Newbie question about wireless internet connection

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 4

I just moved into a house that has wireless internet available via SBC DSL and a Netgear wireless router (maybe not a router, but anyway a Netgear wireless something or other). My laptop connects to the internet with that wireless network. I'm considering using Vonage Voip for phone service.

1. Does the Vonage hardware need to connect by cable to the wireless router (bad), or can it just use the wireless ability to connect and not need a cable connection (good)?

2. The speed test on this site showed a quite slow DSL speed, 157KB download and 100KB upload, 96% quality, and supposedly OK for one high quality phone line. Does this look like a good cantidate for Vonage? What if someone else in the house also wants to use a Voip phone?

3. Any other comments appreciated...

Thanks,

Mick Ruthven

Posts: 41 · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

You need to connect the Vonage adapter with a wire. I dont think they are offering a wireless handset yet that has the adapter built in, but I heard it is coming.

Posts: 84 · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

It needs to be connected directly to the internet source. Who is paying for the internet connection you are receiving wireless, or is it provided free to you by some sort of agreement with your living arangement? If thats the case, just get ahold of the main source.
jim

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 4

I can probably get access to the Netgear wireless box to plug in the Vonage adapter to it. Does my phone set have to plug into the Vonage adapter? If so, that won't work because the Netgear wireless box is in someone elses's room and so would be the Vonage adapter and the telephone. Is that correct?

Posts: 482 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

Yep, the Vonage adapter has to plug into the router and the phone has to plug into the adapter. You could get a cordless phone system that uses a single base station as a workaround, but the other person would of course have access to your phone line since the adapter and base station would be in his room.

Also, the bandwidth specs you posted are just barely enough for one Voip connection at the default quality.

Posts: 318 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:11 am Post subject:

Everyone here is saying you need to physically connect the Vonage phone adapter, but from what I have read on this forum that is not the case.

If you have a WiFi/Ethernet bridge or if you use your computer (on Windows XP, for example) to bridge the connections, you can use Vonage. There have been succesful attempts on this, you can search the forum for more info. I do not do it personally, but many have used this solution to get Vonage in a hotel room or other location that only offers wireless access.

But ToddlerTN is correct, your connection speeds are quite low for Vonage and are "barely" passing. You may experience problems...

Posts: 281 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

Yup a wireless bridge would work fine, assuming your speed is ok.

Posts: 482 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:57 am Post subject:

Good point, I had not considered a wireless bridge solution. I wouldn't recommend the Windows XP ICS for anything other than a temporary situation, though.

But before you even go down that road, you need to figure out why your DSL is so slow. Are you getting that speed test result from your laptop over wireless? If so, it may not be the DSL line that's slow but either the wireless network or your laptop's wireless configuration. If you can get access, patch into the router with a cable and run the speed test that way to get a true measure of your DSL capability.

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 14, 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks, all, for the help.

ToddlerTN, I'll get access and try the speed test hard wired to the DSL source.

Also, ToddlerTN, care to say why the "and not real happy with Vonage"? Inquiring minds want to know...

Posts: 482 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject:

Well that's my little way of **** without being a pest. My frustration is more of a cumulative effect than any single issue. The first router they sent me was bad, ended up eventually getting it exchanged...customer service is a big gripe...I can't configure some of the customizable settings on the Vonage adapter without getting a tech to do it, and I dread waiting on hold for 45 minutes at a time. Then I am having some dropout on my calls that I've done everything possible on my end to resolve. And finally, I've been given three dates for my LNP and each time nothing has happened. So there you go. Hopefully I get everything resolved and when that happens, I'll update my sig.