Until recently all home (and small business) internet connections required a copper phone line that physically connected the premises to the local telephone exchange.
An increasing number of homes (and small businesses) are now switching to internet-only connections that do not require a phone line.
These are typically fibre-to-the-premises broadband services, but also include wireless broadband services and satellite broadband services such as STARLINK. It also includes some broadband services that use copper cable, but do not include a phone service.
In addition to the benefits of a much faster andv more reliable internet connection, a fibre-based internet connection also offers the opportunity to cease expensive copper-based phone lines ahead of their planned withdrawal over the next few years.
In this page we discuss how you can use your internet-only broadband connection to provide a low-cost replacement for your copper phone line service using a device called an Analogue Terminal Adaptor (ATA) connected to a VoIP phone service.
I have no other connection with the company and live 160 miles south of them.
First Rate! 100%.
Patrick G.
The whole process was simple timely - on the day of the number switch I was informed by Stephen just after 9am that it was complete! - and he kept me informed of progress and answered my beginner questions throughout. One last thing to note is that the pricing plans are flexible and very low cost at £5 per month for a suitable plan. All this and the company is based quite close to me in East Lothian (though the services are not bound by location) so a local business get the benefit.
I have no hesitation in recommending Premitel Communications and their VoIP service for home use and I am certain that the business side of things will be just as good and professional.
I had been attempting to switch to broadband providers who would keep my original home phone number without interruptions to the service; however, that turned out to be next to impossible in spite of assurances and supposed guarantees to the contrary. Premitel gives me the peace of mind knowing that I now retain my original house phone number whatever broadband I may switch to.
Great!
The tariffs are extremely low and the customer service is excellent. Stephen was very patient with me during the set-up phase (long delays from Openreach for the activation of fibre line) and his instructions were extremely clear.
Analogue Terminal Adaptor
An ATA enables you to continue using your existing analogue phones, sockets and wiring and keep your existing phone number.
It would connect to your router and to your existing telephone equipment and converts analogue phone signals to internet phone signals and vice-versa.
Internet phone services are often referred to as VoIP phone services or digital voice services.
In order to function an ATA must be configured with account details supplied by your internet phone service provider.
Your internet phone service provider would adopt your existing phone number and provide the service that enables you to make and receive calls. This service would replace your existing phone line rental, but at a much lower cost.
Premitel Pre-Configured ATAs
Premitel offer two types of ATA in our online shop.
Both are pre-configured to operate on the Premitel VoIP Phone Service.
The cheaper ATA is made by Fanvil and is designed for a single phone connection.
This could be a simple analogue phone or a base for a muti-handset DECT cordless phone system.
The more expensive Grandstream ATA has more power to ring multiple phones and can be connected to existing extension wiring using cables and adaptors that we supply with the ATA.
In the paragraphs below we describe how to connect a pre-configured Grandstream HT801 ATA to existing telephone wiring.
Installing the Grandstream ATA
Connection of the Grandstream ATA to your existing telephone wiring is relatively straightforward using the step-by-step guide set out below:
Step 1: Disconnect phone line from master socket
To disconnect the phone line you simply cut the cable that connects to the master socket from outside your premises (eg with wire snips). It is very unlikely that this cable will ever be used again. Take care not to cut any cabling that connects your master socket to your extension sockets.
If you are not comfortable cutting the phone line cable then it is possible to open the master socket and disconnect the phone line cable from its terminals (or seek assistance from a local telephone installation engineer or electrician).
Step 2: Ensure that phone line cable has been disconnected
To check that phone line cable has been disconnected just pick up a phone and listen for dial tone or disconnected tone. If your phone line cable has been disconnected correctly there will be no tones.
Step 3: Connect ATA to existing phone socket
Plug the supplied double adaptor into the existing phone socket that is nearest to your router. If there is a phone plugged into that socket then that phone should be plugged into one outlet of the double adaptor. Use the supplied line cord to connect the ATA phone port to the other outlet of the double adaptor.
Step 4: Connect ATA to router
Use the supplied patch lead to connect the ATA ethernet port to a spare ethernet port on your router. If you don’t have a spare ethernet port then Premitel can supply an inexpensive network switch that will increase the number of ethernet ports.
Step 5: Switch on ATA
Once the ATA is connected to your existing phone socket and also to your router then switch on the ATA by connecting it to the mains using the supplied power adaptor.
Step 6: Make a phone call
Wait a few minutes for the ATA to power up then connect to the internet phone service by making your first internet phone call. Remember that you always have to use the full area code, like a mobile phone.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions about the Premitel VoIP Phone Service, or any other telecommunications or internet issue, you can get in touch using the contact form below. Or just call the number at the top of the page.
About Us
In addition to offering VoIP Phone Services across the UK, Premitel are an established telecommunications & internet consultancy and solutions provider serving primarily Edinburgh, the Lothians & Scottish Borders, although we have a few clients throughout the UK and overseas.
Our customers are primarily businesses which includes the increasing number of home workers.
We specialise in:
- high quality digital voice solutions and services;
- boosting & extending WiFi;
- better & faster internet;
- cordless phone systems; and
- expense reduction.
Our advice is free for relatively straightforward requirements. For more complex projects, we offer a free initial no-obligation consultation.
Visit our Trustpilot Reviews page or Google Reviews page to see what some of our customers think.