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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! | |
|  mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. 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
| |
| Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
 ·DSL EXTREME
 ·InPhonex
1 edit | 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. | |
| | | | VOIPoTim
VOIPo.com
Premium,VIP
join:2006-06-06
Houston, TX
4 edits | said by Test99 :*There are a couple of quirks in the GBU: - VOIPo is not generally available yet. Actually we've been taking signups from the public for the 2-3 weeks while in pre-launch. We're just not pushing it or advertising that anywhere.
Anyone is able to order by contacting sales@voipo.com. All the pre-launch pricing and service info is available at the links on the voipo.com pre-launch landing page.
Paid signups are coming in every day just from residual questions from our existing hosting customer base and people who've been following the launch. Just don't want to advertise it much quite yet.
Thanks for the interest  | |
| | | Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·InPhonex
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. said by VOIPoTim :Actually we've been taking signups from the public for the 2-3 weeks while in pre-launch. We're just not pushing it or advertising that anywhere. Duly noted.
Do you offer DIDs in Canada, and specifically in the OP's area code 519? | |
| | | | VOIPoTim
VOIPo.com
Premium,VIP
join:2006-06-06
Houston, TX
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. said by Test99 :said by VOIPoTim :Actually we've been taking signups from the public for the 2-3 weeks while in pre-launch. We're just not pushing it or advertising that anywhere. Duly noted. Do you offer DIDs in Canada, and specifically in the OP's area code 519? Well, we do have some numbers in the KITCHENER-WATERLOO ratecetner there, yes. I believe that's the one he is looking for.
With that being said, we haven't focused a lot on Canada yet. I mean we have phone numbers there, we're all set for E911 there, but we still need to formalize a lot of things and have some legal review done to determine where we stand with their regulatory environment. We wanted to launch the US offering first and then go from there.
If the OP doesn't find any other solutions that work for him in that area, we can certainly try to help him out if he contacts us. | |
| | | | | 
usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
·VOIPo
 ·WOW Internet and C..
·Broadvox Direct
1 edit |  Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc.
said by VOIPoTim :Well, we do have some numbers in the KITCHENER-WATERLOO rate center there, yes. I believe that's the one he is looking for. I am still holding out for the day Windsor Ontario Canada is offered by VOIPo.
I see »www.didww.com/faq.php#Do_I_Pay_P···_Charges has Windsor, but I am not inclined to be tied to too many companies at once. I want to keep it simple.
--
Jim, VoIP since 12/2002, VOIPo 2/7/2007
FAH-Tool ... Whales ... VOIPo Forum ... VOIPo Review | |
| | | | | | | | PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | 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. | |
| doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| 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. | |
| | emoci
join:2007-05-29
York, ON
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. 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) | |
| Livadia
join:2007-12-18
Canada
| 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. | |
| doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON | 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. | |
| 
TJ_in_IL
join:2006-06-10
Winthrop Harbor, IL | 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 | |
| Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·InPhonex
| 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. | |
| doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| 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. | |
| | Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA
·DSL EXTREME
·InPhonex
1 edit | Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. 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. | |
| gbh2o
join:2000-12-18
Greenville, NC | 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.] | |
| doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| 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? | |
| | mazilo
From Mazilo
Premium
join:2002-05-30
Lilburn, GA
| 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
| |
| | 
voipcan
@com.au
| 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. | |
| | doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| 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. | |
|
PokeMe
@videotron.net
| I don't know how many of you had the chance to give a try to the Linksys WRP-400. It's a Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports, good QoS and suppose to offer better T.38 support.
Havent got a good chance to test the T.38 but it's definitely a device to consider.
BTW. If you are looking for specific DIDs, Voicemeup.com has the best selection I've seen so far, International, USA and Canada with an extended coverage with more than 40 cities and areas for the province of Quebec.
Try their availability tool at
»www.voicemeup.com/availability.html | |
| ogdensburg
join:2006-12-12
Ogdensburg, NY
| You should give freephoneline.ca a shot. It's FREE if you use their software phone. If you want use your own ATA, give them $50 and they'll give you the SIP configuration. $50 is one time you'll get a lift time voip phone line with DID number. Nobody can't beat this price. | |
| | doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. Interesting, WRP-400 sounds good. It's a little on the pricey side, but interesting. As ideal as it would be to have sip and 802.11 in the same device, I still think i might go down the pap2t-na road, since my unlocked wrt54g will be better for 802.11 and the pap2t-na has been proven for sip more than the wrp-400.
Great suggestion though.
Thanks again for everyone's help here. You've all been great. | |
| | | doesntcount
join:2006-02-05
Kitchener, ON
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. Update: Got my PAP2T-NA in the mail today. $51.95 + tax and shipping from ncix. Settled on voip.ms, i went cheap, and they had ring groups (simultaneous ringing). It's all setup, including the ring group with my cell phone. Works great! voip.ms webportal is pretty easy to get around in. Quality is medeocre. I found skypeout's quality to be better than this. Hopefully this will be improved. But, it's easy enough to switch to one of the other bazilion voip providers, so that's not a big issue really.
Again, I'd like to thank everyone for their help. Much appreciated. | |
| | | | 
edmidor
6th Kyu
join:2008-05-19
Montreal, QC
| Re: voip providers in canada, software for linux, asterisk, etc. Quality is not all about provider. Your ATA may benefit from some adjustments, particularity RTP packet size to 0.020.
I use voip.ms for all my in Canada calls, and quality is as good as you can get from VoIP. I tried quiet a few providers.
Make sure to test quality when you don't have bittorrent running on background, unless you have QoS set up correctly. | |
| | | | Tenshi
join:2002-11-24
Canada | Also, make sure the PAP2 is using G711u for its codec, unless you are really bandwidth starved. | |
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