Telstra Easy Control™ 102 Twin Cordless $20 Delivered
One touch Do Not Disturb button
Allows blocking of up to 50 * numbers
50 contacts memory
Speakerphone
Call transfer
Intercom between handsets
5 standard and 10 polyphonic ring tones
Up to 12 hours talking or up to 120 hours stand by
Caller identification *
Backlit keyboard and display
10 number redial
*require Calling Number Display t
Are these NBN compatible?
Is the NBN even compatible with itself?
Is nbn still even nbn?
Is the nbn even still switched on?
@WhyAmICommenting: Funny you should ask…
Our service has been out
since Last Saturday!!!
I used to praise my RSP:
But they've been way Off
in estimating delivery-
schedules, from the start
of this Outage.
They think the problem
may be due to rain-
caused flooding, but
they're waiting for NBN
for the cause(s).
Unresponsive to our re-
quests for updates.
Promised a new modem,
buy it seems their
[Ingram Micro?] deal
has No Express shipping
options!
Ordered Monday, expected
29th May ..
PS Which Freq bands are
these phones (in the deal)?
Aren't all phones?
I had an old cordless phone which didn’t work when plugged into NBN.
IF it works, I would these phones.
is incoming call working ?
What are you plugging it into?
@Commenter: That's just an ATA so will work with any phone.
You can't use the modem with another ISP. You need to be with Telstra or the phone ports won't work.
Are these NBN compatible?
There seems to be a bit of confusion about phones and NBN, a few commenters have asked, so I'll try to clear it up.
The NBN does support phones of this sort, but whether you can plug the phone in depends on a few things.
If you have FTTP, your FTTP connection box has two sockets just for phones like this.
If your NBN is through something other than FTTP (FTTB, FTTC, FTTN, HFC, wireless, satellite), then your NBN connection box probably doesn't have a socket for these phones. Check your router and NBN connection box, one may have a phone socket. If the don't, you can only use a phone like this if you purchase a VOIP ATA (e.g. the Cisco SPA112), which is a box that connects to your router via ethernet, and has a socket for a phones like this.
You can also buy WiFi access points that have a built-in VOIP ATA.
In some cases (FTTN) you may be able to buy a new modem that has a VOIP ATA built in. If you want to do this, ring and check with your NBN provider first, you'll need their help to get the modem connected to the NBN, and few NBN providers are willing to provide this level of support. Most prefer to give you their locked-down modem, and only some provide modems with phone sockets.
In all cases, you'll also need to get a phone plan with a provider. This can be with your existing NBN provider, or it can be with a different company like MyNetFone. Most NBN providers offer a basic PAYG plan for $10/month on top of your existing NBN plan, plus any call costs. MyNetFone offers plans starting at $0/month plus calls, if you know of their somewhat-secret Whirlpool page: https://www.mynetfone.com.au/whirlpool/VoIP/Plans
EXCELLENT ARTICLE! :~)
Why can't Telco's give us
"The Whole Story" as clearly?!?
Now, when NBN prices
went up, MyRepublic's
$60 unlimited 100 Mb/Sec
was replaced - by us -
w/ their ~$70 NBN50 subscr'n
…into which they'd bundled
unlimited outgoing calls.
We didn't need that "feature"
(which used to be an option),
as we had some No Monthly Fee
Whirlpool services…
Now, our 1st MyRepub. modem -
"Technicolour" came with 2
phone RJ-11 phone ports,
as well as assurances - from
Sales 'droids - that we could
use 1 of the ports for our
own VoIP. Wrong!
In a phone chat w/MyRep. on
our (lengthy + continuing)
Outage (see our post, else-
where), Support tech. told us
that modem provided only 1
VoIP service, as it would've
cost 'em more if they ordered
the ver w/ 2 -working- VoIP
jack's(!).
Our NBN50 service replacement
modem (no longer Technicolor)
has but 1 phone port, yet to
be tested by us.
Thanks, I strive to be as clear as possible when I explain things.
I would have written a longer article explaining in more detail, but I wanted to avoid the TL;DR effect.
