[GordonV]

How happy are you guys with the PhoneGnome? Overall quality of the hardware, their service, sound etc. Their outige, is this structural or just teething problems?

Even that the PhoneGnome will work out of the box, I will have to configure it with some outgoing VOIP providers. I would like to configure my and my family member's PhoneGnome's here at home and then ship them out to them so they only have to hook them up.
Is this possible (should be if they have non-volatile memory), or do they loose everything?
Same question, If I have a power interruption here at home, does the PhoneGnome loose everything and needs to be totally reconfigured? Or will it work correctly after the power comes back on again?

As we all live on different continents, is it possible to remotely configure and maintain these units (by me) as long as they are phisically connected to a life modem? They will probably be behind a firewalled modem/router.

They will be used in countries with different voltage, please confirm the adapter is autoswitching 100-240V AC 50/60HZ and I just need a different clip (pins) that I can slide on or maybe just a simple pin adaptor.

Does it make any difference where I buy the units (beside the provided clip), the USA, Europe or the far East.

The PSTN line will be connected to the FXO port. For callerID on the regular PSTN line in Europe both the FSK(Frequency Shit Keying) and the DTMF(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) systems are used. Does the PhoneGnome support both? The units will be used in the US, Europe and Brazil, what about the systems used in Brazil and the US? Does it depend on where I buy the unit?

De VOIP provider for my (outgoing) calls that I want to use is VoiPBuster (VOIP-PSTN termination), they do however block incoming SIP calls . Please confirm that this is no problem and that I will receive SIP calls from other PhoneGnome users and SIP calls coming in through any other VOIP provider.

Me and my family members will all have a PhoneGnome installed so we should be able to call each other for free. With VoipBuster we get 300 free minutes per week. The countries where we live are all on the list we can call with VoipBuster. Is the PhoneGnome smart enough when we call each other (or any registered PhoneGnome user with only a regular phone) that it will put the call through for free so it is not deducted from our 300 minutes as we need these to call regular PSTN numbers.

Does it have a least cost feature?
Is it clear to the caller which service he is using to prevent very unpleasant surprises when the phonebill arrives?

How many outgoing Voip providers?
The PSTN provider gives me only a regular phone number, needs to be registered on the unit?

And of course I want to be able, for each call that I am making, to decide what I am going to use: PSTN or one of the (outgoing) VIOP providers, either from the phonebook of my phone (programmed to use PSTN or a specific VOIP provider and this should be single step dialing) or manually dialed (can be 2 step). Possible? Configuration is allowed to be a PIA, but for the end user it should be very simple to use.

What is the REN number as I want to connect more than 1 phone.

The unit has no LAN port or router, that means that my computers internet traffic will not go through the unit, thus no QoS. What happens when there is "heavy" up/downloading going on. I do not have a "broad" ADSL connection, only RE-ADSL (max 512 kilobits/s down, 128 up)

[mpp]

Originally Posted by GordonV

https://squib.voxilla.com/adlog.php?...31f9caddcc1676

How happy are you guys with the PhoneGnome? Overall quality of the hardware, their service, sound etc. Their outige, is this structural or just teething problems?

It has been a couple of weeks since I flashed my SPA3000 with PhoneGnome firmware via internet. I can tell you it works. 6 months and one SPA3000 later and I could not get the SPA3000 working consistently enough to consider it to be a viable solution. This result even with flashing my WRT54G router with DD-WRT for VoIP special firmware.

I think the outage on their web site is due to growing pains.

Even that the PhoneGnome will work out of the box, I will have to configure it with some outgoing VOIP providers. I would like to configure my and my family member's PhoneGnome's here at home and then ship them out to them so they only have to hook them up.
Is this possible (should be if they have non-volatile memory), or do they loose everything?
Same question, If I have a power interruption here at home, does the PhoneGnome loose everything and needs to be totally reconfigured? Or will it work correctly after the power comes back on again?

It is my understanding that when you initially configure the PG it marry's the POTS line number. You might want to send them out then sign onto to their userid on the web and configure your providers.

