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I_I_R001's avatar
I_I_R001
Settling in
2 days ago
Solved

Using new DECT Phone System after DigitalVoice Migration

 

 

I was migrated onto Virgin Media Digital Voice in the last few months with my Router upgraded to a Superhub 5. My existing DECT Base was connected to TEL1 Socket on Superhub5.

Although this worked, I was aware that my existing DECT system was very old and I decided to replace it  with more up to date hardware that could also be used as a VOIP Phone system if needed in the future. Virgin do warn you to ensure any Phones you get are not too old as this could be an issue but there is no similar caveat for newer models which no longer have a BT431A Connection.

I opted for the same brand (Gigaset) as they use Lithium Ion rather than NiMH Battery Packs as many others seem to do and they had DECT Bases that could be powered by PoE.

I chose a corded Handset that also doubles as a DECT Base (Gigaset Fusion DECT FX800W) with two cordless Handsets (SL800H). 

The combination of FX880W & SL800H Phones can be used as either DECT, VOIP or both at the same time.

I cannot get help from Siemens Gigaset as they have decided that their Professional Phone Range should only be supported by their official Business Resellers and not directly by themselves and I am a Residential Customer who has not got an expensive support contract.

I have tried the following combinations:-

Connection @ FX800W End

Cable Used

Connection @Virgin Network End

RJ45 Port

Cat5E Ethernet

RJ45 To BT431A Adapter into Virgin supplied BT431A To RJ11 Adapter then into TEL1 Socket on Superhub5 Router

RJ45 Port

RJ45 To RJ11

TEL1 Socket on Superhub5

RJ45 Port

Cat5E Ethernet

RJ45 Port on Superhub 5

RJ45 Port

Cat5E Ethernet

PoE+ Port on  Network Switch

RJ45 Port

Cat5E Ethernet

Non-PoE+ Port on Network Switch

WIFI

--

WIFI

Additionally, I have also tried using a second concurrent connection either through PoE+ Port on Network Switch, Non-PoE+ Port on Superhub 5 / Network Switch or through WIFI connection. I have powered the FX800W either through PoE+ or AC Adapter when PoE+ was not used. I have also tried using both the left and right RJ45 Port on the FX800W and also tried other Ethernet Cables just in case.

When the FX800W is connected through the TEL1 Socket  I do get a Dial Tone but when you dial a number it is treated as an internal call only and no ‘dialling’ takes place.

I have even tried using another DECT/VOIP Base Unit (Gigaset N670IP) in place of the FX800W with no better results.

Has anyone had similar problems with DECT / VOIP Phones on DigitalVoice that they have managed to get around?

 

Thanks,

Ivan.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    2 days ago

    The FX800W is a multi line SIP Phone / Exchange. 

    It needs one or more SIP accounts to work.

    DECT vs. VOIP is not the concern.

    I fear the FX800W has cost a lot of money, don't delay if you are going to return it.

15 Replies

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    It does not matter if VM use VoIP or perform Voodoo behind the scenes
    to make their telephone system work. 

    Why ? Because the customer do not access the underlying technology.

    The reality for customers is the VM Hub Tel 1 port
    is an RJ11 two wire Analogue telephony service, nothing more.

    VM are like BT / EE in  proving a Hub / Router that 
    keeps a customers existing analogue phone with a BABT plug working.


    We can begin talk about SIP VoIP only when we read 
    to connect your VM VoIP service configure your phone use :

    SIP Username xxxxxxx
    SIP Password yyyyyyy

    SIP Server : sip.vm.com
    Stun Server stun.vm.com

    etc etc etc ...

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    The trading standards people really need to take a very sharp stick to all ISPs that use the words Digital Voice and VOIP in marketing when all that is on offer is POTS a Plain Old Telephone System.

    VM's use of the wording Digital Voice and VOIP has caused multiple customers to read and believe a SIP VoIP phone can be used and to purchase one, when it absolutely can not be used with the VM telephone via Hub service.

    ISPs have has a truly rotten track record starting with false advertising of Fibre and using FTTC via a telephone line or a coax cable, and now the Analogue Exchanges are closing ISPs are at it once again this time with Digital Voice and VOIP. 

