ᐅ Landline Telephone Options in New Construction – What Are the Possibilities?
Created on: 8 Feb 2021 12:15
P
Picknicker
Hello everyone,
I am reaching out to you with a topic that I unfortunately don’t fully understand:
It concerns a single-family house with three floors (basement, ground floor, upper floor). A fiber optic connection from the telecom provider has been installed in the basement.
Conduits for Access Points have already been planned on all floors.
My idea was to use a FritzBox in the basement as the central router and Ubiquiti PoE Access Points.
This is a purely private connection, and basic telephony should be possible throughout the entire house without any complicated features.
My questions are:
I am not clear whether it’s possible to make calls throughout the house using DECT phones routed via the Access Points?
Or are AVM WLAN phones the simplest solution?
What would you suggest as a state-of-the-art and clean setup?
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
I am reaching out to you with a topic that I unfortunately don’t fully understand:
It concerns a single-family house with three floors (basement, ground floor, upper floor). A fiber optic connection from the telecom provider has been installed in the basement.
Conduits for Access Points have already been planned on all floors.
My idea was to use a FritzBox in the basement as the central router and Ubiquiti PoE Access Points.
This is a purely private connection, and basic telephony should be possible throughout the entire house without any complicated features.
My questions are:
I am not clear whether it’s possible to make calls throughout the house using DECT phones routed via the Access Points?
Or are AVM WLAN phones the simplest solution?
What would you suggest as a state-of-the-art and clean setup?
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
untergasse438 Feb 2021 18:44Then I can also call directly from my mobile phone. The only difference is the number.
If you want to use a FritzBox as your router, I would suggest testing it in the basement first. It might already provide coverage for the entire house from there. Of course, it should not be placed in the network cabinet.
If you have a DECT phone with a base station, you can hopefully repurpose the widely available network cabling for telephony. FritzBox -> port on the patch panel -> network outlet -> phone. You will only need a few adapter cables.
If DECT coverage in the basement is not sufficient, I would use a Gigaset GoBox and connect it to the network on the ground floor. This should cover both upper and lower floors, and most likely a portion of the garden as well. The GoBox can be purchased quite affordably when bought as a set with a phone.
If you have a DECT phone with a base station, you can hopefully repurpose the widely available network cabling for telephony. FritzBox -> port on the patch panel -> network outlet -> phone. You will only need a few adapter cables.
If DECT coverage in the basement is not sufficient, I would use a Gigaset GoBox and connect it to the network on the ground floor. This should cover both upper and lower floors, and most likely a portion of the garden as well. The GoBox can be purchased quite affordably when bought as a set with a phone.
S
Strahleman13 Feb 2021 07:55We have a very similar setup in our (still under construction) house: a basement with a telephone connection and a Fritzbox in the server cabinet, and DECT telephony extending up to the attic.
As a solution, we have now gotten a Gigaset N510 IP Pro VoIP. This base station is connected to the Fritzbox via LAN and then manages the DECT function. We will place this base station on the ground floor, which should allow phone calls throughout the entire house.
As a solution, we have now gotten a Gigaset N510 IP Pro VoIP. This base station is connected to the Fritzbox via LAN and then manages the DECT function. We will place this base station on the ground floor, which should allow phone calls throughout the entire house.
M
MBPassion14 Feb 2021 12:53From my perspective, the following options are available to enable landline telephony in a multi-story single-family house:
Option 1 -- Move the TAE socket to the ground floor/upper floor
Typically, the access point for the internet connection (whether via DSL, cable, or fiber optic) is located in the basement of the house. In the case of an DSL connection, this would be the TAE socket, which the router (more precisely, the DSL modem) must connect to. Technically, this TAE socket can of course be relocated to another floor.
If the router (such as a Fritzbox) is also meant to function as a DECT base station, the Fritzbox can also be easily placed outside the basement, where the DECT range is better. The disadvantage of this option is that you are tied to the location of the TAE socket in a living area, while other network components (patch panel, switch, NAS, etc.) may need to be placed elsewhere (for example, in the basement), and therefore not co-located with the router.
Option 2 -- DECT repeater
A fairly simple solution if the DECT base station is in the basement is a DECT repeater. AVM offers a suitable DECT repeater for about 70 euros, which only needs to be plugged into an appropriate power outlet. By appropriate we mean: ideally positioned between the base station (Fritzbox) and the point that should receive the DECT signal at the greatest distance.
The drawback of this solution is that the DECT repeater involves additional costs in purchase and operation, requires a suitable power outlet in a convenient location, which is then occupied. Furthermore, it should be noted that the AVM DECT repeater only supports built-in encryption of DECT telephony between AVM devices (Fritzbox and Fritzfon), but not with third-party manufacturers (e.g., Gigaset).
