A long time ago, I asked if it would be possible to configure VOIP to
add the area code automatically to local numbers to avoid the need to
'dial' the area code. There were various answers at the time,
suggesting it could be difficult. I have today discovered that my
router (Fritz!Box) has a facility to add the country code and area
code and it will then allow me to dial local numbers without requiring
the code. I don't know yet if there are any anomalies (101 works
okay).

On Mon 04/03/2024 20:30, Scott wrote:
> A long time ago, I asked if it would be possible to configure VOIP to
> add the area code automatically to local numbers to avoid the need to
> 'dial' the area code. There were various answers at the time,
> suggesting it could be difficult. I have today discovered that my
> router (Fritz!Box) has a facility to add the country code and area
> code and it will then allow me to dial local numbers without requiring
> the code. I don't know yet if there are any anomalies (101 works
> okay).

It is easy if you are using something like a Linksys PAP2T. It has a
dialling table and you just fill in the details. The only thing is that
you have to get everything on the right order or you might dial 999 or
112 with your local code nailed on the front!

Having said that:-
1. My experience with a normal DECT system is that if I dial a number
from the same local BT exchange as my number (e.g. starting with 88) it
will connect significantly more quickly if I dial the full number
including dialling code rather than just the last six digits. (I'm not
talking VoIP here, just plain vanilla copper cable.)

2. Don't forget that when we all go fibre in a year or two's time you
will have no option but to dial the full number including code as
'local' numbers as such will disappear. The routing centre (formerly
known as a telephone exchange) may be 100 miles or more away, and your
number may be handled by a different routing centre to that of your
neighbour that you are calling. You do it now with your mobile so why
not with your home phone?

When we go full fibre, as there will be no wires to bring electrickery
from the 'exchange' you will need a UPS to keep your ONT (fibre
interface) and your telephone router active if the mains fails.

On Mon, 4 Mar 2024 21:02:07 +0000, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

>On Mon 04/03/2024 20:30, Scott wrote:
>> A long time ago, I asked if it would be possible to configure VOIP to
>> add the area code automatically to local numbers to avoid the need to
>> 'dial' the area code. There were various answers at the time,
>> suggesting it could be difficult. I have today discovered that my
>> router (Fritz!Box) has a facility to add the country code and area
>> code and it will then allow me to dial local numbers without requiring
>> the code. I don't know yet if there are any anomalies (101 works
>> okay).
>
>
>It is easy if you are using something like a Linksys PAP2T. It has a
>dialling table and you just fill in the details. The only thing is that
>you have to get everything on the right order or you might dial 999 or
>112 with your local code nailed on the front!

I was not given this option, so it could be a concern. The FritzBox
system is rather less sophisticated than you describe. I shall
investigate.
>
>Having said that:-
>1. My experience with a normal DECT system is that if I dial a number
>from the same local BT exchange as my number (e.g. starting with 88) it
>will connect significantly more quickly if I dial the full number
>including dialling code rather than just the last six digits. (I'm not
>talking VoIP here, just plain vanilla copper cable.)

I noticed that (in VOIP). I may abandon the project.
>
>2. Don't forget that when we all go fibre in a year or two's time you
>will have no option but to dial the full number including code as
>'local' numbers as such will disappear. The routing centre (formerly
>known as a telephone exchange) may be 100 miles or more away, and your
>number may be handled by a different routing centre to that of your
>neighbour that you are calling. You do it now with your mobile so why
>not with your home phone?

Yes, but I don't see this would affect VOIP. Surely the STD/area code
is added by software before the call is initiated?
>
>When we go full fibre, as there will be no wires to bring electrickery
>from the 'exchange' you will need a UPS to keep your ONT (fibre
>interface) and your telephone router active if the mains fails.
>
This is a recognised problem. It would need to be a very good UPS to
cope with a seven day power outage. I have also seen a suggestion that
mobile phone base stations may fail also, so the idea that we can all
use our mobile may be optimistic.

Scott <newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk> writes:

> A long time ago, I asked if it would be possible to configure VOIP to
> add the area code automatically to local numbers to avoid the need to
> 'dial' the area code. There were various answers at the time,
> suggesting it could be difficult. I have today discovered that my
> router (Fritz!Box) has a facility to add the country code and area
> code and it will then allow me to dial local numbers without requiring
> the code. I don't know yet if there are any anomalies (101 works
> okay).

Can someone tell Virginmedia about this? as they have taken a more
laissez faire approach and let the OAP reprogram the phone without
telling them they need to (not that they know how to anyway).

On Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:52:00 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

>Scott <newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk> writes:
>
>> A long time ago, I asked if it would be possible to configure VOIP to
>> add the area code automatically to local numbers to avoid the need to
>> 'dial' the area code. There were various answers at the time,
>> suggesting it could be difficult. I have today discovered that my
>> router (Fritz!Box) has a facility to add the country code and area
>> code and it will then allow me to dial local numbers without requiring
>> the code. I don't know yet if there are any anomalies (101 works
>> okay).
>
>Can someone tell Virginmedia about this? as they have taken a more
>laissez faire approach and let the OAP reprogram the phone without
>telling them they need to (not that they know how to anyway).

This may be of interest (I should have posted it earlier):
https://en.avm.de/service/knowledge-base/dok/FRITZ-Box-7590/222_Automatically-dialing-the-area-code-when-making-internet-calls-over-the-FRITZ-Box/