Reading my previous comment again, I should have added that MyNetFone can't give you a plan if you're on FTTP and you want to use the port on your NBN connection box, NBN make it too expensive for them to do that. But you can still use a VOIP ATA if you are on FTTP, and MyNetFone are fine with that.
I should also have added that the MyNetFone $0 plan doesn't come with a conventional phone number by default, so you can only make calls, people with ordinary phones can't call you in the standard way. But they can still call you, by calling a "shared access number", waiting for the short message, and then dialling your MNF number (eight-digit number starting with 09). https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/MyNetFon…
To have a conventional phone number, so people can call you easily, you have to pay $5 per year. This is only for their $0/month plan, all their other plans include a conventional phone number.
@Russ: Glad I stayed with MyNetFone as the NBN is so bad cant even use up the $10 pm plan with ISP (5 dropouts per day is within NBN limits, what a joke). Had to move to Mobile for calls, I'm sure 5G will move many over for data as well.
Upvoted!! Cheers mate. I got NBN installed this week, and googled all week on how to solve my own problem (having my modem connected to upstairs socket and that my main phone line was connected to the telephone socket downstairs + I've already done ethernet wiring around my upstairs which didn't want to redo). Who knew i would get my answer from an OzB comment :D.
There are other ways you can use VOIP too - you can use an old mobile phone, and connect to the VOIP provider through you home's WiFi. For details, see my previous comment: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/376248#comment-5912322
If the don't, you can only use a phone like this if you purchase a VOIP ATA (e.g. the Cisco SPA112), which is a box that connects to your router via ethernet, and has a socket for a phones like this.
Your advice is good but I would recommend buying IP phones instead. As long as you don't mind spending a bit more money.
For example Gigaset phones, like these
https://www.ryda.com.au/gigaset-c530ip-cordless-handset-twin…
They plug directly into your router and are configured directly to work with your VoIP provider.
I would recommend buying IP phones instead.
Old mobile phones will do almost the same job, and are essentially free. See my link above: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/7313638/redir
Even buying two new mobile phones at Coles or Woolies is cheaper than the Gigaset phones. Only disadvantages I can see are:
- transferring an incoming call from one handset to another is difficult
- the batteries in the mobile phones will eventually die, and may be more difficult to replace.
Do the Gigaset phones take standard AA or AAA NiMh batteries? If they do, that is an advantage to them.
I don't think I've previously described how to use multiple mobile phones this way, here's how you do it with MyNetfone:
- for each mobile phone, you will need a separate "BYO Device" one-line VOIP account with MyNetFone
- purchase one extra "BYO Device" one-line account. This is the one you will use for receiving calls. You will need to get a DID (real phone number) on this account, with it's $5/year charge.
- set the extra account's "Follow Me" feature to "simultaneous" ring all the other VOIP accounts, when a call comes in. Whichever phone answers the call first, gets the call.
Old mobile phones will do almost the same job, and are essentially free. See my link above:
But you can run into issues with connectivity, port forwarding and incoming calls.
At least with a Gigaset (or ATA) you can port forward 5060 to the correct device.
Do the Gigaset phones take standard AA or AAA NiMh batteries?
Yes they are
I don't think I've previously described how to use multiple mobile phones this way, here's how you do it with MyNetfone:
That way works, it's a bit of a hack work around.
Other providers such as SipTalk allow you to set up extensions and link those extensions under the one DID. More like a PBX.
But you can run into issues with connectivity, port forwarding and incoming calls.
With MyNetFone, you can set a different port for each account. I currently have three ATAs, set to 5060, 5061 and 5062. No port forwarding was needed.
I currently have three ATAs, set to 5060, 5061 and 5062.
Sounds like a Gigaset would be the better option.
No port forwarding was needed.
You might want to enable it for reliability…
@spaceflight: I've had it this way since 2009 when I purchased my third ATA, and have had no reliability problems. I'd prefer not to add settings to my modem because I regularly have ADSL2 problems, and the first thing the ISP does is remotely reset my modem, wiping any settings.
