www.pennytel.com

Hi guys and gals

In the original post I put here I said the Siemens C470IP would be locked to Freshtel for the new batch of phones we were taking delivery of.

This has been changed – the phones will now never be locked to Freshtel – you can use them with us or whoever you like. This will be the same for every Siemens phone we sell, period.

Hope that helps,
Simon

I just went to purchase a Siemens C470IP from my local JB HiFi store. I asked whether it was locked to Freshtel. I was informed that it was definitely locked to Freshtel. I asked about the older stock that were not in Freshtel branded boxes and I was informed they were locked to Freshtel also.

Months ago I emailed Freshtel and asked if these phones were locked to Freshtel and I was informed that they were. However the Freshtel representative on this forum has stated they are not locked.

Can anyone clarify this for me please?

I think it is probable that the salesman at JB HiFi is mistaken because the old stock would need custom firmware flashed in order to lock them and I think that is unlikely. However I don't want to buy one and be limited to Freshtel or any single VSP.

I can get one unlocked from Germany for $136 but it would end up costing more than here when freight was added. Plus I'd need a plug converter.

kasi writes...

However the Freshtel representative on this forum has stated they are not locked.

Can anyone clarify this for me please?

Well, as at August, the one I bought from JB wasn't locked (I'm not on FreshTel).

BTW: the major thread for discussions about the C470IP is here: /forum-replies.cfm?t=927308

Thanks for your reply FredBerk.

Yes I was aware of the other thread, I probably posted in it a few times but thanks for letting me know about it anyway.

The reason I posted in this thread is that it contains the post by Simon@Freshtel that says "the phones will now never be locked to Freshtel" and yet JB HiFi insisted that they were locked when I enquired there today.

I will see if I get any reply from someone who has purchased one from JB Hifi more recently and if not I may start a new thread so my question does not get buried here.

kasi writes...

I will see if I get any reply from someone who has purchased one from JB Hifi more recently

They never have been locked, and still are not locked as of last week when I convinced my neighbor to buy one.

You beauty, thanks very much boofh.

I'll get one tomorrow or Monday.

I thought they may not be locked, but just wanted to make sure. The JB staff have possibly been instructed to market them only as Freshtel devices, so there is little point in criticising them. There's currently a $50 cashback offer and you probably need to sign with Freshtel to get it. I'm not sure I didn't ask about the cashback, seeing as I wish to stay with my current voip provider.

kasi writes...

I'll get one tomorrow or Monday.

Perhaps you should read up on the JB refund and exchange policies beforehand.

kasi writes...

The reason I posted in this thread is that it contains the post by Simon@Freshtel that says "the phones will now never be locked to Freshtel" and yet JB HiFi insisted that they were locked when I enquired there today.

Hi Kasi,

The Siemens phones are not locked to Freshtel, as Simon said earlier.

Regards,

– David.
Freshtel Pty Ltd

David@Freshtel writes...

The Siemens phones are not locked to Freshtel, as Simon said earlier.

Makes me wonder why Freshtel bothered with being involved with the distribution.

Thank you David for your reply.

Simon's post was a fair while ago and I know that sometimes things can change. Your confirmation is reassuring.

spunkarooney writes...

Makes me wonder why Freshtel bothered with being involved with the distribution.

They have a sticker on the boxes with so many free credit, it's to get people into using Freshtel, pretty good advertising for no cost I think, given it's at every JBHifi shelf.

I walked around jb in Dandy last time I was down that way, couldn't find one anywhere in the store.
Couldn't get anyone in the store to help either. Ended up leaving empty handed..

boofh writes...

given it's at every JBHifi shelf.

Wish they were. I can walk to our local JB, but as they don't handle computer gear and telephones, had to drive 10km to a store that did.

On top of that the phone/s was fairly well hidden. I looked around several times before having to ask a staff member if they handled them.

Does anyone know where we can purchase the extra handsets?

TiT writes...

Does anyone know where we can purchase the extra handsets?

There was talk of them becoming available here through the distributor for about $80, but not sure if that has happened.

Other than that you need to buy another kit and not use the second base unit.

You can use some other cordless phones with the base, although they may not have the same functionality. I am currently doing this.

theguru1 writes...

but as they don't handle computer gear and telephones,

oh yes, sorry I was not padantic enough with my post.
Not all JB's carry a complete range, your right.

Guys,

Good deals available from here (not sure what they charge for Postage)

http://www.alwaysonsale.com.au/aos/products/18660-siemens-gigaset-c470-ip/

Please let me know if any one of you make purchase from here.

Regards,
Vaibhav

vaibhav writes...

not sure what they charge for Postage)
Please let me know if any one of you make purchase from here.

And they are in Sydney too, just like you, that's a good co-incidence might save you the delivery fee by picking up (if you work / live close to them).

theguru1 writes...

There was talk of them becoming available here through the distributor for about $80, but not sure if that has happened.

Other than that you need to buy another kit and not use the second base unit.

You can use some other cordless phones with the base, although they may not have the same functionality. I am currently doing this.

Cheers guru1 :)

This is certainly good news, as i need to pick up a few additional handsets myself. Do you happen to know which distributor is importing them?