Need Advice for Phone Purchase - 2 Story House

[VOIPoTim]

I'd recommend a cordless phone with the extra handsets.

Using your phone jacks/house wiring is possible, but it's risky unless you know exactly what you're doing with it. If there is ANY current at all from the phone company running through the lines, it will fry the VOIPo adapter.

We see a lot of customers connect the adapters to the wiring thinking that since they don't have service with the local phone company that there would not be anything running through it and then contact us when their VOIPo adapter stops working.

Even if you don't have DSL or service from the phone company, there is likely current still going through it. In a lot of areas they have to do that so that if it's connected, 911 calls will go through even if you don't subscribe to their service and it's also how they can turn service on so quickly (pre-wired so they just do it in the central office).

If you do decide to go the wiring route, the key is that the phone company's connection outside is completely removed so there's no chance of anything going through it.

[usa2k]

Tim's words of caution are good advice.

If the connection to the house is removed (No need at all for it with cable) there is still a slim chance a phone tech may try and reconnect it. Most people suggest tagging the box with a warning.

A modern NID usually has RJ-11 connectors that simply unplug like you would unplug a phone.

Its amazing that ATAs of 2010 do not have protection, but they reportedly don't. Going wireless provides complete isolation. Even lightning would have to take out the modem and perhaps the router before damaging the phone system.

[MisterEd]

I just have my base unit of my RCA multi-handset 2-line DECT 6 phone plugged directly into my ATA since it is about 3' from it and the "extensions" are placed where needed. Didn't have to deal with any house wiring which is the purpose of a cordless phone.

The RCA has a nice bright blue flashing message waiting light on the top of a little "antenna-like" stub.

When I had Vonage & Comcast I did the house wiring thing because my ATA was in the garage. With Fios I moved everything inside and within easy reach.

[usa2k]

FWIW, this is the defacto guide I was looking for.

http://michigantelephone.workbench.net/

[usa2k]

If I had money to burn
http://www.snom.com/uploads/docu/data_snom_m9_en.pdf
http://www.snom.com/en/products/sip-...matic-roaming/
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r244...being-released

[MacGyverLabs]

Hey Richard,
I'm a VoIPo reseller and user, and during a recent promo I offered a special on a two-line VTech unit that tested really well... and I've been getting great reviews from customers.

You can find details on the unit here, but here's a brief summary...

• Supports two lines, so you can have a POTS & VoIPo line, or two VoIPo lines
• Uses DECT 6.0 wireless technology, so it likely won't interfere with network wireless-G or wireless-N - something I'm finding to be a common complaint with customers and their older 2.4GHz units
• Expands up to 12 handsets off of a single base... should be enough for even the largest house
• Base & Handsets have speakerphone options for hands-free use
• Base & handsets have an answering machine AND a network VM indicator (important!), so you can tell when you have VM waiting on the VoIPo system (some other brands/models only have an indicator for the in-base answering machine - won't help if you're using VoIPo VM)
• Should handle your requirement for multiple handsets to listen in to a single line - I believe up to 8 handsets can be on the same line at one time (I faintly recall this from the manual)
• IMHO, a decent price for a two-line cordless unit - my promo included 3 handsets (total) and a base for less than $125 - extra handsets around $27/ea.
• Of course... no special house wiring required! :-)

Of course, I cannot promise it will suit all of your needs, but it uses the latest wireless technology so you should get great range with no interference. So far I've heard positive comments from all customers, and no returns... So, for now anyway, I'm a fan...

Hope that helps!
-M

[TimW]

I like my Panasonic system that allows me to connect via bluetooth to my cell phone. So I can now use a single phone to connect wherever and however I want.

[timreichhart]

if you know how to wire up your ATA to your pots you would be good to go.

[eagle 1]

The AT&T Dect sets work great. I have a 4 line set that works great...Even works out into the back yard. Plug the base into the ATA and you can skip the house wiring completely,

[rmwlaw]

eagle1:

Thank you for sharing your experience regarding usage of AT&T's DECT 6.0 systems. Would you please elaborate as to how many handsets you can have active on the same telephone call?

What my family is looking for is a system that allows at least 3 if not 4 handsets on the same call. Myself, my wife and our 2 kids. This would allow all of us to be on the phone when speaking to my family, my wive's family or just some family friends.

Do the AT&T DECT 6.0 systems now allow more than 2 handsets on the same call?