Telephone using Fiber

[Subtitles]

I have a landline telephone. Few years ago I tried to switch to VoIP but the cost of getting a phone number and the calls was not cost effective.
My phone company has now come up with an offer for telephone using fiber. But they didn't give any details about what they use and I suspect that what they are offering is just another kind of glorified VoIP which anyone can use if they have a spare Ethernet RJ45 that goes into a dedicated VoIP telephone or an adapter that works with the old telephone.
As I have recently switched ISP to one that uses their fiber (but I don't get the internet through them), I am wondering if anyone uses such a system of telephone over fiber.
I could ask my telephone company for details but you know how it once you show an interest in something.
Thanks for any replies.

[betwixt]

I have two lines here, both 'copper wire' but powered directly from my router (Draytek 2865) which in turn is connected by fiber. Absolutely no problems at all, even downloading while both lines are in use. It is VOIP. I also have a cheap Linksys VOIP adapter which plugs in to an ethernet port on the router but gave up on it. Sound quality wasn't good and it kept going silent for seconds at a time, I think it's a Chinese clone of the real Cisco product. Going to VOIP does have its advantages, you can carry the adapter with you and plug in to any ethernet outlet to have a 'portable landline' connection.

Brian.

[Subtitles]

The problem with VOIP is that you need a phone number in order to make outside calls and incoming calls and also pay for the minutes used.
I had a subscription with VOIPStudio (located in Ireland) and it wasn't cheap. In the end I kept the landline number. These days I get a huge number of minutes using my mobile phone and I hardly use the landline number.

[cholla]

I use OOMA.
I live in the USA.
OOMA may not be available to you.
I just thought I would suggest it if it is available.
Once you buy the OOMA devicew about 99 dollars.
OOMA itself is free. All I pay are the Federal tazes & fees every month.
These are approxamatly 8 dollars. No limit on minutes.

[usually_quiet]

I don't see how both making and receiving phone calls would be allowed without a valid phone number on both ends. Those using VOIP must still be able to connect with those using POTS (copper wire service, no IP addres).

[Edit] I have VOIP "landline" service from a third-party provider, Vonage. It definitely saved me some money, and I could keep my old phone number from my previous telephone service provider. However, when there is a power failure or an Internet outage, I have no phone service.

[cholla]

I have VOIP "landline" service from a third-party provider, Vonage. It definitely saved me some money, and I could keep my old phone number from my previous telephone service provider. However, when there is a power failure or an Internet outage, I have no phone service.

With OOMA I kept my old phone number I believe it cost me an extra 30 dollars.

When I have a power or Internet outage I can use my cell phone.
So far a power outage has not cause the cell to not work.

[usually_quiet]

I have VOIP "landline" service from a third-party provider, Vonage. It definitely saved me some money, and I could keep my old phone number from my previous telephone service provider. However, when there is a power failure or an Internet outage, I have no phone service.

With OOMA I kept my old phone number I believe it cost me an extra 30 dollars.

When I have a power or Internet outage I can use my cell phone.
So far a power outage has not cause the cell to not work.

I lost cell service for a short time during an extended power outage caused by a severe storm that knocked down many large trees. I'm unsure whether the cell tower suffered damage from the storm or if the call volume was too high for a few hours.

My VOIP service includes a feature that allows emergency services to locate me, which is another reason that I still have it.

[cholla]

I lost cell service for a short time during an extended power outage caused by a severe storm that knocked down many large trees. I'm unsure whether the cell tower suffered damage from the storm or if the call volume was too high for a few hours.

So far that has not happened where I live for me anyway.I know it is a possibility.
My cell has emergency services location. I had to register my home address with them to get this.

My VOIP service includes a feature that allows emergency services to locate me, which is another reason that I still have it.

OOMA the same as the cell I had to register my home address to get this.
But I have it for both now.

I have been very satisfied with OOMA.
I was not satisfied with Skype when I had it.
I just tolerated Skype .

[thecoalman]

When I have a power or Internet outage I can use my cell phone.
So far a power outage has not cause the cell to not work.

You usually don't lose internet connectivity with power outage. As far as the phone you need one that will work without power. Some have battery backup but that's waste of money and hassle. Check the specs but many modern phones will still ring and allow you to make calls without being plugged in, you lose the caller ID and the other BS. I don't have Ooma anymore but I had old school pulse dial phone with ringer that worked fine with it.

Obviously you still need power for the modem , router and VOIP. A small UPS can power them for many hours. Plus you can still use battery operated devices like a laptop etc to go internet.

[aedipuss]

the cell towers here are powered by the same ac line to homes. one goes out the other is toast also.

[cholla]

I have never had my phones set up to be used without power.
I do have an old hardwired push button that would probably work for this.
I would still need to power the modem , router , & OOMA Telo device.
If necessary I could take the router out of the devices needed.
The OOMA Telo would still need a working modem to connect.
I would only do this for a long term problem.

Hopefully my cell would work as it has so far.
Maybe the cell towers here have an emergency backup generator.
IDK.

[thecoalman]

Depends on your situation but I had that hooked up where a power outage for 2 or 3 hours was once every few months occurrence. The UPS is also useful for PC if losing work is big issue because it will switch to battery power and you can safely shut it down. Some even have USB connector and can initiate shutdown on their own.

There was also the once every year or two outage that could go for days, once for 5 days. Usually after a large storm, house was in an area that was at the end of the priority list. For that we had generator and interlock on the panel. If you are unfamiliar it's fairly cheap way to energize a panel safely backfeeding it. It's just simple device hat physically prevents the breaker you are using to backfeed and the main breaker from both being on at same time. It has some advantages over whole house generators and there is some cons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPHhk_OI-BI