doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc.
I'm trying to figure out a solution for my phone needs, and I was hoping I could get some expert advice from some people on this forum.
Currently I have a Cellphone and plain old panasonic cordless phone, plugged into the RJ11-USB adaptor I bought from ebay that originally came from pcphoneline.com. It's called a VTA1000.
My immediate issue is that I'd like an incoming number, but skype does not provide those in Canada (and they seem to not have plans to provide them ... in the short term at least).
My other problem is that my server (which I leave on 24/7) is running linux (gentoo), and the VTA1000 software only works on windows, so I have another computer running windows that i have to power up just to use the skypeout from the cordless phone.
As well, my cellphone service in my house isn't the greatest, so having the phone always available including an incoming number would be ideal.
Does anybody have any suggestions for a voip provider that could offer me a real number in Canada (Waterloo, ON to be more specific) that would also allow me to use plain old telphones (I quite like my cordless panasonic set). I would also like to install and integrate with asterisk so I could route calls from my cellphone and have mailboxes.
If anybody has any good tips, I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your help! |
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mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| said by doesntcount  :Does anybody have any suggestions for a voip provider that could offer me a real number in Canada (Waterloo, ON to be more specific) that would also allow me to use plain old telphones (I quite like my cordless panasonic set). I am sure if you search through posts on this forum, you will find your answer. Also, you may want to consider to invest your $$$ on a Linksys PAP2T-NA device, instead of using a computer to run VoIP.
I would also like to install and integrate with asterisk so I could route calls from my cellphone and have mailboxes. AFAIK, asterisk itself will not be able to do this unless you install an FXO card to bridge to PSTN line.
--
Mazilo always prays for FREEBIES!
US Phone: +1-678-601-0907
UK Phone: +44-703-194-2574
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
 ·InPhonex
 ·DSL EXTREME
1 edit | reply to doesntcount
Start with the »/gbu *, which summarizes what people in this forum think of some widely-used providers. Go to each company's web site and see what numbers (DIDs) are available in your area.
For more things to think about when switching to VOIP, see this thread.
*There are a couple of quirks in the GBU:
- VOIPo is not generally available yet.
- CallWithUs is missing from the list. |
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA | reply to doesntcount
A couple of soft switch links:
Nerd Vittles
FreeSwitch |
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usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
·Broadvox Direct
·VOIPo
 ·WOW Internet and C..
|  reply to Test99
said by Test99 :... - VOIPo is not generally available yet. ... VOIPo I do not think will offer Canadian DID at launch.
They did sound like that would come into play as things would eventually expand.
Even Vonage had a more limited footprint when it started up. Seemed every week Vonage would add a rate center in a new state.
Canadian Rate centers would be a good GBU detail that is lacking.
BYOD would be a good detail also lacking on GBU.
ATT CallVantage should go away, now that they stopped taking customers.
--
Jim, VoIP since 12/2002, VOIPo 2/7/2007
FAH-Tool ... Whales ... VOIPo Forum ... VOIPo Review |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | reply to doesntcount
Fine suggestions from the above posters.
I'd like to also suggest you consider CallCentric (see their fine reviews on the GBU list). And they do have inbound numbers (DID) available in KITCHENER-WATERLOO area. |
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doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| reply to doesntcount
Thanks a lot for everyone's feedback. The Voip newbie link is great. And the tip about the PAP2 sounds like a great one.
After doing some research on the PAP2, I read that the PAP2 was tied to vonage, and if you wanted a carrier agnostic PAP2, you needed the PAP2-NA. Is this true? Or is the PAP2 easily crackable?
Thanks again. |
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Livadia
join:2007-12-18
Canada
| reply to doesntcount
I have a similar configuration as yours. I bought a PAP2T-NA, connected it to my network and use a couple of older PSTN telephones for my two SIP lines. No need for a computer (although my linux machine is always on). Just search for PAP2T in Canada; you should be able to find one for about $50-60. I got mine in a store in Mississauga. Make sure it has the "-NA", which means it is unlocked.
For SIP providers with DID numbers in Canada, I would look to Callcentric and/or Les.net. The former charges in $US (becoming more expensive day-by-day  ), the latter being Canadian charges in CAN$ (I believe). Callcentric has a great web interface and very good call quality. No personal experience for Les.net, however, it seems it gets good reviews.
One more point that you should know. If you drop Bell (or whatever landline you currently have) then you may not have a reliable 911 service. It may not be important to you, but you should be aware of that. |
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doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON | reply to doesntcount
I actually already dropped my POTS line about 18months ago. I've been using this VTA1000 thing with Skype for my long distance (out only) calling, and then I have my cellphone for everything else, including 911.
Thanks for the tips. |
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TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL | reply to doesntcount
LES.net is a Canadian based company, and offers VoIP in Canada and US. You can use with * or an ATA.