    • Roger_Gooner's avatar
      Roger_Gooner
      Alessandro Volta
      2 days ago

      Of course it's VoIP, the analogue signals from the phone are converted to digital by the hub's ATA and sent as IP packets.

    • I_I_R001's avatar
      I_I_R001
      Settling in
      2 days ago

      Thanks for your help - I've ordered an N210 PRO DECT Base and I will try to use FX800W as just a DECT Phone connecting to N210 PRO which is connected by RJ11 to the Router.

      I'm not thrilled by Virgin Media nor by Gigaset in their product  descriptions and marketing. 

      Fortunately, I did not pay£400 for the FX800W Bundle (includes 2 SL800H Cordless Handsets).

  • paul0363's avatar
    paul0363
    Rising star
    2 days ago

    The phone you've bought can only be used with VoIP (DECT is not analogue telephony - it's what allows you to connect the handsets).  You need something like this

    https://ligo.co.uk/products/gigaset-n300a

    which can handle an analogue phone line (which is what is presented on the TEL port of the hub) and up to 6 VoIP lines over the internet (from one of the lan ports on the router) provided you've signed up with a VoIP provider (which will give you another phone no.).

  • nodrogd's avatar
    nodrogd
    Very Insightful Person
    2 days ago

    The TEL 1 RJ11 port is a standard phone line & is a straight replacement for a BT style wall socket. It connects to a bog standard PSTN telephone exchange at the other end. VMs telephone service does not touch the internet, so can only be accessed through the RJ11 port with a standard analogue telephone.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    We have used 3 VoIP lines with Sipgate since 2017, our kit is Cisco, our Hub 3 is in Router mode.

    Should you be totally set on using the FX800W you will need to register with VoIP SIP provider ( examples are Andrews & Arnold or Vonage or Sipgate etc ... ) to provide you with an SIP account, another telephone number, the SIP credentials and SIP server details along with any other recommended settings for timeouts and the like.

    • I_I_R001's avatar
      I_I_R001
      Settling in
      2 days ago

      As Virgin are not currently providing a VOIP solution, I chose a System that can provide both but need not from the get go. Therefore, there should be some a way to 'instruct' the handsets to use the DECT facilities only and not look for some VOIP infrastructure.

      • Client62's avatar
        Client62
        Alessandro Volta
        2 days ago

        The FX800W is a SIP VoIP only telephone.
        Costing over £400 it looks well suited to a small office.

        DECT is the way any cordless hand set speaks to the base unit,
        DECT does not imply use of an analogue telephone line.

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    2 days ago

    Or port your phone number to a VOIP supplier and use your new VOIP phone as intended.

  • Client62's avatar
    Client62
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    It is not possible to use a SIP/VoIP phone with the Virgin Media telephone service,
    VM do not provided the SIP Credentials or SIP Server details needed to configure 
    a SIP VoIP telephone for use via a network cable. SIP VoIP phones are not plug and play.

    Virgin Media offer an analogue telephone service via the RJ11 socket of the VM Hub, a standard telephone is required one that works with a regular BT / VM telephone wall socket.

    • I_I_R001's avatar
      I_I_R001
      Settling in
      2 days ago

      The corded and cordless ~hones are both DECT and VOIP and supposedly you can opt for either or both in the settings. I have added them as DECT only.

      • Client62's avatar
        Client62
        Alessandro Volta
        2 days ago

        The FX800W is a multi line SIP Phone / Exchange. 

        It needs one or more SIP accounts to work.

        DECT vs. VOIP is not the concern.

        I fear the FX800W has cost a lot of money, don't delay if you are going to return it.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    2 days ago

    The FX800W surely has an RJ11 port for phone, so you need an RJ11 cable to connect to the hub's TEL 1 port. Make sure the the centre two pins are used as those carry the voice signal. Note that the hub deals only with an analogue line, so this isn't for a VoIP phone (which is connected to the RJ45 port).

    • I_I_R001's avatar
      I_I_R001
      Settling in
      2 days ago

      Roger, 

      The little diagram shown in my post shows the only connections available - No RJ11 only RJ45 Ports and AC Power.