What Types of VoIP Phones & Devices Can I Use?

Any SIP Protocol compliant VoIP phone, device, or application should be operable with sipgate. 

There are setup guides for many popular VoIP phones and devices in our Help Centre: 

VoIP Phones, Devices and Software 

The four general types of VoIP Phones and devices supported for use with sipgate are: 

• VoIP IP Deskphones
• VoIP ATAs (Analogue Telephone Adaptors)
• Softphones installed on Computers and Smartphones
• IP-PBX's

ATA Adaptors will often be the most economical option and will suit most VoIP users' basic needs.

Adaptors and Deskphones used in conjunction with a suitable DSL or cable internet connection will provide the best results. 

If you're new to VoIP, before purchasing a VoIP phone, first try out sipgate by using a free VoIP application (softphone/app) before purchasing any hardware or software. 

ATA Adaptors:

An ATA adaptor connects your fixed line (POTS) telephone handsets to your router so that they can be used for VoIP calls. 

Routers with integrated VoIP adaptors are available. Unless you wish to replace your existing router, we'd recommend avoiding combination router-adaptor devices. The set up of these cross functional devices can be much more complex than a standard Adaptor. 

Examples of VoIP Adaptors from established manufacturers can be found in our help centre here.

More than one handset can be connected to a multi-line or multi-account adaptor. With a multi-line adaptor, you'll be able to make or receive more than one call at the same time with your sipgate team account.    

VoIP IP Deskphones: 

IP Deskphones are intended for office environments. As dedicated VoIP phones, they will often have more features and greater reliability (as well as a higher price tag). 

We recommend business customers use Deskphones with our sipgate team service. You can find some examples of phone manufacturers and models here.

DECT Cordless VoIP Phones:

Similar to a VoIP adaptor, but for DECT phones. VoIP base stations can be purchased supporting multiple connected DECT cordless handsets and VoIP accounts/lines. 

We recommend Gigaset DECT solutions. Some Gigaset devices, like the DX800A for example, combine an IP Deskphone with a DECT base station. 

Gigaset VoIP DECT Base Stations and IP Deskphones should have 'IP' in their model name.   

Softphones for Computers, Smartphones and Tablets:  

VoIP softphone/app applications can be installed on computers, smartphones and tablets.

Softphones installed on a computer and used with a headset will tend to provide a more reliable service, and often better call quality than smartphone VoIP apps. 

When it comes to softphone apps we recommend trying Zoiper which can be used across all platforms or Counterpath's X-Lite for computers.  

Notes:

Like most ITSPs, sipgate uses the UDP Protocol for signalling (not TCP). 

We do not provide configuration support for third party IP PBXs when these are being used with sipgate products, examples of these being - Asterisk based PBX's or the 3CX Phone System. The full scope of our support for any 3rd party IP PBX's will be up to device registration with the sipgate system.

Be sure to choose a phone that is currently in production and fully supported by the manufacturer. End of Life or End of Production devices, while often cheaper, will not benefit from ongoing firmware, security updates, etc from the manufacturer.

TIP: Always use the most recent firmware and/or software versions.  

It's not possible to provide set up guides for every phone or device currently available. If your device isn't listed please try the General Configuration settings here.

sipgate provides Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) telephony services. We don't supply VoIP phones or hardware. 

As a BYOD service provider, any impartial recommendations made by our staff will be based on reliability, build quality, functionality, ease of use, and the manufacturer's support.

Over the last 11 years, sipgate's support teams have tested a lot of production SIP phones, devices and applications and generally found that most SIP phones operate with the sipgate system, though, over this time we have also seen that some VoIP phones and devices can perform more reliably than others. 

This doesn't mean that a device or phone from a manufacturer other than those we recommend or that can be found mentioned/shown in our help centre will be inoperable with sipgate.

Due to their being so many VoIP device manufacturers and SIP application developers available, it is not possible for us to be able to provide support for each and every phone and device out on the market. In the end, support for your phone should be primarily provided by the manufacturer or your authorised dealer/vendor. 

The best we can offer is that we will try to assist you by recommending quality, reliable VoIP phones and hardware that we believe would best suit you.

Though, in the end, it's up to you to choose the VoIP phone/device that bests suits your needs and budget.