No ... once the PG firmware is in place and the initial configuration is complete you will never have to worry about the configuration issue again.

As we all live on different continents, is it possible to remotely configure and maintain these units (by me) as long as they are phisically connected to a life modem? They will probably be behind a firewalled modem/router.

Once again I cannot see why you could not access their account on the web once they are initially configured with the POTS line.

They will be used in countries with different voltage, please confirm the adapter is autoswitching 100-240V AC 50/60HZ and I just need a different clip (pins) that I can slide on or maybe just a simple pin adaptor.

I'm not sure about that one.

Does it make any difference where I buy the units (beside the provided clip), the USA, Europe or the far East.

I cannot answer that one either.

The PSTN line will be connected to the FXO port. For callerID on the regular PSTN line in Europe both the FSK(Frequency Shit Keying) and the DTMF(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) systems are used. Does the PhoneGnome support both? The units will be used in the US, Europe and Brazil, what about the systems used in Brazil and the US? Does it depend on where I buy the unit?

Good question. Maybe PhoneGnome rep could handle that one.

De VOIP provider for my (outgoing) calls that I want to use is VoiPBuster (VOIP-PSTN termination), they do however block incoming SIP calls . Please confirm that this is no problem and that I will receive SIP calls from other PhoneGnome users and SIP calls coming in through any other VOIP provider.

Theoretically yes ... although I have not personally tested this.

Me and my family members will all have a PhoneGnome installed so we should be able to call each other for free. With VoipBuster we get 300 free minutes per week. The countries where we live are all on the list we can call with VoipBuster. Is the PhoneGnome smart enough when we call each other (or any registered PhoneGnome user with only a regular phone) that it will put the call through for free so it is not deducted from our 300 minutes as we need these to call regular PSTN numbers.

I think it would override any other dial plan you have however maybe PhoneGnome can verify this.

Does it have a least cost feature?
Is it clear to the caller which service he is using to prevent very unpleasant surprises when the phonebill arrives?

There is an overrides feature that allows you to select the ITSP you wish for the number(s) you want to dial.

How many outgoing Voip providers?
The PSTN provider gives me only a regular phone number, needs to be registered on the unit?

You can set up 3 providers to be active at any one time but can enter as many as you like. Upon initial configuration the PG attatches itself to your POTS phone number.

And of course I want to be able, for each call that I am making, to decide what I am going to use: PSTN or one of the (outgoing) VIOP providers, either from the phonebook of my phone (programmed to use PSTN or a specific VOIP provider and this should be single step dialing) or manually dialed (can be 2 step). Possible? Configuration is allowed to be a PIA, but for the end user it should be very simple to use.

you can set up 3 default providers for local, national and international. Then you have an overrides option to select based on number pattern. You also have the option of dialing straight out bi passing the PG.

What is the REN number as I want to connect more than 1 phone.

Not sure what you are asking here. The PG attaches itself to one POTS line.

The unit has no LAN port or router, that means that my computers internet traffic will not go through the unit, thus no QoS. What happens when there is "heavy" up/downloading going on. I do not have a "broad" ADSL connection, only RE-ADSL (max 512 kilobits/s down, 128 up)

You do not want to be involved in heavy downloading or uploading as long as you want a quality connection with the PG in my experience. I hope this helped.

[GordonV]

Mpp Thanks for the reply.
I have seen that the amount of traffic on the PhoneGnome forum is very small, definitely compared to the Linksys SPA3102. One reason of course is that it is so much simpler to configure and use.... good. The other reasons are not so good.... a shame. I have e-mailed Televolution (the makers of PG) almost 2 weeks ago and still no answer.
So, member PhoneGnome on this forum, could you answer as I guess that you are a PhoneGnome company man and should be very knowledgeable.

In addition to my first post I have a few more questions:

Are they for sale in Europe and the far east as I can only find them in the US?

Can I call in to my PG with my cellphone and then route it as a VOIP call (either VOIP-VOIP all the way, or VOIP with PSTN termination)?

