[Asterisk-biz] Opinions and experiences with ICSTEL

[Santos]

Thanks for your reply. I think i have read enough. From your  
experience, it seems to be a company to avoid. Pity as they have some 
intersting products, but not anymore :)

Anyway, if  anyone knows about cheap (but that work!) GSM gateways, 
please inform me. My local 2n VoiceBlue distributor gave me a 
prohibitive price and Eurotech Communication is out of the EU (Israel), 
and that, kind of sucks on terms of  final cost.

There is also this dual/quad GSM card, 
http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-biz/2005-September/008598.html 
but no details about it.

Santos


Vahan Yerkanian wrote:

> Santos and others,
>
> For what it's worth, don't do business with them. I was also thrilled 
> by their GSM gateway and it's cost and ordered one. Not talking about 
> they charged double price for the sample, it appeared a poorly 
> designed GSM adapter that you sometimes see in rural areas for the pay 
> phone setups.
>
> Basically it's a single FXS to GSM kind of box where you connect 
> regular analog phone and put a gsm sim card(with no pin number set) 
> into its slot. No ethernet ports nothing. Came with gsm antena, power 
> adapter and has a backup battery inside for when you lose power.
>
> There was no documentation included, I later received a poorly written 
> english translation in .doc format.
>
> Was supposed to work out of box, but the unit I received was dead 
> brick imho as it didn't accept any sim card from any of local gsm 
> providers, it was just the same dead silence with no or a sim card 
> inserted. ICSTELL refused to replace or refund the sample and then 
> stopped replying to my emails to sales at icstel.com. I'm using it as a 
> door brick now.
>
> The "support" was barely speaking(and understanding) English and while 
> they have their bank account in France, this is Chinese manufacturer.
>
> If you wish I can send you my correspondence with them off-list.
>
> HTH,
> Vahan
>
>