My first post in this forum folks so please be gentle...

Here's the situation. I am going to attempt to totally get rid of my landline connection and simply use Skype for everything. For general info, I will be purchasing a SkypeIn number and SkypeOut ($14.95 US) at the start of the new year, I'm based in the States, and my house is currently fully covered by a wireless gateway (2Wire is the brand). My question is:

1. Not being very tech savvy, please advise on the easiest method to convert all the current phones so they will be able to use Skype?

I've been reading about the adapter and the gateway but it sounds like that still needs to be connected to a PC. I have four phones (landline based, cord and cordless) throughout the house. My desktop is only based in one room. I would like to have the phones ring in all the rooms when my SkypeIn number is dialed. So far, I'm still not comfortable with the wireless phone options since I won't have the landline to fall back on.

If anyone has any advice or know-how in setting this up, please let me know. Thanks.

Hi,
I have tried something similar: I used the B2K Skype Phone Adapter connected to a computer and 3 regular phones connected throughout the house via the old phone wiring(PSTN phone service must be disconnected). You will need to keep a computer running Skype turned on and connected to the Skype adapter/gateway and your local landline at all times.
See related post: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic...mp;#entry335895

Note that Skype is not a replacement for your landline because you can't call emergency numbers with it. But most mobiles can.

Ike

Right now you have to use a computer if you want change your current phone system to Skype. A D-Link USB adapter for $50 from your local RadioShack will do. There is a Ethernet box, ideal, but not sold in the States.

Amazing, no company here in the states has made a box just for Skype. Then, you plug it into your current network system and phone system. Such a box is extremly simple, compared to WiFi routers. Fry's has been selling $100 computers, perfect (actually still very over kill) for Skype.

You have 4 lines so a cheap USB box will not do you good. You may want to try SkyPBX from ZiPCOM. It offers rich feature set and many models to choose from. SkyPBX-SOHO may be the one you want to consider. You can run Skype calls simultaneous with PSTN calls, if you choose it.

SkyPBX-SOHO:

- Seamless integration of Skype services into corporate PBX systems
- Using existing office telephones to send and to receive Skype calls
- Soho plug-and-play without the need for extra PBX line card
- Soho plug-and-play with no or minimal PBX/PSTN CO reconfiguration
- Users choose Skype or PSTN calls freely with PSTN lines fall back for life-line support during power-failure
- Absolutely free Skype-to-Skype calls from/to PBX telephones
- Multiple lines to PBX systems for simultaneous Skype calls
- A single corporate Skype account as a hunt group with automatic call distribution of incoming Skype calls;
- Unrestricted extendable Skype accounts in a hunt group
- SkyBook, a smart phone book, with extended 4-14 digit speed-dial codes to address worldwide Skype accounts
- Convenient SkypeOut calls directly from PBX phones
- Smart SkypeOut dial plan, the same as regular PSTN dialing
- Advanced telephony features for Skype on PBX systems, including IVR, call recording/monitoring, - conferences calls, call transfers and call forwarding
- Skype server management system:
* Line status monitoring
* Call Detailed Record (CDR) management
* Traffic Statistics for network planning
* Event management
* Phonebook central management
* SkypeOut central management
* Trustable security: SkyPBX are controlled centrally without any PC used on user side;

Good luck and cheers.

Thank you all! Just to clarify, I only have one landline, so I'm guessing the adapter option will work. For emergencies, everyone has a mobile so we're good there. I'll purchase the adapter and report back if I have any problems!

Thanks again.

Have a look at the Fritz!Box on this site:

http://www.avm.de/en/

It is a Router where you can connect ordinary phones and
use them for Voip calls over the internet without having your
PC switched on. It also has the capability of having your
phonebook centrally placed, so it is accessed from any phone
connected. Alarm function to the phone of your choice.
It can also act as a phone switch board in your house.
Any many more fantastic features - too many to mention here.

But you must get to know whether your broadband system
uses Annex A or B, before you order, as this can not be changed
by software upgrades.

I'm also interested in purchasing a box that connects directly to my router allowing me to use my existing cordless phones with skype (no PC via USB). The only devices I've been able to find (besides wi-fi phones) are:
Linksys CIT400
Netgear Dual Mode Cordless Phone

Both of these phones say they support multiple handsets for a single base, but I can't find anywhere to buy them without the base. So, to help keep costs down, I was hoping to find a single "base" unit with Skype integrated in it that can connect directly to my router allowing me to maintain my current investment in my home phones.

The mention of the Fritz!Box is the closest thing I've seen to this so far (although it doesn't mention Skype support). Do you know if it'll work with Skype and in the US? Anyone know of any other options for the functionality I'm trying to achieve?

These products are either very new or unavailable. We just obtained a CIT400 and are planning to evaluate the device before putting on our website for sale. Let us know your result.

We will post our evaluation on our website.

Great! I'm looking forward to your review.

I also just found out about one other potential phone solution:
Philips VOIP8411B/37

although, like the other items I've found, this one isn't available to purchase yet.

All of these solutions include replacing your existing handsets you have at home. Is it feasible that someone will create a device like this (D-Link USB Phone Adapter) that plugs directly into the router rather than a PC?

The D-Link USB Phone Adapter you mentioned requires a PC running Skype. This type of adapters has been available for sometime and we sold a lot of them. In fact, you can buy a B2K for $9.88 after rebate from our website.

Thanks, I was already fully aware of that, though. I was simply trying to make a point that I want one of these that does NOT depend on a PC. Is this just wishful thinking or are there are any companies making these types of devices (plugging directly into the router, NOT to the PC via USB) that allows me to utilize my existing home phones?

Have you finished the test with CIT400? It has been more than a week. I am waiting for your report before buying one for myself. Will be cheaper to buy from your website or from Amazon?

I too would be interested in knowing more of the possibilities