From the Manufacturer
The Prestige 2000W, compatible with the IEEE 802.11b wireless standard, is a perfect solution for VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) applications. It lets you make or receive phone calls as long as you're within range of 802.11b or .11g wireless access points. With the Prestige 2000W, you no longer have to pay expensive communication fees, and can enjoy the convenience of wireless mobility.
This brand-new application was developed to support open-standard session initiation protocol (SIP), which interoperates with major SIP-based call servers, IP-PBXs, and various VoIP client devices. It is not only an ideal alternative for ITSPs (IP telephony service providers) to deploy their VoIP services, it can also be the wireless handset, which can be applied in a corporate IP-PBX-centric VoIP environment.
The Prestige 2000W is easy to use and configure via an LCD menu or Web browser. Moreover, with the smart auto-provisioning mechanism, ITSPs can easily deploy and manage VoIP services. Easy to use and convenient, the Prestige 2000W delivers high-quality voice functionality in a cost-effective manner.
Features:
Open-standard SIP v2 support. The call-control protocol of the Prestige 2000W is based on the SIP v2 (session initiation protocol version 2, RFC 3261) open standard, which is interoperable with major SIP-based call servers, IP-PBXs, and other standard SIP-based client devices.
Mobility with IEEE 802.11b wireless standard compliance. The Prestige 2000W is compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard and interoperates with any existing 802.11b or .11g wireless access point and gateway. It may be used as a cordless handset by residential and business users. The small size of the handset makes it easy to transport and allows users to place VoIP calls from public hot spots.
High voice quality at a low cost. The Prestige 2000W is capable of tagging features that support a service provider's QoS (Quality of Service) planning, such as ToS (Type of Service) and DiffServ. It allows gateways or central side equipment to identify and prioritize voice and data traffic. By supporting G.711 and G.729 voice compression technology, the Prestige 2000W effectively reduces bandwidth consumption caused by voice traffic.
An enhanced power-saving design for extended standby and talk time. With an extended life for each recharge cycle, the Prestige 2000W will be available where and when you need it.
Optional support for direct IP-to-IP call and ad-hoc intercom modes. By configuring a remote IP address in the built-in phone book, the Prestige 2000W provides direct IP-to-IP calling when there is no intermediate SIP proxy server available. The Prestige 2000W can also establish an ad-hoc 802.11 (computer-to-computer without access point) network, which allows users to use the handsets as wireless intercoms.
What's in the Box The Prestige P2000W, a power adapterr (5-volt DC output), a battery (3.6-volt, 1350 mAh lithium), a CD (documents), a Quick Start Guide, a phone clip, and a charger.
Note: This phone does not include a VoIP service plan. To use the phone, you will need to establish an account with a VoIP service provider. The Quick Start Guide includes a checklist of technical information that you will need to obtain from your service provider before setting up the phone.
Product Description
The Prestige 2000W VoIP Wi-Fi phone, compatible with IEEE 802.11b wireless standard, is a perfect solution for Voice over IP applications. It allows users to make or receive phone calls as long as they are in the coverage of IEEE 802.11b or 11g wireless Access Points. By using the Prestige 2000W, users no longer have to pay expensive communication fees and can enjoy the convenience of wireless mobility. The brand new application is developed to support open standard SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which interoperates with major SIP-based call servers, IP-PBXs and various VoIP client devices. It is not only an ideal alternative for ITSPs (IP Telephony Service Providers) to deploy their VoIP services; it can also be the wireless handset, which is applied in corporate IP-PBX centric VoIP environment. The Prestige 2000W is very easy to use and configure. It allows users to configure with LCD screen menu or web browser. Meanwhile, with the smart auto-provisioning mechanism, ITSPs can easily deploy and manage the VoIP services. Easy-to-use and convenient, the Prestige 2000W delivers high quality voice functionality in a cost-effective way.
Being one of the first Wi-Fi VoIP (SIP) phones on the market, ZyXEL Prestige 2000W is a solid proof of concept that is deemed by many to see explosive growth. With this unit, ZyXEL seems to be targeting two markets - a cordless phone for corporate SIP environments and residential broadband VoIP services (like Vonage). The unit gets 3 stars for actually working in one deployment scenario, but lacking many required features.
We have received several units from ZyXEL in October to investigate a deployment scenario with Asterisk PBX as a SIP server. The phone picked up a signal of our internal 802.11b/g wireless network with no problems. However, the initial attempt to register with Asterisk server was unsuccessful. Upgrading firmware to version 'f' solved the registration problem and now we could successfully move on to evalute phone's functionality.
Positive impressions:
1. Reception of Wi-Fi signal is good and is on par with other wireless devices (we compared to notebooks with WiFi cards).
2. Sound quality is very good and is comparable to your average cellphone.
3. Battery life is decent and will handle several hours of talktime. Standby mode is not as effective as with your modern cellphone, therefore the phone has to be charged every night.
4. Unit is fairly compact and lightweight (about the size of an older Nokia cellphone).
Unfortunateluly, this is where the positive impressions end. To give ZyXEL some credit, core technology seems be in good shape and the unit lacks any serious drawbacks. However, many important features one would expect in a cordless communication device are underimplemented or not implemented at all:
1. Phone looks and feels old, like one of the cellphones from the 90's. Screen is tiny and only has four lines.
2. Handsfree - both speakerphone and headset ports exist, but are not functional.
3. Battery compartment is very hard to open. Not that one should have to take out the battery that often, but this is the only way to reboot the phone when it occasionally locks up.
4. Only one incoming line is implemented.
5. Phone registers to a SIP server only upon bootup. Therefore, if the connection to the server is lost during normal operation, the phone will have to be rebooted.
