RCA (by Telefield) IP160s, IP170s, IP160, IP170 unlocking and review

I recently discovered the RCA IP IP170s and IP160s units were availabe very cheaply on the market. These phones are several years old but appear to be of decent quality and offer HD voice with the G722 protocol. 

Later I discovered that some, this with the "s", IP160s, and IP 170s, were locked to Broadview service. "Locked" in this case only means they have a password installed. I also found that some unlocked units were selling under the "Telefield" name

Here are sone model breakdowns

Locked models (sold for use with Broadvoice service) 
IP060s DECT Wireless handset/charger only
IP070s DECT Desk phone (needs only wired power) only
IP160s DECT wireless handset/charger with base
IP170s DECT Desk Phone with base

Unlocked models
IP060 DECT Wireless handset/charger only
IP070 DECT Desk phone (needs only wired power) only
IP160 DECT wireless handset/charger with base
IP170 DECT Desk Phone with base

The bases of the IP160/IP160s and IP170/170s may not appear identical however, I believe they are functionally identical.  

I started with the purchase of the IP170s which in short order was connected to my asterisk which makes USA and Canada calls by way of an Obi202 conneted to Google Voice. It also is the home of my primary incoming number of many years. I also use other providers with some additional USA and UK DIDs and global termination.

Searching around I had found no information on unlocking these units. It seems there was no real "unlocking" to be done. The quickstart manual included with my IP170s referred to the "password" for connecting the DECT desk handset to the base "if needed" , was "7227". To access the full programability of the DECT base I only needed to connect it to a network (IMPORTANT: I did this with Internet disconnected to avoid the unit from "calling home", and upgrading firmware and/or resetting a password) , then accessed the IP of the DECT base from a computer  web browser. I used "admin" as the user name and "7227" as the password and viola I was in and able to program it for my asterisk server.  The first thing I did was disable the provisioning features under Servicing>Advanced Upgrade, then clearing out the "URL" field, and setting 'Check New Config" field to "disabled" 

There is a document here that walks you through configuring an IP160s unit here:
https://www.elastix.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2016/01/RCA-IP160S_Phone_SetupGuide.pdf
THat guide refers to Elastix, but the part about configuring the IP160/IP160s/IP170/IP170s is the same

I then connected the handset to the base using the instructions in the quickstart guide. NOTE : I had issues with the display on my IP170s phone. I just kep trying and clicking "OK" on the phone, then heard a tone indi cateting pairing success.  After a few reboots of the phone the display began working . and has not failed since. Another user reports pairing issues here https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r29745462-Unlock-RCA-Telefield-IP160s-IP060s-Resolved that apparently he resolved. I did not have this issue. 

I have the following on good authority and it depends on the firmware version

Passwords:
00000000 (eight zeros)
00000 (five zeroes)
0000 (four zeros)
7227
"" (blank, no quotes)

The calls with the G722 CODEC seem to pass from the RCA phone system to asterisk to the Obi202 over the g722 codec flawlessly, as did calls from a Polycom SoundPoint 335 VoIP desk phone. On the calls to Google Voice, I am not certain if the call is maintained in the Obi202 and on to Google Voice as g722 CODEC. I suppose it is possible that the Obi202 is translating the CODEC, as it seems to have a lot of advanced features. I have also seen that voip.ms one of my favorite VoIP providers that I use also, is now supporting g722.

If I had one thing that I could hope for that would be the ability to get the RCA IP170s base to work with a trunk that is not registered (such as an IP auth) , as I wanted to bypass the asterisk completely and could have done 2 way IP auths between Obi202 and IP170s Base.  When I tried  it, the IP170s base  always showed "Unregistered" and handset displayed "No Service". It did allow me to make calls from the "unregistered" trunk but inbounds to the IP170s were not recognized.

I then ordered two IP060s handsets to add to the system. Considering I paid $20.00 for two handsets with free shipping, it was quaite a value.

Hardware Quality

The quality of the desk phone IP070/IP170s struck me as slightly inferior. It has a speakerphone that works very well.  It is lightweight , the buttons are hard plastic. It seems that many modern VoIP desk phones have gone the same way however, lightweight cheap feeloing plastic.  

The quality of the cordless phone IP060/IP160s is quite impressive.It has a headset jack, quality speakerphoneand belt clip. 

I was disappointed also with the limitations of the dial plan, but if dialing on hook is okay , this is not an issue. This and the fact that I must register an account , and can not IP auth the phones are my only complaints so far. 

When I factor in what these three phones cost me, just over $50.00,  it was a TREMENDOUS value for very high quality VoIP HD quality. It was past time for an upgrade of my mix n match VoIP phones from yesteryear, and I believe this will keep me happy for many years to come, even supporting the g722 CODEC. All items I purchased on ebay and had to use "Make Offer" but previously I had seen these same phones cheaper than I paid for them.  

Mark