VOIP on or through Huawei B525 router with Telkom data

[StuartAitchison]

I am trying to find out if I can set up and/or use VOIP on this router.

I have a contract with Telkom for data loaded onto and through this router, and this router has a connection for a standard telephone.

Is there any way that I can set this router up to give me VOIP using the data loaded onto it, and using the router and a standard desktop handset?

The router obviously has a Telkom sim card in it.

Stuart Aitchison

 

[sicelo.m]

looks like some B525 have VoIP ability, and some don't. Those that don't have will call via your SIM card.

So why don't you login to the router and check if it allows you to add a VoIP account? You will, of course, need an active VoIP account with some provider, e.g. Freshphone

 

[Gameface777]

You will definitely be able to set up VoIP through the B525, just have to get a IP desktop phone ie. Yealink, Snom Etc, Connect it via Cat5 or Cat6 cable and have an VoIP account through VoIP provider. You might have Voice quality issues at times"Maybe" depending on the actual Connectivity.

If you need some assistance DM me

 

[sicelo.m]

I believe the OP would like to use a 'standard telephone' instead of an IP phone. The B525 has an RJ-11 port for that purpose, and as far as I understand, that's what he wants to use, and have the router setup as a VoIP client, not just router.

 

[StuartAitchison]

Everyone, thanks for your input.

Sicelo, you are quite correct. It is the router that I want to set up as a VOIP client, not the telephone.

However, the menu on this particular router is a Telkom-inspired menu, and does not show any facility for setting up VOIP, so it looks as though Telkom have "dealt" with it, as my diggings around on the internet show that it should actually have VOIP provision.

If anyone knows a way around this I would like to know about it.

You mentioned Freshphone. Are there any other VOIP service providers who take private or domestic clients?

Thanks, Stuart Aitchison

 

[sicelo.m]

I wouldn't blame Telkom as such.
There are multiple variants of this (and other) routers, even though they may all have the same model number. Trying other firmware might work, but there are huge risks since your hardware might actually not support it, and so you could end up with a brick. Therefore I wouldn't recommend this route.

Can you not just install a voip client on e.g. your phone/laptop, and use it there? There are Zoiper, Bria, etc. clients available for free. Other alternative is going with a full IP phone as @Gameboy777 suggested to you, or replace the router and get one that does what you want (there's a thread here on MyBB with one such router).

As for VoIP providers, there are very many in South Africa. Freshphone, Switch Telecom, etc. all take home users. Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with any of them, and have not used them, but they have good reviews here on MyBB in general. PS: I am not even in South Africa

 

[StuartAitchison]

Sicelo, Hi:

Thanks again for your reply.

I will certainly check on the idea of a VOIP client on my desktop, because I am actually looking for a fixed telephone I can have on my desk.

You may be interested to know that I checked Freshphone, and found that their rates are pretty much the same as my current Telkom mobile simsonke rates, so there is actually nothing to be gained there, and I have to add the data onto that.

One alternative was setting up WhatsApp on my desktop but apparently it is only available for Win 8 up (I am currently on Win 7), and you apparently have to have your telephone connected for it to work, so the idea of a VOIP client on my desktop has its appeal.

I'll keep an eye on this posting thread in case someone does come up with a bright idea.

Stuart Aitchison

 

[keeganmoodley96]

This may be off topic but I have Huawei b525 router through telkom on the Unlimited LTE deal which includes 300 Telkom minutes. I connected a standard telephone to it when I got the device (6 months ago) and it worked.

However I changed the network from Auto to 4G only and the phone started to make a crackling noise when I pick it up. It stopped working. Only the internet part worked and still works.

Now I want to make use of the telephone part again with the internet so I changed the setting back to Auto. When I did that the phone still makes a crackling noise. I restarted the device, reset it to original settings but it's still not making a difference. Telkom agents online aren't helpful and I don't want to waste my time going to the store. The internet is still working. I just want to be able to use the telephone with it like how I used to before I changed the settings.

Can someone please assist?

 

[Leanne Petro]

Hi Keegan - I have the exact same problem you had. Did you manage to sort it out? No one from Telkom seems to be able to offer me any technical advice and I am at my wits end! Our landline phone is also making a crackling/buzzing noise, even when not plugged into the router. And when I do plug it into the router, the phone is just dead, no dialling tone, just a slight hum on the other end. The router works completely fine on it's own. The landline works on it's own, besides the noise. I am not sure if our landline is perhaps not compatible with the router and we need a new phone or if I have to somehow configure the phone on my laptop and link it to the router as a device using the cable supplied. Pls can someone help!