Cheap VOIP NBN router for my grandad - help please!

Hi everyone,

I need to help my 90 year old grandad set up his new NBN and he has been advised to get a router with VOIP as that is how his phone will work. I'm going to be honest, I am not very tech savvy when it comes to things like modems. Doing even preliminary research has made my head spin. One of the main things that has bugged me is that VOIP isn't standard and that VOIP modems (when they actually list it as a feature) seem to be really expensive. We were hoping to get >$150ish but I'm not having much luck on sites such as The Good Guys or JB.

I found this one on MWave, but I'm going to be honest, I don't trust myself to pick one that will work. :'(

https://www.mwave.com.au/product/netcomm-nf10wv-vdsl2adsl2-w…

He will be using AussieBB and need a modem that will have VOIP for his phone and internet for emails and football scores, so no need for something heavy duty that can handle long range or streaming.

Any suggestions? I am desperate to help him and am in Vic, so can't take him out to the shops (or go myself) to get some advice.

EDIT: Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. We will probably go with the AussieBB option. I wasn't involved in the set up at all and had been advised by a relative that the AussieBB router offered was going to be over $200 and to find something cheaper. I don't think they realized that's how much modems cost. We need one quickly so will probably organize click and collect for the same modem type if I can. :/

Comments

  • +1

    You may want to go with AussieBB's router which is Netcomm NF18ACV. They'll be able to provide support as well. From memory it's $149 delivered. You'll just need to call up AussieBB when it arrives and set up VOIP.

    • Oh wow, I hadn't looked on the AussieBB site. The info pack we were sent included info on buying a router for $189 plus $25 postage which was more than my Grandad has to spend. If we couldn't find a cheaper one I was going to bite the bullet and go with it.

      I will now contact Aussie BB and see if this one is suitable.

      • ausiee bb also has senior plans

  • What NBN does he have? That dictates what kind of modem/setup you need.

  • +3

    Netcomm NF18MESH $149 + $15 delivery @ Aussie BB. This router comes setup and all you have to do is plug it in.

    TP-Link Archer VR600V $175 delivered @ Catch. This router requires configuration.

  • doesn't ABB have bundled routers? they're selling you the service they should have a solution for VOIP

    for the record if you have time + some computer skills you can unlock VOIP on this class of telstra devices:

    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9vxxl849
    https://hack-technicolor.readthedocs.io/en/stable/

    they can be had very cheap ~$30

  • +1

    Just get the one Aussie BB supply.
    It will come set up literally plug and play and the cost is about the same as anyone else will charge.

  • +1

    Westnet have a seniors plan for $40 including voip phone and modem that supports the phone.

    50gb a month and free local and national calls

    https://www.westnet.com.au/internet-product/broadband/nbn/pl…

    Sign up for 24 months and modem is free.

    Go over 50gb data and it gets speed limited

  • +1

    You want cheap then look for these models second hand on Gumtree and eBay. Pay no more than $50.

    Telstra Gateway Max (Technicolor tg799vac)
    Telstra Gateway Max 2 (Technicolor tg800vac)
    Telstra Frontier Gateway (Technicolor DJN2130)
    Telstra Smart Modem Gen 1 (Technicolor DJA0230)
    Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2 (Technicolor DJA0231)

    Hack it to open up VoIP configuration page.

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