VOIP - Options

MoneyMachine_2 · 11 March 2005 at 4:36AM

So, loads of comapnies are jumping on the bandwagon, but what are the best deals??
Considering I pay 9.99 a month for my BT line and spend next to nothing on calls (because of 18866) I not sure I would be any better off with a VOIP package. ie £5.99 per month for x number of calls, as I probably won't make 600 calls a month.
So, can any of these deals beat the override providers??

Anyone any ideas on this:
Setting up a small office in spare room at home. I would like to make and receive calls in the office on a seperate number but I don't want the cost of an additional line.
I figure VOIP should give me some options but what are they??
Skype doesn't seem to fit the bill as all my customers won't have it. Mainly looking at VOIP to landline calls (UK only) using a headset on my PC.
I use a wireless network so can I install the same software and account on desktop and laptop and stay logged into both?

Do any offer an answering machine service yet for when your PC is switched off??

Would I be best off buying a VOIP handset and plugging it into the machine in upstairs office??

I lot to ask but I'm sure there are plenty of knowledgable MSE's to help!!

thefirs · 11 March 2005 at 10:27AM

Inevitably this thread has become bedraggled and long with every Tom, !!!!!!, and Harriet having his/her say, but it's a mine of useful information and constitutes a 'practicalities of VOIP' tutorial in its own right.

To summarise, you set up a free account with Sipgate which gives you a UK fixed-line-lookalike number. Sipgate suggest a set of hardware for around £70, or the free Xlite softphone. The 1899 Voip service would offer you free UK/USA/Canada/Germany landline calls, though as you say if the outward calls are few then the savings would be minimal. The advantage would be that you'd need no new wiring to the spare room, and if you are cunning you'll register your 1899 number to be the one provided by Sipgate so that people you call will appear to be getting a call originating on that number. Use 1899's softphone or (in my opinion better) Firefly to make outward calls. You can set up Firefly to be the receiving software for Sipgate too.

chriswattsgbr · 6 August 2005 at 2:39PM

Has anyone tried VoipCheap on 18866? It's free for UK, Ireland and Netherlands landlines but you get cut off after 1 min 30 secs and have to redial. Does anyone know a way around this?

Chris

derrick · 7 August 2005 at 12:58PM

chriswattsgbr wrote:

Has anyone tried VoipCheap on 18866? It's free for UK, Ireland and Netherlands landlines but you get cut off after 1 min 30 secs and have to redial. Does anyone know a way around this?

Chris

Register, buy 1 Euro, then they are supposed to be unlimited free calls, haven't tried this yet, a bit paranoid about giving CC details re continious credit authority

derrick · 8 August 2005 at 3:19PM

I have decided to purchase the credit (£1 minimum) but whilst I have tried on my home phone and it worked, I now keep getting an error code "call ended (cause: 4)"

Also tried later and got "call ended (timeout while connecting)"

Anyone any ideas what "cause 4" is?

VOIP - Options

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