Unlock the Linksys PAP2 Use gear with other VoIP services A big trend in the VoIP market has been for VoIP carriers to strike deals with hardware vendors, who release vendor-locked gear at large brick and mortar stores. That hasn't thrilled some competitors, and occasionally you'll find a user who didn't read the fine print and wants to switch carriers. Our users have discovered a way to unlock the Linksys PAP2, allowing them to use the device with other providers. Staples has been offering the $49.94 device with a $50 rebate,
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 | |  Time To Change Your Firmware Vonage!
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| | | Violation of DMCA The real question is, now that this has been done once, will people continue to try and hack withe each new firmwares? (most likely). Will they try and shut down people publishing the information on how to do it using the DMCA? (most likely). Will terrorist use this to plan attacks against teddy bears and puppies and children? (Won't someone please think of the children)? Will that actually stop anyone? (absolutely not, the rest of the world, JUST...DOESN'T....CARE)
Now, to help with the corporate drones. (Retire_Rich, Old_Republican, Whatever_his_nick_is_today, etc)
This is theft of service. You bought a device knowing it could only be used with a certain service, and you are stealing if you don't. This is no different than skipping commercials, as they are selling it to you at a discount, and they have a RIGHT to make money.
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Grand Poobah | |
|  |  MaggsPremium
join:2002-11-29
Woodside, NY
 ·RCN CABLE
| Thief!!! Your such a criminal, hacking a piece of hardware you BOUGHT the right to use. Off to jail with you. I'm calling the FBI, get the subpoenas out. 
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"Parents are like photocopiers, they blow things out of proportion". Maggs | |
| |  Mooo
@nrockv01.md.comcast. | Re: Violation of DMCA
What a stupid comment G_Poobah,
This is like saying; because I purchased a diesel car, I can't rip out the engine and replace it with a lawn mower engine should I choose to.
Crawl back under your rock. | |
| | | | | Re: Violation of DMCA No actually it wasn't a bad comment but a funny commentary on what will come. Don't take it to serious.
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" | |
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|  DaSneaky1Done wall to block them allPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou
·Charter
| In your attempt to make a point, you've made a fool of yourself.
This is not "theft of service." They are not using a service they are not paying for. You can get a cable modem for $49 with a $50 rebate as well. You can use that device with any provider as well. This is no different.
If you want to find fault with applying this update, don't use a point that is so easily invalidated.
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:: my trivial ramblings :: | |
| | |  joetaxpayerI'M Here Till Thursday
join:2001-09-07
Sudbury, MA | Re: Violation of DMCA said by DaSneaky1D:This is not "theft of service." Indeed, I'd make the comparison to the printer companies. Sucking you in with a cheap printer, but then selling you 5 cent worth of ink in a cartridge keyed to your printer. Hacking ink cartridges is the next big thing.
JOE | |
| | | | BPremium,MVM
join:2000-10-28 | Re: Violation of DMCA Guys, guys, please. I'm pretty sure he or she was being entirely sarcastic. Sigh.
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
| | | |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Actually, its probably a more valid point with laser printers...
There are companies that 'recycle' used laser printer cartidges. Now HP (possibly others as well) as creating a special 'chip' that can tell if the cartridge is either an HP, used or non-HP cartridge, and will not work unless its an original 'new' HP cartridge.
I would expect many people to 'hack' this up. | |
| | | | | BPremium,MVM
join:2000-10-28 | Re: Violation of DMCA
Huh? Why is it a more valid comparison to talk about laser cartridges, which as far as I know are not yet chipped, rather than talk about ink jet cartridges, which overwhelmingly ARE already chipped?
- B
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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| |  pcscdmaChocobo Chocobo Random BattlePremium
join:2004-01-14
Winterset, IA | It was sarcasm.
Lighten up.
The commercial skipping part gave it all away.
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Posting .sig | |
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| | I skip commercials I skip commercials and I'm proud. I pay for my tivo to skip commercials and to record the t.v I miss...:p | |
| | | | Re: I skip commercials But what about the children?! | |
| | | | | Re: I skip commercials said by smcallah:But what about the children?! The children like the commercials better than the programs. | |
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 UglyDorkPremium
join:2002-01-09
Buffalo, NY | The Benefits of Unlocking I have Vonage with the 4 port Linksys Router/ 2 Port Phone Adapter.
I know this is not the one being discussed here but I'm curious about the benefit of unlocking your adapter.
What does this enable a user to do?
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| | DaSneaky1Done wall to block them allPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
The Lou | Re: The Benefits of Unlocking Use the device with any other provider, or multiple providers. | |
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| | Re: Unlock the Linksys PAP2 I finally got mine unlocked. I'm not a hacker, but I do feel this is cool because:
It throws a monkey wrench into what I feel is Vonage's unethical and monopolistic marketing scheme in how they market these adapters that they say are "free" after rebate. We now have vindication.
