VoIP-enabled wireless router

Group review: VoIP-enabled Wi-Fi routers

IT Week Labs tries out six solutions for bringing low-cost IP telephony to branch offices

Written by Peter Judge

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Conclusion

The wide variety of functionality on show in this group test meant choosing a product for our Editor’s Choice award was no simple task. Each of the six has its particular virtues, and could easily be a best buy for one specific set of user needs.

If, for example, you only need a limited set of features, why pay more than the price of a SpeedTouch 780WL? If looks and stability are important, the Zyxel is the obvious choice. Meanwhile the Draytek is great for a set-up where a lot of network tweaking may be required. The poor old D-Link DVA-G3340S has less obvious merits, but it is conceivable that it might fit a niche in some company’s branch roll-out.

In the end, there were two products that really stood out. If you want to run your own company phone service, we really think you should look at the Intertex SurfinBird IX68, which is one of the most cost-effective small business SIP systems on the market. But our Editor’s Choice goes to the AVM Fritz!Box, which simply could not be beaten for value, design and features.

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Product overview

  • Price: £75 to £199 + VAT
  • Web site: Various

Ratings

  • Our rating: n/a
  • Average user rating:

Verdict

These devices all allow firms to take advantage of the relatively low cost of sending voice calls over broadband IP links. Most allow multiple VoIP accounts, and also enable administrators to set up dialling rules to maximise cost savings.

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VoIP-enabled wireless router

Review: AVM Fritz!Box Fon voice-enabled router

This capable box wins our Editor's Choice award in this six-way group review 28 Mar 2007

 

Review: D-Link DVA-G3340S voice-enabled router

A product best suited to large-scale rollouts to multiple branch offices - if you can agree a good price 28 Mar 2007

Review: Draytek Vigor 2800VG voice-enabled router

A high-spec product with no shortage of useful features 28 Mar 2007

Review: Intertex SurfinBird IX68 voice-enabled router

Relatively limited as a voice gateway but can act as a full session-initation protocol (SIP) server 28 Mar 2007

Review: Thomson SpeedTouch 780WL voice-enabled router

Despite being aimed a home users, the web interface of this router is better suited to experts 28 Mar 2007

Review: Zyxel P-2602HWL-D voice-enabled router

A good-looking product that does what it needs to - but no more 28 Mar 2007

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