My house has several PSTN phone jacks. Does it matter on which PSTN phone jack I connect the PG, or should it be on the 1st?
Any issues with alarm system which is the 1st now?
Issues with answer machines that are on a separate phone jack?

It does not have an extra LAN port nor router, thus my computers will not be connected through the PhoneGnome, thus no QoS. What is the sound quality when there is internet traffic? I have only Re-ADSL available, max 512 kilobits/s down, 128 up. Any solutions if the quality is marginal?

Do you plan on offering a new model with an extra LAN port and built in router (based on the SPA3102?). Not only to solve above problem, but also because some of us have only 1 LAN port available to connect to and we still need our computer connected. This way we don't have to install an extra switch.

As I understand it the PG hardware is a locked SPA 3000, with some very nifty software behind it to make it work the way it does. Excellent, ideal for the not so technically inclined or the lazy ones. In case Televolution ceases to exist, can the PG be unlocked and reverted back to a SPA 3000?


Do you plan on offering a flash utility (like you have for the SPA 3000) to flash the Linksys SPA3102 to operate as a PhoneGnome?

I think that 's enough for know.

[DracoFelis]

Originally Posted by GordonV

As we all live on different continents, is it possible to remotely configure and maintain these units (by me) as long as they are phisically connected to a life modem? They will probably be behind a firewalled modem/router.

Since the PG is configured via the PG's web site (vs directly on the device), I would assume (although I don't have a PG to test this theory) that as long as you have your relative's PG (web) account (and password), you could do all the "remote configuring" you want.

Originally Posted by GordonV

They will be used in countries with different voltage, please confirm the adapter is autoswitching 100-240V AC 50/60HZ and I just need a different clip (pins) that I can slide on or maybe just a simple pin adaptor.

A bigger issue IMHO is the country you are dealing with. Since PG is designed to link to an existing telco line, and each country seems to have differences in their telco lines, I would recommend calling PG first, to verify if their device will work in the country you plan to use it in.

Originally Posted by GordonV

De VOIP provider for my (outgoing) calls that I want to use is VoiPBuster (VOIP-PSTN termination), they do however block incoming SIP calls . Please confirm that this is no problem and that I will receive SIP calls from other PhoneGnome users and SIP calls coming in through any other VOIP provider.

It shouldn't be a problem, because you are actually using the PhoneGnome service itself as your 1st "provider" (no matter what additional services you choose to enter for outgoing calls). And last I checked, PG allows both inbound SIP calls (from other services) as well as allowing other services to use PhoneGnome's "ENUM root" to detect which PG boxes are "online".

In fact, (while I don't own a PG myself), I was part of the small team that was testing "SIP Broker" => "PhoneGnome" calling via ENUM. And after a few early glitches (on the SIP Broker end of things), we did eventually get it to work (and then rolled that code update out to the SIP Broker service for everyone to use). So (in theory at least) anyone using SIP Broker's ENUM lookup/redirect service, should automatically see any PhoneGnome "number" as a free VoIP to VoIP call (without even having to know ahead of time, that they were calling a PhoneGnome user)!!!

So unless something has changed, inbound VoIP calls to a PhoneGnome (from other VoIP users) are reasonable easy to do!

Originally Posted by GordonV

Me and my family members will all have a PhoneGnome installed so we should be able to call each other for free. With VoipBuster we get 300 free minutes per week. The countries where we live are all on the list we can call with VoipBuster. Is the PhoneGnome smart enough when we call each other (or any registered PhoneGnome user with only a regular phone) that it will put the call through for free so it is not deducted from our 300 minutes as we need these to call regular PSTN numbers.

One of the main attractions of PG IMHO, is that any number you call that represents either another PG user _OR_ a user in one of the other "ENUM roots" (my number is in the e164.org root, for example), will AUTOMATICALLY be detected as a "free call", and routed for free via the PG service itself (i.e. NOT using up any of your minutes in that case).