I once called up Vonage asking if they could unlock it since I cancelled their service, and in fact I owned this box. They said no, stating some sort of "licensing agreement" they had, even though it's mine. All they told me is I could give it to someone else who wants to use Vonage, or re-activate their service at a later date. They acted like they still owned the darn thing. So it was a matter of principle for me to finally see that we can all finally unlock our devices, even without Vonage's "blessings." | |
| |  kapilThe Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL | Re: Unlock the Linksys PAP2 There is something to that "licensing agreement" argument. Linksys doesn't want to support these devices...so they make service providers agree not to sell them unlocked on the open market without service. Of course, you can still get them...but technically a VoIP service provider isn't supposed to sell you one without service.
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Buy Stuff From Me! - »www.DomainObjects.com | |
| |  ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4
 ·VOIPo
| I applaud the unlocking finally of the pap2, but this Vonage sucks cuz it is locked argument always cracks me up. You bought the box knowing (at the time) it could only be used with Vonage, then get mad at Vonage for that fact.
And I really don't see how it is so unethical. If you thought it was unethical to begin with, then don't buy it. But you did. But now isn't unlocking it considered unethical also?
Don't get me wrong, it's about time someone figured it out. But the monopolistic maketing and being unethical are a stretch. | |
| |  roamer1sticking it out at you
join:2001-03-24
Atlanta, GA | said by burgerwars:It throws a monkey wrench into what I feel is Vonage's unethical and monopolistic marketing scheme in how they market these adapters that they say are "free" after rebate. We now have vindication. There's also the issue of Vonage apparently forcing Cisco/Linksys to restrict the sale of unlocked PAPs, which to me screams "restraint of trade"...
-SC
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"it seems like all you ever buy is Abercrombie and cell phones" --a friend | |
| | | ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 | Re: Unlock the Linksys PAP2 I have heard that before...has anyone got a link to the story? | |
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kapilThe Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL |  I don't get it
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Buy Stuff From Me! - »www.DomainObjects.com | |
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1 edit | Re: I don't get it When I first started with VOIP early this year, and bought this adapter at Staples, I didn't know any better. But I learned quick about VOIP, by reading here and elsewhere, that this locked Vonage service wasn't for me. Customers are just blindly buying these Vonage adapters, thinking they're the only game in town. The packaging on these adapters isn't that clear in stating that they're totally locked to Vonage and nothing else.
The "free after rebate" argument I feel doesn't hold you to just use Vonage and nothing else. There are plenty of "free after rebate" offers for items that end up truly free, or close to it, with no need to be stuck paying a company for a service that you may quickly feel isn't that great a value. | |
| | | | | | | | | Re: I don't get it Well, I learned. I did, though, get a $50 rebate for the adapter, which cost $59.95, many months later, even though I kept the Vonage service for only two weeks.
One can buy a PC which could be plastered with stickers saying it comes with "Free AOL." The fact it comes with AOL, doesn't mean you can never use the PC with any other service. | |
| | | | | ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 Reviews:
·VOIPo
| Re: I don't get it The analogy is a bit off...
You are specifically buying that PC, that has AOL on it. People don't go out and buy PAP2 for any other reason than a phone adapter..
It's like saying I am going to go to the store to buy a router, and I buy the RT31P2. I got my router, and look, it has Vonage capabilities as a side note. | |
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bsdaiwa
join:2004-06-04
Fullerton, CA | Unlock The Vonage WRTP54G Anybody figure out how to unlock the WRTP54G? | |
| | | Patriot Act II will fix everything I hear the Bush administration is trying to stop all this "criminal" activity by putting it into the Patriot Act II. The FBI will have unlimited powers when it comes to suspected terrorists and kiddies with unlocked cell phones and PAP2's. LOL!
So all you kiddies out there with unlocked phones and hacked PAP2's should be more concerned with the FBI flying through your windows than any silly old monster under your bed. HeHe! | |
|  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Theft of service? How can this be Theft of service? simply unlocking the device isn't going to give you free VOIP service, it just gives you a choice of which provider you want to use.
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You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth | |
| | Reviews:
·Bright House
| Why is this important???? You know, EVERY stinking adapter they ever gave me I managed to get unlocked, thanks to my buddy working there. But not all of us are able to get that done for them. I can say it was great paying for a single line with Vonage, and having the second port for FWD at the time. Now I run my own Asterisk VoIP Switch, and configure my adapters to connect to that. Thanks Vonage, for my free Cisco 186 and Linksys RT31P2. I wouldn't have kept it if you wouldn't have charged me for the broken Linksys replacement that I mailed back... I love VoIP! | |
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mcmug17
join:2004-06-14
Braintree, MA | What about cell phones I'd try to compare this with a cell phone service. Cell phone service providers give you a free descent phone and you have to stick with them for 1-2 years because of the contract. If you break the contract you're going to be charged for $200. If you're done with the contract, you still can't use the same phone with another provider.