6. Hold, transfer, and conference buttons are not implemented. As is the MWI (Message Waiting Indicator).
7. Wireless security is underimplemented. On paper, WEP up to 128 bits is possible, in reality that means you will have to punch in the keys manually (use the web interface for that) and quality of sound will deteriorate. WEP keys are easy to break anyways, so that leaves you with MAC Address filtering - wait, that's easy to spoof also. So do not bother yourself with security on this phone.
8. You have to know your SSID to access the wireless AP. No autodiscovery and no ability to store several SSIDs and to connect to whichever one is found first.
9. The lists for missed and dialed calls exist, but are out of order (at least chronological one). Plus, no details are offered.
10. Ringtones are godawful and cannot be changed.
In summary:
1. Corporate clients will be turned off by the lack of multiple lines, transfer and hold functionality, and lack of security.
2. Service providers, like Vonage, seem to prefer analog adapters to end devices that talk native VoIP protocols. In the case of Vonage, one may be able use Prestige 2000W on their network using credentials issued for the SoftPhone service. But given the extra charge for the service as well as the premium price of Prestige 2000W itself, the economics are against such scenario. It is much more economical for residential customer to purchase an analog or digital cordless phone in 900Mhz or 5.8Ghz spectrum and use it through VoIP provider's telephone adapter.
Unless you have an extra $250 laying around and like your technology raw, patience will be rewarded. New and improved WiFi SIP Phones are starting to show up. For example, Hitachi Cable's IP-5000 looks more modern and supports advanced security features like WPA and EAP-TLS (there are reports, however, of poor firmware design and incompatibility). Cisco 7920 seems to be dominant in the large corporate sector and may capture small and medium-business markets if they finally release SIP firmware and work on lowering the $500+ price-tag.
Motorola is releasing a CN620, which as a hybrid GSM/WiFi SIP phone for the corporate market.
There is a lot of development in this area and kudos to ZyXEL for braving the turbulent waters. Hopefully, they can improve on hardware design, add more firmware features and turn the ugly duckling that Prestige 2000W is into a beatiful swan.
4 stars for having an ugly design and a high price but no alternative (as of know). I have no opinion on battery life. I shall see.
I ordered the product from Amazon yesterday with Ground UPS, and received it today. There goes an applause to Amazon!
About the product: It is very simple, but seems to serve the purpose: send and receive calls. the sound quality is excellent. entering the information to access the service provider took approximately one minute. After you have a connection between the phone and the router, you then need to enter the rest of the information by accessing the phone's settings from your computer's browser.
I live in a Manhattan apartment building where I share a wireless connection. The router is located on the 6th floor. I live on the 8th floor. The quality is not exactly the same as using the phone next to the wifi router, but still acceptable. I will solve that problem by adding a signal booster to the router.
I signed up with BroadVoice, which only offers SIP based VOIP services. This phone only works on SIP based systems. Major VOIP providers provide SIP as an additional service that costs you more over your regular VOIP service fee, and comes with limited minutes. There are many other companies that are out there offering SIP, just google "sip providers" and you will find a lot.
I could use a free software phone to access these servers, but I really appreaciated talking on a real phone and hear the difference in quality of sound, instead of having to wear a headset and stare at the computer screen. Believe me, it makes a way lot of difference.
I'm originally from Turkey, currently living in the US. It costs me to call Turkey around 45 cents a minute from my cell. These services cost you from 10 cents to 20 cents, depending on whether you call a landline or a cell number. Although the phone is pricey, I will be saving a lot in a few months by lowering my cellphone plan and using the 2000W for national and international calls. I still get call waiting, rejecting a blocked number, voice mail and so forth. I was even able to get a (212) area code number, which has become a rarity. I will pay about $21 for calling unlimited national and 21 international countries (no Turkey is not one of them, useless for now, but you never know).
Initial charge to signup with the service cost $32.04 including that $21.00. So there is no reason to complain, even the service fails once in a while (not yet happened). Let me be ridiculous and assume that I call turkey 20 hours a month. It would cost me $540 with cell carrier, and $120 with this one.
If you ask, why didn't you go for one of the major VOIP providers, my answer will be, I do not want to see any more bulky devices on the floor. Also, I would be required to install a converter in order to be able to use a regular phone. In addition to all of these issues, I would have to buy a high end cordless phone to have a clear sound upstairs. At the end the cost would be much higher.
I think this product is really good for a starter. I am pretty sure that many others will enter the market in the near future, as Vonage is planning on releasing their own wifi phones.
I can also take this phone with me whereever there is a wireless hotspot available. The only problem is that some places such as Starbucks use TMobile hotspot, which requires you to download a piece of software that connects you to their network. In that circumstance I do not think that this phone will be usable. But, since there are a lot of people who do not secure their wifi connections, I am sure you will find a place in your area to enjoy this phone and call your friends and family as if you are calling them from your cellphone.
For those who may be confused about Voice over IP services, this is real phone that can dial and receive calls with any other real phone in the Word unlike PC to PC voice connections that can only be placed between PC clients. And as for any VoIP connection, it requires service provider to provide connection with phone networks. Vonage soft phone plan cost about $12 per month with free local calls and cheap international calls, and for that price you get full phone service just like you would get from cell phone or land line company. And the best part - you can use the same service (and the same number) from any wireless internet Access Point in the world. Imagine that you live in NY and can make and receive the same free unlimited local calls with your NY number while traveling to London, Paris or Beijing from any Wi-Fi internet connection.
That is the theory anyway, in reality customization of the pone and understanding of IP networking may be required to set up the phone for different locations.