I use them for a low use US number, without issue.
TJ |
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
·InPhonex
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to doesntcount
Some VOIP providers have a feature that may interest the OP: simultaneous ringing of two or more numbers when there is an incoming call. If you set incoming calls to ring both your home phone and your cell phone, you can pick up whichever phone you want. This can reduce the number of cell phone minutes you have to pay for. |
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emoci
join:2007-05-29
York, ON
| reply to doesntcount
said by doesntcount :Thanks a lot for everyone's feedback. The Voip newbie link is great. And the tip about the PAP2 sounds like a great one. After doing some research on the PAP2, I read that the PAP2 was tied to vonage, and if you wanted a carrier agnostic PAP2, you needed the PAP2-NA. Is this true? Or is the PAP2 easily crackable? Thanks again. PAP2 is crackable, but frankly if you're gonna grab one on eBay, most are already PAP2-NAs or PAP2T-NAs (and the price is reasonable, highest running to about $40 with shipping) |
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doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| reply to doesntcount
PAP2 is crackable eh? Hmmm, well, i can score a PAP2 from canadacomputers in town (they have 2 in stock) or i can order an NA from directcanada.com for $44. Decisions decisions. Thanks for your help emoci 
And the simultaneous ringing feature sounds really cool. I wonder if I can get voip provider that can give me a 519 number that also has this feature. That would be brilliantly solid. |
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
·InPhonex
·DSL EXTREME
1 edit | InPhonex has simultaneous ringing and they have DIDs in 519. Some people think they are expensive. They charge $US7.95 per month for the DID. And outgoing calls are 2.5 cents per minute. But you could use a lower-cost provider for outgoing calls. My review is here.
I think CallWithUs has simultaneous ringing too. You might check with them. They have 519 DIDs.
VOIP.ms is planning to implement ring groups - which presumably will allow simultaneous ringing - within a week or so. They have 519 DIDs. We don't have a lot of experience with them yet, but they do have a representative in this forum, which always helps. |
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gbh2o
join:2000-12-18
Greenville, NC | reply to doesntcount
Another possible source might be www.didww.com since they appear to offer Windsor 519 numbers at $5 for setup and $5/mo thereafter flat-rate [without a per-minute charge.] |
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doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| reply to doesntcount
I've just discovered the WRTP54G which provides the two POTS lines as well as wireless. My home network setup has a Speedstreem 5400 unlocked and acting as a router, hooked up to a netgear 8port gigabit switch. Attached to the switch is my WRT54GS running ddwrt, and really, all it is used for is wireless access. If I get the WRTP54G, I can use it both as the wireless accesspoint and the VOIP switch ... two birds, one stone, then i can decomission the WRT54GS and i give it to someone.
Word on the street is that the WRTP54G is also unlockable with this CYT unlocking software. Seems doable. Any body have any terrible warnings before I pick up the WRTP54G on my way home from work today? |
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA | reply to doesntcount
Link
WRTP54G |
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mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| reply to doesntcount
Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc.
said by doesntcount :Word on the street is that the WRTP54G is also unlockable with this CYT unlocking software. Seems doable. Any body have any terrible warnings before I pick up the WRTP54G on my way home from work today? If you search posts on this forum, you will find lots of disappointed owners of a Linksys WRTP54G VoIP router. Most of them claimed their WRTP54G wasn't stable enough to maintain the line while others complained that their WRTP54G units ran into some problems. Honestly, I had encountered the former issue, too, with firmware v3.1.22 and/or older. The latest firmware, v3.1.24, installed on my WRTP54G does seem to cure such a problem. So, unless you can get a Linksys WRTP54G very inexpensive, I would advise not to invest your $$$ on this device.
--
Mazilo always prays for FREEBIES!
US Phone: +1-678-601-0907
UK Phone: +44-703-194-2574
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doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| reply to doesntcount
I wonder if that's only a problem for people that are using the WRTP54G as their full on router as well. I know that my WRT54G had a hard time keeping up with the amount of torrent downloading I'd subject it to, which is why i now only use it just as a wireless access point for my laptop which only does vnc connections to other computers and light web browsing.
Mostly I was hoping to not have to power both the wireless access point and the voip adaptor. The WRTP seemed to solve this issue.
Unsure what I'm going to do. I may do some more digging ont he WRTP before committing. Thanks for the heads up mazilo. |
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voipcan
@com.au
| reply to doesntcount
I've tried a few Canadian providers, and the two that come to mind are vbuzzer and Unlimitel.
I think that in the serious Asterisk + BYOD group Unlimitel is probably the top voip provider in Canada. I have to admit that they have the best voice quality of any provider I've ever used. Vbuzzer probably has the best rates.
You can also try www.netfone.ca they have some pretty good rates, but call quality not as good as Unlimitel. |
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