I regularly make calls between the units, and receive calls from non-VOIP sources. Perhaps the good reliability is because all my ATAs have STUN configured?
But are 10x the price. I have looked but haven't been able to justify it. ATA has been fine for last decade.
Thank you, I need to scroll 2 pages to see proper answer.
Thanks Op and @Russ, I've got a 4g router DWR-922 with VOIP capability and always wanted to give VOIP a try. That mynetfone Whirlpool deal will go nicely with this handset deal. Hopefully not too complicated to set up…
lol
"Intercom between handsets"
The only saving grace
Send one to family intestate and you get free calls to them
If they've died without a will you have bigger problems than calling them for free
Where's the winky face?
needed a new set
From the manual, does this mean this phone model can support up to 3 handset? Maybe should order another set.
Technical Information
How many telephones can I have?
All items of telephone equipment have a Ringer Equivalence Number (REN), which is used to calculate the number of items which may be connected to any one telephone line. Your Telstra Easy Control 102 has a REN of 0,2. A total REN of 3 is allowed. If the total REN of 3 is exceeded, the telephones may not ring. With different telephone types, there is no guarantee of ringing, even when the REN is less than 3.
That's not it. REN is how many phones you can connect to a landline, before they have trouble and some or all of them won't ring when someone calls.
The two-page manual doesn't give any information about whether extra handsets can be connected to one base. Quite possibly these phones are "locked down" and you won't be able to access features like that.
If you just want to answer phone calls, then yes, you can plug more than one unit into the phone line, if you have a phone socket double-adaptor, or if you have several extension sockets in your house. But it will be just like having two wired phones: two people could simultaneously pick up the phone and try to make a call at the same instant. Multiple-handset cordless phones usually prevent you from doing this, but only if all the handsets are talking to a single base.
Thanks.
So if I get 4 of these, and plug the base to the socket, the rest of 3 should be connected to the base right ?
No. All modern cordless phones are digital and encrypted, so each handset will usually only connect to the base it was bought with. The handsets in some DECT cordless phones can be configured to connect to a different base, but not all DECT phones can do this, and it's not known if the phones in this deal are even DECT compatible. They may use a similar but incompatible digital system.
If cordless phones did what you suggest, then your neighbour could buy a phone from the same sale, and use it to make calls through your base - and you'd get the bill for their calls.
@Russ: No. In old time if you put new handset on base station it will recognise it as one of the group.
@Enjj0y: Hence why I said "All modern cordless phones".
I've never seen that, and I've helped probably 20 people set up VOIP systems through DECT handsets. Mostly Panasonic and Uniden cordless phones.
What brand of phone had that feature?
All modern cordless phones are digital and encrypted, so each handset will usually only connect to the base it was bought with.
Every cordless phone I have owned allows you to add phones to the base station.
DECT is designed to allow you to do this.
Mostly Panasonic and Uniden cordless phones.
Here's how to do it on a Panasonic phone
https://youtube.com/watch?v=W3lu5JsYJvU
Here's how to do it on a Uniden phone
https://youtube.com/watch?v=TiS29F011xg
DECT is designed to allow you to do this.
I know that, and even mentioned it above: "The handsets in some DECT cordless phones can be configured to connect to a different base, but not all DECT phones can do this, and it's not known if the phones in this deal are even DECT compatible."
Some DECT cordless phones are even GAP-compliant, which means you can connect handsets and bases of different brands, but usually in a somewhat crippled way. You can make and receive calls, but features like accessing recorded messages through the handset won't work.
However, not all DECT phones can connect to extra handsets. I have a Uniden DECT phone with three handsets, and the base supports a maximum of three handsets. So extra handsets can't be added.
I once bought a Telstra cordless phone, and found it to be fully locked-down and non-configurable. It wasn't even DECT. I gave it away.
@Russ: I have set myself and family up with Doro phones that allow you to configure up to 6 phones on the one base. There is a fiddly pairing procedure but it works. These phones have not been available for some time in Australia. Doro decided the Australian market wasn't worth the hassle, so they're not even supported here anymore.
