Cordless phone problem

Feb 22, 2005 19 Replies

Do you have a wireless router? How far from the TA is the cordless base?

I had a similar problem without the VOIP. In my case, everytime I used the cordless phone, my wireless network would die. I got a different brand cordless phone and the problem disapeared.

You need to keep in mind that wireless routers and cordless phones use the same frequency.

Yaser

The OP was using "Vonage". But you make a good point about frequency usage in different countries.

Cordless phone problem open original image

I tried to use a Panasonic 5.8 GHz cordless phone with Vonage box, and then with the Sipura 2100. It shows the same problem with both, that when I speak loudly into the handset, the person on the other end can hardly hear anything. However I can hear the other person fine.



It is not a problem of the VOIP ATA itself, because a corded phone works fine. It is not a problem of the Panasonic cordless phone itself, because with a POTS line it works fine. Rather it is a problem of the VOIP ATA / Panasonic cordless combination, but what is really strange is that the problem existed with the Vonage Motorola adapter, and still exists with the Sipura 2100.



Vonage couldn't figure out what was wrong. I read on their website some mention that people were having trouble with cordless phone using Vonage ATA, but no mention of why.



So... why would this happen, and what can be done to fix it? Besides getting a different cordless phone?



[snip]

Not here (UK) they don't. Routers use the same 2.4 GHz band as other devices such as wireless CCTV cameras but the digital cordless phones in use here use frequencies somewhere in the 860 MHz band I believe. I've not come across a phone (or a router, or anything else for that matter) using

5.8 GHz here.

Ivor

It is possible for their frequency generators to interfere with one another - remote, but possible. Try placing them all as far apart as possible and test that. Also, your wireless router and Cordless base may be using the same frequencies (in the US) - check that!

The wireless router, cordless base and ATA are next to each other. I don't see why it should matter, since wifi is 2.4 GHz (?). Anyway, I can hear what the other person is saying, they can't hear my voice clearly.

It's a Panasonic cordless if that makes any difference.

Vonage is available in UK. Op may in fact be in UK.

This sounds the most promising explanation, because the phone works fine with POTS line, and a corded phone works fine with the ATA.

Solution, get a different phone.

For the second time: the OP stated he was using a 5.8GHz cordless phone. 802.11b/g/n is 2.4 GHz.

I've found that Uniden cordless phones work very well with the Vonage ATAs. Only problem is that thhe 5.8GHz FHSS models all come with answering machines which of course won't get any use under Vonage (and the non-answering machine units are all analog, which I would never use). They do have a DSS 2.4GHz basic cordless phone though, model DCT646, that plays well with the wifi network in my house, so you may want to try it.

I have never heard of any cordless phone using 5.8 GHz. Can you give me a website of anyone selling these..? All digital cordless phones in the UK at least use 2.4 GHz.

Ivor

Go to

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In the search box put: 5.8 ghz

At least that works from Malaysia, where they show us the US version of Amazon by default.

miguel

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It may be that 5.8GHz is licensed spectrum in the UK/EU, and so such phones might not be available there.

Oh, in case you think I'm nuts, here's proof: This phone is claimed to use 5.8 ghz right on VTech's website:

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However, look up the part 15 approval on the FCC's website, and it turns out it's on 2.4 ghz for one direction, and 5.8 ghz for the other.
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From the manual ...

TRANSMIT FREQUENCY Base: 5744.736 - 5825.952 MHz Handset: 2401.056 - 2482.272 MHz

RECEIVE FREQUENCY Base: 2401.056 - 2482.272 MHz Handset: 5744.736 - 5825.952 MHz

802.11b Channel 1 = 2412MHz 802.11b Channel 11 = 2462MHz

Thanks Bob and r-guy for backing up my suggestion, but I would guess that the OP isn't listening!-)

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