Option 3 -- Second Fritzbox
A popular choice in some households is to use a second Fritzbox, which also supports DECT telephony. For example, one Fritzbox can be set up as the internet access point in the basement, while another could serve as a WLAN and DECT access point on the upper floor. AVM’s FritzOS now offers very convenient mesh features, making configuration easy and significantly less prone to errors.
The disadvantage of using a second Fritzbox is that it also (ideally) requires a LAN connection and power supply, thus also occupying space in the room. Additionally, a phone can only be connected to one of the two Fritzboxes via DECT at a time. Roaming between wireless cells, as is common nowadays with WLAN (walking from the attic to the basement), is not possible. Speed dial is also limited to one Fritzbox.
Option 4 -- Separate DECT base station
You don’t necessarily have to use the built-in DECT base station of the Fritzbox. There are standalone DECT base stations, such as the Gigaset Pro N670 IP DECT for about 100 euros. This device is highly mature and specifically programmed for this purpose. It can also be powered via Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), so it does not require a separate power outlet.
The downside of this option is that you are then operating within a different ecosystem. This means you lose access to convenient Fritzbox services such as integrated address book or answering machine (including notification by email). Also, the appealing functions of a Fritzfon are not usable, and the DECT connection between a Fritzfon and such a separate base station would be unencrypted.
For the address book, the Gigaset solution still offers access to an external address book via LDAP, which could be stored, for example, on a local NAS. For the answering machine, some internet providers like 1&1 also offer central solutions. So this is a matter of weighing pros and cons.
Option 5 -- Extend the DSL signal via LAN cable
The last option listed here requires a double socket, to which the Fritzbox can be connected. It is called a double socket because the DSL signal is first extended to the first connection where the Fritzbox expects the DSL signal, and then the second connection provides network access to the internet.
Concretely, this means: if the TAE socket is in the basement, the (RJ45) end of the DSL cable can be routed to the patch panel connection leading to the Fritzbox. At the other end, a standard patch cable connects the signal from the socket to the DSL port of the Fritzbox. This simply extends the DSL signal via the installed cabling.
Then a second patch cable must run from the Fritzbox to the second connection so that the router (the Fritzbox) is also made available on the network. Of course, a switch at the patch panel is needed to interconnect the individual network ports.
The disadvantage of this option is that a place with a double socket and a power outlet must be “sacrificed” to accommodate the Fritzbox. However, the Fritzbox itself provides further network ports that can be used directly at that location.
If many double sockets are distributed throughout the house, it offers greater flexibility in positioning the Fritzbox (and thus the DECT base station). If you want to use a different solution or no longer need DECT, you can simply remove the Fritzbox.
Conclusion
If you don’t have a DSL connection, some options are excluded. In our single-family house, we use a Fritzbox for DSL modem and DECT telephony. For WLAN, however, we use three Unifi NanoHD access points. We initially implemented option 5, which worked well. Since I didn’t find the setup very tidy, I then tried placing the Fritzbox in the server cabinet in the basement. Indeed, we still receive the DECT signal all the way up to the attic. Additionally, AVM also offers the FritzFon app — this means that when a call comes in, the smartphone, which is usually always with you, rings as well, and we now rarely use the Fritzfon handset.
Option 1 -- Move the TAE socket to the ground floor/upper floor
Typically, the access point for the internet connection (whether via DSL, cable, or fiber optic) is located in the basement of the house. In the case of an DSL connection, this would be the TAE socket, which the router (more precisely, the DSL modem) must connect to. Technically, this TAE socket can of course be relocated to another floor.
If the router (such as a Fritzbox) is also meant to function as a DECT base station, the Fritzbox can also be easily placed outside the basement, where the DECT range is better. The disadvantage of this option is that you are tied to the location of the TAE socket in a living area, while other network components (patch panel, switch, NAS, etc.) may need to be placed elsewhere (for example, in the basement), and therefore not co-located with the router.
Option 2 -- DECT repeater
A fairly simple solution if the DECT base station is in the basement is a DECT repeater. AVM offers a suitable DECT repeater for about 70 euros, which only needs to be plugged into an appropriate power outlet. By appropriate we mean: ideally positioned between the base station (Fritzbox) and the point that should receive the DECT signal at the greatest distance.
The drawback of this solution is that the DECT repeater involves additional costs in purchase and operation, requires a suitable power outlet in a convenient location, which is then occupied. Furthermore, it should be noted that the AVM DECT repeater only supports built-in encryption of DECT telephony between AVM devices (Fritzbox and Fritzfon), but not with third-party manufacturers (e.g., Gigaset).