They were excellent value and use to go on sale from time to time. They were sold by Myer or David Jones (can't remember which) about 10 years ago. Yep they're that old but they are DECT, have a nice loud ring, nice loud speaker, (which is very important as I have family that is hard of hearing) and you could have 6 of them connected to cover a double story house at a reasonable price.
There is a setting I needed to configure pre-NBN when Telstra made a change at one point. It's called 'flash time" and had to be set to "short'. Without that I wasn't able to answer call waiting. I was connected to NBN a couple of weeks ago and the handsets work fine connected via Telstra Gen 2 smart modem. I don't see a reason to change these till they die or NBN changes such that they're no longer compatible In fact I have a set spare.
No, Russ explained REN.
REN is how many phones you can plug into your land line before things do not work properly.
What I think you want to do is buy 2 packs and have all handsets connect to one base station, with one base station not plugged in.
I don't know if you can do that with these phones.
But there is nothing stopping you from plugging in both base stations.
You won't be able to make intercom calls been both base stations and call history and contacts will not go between both base stations however you will get calls coming to all phones.
@spaceflight: Thanks spaceflight and Russ for the explanation. Decided to order 2 sets and try. Another $20 is not too much. Also thanks OP for the deal.
landlines? cute
Businesses still use landlines.
Lots of them are VoIP or use mobile networks to make calls.
Make calls, maybe. But to receive calls, every business I know of with more than one room uses wired phones, so they can easily transfer calls. Only a small number of them even know what VOIP is, and fewer use it.
Landlines are still very common in small to medium business.
@Russ: Those wired phones are connected to a PBX (if they weren't they couldn't transfer the calls…) which is then likey connected to a VoIP provider or has sim cards (or both).
The PBX might have ISDN or PSTN connectivity however that's getting rare, especially with the NBN rollout and disconnection of the old connections.
Those wired phones are connected to a PBX (if they weren't they couldn't transfer the calls…)
A PBX-connected phone still meets the definition of being a "landline" phone, does it not?
And you really only need a PBX if you have more than two incoming phone lines. Many small businesses have only one line, with many phones connected to it. Only the receptionist's phone is set to ring, and the receptionist "transfers" the call via a public address system, "Russ, phone call for you".
A PBX-connected phone still meets the definition of being a "landline" phone, does it not?
A landline phone is a PSTN connected phone that's connected to copper wires, switches, and branch exchanges.
A modern PBX doesn't connect to any of that.
People still use landlines too. I have one so people can ring me and know that they're not disturbing me at work. If I had only a mobile, people wouldn't know whether I was at work or at home when they ring me. If they ring the landline, they know they're not disturbing me at work, because the landline is at home.
Also, (VOIP) landlines can be very cheap if you get them through the right VOIP provider, so the cost is negligible. The handset in this deal can be used with a VOIP ATA (Analog Telephone Adaptor) if you prefer VOIP.
Thanks op good deal
Greentea? Edgy
Give it 20 years and it'll probably quadruple in value and be one of those broden'd scalper items on eBay of the future.
Cheaper than used and free shipping. Purchased. Thanks, OP.
What are these? Or is it like mobile phones?
It may be a stupid question but is it locked to Telstra?
No they aren't. You can't lock a landline phone.
Never knew that existed!
you could also get locks that locked into one of the finger holes, but I've never seen one with a lock built in.
20 years ago that would have been a stupid question
Can these be use with wii
They can be used while you wii
Is this NBN connected one
Ordered one for me to use with NBN…
Does this thing has nasty radiation that surpassed even your mobile phones?
or just a myth
The "nasty radiation" is the myth.
Rates of cancer are well-studied, and we have good records of the prevalence of all cancer types going back decades. If cordless phones or mobile phones caused harm, there would be an increase in cancers when they are introduced into a country. No such increase has happened.