NOTE: If the remote PG is down when you call, than the call won't be free. But my understanding (again, I do not have a PG to test this), is that you will (in that case) get a voice message when you try to complete the call, warning you that you will (in that case) have to pay for the call. So if that happens, just "hang up" instead of completing the call. But as long as both adapters are up/working, the PG is supposed to detect you are calling another PG (or another user listed in a common ENUM root), and route the call "for free" over the internet (without you having to do anything different in dialing, and also without using up any of your other "provider minutes")!

Originally Posted by GordonV

Does it have a least cost feature?
Is it clear to the caller which service he is using to prevent very unpleasant surprises when the phonebill arrives?

I heard from a PG user I talked to once, that you get a voice message as to how the call was completed, right before things start "ringing". However, I don't have a PG to test this, that's just what I heard PG does.

Originally Posted by GordonV

And of course I want to be able, for each call that I am making, to decide what I am going to use: PSTN or one of the (outgoing) VIOP providers, either from the phonebook of my phone (programmed to use PSTN or a specific VOIP provider and this should be single step dialing) or manually dialed (can be 2 step). Possible?

I think PG allows you to do this via extra prefixes you dial (at the start of the call), when you want to force a call to use a specific call path (vs just using the default, which is let PG figure out what it thinks is best). However, I'm afraid I don't know the details (as I don't have a PG myself, to "play with").

Originally Posted by GordonV

What is the REN number as I want to connect more than 1 phone.

Since the PG is physically an SPA3000 with custom firmware, I would guess the REN is 3 (which is what it is on the SPA3000). But this is just a guess.

Originally Posted by GordonV

The unit has no LAN port or router, that means that my computers internet traffic will not go through the unit, thus no QoS. What happens when there is "heavy" up/downloading going on. I do not have a "broad" ADSL connection, only RE-ADSL (max 512 kilobits/s down, 128 up)

Just an educated guess. However, since the hardware is essentially the same as other VoIP equipment, I would expect you would get essentially the same level of sound issues.

And it's been my experience that if/when you are doing "heavy internet" (relative to your internet bandwidth) while using VoIP, that the voice starts to break up. Since the G711 CODEC uses 90k+ bandwidth, you are NOT likely to have much for anything else with only 128k up (and remember it will be the REMOTE end that will hear the breakup if you run out of "upload" bandwidth).

So if you want to use PG on a 128k up line (I'm doing my VoIP on a 256k upload DSL line), I would recommend you either: 1) Plan to stop doing other internet traffic while "on the phone", or 2) Invest in a router with decent QoS (for example, you can get some routers that are compatible with decent 3rd party firmware, such as the http://www.dd-wrt.com firmware I use for my QoS, for under $100 if you shop around carefully).

[GordonV]

Thank you DracoFelis, like your reply on an earlier post, very clear.

But it does not answer all the questions and the make or break question whether the PG Box (for the PSTN part) will work with the telco's outside of the States is still not answered. Also it would be nice to know if the supplied power adapter will work worldwide.

So again PhoneGnome can you please at least answer these 2 questions.
I have sent TelEvolution several e-mails, to sales and support, I have called them several times. No answer as of yet.....NOT GOOD.

I am starting to rethink my decision to buy the PhoneGnome Box (4 pieces). Do I really want to get involved with a company that doesn't want to talk to its potential customers? What does this mean for support?

Loosing me as a customers means nothing, but other potential customers hopefully read these forums. Do they want to loose them too?

The requested info is not only useful to me but also to other potential PG Box users.

I will send a personal message to PhoneGnome asking him to answer these questions, maybe he hasn't visited the forum for a while.

P.S.
PhoneGnome if you feel like it you can of course answer the other questions too.

[GordonV]

Isn't it amazing, I have written the above post at 08.38 PM, guess what...

At 08.39 PM I receive an e-mail from TelEvolution: answer to my 1st e-mail. Not exactly the same questions as in my posts, but good enough for me to try them out, even that they do not guaranty they will work correctly outside the States/Canada, but given their wording I give it a good chance they will.

