DSL through landline

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 26, 2008 Posts: 1

My elderly parents recently purchased Vonage having no idea what VOiP is. Their phone service and DSL had been provided by AT&T. Naturally, when Vonage cancelled their AT&T contract, they lost their DSL service, now they have no phones, internet, and a worthless Vonage modem and contract. I believe AT&T has now restored basic DSL service.

So now, my understanding is that in order to make all the phones work in the house, I should first disconnect them from the exterior phone line, in which case, they will no longer have DSL again, in which case, Vonage won't work! I think.

Does this mean they have to get internet via cable -- not by a phone line in order to wire the whole house?

Additionally, they have a burglar alarm hooked up to the phone system.

Thanks in advance for any and all help. I really wish my parents had consulted with me first. It's like having a whole 'nother set of kids.

-ramon

Posts: 403 · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

They can still use Vonage. They will not be able to use the same wire pair that the telephone line (and DSL) is on. The choices are, if they wish to be able to use the Vonage on more than one telephone is: (1) change the wiring in the wall to use a different pair of wires, or (2) use a cordless telephone.

The alarm system may work with Vonage, but using the regular telephone line for the alarm system may be a better choice. Mostly since if the electric power is off, the alarm will work (unless the back-up battery in the alarm cabinet does not work).