Whirlpool

Just wondering, I did a search, and can't wait till tomorrow to call sales, but can we get a PSTN service from internode, instead of having to go through Telstra?

Might have been asked before, but couldn't find any relevant information.

Thanks nodians :-)

nope :-) not yet

Quentin Rittman writes...

nope :-) not yet

Does that mean they are thinking about it? or is that not yet, and we don't know if they ever will?

Internode Ultra is the only thing we've heard about so far that includes an analogue phone service - see the Naked release threads and FAQs.

Queeg 500 writes...

Internode Ultra is the only thing we've heard about so far that includes an analogue phone service - see the Naked release threads and FAQs.

I'm actually using nodephone for most of my calls, but revert to PSTN every now and then. I'd rather just 1 bill for internet and phone is all, but I don't want a voip based phone service (ie on a naked plan), I would rather have a home phone PSTN and internet service from the one provider. (and I'm sure calls would be cheaper from the PSTN service offered from internode too)

You're never going to get a 'standard' PSTN service cheaper than Telstra's Homeline Budget plan - at least not without some other strings attached - because they don't even wholesale to other companies that cheaply.

Even if Internode were to offer their own PSTN packauge, all the rental money still ends up going to Telstra, just via a slightly more indirect path.

IE - You wouldn't really be doing anything to 'hurt' Telstra's bottom line.

The best thing you can do IMHO, is just switch to the Homeline Budget plan, and then use NodePhone [or some other VoIP service] to make all your actual calls.

Bugzy1 writes...

I don't want a voip based phone service (ie on a naked plan)

Internode Ultra uses the same equipment as the Naked plans (i.e. Optus DSLAMs) but provides an analogue voice service together with the internet access.

C:\DOS\RUN writes...

You're never going to get a 'standard' PSTN service cheaper than Telstra's Homeline Budget plan

I realise this, athough...

Even if Internode were to offer their own PSTN packauge, all the rental money still ends up going to Telstra, just via a slightly more indirect path.

Its not that I want to bypass using Telstra at all, I just want 1 bill for phone and internet, as it makes things easier.

IE - You wouldn't really be doing anything to 'hurt' Telstra's bottom line.

Thats not my plan...

The best thing you can do IMHO, is just switch to the Homeline Budget plan, and then use NodePhone [or some other VoIP service] to make all your actual calls.

I'm actually on the 26.95 plan from Telstra currently, as the amount of calls made from the PSTN service on a homeline budget plan just costs more in the end.

If I could bypass Telstras 30c call costs, and have it something like 18-20c per call, it would drop my bill somewhat. I think I pay about 27c per call now, on the 26.95 plan?

Anyway, I basically wanted an all in one service, instead of having seperate bills.

C:\DOS\RUN writes...

The best thing you can do IMHO, is just switch to the Homeline Budget plan, and then use NodePhone [or some other VoIP service] to make all your actual calls.

I realise this, but the other half usually picks up the other phone, which is more convenient at times.

I always use voip myself, and the other half uses voip, and PSTN half the time.

Queeg 500 writes...

Internode Ultra uses the same equipment as the Naked plans (i.e. Optus DSLAMs) but provides an analogue voice service together with the internet access.

Unfortunately I can't get that.

I'm in Regional australia, in a area of whom has been shafted with the cancelation of Opel.

Opel would have brought a DSLAM to my exchange.

I voted labor too, although the opel plan was probably a hoax by the former govt anyway, but meh... we will never know...

C:\DOS\RUN writes...

You're never going to get a 'standard' PSTN service cheaper than Telstra's Homeline Budget plan

Everyone is always around $30, the home line budget is only for people who are unemployed etc, I doudt you'd keep that line rental for long when using another DSL service anyway.

even when I swapped the phone line the cable price went up 3-4 months later.

Scott Connie writes...

the home line budget is only for people who are unemployed etc

No, it's available for anyone that wants to use it.

I doudt you'd keep that line rental for long when using another DSL service anyway.

Incorrect. Telstra have no right to refuse a switch to HomeLine Budget, and once you're on that plan you stay there until you choose to change plan (or cancel your landline). See /forum-replies.cfm?t=968088 among many other threads if you want to see the nitty gritty details.

Bugzy1 writes...

If I could bypass Telstras 30c call costs, and have it something like 18-20c per call, it would drop my bill somewhat. I think I pay about 27c per call now, on the 26.95 plan?

If you're talking about local calls, then it should only be costing you 20c per call as it is.

www.telstra.com.au/homep...ine_complete.htm

I realise this, but the other half usually picks up the other phone, which is more convenient at times.

What's stopping you from just running that one through NodePhone as well?

We've got all our handsets - 2 wired and another wireless base station - running through our NodePhone connection, and it works beautifully.

C:\DOS\RUN writes...

If you're talking about local calls, then it should only be costing you 20c per call as it is.

You're right!! I had no idea it was 20c. I thought I was getting charged over 25c per call.

Thanks for clarifying that.

What's stopping you from just running that one through NodePhone as well?

I would need to run an extension cable to the lounge room, from the study. Too much hassle.

Bugzy1 writes...

I would need to run an extension cable to the lounge room, from the study. Too much hassle.

How's everything connected at the moment then?

When we made the switch over to Nodephone [which was a long time ago now], all we did was break open the first phone socket, and connect that into the modem for the NodePhone connection. As soon as that was done, all the other handsets leading off that one were automatically connected to NodePhone just through their existing wiring.

Of course that was made slightly easier by the fact that we were already using CAT5 for the phone cabling, so we didn't have to run any extra wiring at all. We just used 1 pair leading into the modem for the line, and another pair leading back to connect the handset.

C:\DOS\RUN writes...

How's everything connected at the moment then?

Phone connected at back of router, and the other phone is connected in the lounge room on its own socket.