Option 3 -- Second Fritzbox
A popular choice in some households is to use a second Fritzbox, which also supports DECT telephony. For example, one Fritzbox can be set up as the internet access point in the basement, while another could serve as a WLAN and DECT access point on the upper floor. AVM’s FritzOS now offers very convenient mesh features, making configuration easy and significantly less prone to errors.
The disadvantage of using a second Fritzbox is that it also (ideally) requires a LAN connection and power supply, thus also occupying space in the room. Additionally, a phone can only be connected to one of the two Fritzboxes via DECT at a time. Roaming between wireless cells, as is common nowadays with WLAN (walking from the attic to the basement), is not possible. Speed dial is also limited to one Fritzbox.
Option 4 -- Separate DECT base station
You don’t necessarily have to use the built-in DECT base station of the Fritzbox. There are standalone DECT base stations, such as the Gigaset Pro N670 IP DECT for about 100 euros. This device is highly mature and specifically programmed for this purpose. It can also be powered via Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), so it does not require a separate power outlet.
The downside of this option is that you are then operating within a different ecosystem. This means you lose access to convenient Fritzbox services such as integrated address book or answering machine (including notification by email). Also, the appealing functions of a Fritzfon are not usable, and the DECT connection between a Fritzfon and such a separate base station would be unencrypted.
For the address book, the Gigaset solution still offers access to an external address book via LDAP, which could be stored, for example, on a local NAS. For the answering machine, some internet providers like 1&1 also offer central solutions. So this is a matter of weighing pros and cons.
Option 5 -- Extend the DSL signal via LAN cable
The last option listed here requires a double socket, to which the Fritzbox can be connected. It is called a double socket because the DSL signal is first extended to the first connection where the Fritzbox expects the DSL signal, and then the second connection provides network access to the internet.
Concretely, this means: if the TAE socket is in the basement, the (RJ45) end of the DSL cable can be routed to the patch panel connection leading to the Fritzbox. At the other end, a standard patch cable connects the signal from the socket to the DSL port of the Fritzbox. This simply extends the DSL signal via the installed cabling.
Then a second patch cable must run from the Fritzbox to the second connection so that the router (the Fritzbox) is also made available on the network. Of course, a switch at the patch panel is needed to interconnect the individual network ports.
The disadvantage of this option is that a place with a double socket and a power outlet must be “sacrificed” to accommodate the Fritzbox. However, the Fritzbox itself provides further network ports that can be used directly at that location.
If many double sockets are distributed throughout the house, it offers greater flexibility in positioning the Fritzbox (and thus the DECT base station). If you want to use a different solution or no longer need DECT, you can simply remove the Fritzbox.
Conclusion
If you don’t have a DSL connection, some options are excluded. In our single-family house, we use a Fritzbox for DSL modem and DECT telephony. For WLAN, however, we use three Unifi NanoHD access points. We initially implemented option 5, which worked well. Since I didn’t find the setup very tidy, I then tried placing the Fritzbox in the server cabinet in the basement. Indeed, we still receive the DECT signal all the way up to the attic. Additionally, AVM also offers the FritzFon app — this means that when a call comes in, the smartphone, which is usually always with you, rings as well, and we now rarely use the Fritzfon handset.
KingJulien14 Feb 2021 13:25@MBPassion Very clearly explained for an absolute beginner like me. Thanks.
Since it fits here, I have a specific question:
I’ve finally realized/accepted that fiber optic won’t be available for us anytime soon and we will need a temporary solution when we move in this spring.
The problem is, we have a maximum connection of 6 Mbps (6 megabits per second), so we rely on a hybrid setup with LTE.
Now I’ve read that this only works with the Telekom’s own Speedport router.
Actually, I wanted to use a Fritzbox as the router and for DECT, with a UniFi access point upstairs.
So my question is: Can I basically use the Speedport as a slave, just to forward to the Fritzbox, and then work only with the Fritzbox?
I’m worried it might otherwise cause too much manufacturer confusion.
Or what options do I have?
Best regards
KingJulien
Since it fits here, I have a specific question:
I’ve finally realized/accepted that fiber optic won’t be available for us anytime soon and we will need a temporary solution when we move in this spring.
The problem is, we have a maximum connection of 6 Mbps (6 megabits per second), so we rely on a hybrid setup with LTE.
Now I’ve read that this only works with the Telekom’s own Speedport router.
Actually, I wanted to use a Fritzbox as the router and for DECT, with a UniFi access point upstairs.
So my question is: Can I basically use the Speedport as a slave, just to forward to the Fritzbox, and then work only with the Fritzbox?
I’m worried it might otherwise cause too much manufacturer confusion.
Or what options do I have?
Best regards
KingJulien
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