The reason I prefer to use a forum to get my info is that other people can benefit from our questions and the answers and it might lead you in a different direction than initially thought, it did for me. A great way to get more knowledge.

Here is a copy of their mail.
PhoneGnome, you can still answer the other questions.

For Non-US in general:

Fully automatic self-provisioning is only implemented for the
US/Canda. PhoneGnome devices delivered outside the US/Canada
require a simple user-assisted setup process.

If you are ordering a PhoneGnome for delivery outside the United
States and Canada, when you receive your PhoneGnome, visit the
following link and follow the instructions provided to complete
the setup of your PhoneGnome.

http://my.phonegnome.com/intlsetup

We are continually improving our support of PhoneGnome outside the
United States. The product has been tested and is currently deployed
in many countries around the world. However, please note that
PhoneGnome documentation and voice response prompts are currently in
english and that PhoneGnome ships with a universal power adapter but
has a US-style plug and may require plug and phone line adapters to
operate outside the US.

Also as an international buyer please be advised that per PhoneGnome
License Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement available at:
http://www.phonegnome.com/store/terms.html TelEvolution offers the
PhoneGnome Services to consumers located in the United States. While
the PhoneGnome Services may be used to make and receive
international calls, we do not represent that the use of the
PhoneGnome Services is appropriate, possible or safe in all
locations outside the United States based on individual
certification requirements in specific countries. If you choose to
use the PhoneGnome and the Services from outside the United States,
you use them at your own risk and are responsible for compliance
with any and all governing foreign and local laws.


Answers to specific questions below.



On Sun, Mar 18, 2007 at 08:45:21PM +0100, Gordon van de Bilt wrote:
> It looks very good. I was going to buy the Linksys SPA3102, but as it is also going to be used by non-techies yours is better suited.
>
> I will probably buy a few to hook up the family members, who are spread out through the world and I might take one along with me on my international travels. Just a few questions.
>
> Are they for sale in Europe and the far east as I can only find them in the US?
>
> Is the power adaptor autoswitching 100-240V AC 50-60Hz? Does it have a removable clip so I can change it for the correct pins dependent on the country I am in?

Yes 100-240V AC 50-60Hz Oay. US style plug is provided. Customer must
obtain plug adaptor (not voltage converter).


>
> What is the REN number?

3


> Does it matter on which PSTN phonejack I connect it to or should it be on the 1st?
> Any issues with alarm system which is the 1st now?
> Issues with answer machines that are on a seperate phonejack?

Should not matter which jack. Should co-exist with alarm system.
Answering system should be plugged into PhoneGnome box PHONE port
if you want to capture calls from VoIP.

>
> Does it loose any personal configuration done by me in case of a power failure? Everything is still there after the power comes back on, e.g everything works as before, including the outgoing providers as set by me?

configuration is copied on server and restored automatically.

>
> It does not have an extra LAN port nor router, thus my computers will not connected through the PhoneGnome, thus no QoS. What is the sound quality when there is internet trafic? I have only Re-ADSL available, max 512 kilobits/s down, 128 up. Any solutions?

This is an issue that is raised often in pre-sales, but seldom isa
problem in real deployments. There are boxes such as the Dlink DI-102
but few people have had to resort to that.


>
> Do you plan on offering a new model with an extra LAN port and built in router (based on the SPA3102?). Not only to solve above problem, but also because some of us have only 1 LAN port available to connect to and we still need our computer connected. This way we don't have to install an extra switch. Same problem in hotel rooms, I do not want to carry any more gear with me than absolutly neccesary.

No definitie date for doing so has been set.

>
> I will be using VoipBuster as VOIP provider, they block incoming SIP calls, please confirm the PhoneGnome still receives SIP calls from other PhoneGnome users and any other SIP service/phone.

PhoneGnome supports a separate SIP address for receiving VOIP calls.
Any serviec that deliver calls to a SIP address can call you at your
PhoneGnome. PhoneGnome only uses services such as VoipBuster for
OUTGOING calls.

>
> Thank you for your help and keep up the good work.
>