I've seen and played around with lots of ATAs (or some prefer TA for short), which are used by broadband VoIP providers, such as Vonage, AT&T CallVantage, Lingo, Broadvoice, Packet8, etc.
With so many ATAs on the market, it got me thinking, "What would I like to see in the feature-set of the 'ultimate ATA'?"
Well, here's my feature-set for "My Ultimate ATA":
1) Support for the G.729a codec simultaneously on BOTH ports.
Many ATAs only support this compression codec on one port
2) Not locked down or password protected.
Many ITSPs, such as Vonage, lock/password-protect their devices. So if you want to switch VoIP service providers, you are left hanging owning a worthless brick!
3) PSTN Failover in the event of power failure or Internet outage
This is only important if you have a secondary PSTN port to plug into the ATA. Useful in DSL deployments which often keep the analog PSTN line.
4) Dial over the PSTN (if available) intead of VoIP if you dial 911
This negates the need for E911, but again, it assumes you haven't killed your land-line.
5) Web-browser administrative interface for accessing advanced ATA functions and features
6) Supports fax machines
Many ATAs have difficulty with fax machines
7) Handles touch-tone digits
Some ATAs have difficulty handing touch-tones due to compression
8) ATA works well with TiVo using VoIP call
Often times if you connect a TiVo to an ATA's analog port for updating the TV guide listings, it fails. There are many frustrated TiVo users out there that killed their landline and have tried to use a VoIP call to perform the updates. This has to do with the fax modem built into the TiVo and the compression that goes on inside the ATA which affects the fax signals.
9) Supports STUN and other NAT traversal methods.
10) Can setup call forwarding from the web interface to forward calls to a specified number (i.e. cell phone)
11) Can setup advanced call routing and call forwarding rules
For example, the ability to define schedules for when calls are forwarded to which number. Another example: You can specify that it calls multiple pre-specified numbers "round-robin style" until someone answers and enters in a PIN to accept the forwarded call.
12) SIP Support (obviously)
13) Supports registering onto multiple SIP registrars.
This way you can for example, register on Vonage's server (for PSTN outbound calling) and also register on FWD (SIP-to-SIP user calls). Then you can initiate calls to either the PSTN or SIP users in a SIP database.
14) QoS support - prioritize VoIP packets
15) Let the ATA sit in front of or behind the firewall. (Most, but not all support both)
16) Plug and Play configuration to any VoIP service provider using the Web inteface
I should be able to type 192.168.1.x, logon to the ATA, select an ITSP (Vonage, Packet8, CallVantage), enter a credit card, and it will confgure the settings for me, transmit my MAC address and credit info to the ITSP. Of course, this won't happen anytime soon. No ITSP is that "open" --- yet!
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| What Happens if You Connect Too Many Phones to an ATA |
)18) 2nd Dialtone - dial your home phone, it recognizes your CallerID as "allowed" and grants you 2nd dialtone to initiate an outbound call from a remote location. Alternatively, instead of CallerID, maybe you can press #, enter in a PIN and get 2nd dialtone.
Since many offer "unlimited flat rate plans", essentially your home ATA becomes a VoIP gateway. Just don't tell your friends/family about this 2nd dialtone feature. As tempting as it is to "share" your "virtually free VoIP line", if you let them call through your ATA, that's considered "reselling" - which is explicitly prohbited in every VoIP ISTP contract I have ever seen. Don't do it!!! You have been warned!
Well, I know I missed a few features I've wanted over the past couple of years, so feel free to post some comments with your suggested ATA features.
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Wondering if you think these guys at Mediatrix are getting close to your "ideal" ATA?
Was recently looking at one of the VOIP providers that are using this box and thought it indeed had some progressive features.
I worry that the design strides they made for "in front of the router" or "routerless" application might make it a problem behind a router.
Either way you seem to have identified some of the stuff folks need/want in these ATAs.
Like your BLOG.
http://www.mediatrix.com/products_devices.php?prodid=14
http://www.mediatrix.com/documents/whitepapers/2102_Transparent_Address_Sharing.pdf
Love your blog !
I have a Call in One (also known as the Leadtek BVA8051) which does most of the features you mention...in theory since I never got it to work properly and I am returning it (sentiment shared by oh so many users of this device). I am looking at the Sipura 3000, which is very close to your ideal.
http://www.sipura.com/Documents/SPA-3000.pdf
Olivier
Love your blog !
I have a Call in One (also known as the Leadtek BVA8051) which does most of the features you mention...in theory since I never got it to work properly and I am returning it (sentiment shared by oh so many users of this device). I am looking at the Sipura 3000, which is very close to your ideal.
http://www.sipura.com/Documents/SPA-3000.pdf
Olivier
Love your blog !
I have a Call in One (also known as the Leadtek BVA8051) which does most of the features you mention...in theory since I never got it to work properly and I am returning it (sentiment shared by oh so many users of this device). I am looking at the Sipura 3000, which is very close to your ideal.
http://www.sipura.com/Documents/SPA-3000.pdf
Olivier
where can i buy 500 to 1,000 ata's at a reasonable price? we need them for customer service home workers.
I recently purchased a vintage analog phone (circa - 1992) on Ebay. It's in perfect working order, but how (where) can I get service? all the major providers just shrug their shoulders. It's a Motorola brick phone. Think "Saved By The Bell."
i need to know how to give password protection for USER and ADMIN pages.
Other Features I'd like:
1) WARNING when in fallback mode! A common gripe of VOIPers is unexpected high PSTN bills because they didn't know that thier Voip was down when they made that long long distance call.
2) Battery backup option (you'd need it on your cable/ADSL modem too, if separate). Means voip can keep working in a power failure if your internet connection is still working, as would often be the case. Also would allow portable use with wireless ISPs (cheap "mobile" phone) if the modem had battery support.
3) Configurable phone number/prefix table for PSTN fallback and Voip provider selection. Some numbers are cheaper on PSTN than on Voip, and/or on one Voip service than another. Also, here in Australia the emergency number is "000" NOT "911". Should be changed, but unfortunately I don't run the country. This could include barring of select numbers/prefixes (eg international) when in fallback mode (would require at least a minimalist implementation of battery backup to disconnect an "illegal" dial attempt).
4) Option to use more Voip providers/accounts than the ATA has FXS ports, based on phone numbers, manual selection, or PIN. Allows call cost minimisation and/or better accounting - eg separate accounts for teenage child, or for home business.
5) Power economy. Apart from battery backup considerations, even a few hundred milliwatts can make a difference when multiplied by, say, a billion users worldwide.