Will my Digital Phones work with VoIP?

[guest]

Hello,
I currently have a digital phone line and use cordless digital phones. I'm considering switching to VoIP service but I'm unclear as to whether I'll be able to use my digital phones. If I can use my digital phones, would I still need the Analog Telephone Adapter equipment described on your website?
Thanks in advance for helping clear up my confusion!

[Calum]

Hi,

First, the only phone you can use that does not require an ATA is an IP ready phone, there are a selection of these available here http://www.whichvoip.com/voip/voip_hardware.htm

When you say Digital phones I assume you mean cordless phones that plug into a normal phone jack. If this is not the case please respond or email me with a model number and I'll look into it some more for you.

There are four possibilities for adding multiple phones onto your VoIP phone service.

1) Using a multiple jack extension connector: You can plug this into your Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA). This will allow you to have multiple phones on a single line, at the location of your ATA device.

2) Using cordless phone systems that comes with a base unit and additional handsets: The base station of the cordless telephone plugs directly into your ATA. The additional handsets can then be placed anywhere in the house, distributing your VoIP phone service to your required locations.

3) Using wireless phone jacks: The base unit connects to your ATA and the wireless jacks plug into your household electrical outlets, in the locations where you want your additional phones. You can then connect each of your additional phones to a wireless jack.

4) Using the existing telephone wiring and extensions in your home: This involves disconnecting your phone wiring at the Demarcation Point in your Network Interface Device (typically a grey or black box located on the outside of your house). Once you have disconnected your existing phone line to your home, you can plug your ATA into one of your existing phone extensions. This will then distribute your VoIP phone service to all other phone extensions in your home. It is recommended that you seek advice from an electrician or someone who is familiar with internal telephone wiring on how to best connect your VoIP service to your current wiring to take advantage of your homes multiple extensions. It is also advised that you pre-check the wiring on the jacks to make sure you don't have live PSTN voltage on the jacks before connecting them to the ATA. A simple telephone line tester device can be used for this purpose. For more information on connecting your VoIP service into your existing phone wiring check out the following web site link on "How to distribute VoIP throughout a Home" http://michigantelephone.mi.org/distribute.html

I hope this helps.

Regards
Calum
http://www.whichvoip.com