> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sipgate.de/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sipgate.de/cloud-telefonanlage/en/getting-started/readme/was-sind-die-grundvoraussetzungen-fuer-die-nutzung-von-sipgate.md).

# What are the basic requirements for using sipgate?

sipgate landline telephony is VoIP telephony, but what does that actually mean and what requirements must be met? Voice over IP (VoIP) means that you make calls via your Internet connection and therefore no longer via the analog telephone connection. VoIP stands for the transmission of voice data over the Internet instead of via classic telephone networks such as ISDN.

#### **Internet**

The first basic requirement is a broadband Internet connection with a provider of your choice, for example Deutsche Telekom AG, 1&1 or Vodafone. The important factor is speed: a single phone call over the Internet requires about 100 kbit/s (both upload and download). This enables flawless voice quality. Too little bandwidth can lead to dropouts.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Example:** Even with a standard DSL connection with 16,000 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload, up to 10 simultaneous calls are possible.
{% endhint %}

#### **Devices and softphones**

How you want to make calls is entirely up to you. Do you want a 'real' phone on your desk? Then VoIP phones from snom, Gigaset, Grandstream and many other providers are a good option. These are then simply connected to your sipgate account. On our website you will find a [overview of the configuration instructions.](https://help.sipgate.de/hc/de/articles/4402636353041-Alle-Konfigurationsanleitungen-auf-einen-Blick) But you can also continue using existing analog telephones by connecting them to a VoIP adapter, such as a Fritz!Box with VoIP capability.

Another option is softphones. This is software that lets you make calls directly through your computer — ideally with a headset. You can either choose a softphone from an external provider or use the permanently free sipgate Softphone directly.

![Basic requirement.jpg](/files/bd5a9bbac1e35a12c8f5952044fcd1117d8da56c)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Of course, you can also set up a VoIP phone and softphone at the same time. A common scenario: In the office you use the VoIP phone, while working from home you make calls via softphone on your laptop and can be reached on the same phone number — whether for incoming or outgoing calls.
{% endhint %}

#### **Firewalls and routers – what should you pay attention to?**

When using routers with a firewall, you must make sure that all ports required for Internet telephony are allowed in the firewall. This is important so that connection problems do not arise in the first place.

You can find more on the topic of routers and firewalls in the article [How can I fix problems with the router?](https://help.sipgate.de/hc/de/articles/4406496589201-Wie-kann-ich-Probleme-mit-dem-Router-beheben)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.sipgate.de/cloud-telefonanlage/en/getting-started/readme/was-sind-die-grundvoraussetzungen-fuer-die-nutzung-von-sipgate.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.