Digital Phone - Connections

[henry296]

I'm considering using my cable company for my phone service but I'm concerned about where my cable jacks are located relative to where I would like to put my phones. I'm I correct that a cable goes from the jack to a "modem" to the phone or does it use my existing telephone jacks?

Thanks.

[stevew]

AFAIK it doesn't use the pre-existing phone jacks. The cable company voip phone box will have a couple phone jacks built into it. Your best bet would be to get a 3-4 handset wireless system. In those things, only one phone needs a jack, the satellite(outlaying) phones all work off of the base unit.

Something like this.....

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-KX-TG1033S-Expandable-Cordless-Handsets/dp/B000LYAX1G/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1204486328&sr=8-1

If you don't want to buy a new phone set, then you'll need something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Phonex-PX-211-Easy-Wireless-Extension/dp/B000MRN0LM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1204486431&sr=1-2

[BrianD]

I don't know about others, but Time Warner phone service works with existing phone jacks. I think you need one phone jack near the modem, but the rest of the phones can stay right where they are.

[cubboyroy1826]

Check this out. I have been using it for a couple of months now and it is great. For the cost you cannot beat it.

www.magicjack.com (http://www.magicjack.com)

[stevew]

Check this out. I have been using it for a couple of months now and it is great. For the cost you cannot beat it.

www.magicjack.com (http://www.magicjack.com)

Hmm, may have to buy that. It's VOIP, right? You don't need phone service?

[cubboyroy1826]

Correct VOIP no phone service needed plug a phone in the box which is connected to your computer. Take it with you anywhere that has internet, ie..on a visit to Germany and you still call for free. $40 for the first year and then $19.95 for the 2nd year.

[DanGarion]

It will use your existing telephone jacks.

Cable jack to the MTA (digital phone modem) to the telephone jack (they will replace your existing telephone jack with a double jack, bottom jack for the MTA, top for the telephone in the room.

FYI your cable company might even run a new cable jack if the MTA can't be within 16 feet of your telephone jack (TIA/EIA regulations).

[henry296]

Dan,

Would the digital phone modem also serve as my internet modem. By the way, it would be through Time Warner.

My biggest potential logistical issue is that there is the cable jack is on the opposite side of the room from telephone jack in the kitchen where I would like to put the base phone. If I can use the same modem, it would make sense to use the cable jack in my study because that is where I want to put the cable modem and wireless router.

[lynchjm24]

Dan,

Would the digital phone modem also serve as my internet modem. By the way, it would be through Time Warner.

My biggest potential logistical issue is that there is the cable jack is on the opposite side of the room from telephone jack in the kitchen where I would like to put the base phone. If I can use the same modem, it would make sense to use the cable jack in my study because that is where I want to put the cable modem and wireless router.

I have Comcast and it's a separate piece of equipment but off the same connection in the office.

[henry296]

So you use a splitter from the cable jack on the wall to the phone and cable modem and no speed issues on your internet?

[CU Tiger]

as said, you can back feed the jacksfrom the cable modem....

I see your in Charlotte, if you have problems PM me, I'm 30 minutes away and have 6-8 trucks in Charlotte daily...

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have Vonage and the phone we have hooks into the wireless router. Well, no. The phone hooks into a Vonage adapter and that adapter hooks into the wireless router.

So, we have one phone right next to the desktop. And then we have one of those wireless handset sets stevew mentioned above. The other phone we have is in the kitchen. It's just plugged into the wall for power.

We don't use any of our phone jacks.

I know Vonage hasn't been great for a lot of folks, but since I upgraded my router a few weeks ago it's been great. Completely reliable. For the price, it's hard to beat.

[DanGarion]

Dan,

Would the digital phone modem also serve as my internet modem. By the way, it would be through Time Warner.

My biggest potential logistical issue is that there is the cable jack is on the opposite side of the room from telephone jack in the kitchen where I would like to put the base phone. If I can use the same modem, it would make sense to use the cable jack in my study because that is where I want to put the cable modem and wireless router.
Yes the MTA provides both the telephone and the internet service.

[CU Tiger]

I have Vonage and the phone we have hooks into the wireless router. Well, no. The phone hooks into a Vonage adapter and that adapter hooks into the wireless router.

So, we have one phone right next to the desktop. And then we have one of those wireless handset sets stevew mentioned above. The other phone we have is in the kitchen. It's just plugged into the wall for power.

We don't use any of our phone jacks.

I know Vonage hasn't been great for a lot of folks, but since I upgraded my router a few weeks ago it's been great. Completely reliable. For the price, it's hard to beat.


I have vonage as well, I love it.
It can be set up to use your phone jacks if wanted, as long as you dont go the el cheapo route and get the Vonage router that comes with its own phones and plug in ports. BTW these phones bring teh suck. The voice qualiy rivals an OJ can and a string.

Anyone else who has Vonage and thinks the voice quality could be better, call technoical support (be ready for a 1 hour plus wait, YAY for speakerphones) and ask them to change these setting:
Voice Quality: HIGH
Packet Size: 10

These 2 changes will change your entire Vonage experience, as well as eliminate any problems with Alarm Systems if you have those.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I have vonage as well, I love it.
It can be set up to use your phone jacks if wanted, as long as you dont go the el cheapo route and get the Vonage router that comes with its own phones and plug in ports. BTW these phones bring teh suck. The voice qualiy rivals an OJ can and a string.

Anyone else who has Vonage and thinks the voice quality could be better, call technoical support (be ready for a 1 hour plus wait, YAY for speakerphones) and ask them to change these setting:
Voice Quality: HIGH
Packet Size: 10

These 2 changes will change your entire Vonage experience, as well as eliminate any problems with Alarm Systems if you have those.

Thanks for the suggestions, CU.

What's up with those settings? Is that some sort of Vonage setting that can only be handled from the front office or something?

[CU Tiger]

I'm not sure why you cant access those through online, but you cant.
They will reprogram then have you power down and back up.
If you have thee option try not to call from the phone in question as if some genius types 100 into packet size your phone wont work. (Ask me how I know?)then you get another hour of hold.

Before I ever went out on my own, I worked for the 2nd largest national home integration company when Vonage first debuted. I was one of a 5 man internal think group that worked hand in hand with Vonage to integrate the two. The main driver was the ability for alarm panels to be able to communicate over Vonage to remove 1 barrier for customers of both companies.

Later through testing I realized the sound quality difference it made.