People are alright with this cell phone tradition, and yet people are now making this big discussion on who's right or wrong... We should have started this thread 5 years ago
I suppose Vonage's termination policy is about the same as the cell phone providers - you are charged for a termination fee (device fee) if you break their contract. So if I agree to pay for the termination fee, I don't see what's wrong if I want to break the device apart. | |
| | | | Re: What about cell phones There s nothing illegal in modifying a device you bought...
Cell phone providers can unlock the phone after the end of a contract... Vonage should do the same.. | |
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1 edit | False Advertising I am the one who figured out that installing SPA2000 firmware removed the admin password.
I bought the box because:
A) On the box it says "Standards: SIP v2 Session Initiation Protocol (RFC 3261, 3262, 3263, 3264)". This is what I was looking for, a SIP compliant ATA, just as it states on the side of the box to use with my SIP compliant Asterisk server. How is it SIP compliant (It even lists the RFC's) if it only works with Vonages SIP?
B) It does not specify that Vonage service is REQUIRED. I assumed they were simply using the PAP2 as a marketing vehicle, not locking down the box.
C) Where I live, there is no rebate unless you subscribe to their service. Therefore I bought the box, no rebate.
D) This was an impulse buy, I already own two Grandstream GXP-2000's, but I wanted an ATA to use a cordless phone with my Asterisk setup.
E) The retail store did not have any knowledge of the hardware being locked, or require me to purchase service before I bought it.
Now, after discovering this thing was locked to Vonage, I naturally called Vonage to say "Hey .. I bought this piece of hardware, and I don't want Vonage, can you unlock it?", "No, it's our box and we want it back" they replied. "Well I have a receipt, and it's sitting right here on my desk, so how is it yours?" "Well .. we made a deal with Linksys and we manufactured them, blah blah blah".
As far as I am concerned, they never should have locked the box thinking they can sell these things in a retail stores and make their money from service, knowing damn well that ANYTHING can and will be unlocked/disassembled/reverse engineered/hacked. CHANGE THE PRICING STRUCTURE! If you want the unlocked hardware, buy the box full pop, you want service from Vonage, here's your rebate .. simple.
Look at cell phones, you don't just walk in and buy a cell phone off the shelf, and get a rebate for it. You go in, buy a service plan, and they give you a programmed phone for a nominal fee, sometimes free.
So there you have it, my reasons for unlocking the PAP2. | |
| | mcmug17
join:2004-06-14
Braintree, MA | Re: False Advertising A) GSM 850 used in Cingular doesn't mean you can take the same phone to Nextel that uses GSM 850 also. (Exclaimer - I'm not sure exactly what band they use, I got this information from my limited cellular knowledge. My whole point is, Cell phones advertise themselves as GSM850/1900/blah compliant, but it has to stick to a specific service provider. So don't pick on my accuracy of data :P )
B) You assumed...
C) Your supermarket does not have the same deal as mine.
D) cool
E) Then why didn't you return it back to the store and complain to their manager?
F) "Look at cell phones, you don't just walk in and buy a cell phone off the shelf, and get a rebate for it. You go in, buy a service plan, and they give you a programmed phone for a nominal fee, sometimes free."
No... you're comparing an apple to an orange. Walk in to a cell phone store = go to www.vonage.com. We are talking about going to Best Buy and pick up a product. So while they have a Cingular/Samsung counter in Best Buy or Radio Shack, why don't you get the point when they have a Vonage/Linksys booth?
Guys, I'm not trying to be a prick here. But I mean, really, it's not such a big deal. You don't like something, just return it and buy an unlocked one. This is a retail package and with the receipt, you can take it back to the store and get a refund. I'm sure a PAP2 worths more than $50 in retail if it's -na version. People are getting a deal that may potentially contain a contract in there (that's why people say there's no free lunch). So make sure you read all the fine prints and whining is prohibited after assuming something.
I know that there're places that do "free after rebate" program and they're pretty legit. Different companies have different business models and one can't just expect a pig to bark.
There's really no right or wrong with Vonage locking down their devices. I think there're many appropriate methods for users to choose what to do with the locked devices.
Talking about unlocking a device after the contract ends... I absolutely agree! But again, I don't want to assume that's something promised in the Terms. A user should make sure he understands the Terms included in the package within the first 2 weeks. If you don't understand anything, then ask. If you don't like them, return it back to the store! | |
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