I've had a look at some of the studies that purported to cause cancer, and they were dodgy. Instead of using mobile phone frequencies, they used 2.4GHz - the frequency of microwave ovens, and they used it at a much higher power than a phone could provide, and they had the microwaves on all the time. So unsurprisingly, when you are slow-cooking lab rats, it stresses them a lot and some develop cancer.
It's like saying "catching tennis balls is deadly", and then proving it by firing them out of cannons.
i thought these dect uses 2.4ghz / 5.8ghz and emitting 24/7 to connect both handsets
DECT phones use 1.8GHz.
However, there are many "DECT-like" phones (e.g. XDECT) that use 2.4GHz, and of course the vast majority of WiFi devices.
AFAICT, the scientific concensus is that these devices are harmless if they don't measurably raise the temperature of any part of your body. That wasn't true in the dodgy studies I mentioned above.
Do cordless phones radiate continuously? Well, possibly some bases do. It wouldn't make sense for the handsets to do this, their battery would go flat much faster. Handsets radiate only when a call is in progress. And their output power is less than a mobile phone, as they don't have to communicate with a base station up to 70km away.
Don't use landline anymore but can these be used solely for intercom purpose? as it is routine to shout kids for everything.
Bring me a deal on some patience as well that I would need to call them on an intercom rather than shouting
Thanks ordered.
Band 28 ??
AAA batteries. Can use my Eneloops.
thanks OP purchased to use with NBN
Cheers OP, got a set for my dad.
Cheers OP. Grabbed one. Cant complain for the price.
Will this phone work as i have absolutely no idea, i have nbn with tpg
I don't get it are the batteries rechargeable through the dock or are needing to be changed out?
Never seen AAA batteries that charge through a phone.
Cordless landlines taking rechargeable AAAs (and charging them when you put the phone on the cradle) is very, very common.
Oh mine must just be real old then it has one of those battery packs with cable
They all seem to either take a proprietary battery pack or ordinary rechargeable AAAs. If/when the battery dies replacing the packs is an expensive pain in the backside, while you can buy NiMH AAA batteries anywhere.
@lbft: Agreed.
I have a cordless phone that uses a battery pack which was obviously made of two AA batteries, and the battery died. I cut it open, and indeed they were low-capacity NiMh AA batteries.
I had a look around, and was lucky to find a two-AAA battery holder that was the same size as the battery pack. So I cut the lead and plug off the old battery pack, soldered it to the 2xAAA holder, installed AAA eneloops, covered the lot in a layer of insulation, and tried it. It worked, and is still working now, about five years later. And my home-made battery pack has higher capacity than the original 600mAh pack, despite having physically-smaller batteries.
@lbft: The user manual shows 2 separated AAA batteries in the picture. so I don’t think it is a proprietary battery pack,
Can this one be used as a walkie talkie inside the house?
Yes you can you just have to shout very very loudly
oh, i used to see people use these on movies when i was younger.
Great price
I tried to purchase and it appears that they're out of stock
Yep… Gorne!!!
I have an old Telstra cordless - can't hear or dial on Exetel FTTC NBN, but it worked on ADSL. VOIP is active on Exetel. Would this phone work?
Should work. You need to check that the modem has a RJ11 VOIP phone socket. If it does make sure the phone is connected to that socket and the modem is configured correctly for your NBN phone service. If not as explained earlier you will need to buy a separate VOIP adapter that plugs into an ethernet port on the modem and configure to connect the phone service.
Use a process of elimination to find where the problem is.
Take your cordless phone to a friend's house, who has a wired phone. Unplug their phone, and try yours.
Borrow a working phone from a friend, and plug it into the socket on your modem. See if that works.
Note that some routers have a "phone" port, that is meant for connection to a landline, as the router can be an ADSL modem as well. That port won't work with connection to a phone.
For anyone needing an ATA adaptor and doesn't want to spend $60. Search Ebay for "PAP2T Adapter" they sell for around $26-$30
I'm using this with my aussiebb fttc connection and it works fine. Will need to configure though, it is pretty straightforward.
I think the item is back in stock. I can add it to my cart again.