VoIP Handsets without a Base Station?

Lakunno on 08/07/2022 - 12:06
Last edited 08/07/2022 - 12:15

Hi folks

We are in a rural area with poor mobile phone reception. As a result I tend to make and receive most of our phone calls on the NBN VOIP service using Panasonic handsets.

These handsets have a base station that plugs into the RJ12 socket on the NBN modem.

However, we’re looking to move the NBN modem to our basement which has very little signal penetration - hence the base station can’t connect via DECT to the three other handsets. I’d like to avoid running a separate telephone wire if possible.

I’ve also looked for base station DECT signal repeaters but the particular one we need for the Panasonic handsets don’t seem to sold anywhere i.e., are permanently out of stock.

Anyone faces similar issues, and if so - how did you go about it? Short of running an additional phone cable - is there a way to maintain three to four handsets that allow us to make and receive phone calls by utilising the wifi network coverage?

Also not looking to buy $150 per handset solutions! This is ozBargain after all :)

Internet Home Phone VoIP Phone

Comments

  • Switchblade88 on 08/07/2022 - 12:29
    +2

    Assuming your wifi router is already upstairs for signal, why not just get a router with inbuilt VoIP ports? Then you can have the DECT base upstairs next to the router, that is then cabled to the NBN box downstairs.

    Running cables is almost always the best option for most signal issues so don't rule it out

    • akunno on 08/07/2022 - 12:47

      Ah boom. That’s a great idea thanks switchblade.
      I reckon I might have one lying around already.

      Hadn’t thought of it prior as I thought it had to be on the modem itself. Legend!

  • jv on 08/07/2022 - 12:32
    +1

    Use an app on your mobile to login to your VOIP account.

    That way you can receive and make calls, even when you are not home.

    • akunno on 08/07/2022 - 12:48

      Thanks JV. I did use one for a while but the kids tend to use the phone to talk to their friends and I wasn’t game enough to get them mobiles yet.

  • jv on 08/07/2022 - 12:36

    However, we’re looking to move the NBN modem to our basement which has very little signal penetration - hence the base station can’t connect via DECT to the three other handsets. I’d like to avoid running a separate telephone wire if possible.

    You can move you NBN connection to the basement, but still connect the DECT base to any other part of the house that has internet available.

    If you have a mesh node, some brands have ethernet ports.

    • Colin2905 on 08/07/2022 - 15:31

      If I've understood the OP's description correctly, the DECT base needs to be cabled back to the RJ12 phone socket on the NBN box. It's a 2-wire analogue telephone interface.

      The OP has referred to them as "VOIP Handsets", but my reading of it is that they're just plain, old non-VOIP DECT handsets.

      • jv on 08/07/2022 - 17:49
        +1

        the DECT base needs to be cabled back to the RJ12 phone socket on the NBN box.

        NBN boxes do not act as ATAs.

        The DECT base needs to be plugged into an ATA which can sit anywhere in your house where it can access your internet.

        • Colin2905 on 09/07/2022 - 07:57

          And yet the OP says, "These handsets have a base station that plugs into the RJ12 socket on the NBN modem."

          • jv on 09/07/2022 - 09:03

            @Colin2905: Maybe it’s Ethernet? Or maybe it’s not an nbn supplied modem?

            • Colin2905 on 09/07/2022 - 11:18

              @jv: Then I would've expected an RJ45 connection, not RJ12. Perhaps the OP can elaborate???

              • jv on 09/07/2022 - 17:53

                @Colin2905:

                an RJ45 connection, not RJ12.

                The look very similar to many people…

                • akunno on 09/07/2022 - 21:16

                  @jv: It’s marked telephone (out).

                  Netcomm NF18ACV. We’re on FTTN unfortunately.

                  • jv on 09/07/2022 - 22:55

                    @akunno: Can you just get an rj12 extension from the modem to upstairs to connect your base station?

                    • akunno on 09/07/2022 - 23:26

                      @jv: Could do, but I was trying to avoid running more wires. The ethernet suggestion will work fine I believe.

                      • Colin2905 on 10/07/2022 - 07:44

                        @akunno: Contrary to what jv said earlier, your NBN box (modem in this case) is acting as an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter), so to connect your existing Panasonic DECT system via Ethernet you'll need to purchase and throw an external ATA into the mix. You'll also need to configure it, and remove those details from the NF18ACV (or disable that functionality). Are you using an NBN ISP that will give you the required SIP credentials?

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