CALL1899 offers free PC-to-Telephone International calls

Smartasss

Does it work for 1899 VOIP when the computer is switched off?

divad_2

Yes. You don't even need a computer - just plug the phone into any RJ45 internet connector. I can take the phone to any place (even abroad) where there is an internet connection, and make my free UK local/national calls over 1899.

EDIT: You need a computer initially to set up the telephone with the 1899 settings, but once it's configured that's it.

robonz

as for the guy who mentioned the Poundland headset, forget it i got one they are really rubbish and fall apart. i am a big poundland fan but this is a product to avoid.

Paul_Varjak

divad wrote:

I'm using the 1899 free VOIP service and so far it seems to work great. For those who don't want to use their computer to make the calls, you can buy a VOIP phone (I got one one of these -> http://www.grandstream.com/y-bt100.htm off ebay a few weeks ago for £35).

If you have a dedicated VOIP phone then you just plug into your internet router, and you can make calls when the computer is off (plus the phone has speakerphone, etc). I found the quality through the dedicated telephone is MUCH better than through a PC headset, and much more natural to use.

A few questions:

1. Does the router derive power from the USB port on computer?
2. Can the router derive power from an Internet Phone instead?
3. My router only has one connector - how can I plug an Internet phone into it?
4. Can Internet phone be used to make/receive calls on PSTN?
5. Do Internet phones have answering machines?

Paul_Varjak

Seems that 1899's VOIP offering has just been beaten, by free calls to many destinations worldwide:

http://www.voipuser.org/forum_topic_328.html

ohit

"Outbound calls are currently capped to a maximum duration of 10 mins"

Waste of time.

andy88_2

Voipuser free calls are paid for from a kitty that receives income from incoming calls to users' 0844 numbers. So to be sociable in voipuser is a bit antisocial to your friends.

ohit

Sipgate give me a landline number, so forget 0844 rubbish.

1899 give free calls regardless of whatever, so forget Voipuser - I just don't see the point of it.

seth

Paul_Varjak wrote:

A few questions:

1. Does the router derive power from the USB port on computer?
2. Can the router derive power from an Internet Phone instead?
3. My router only has one connector - how can I plug an Internet phone into it?
4. Can Internet phone be used to make/receive calls on PSTN?
5. Do Internet phones have answering machines?

1. These Devices are analog telephone adapters ATA it has a built in router, it is not just a router.

2. The ATA is mains powered (5w)
3. Buy a switch with 4 or 8 ports and connect it to your "router" I assume you mean a cable modem / ADSL modem with a RJ45 ethernet connector?
4.Yes currently 1899 ogger this free to UK, Canada, Germany..Recive call free sign up for a free number from SIPGATE
5. Some sofware ones can do, if you used an ATA you can connect a fax, ansferphone, DECt phone etc. Using a convention hpone is cheaper and better than the VOIP WIFI phone which are expensive and have very poor performance.

To summariese ATAs run off the mains and the PC can be left off. They have build in firewalls. Ebuyer knock them out cheap £22. Get one with 4 ethernet ports then you plug in an analog telephone adapter (ATA) these are £55 but a previous post said £35 from ebay.

Dabs has an offer on a modem with 2 POTS (Plain old telephone ports) as well as 4 ethernet ports. This allow you to plug in 2 phones and have 2 VOIP lines free from SIPGATE out on 1899, There are plenty of threads on this just search! There is no VOIP board yet

ATA terminate with RJ11s (US phone connectors) you use with UK phone you need a RJ11 to RJ45 adapter, most suppliers will add this to the order on include it (about £2) You need one that is a master socket : Has a capacitor.
LINITX has a nice picture of one of these. Ebuyer do RJ11 to RJ11 male cables at 23p! and Decent headphones with mikes for 62p or 69p or £106 for a nice looking one! I've got loads from them all great! P&P is expensive so buy with a larger item, eg 2 dect colour phones with SMS for £29!!

Details of these items are in the telephone forum just search on VOIP or Dabs or capacitor...

seth

ohit wrote:

Sipgate give me a landline number, so forget 0844 rubbish.

1899 give free calls regardless of whatever, so forget Voipuser - I just don't see the point of it.

There are too many 0870 0845 without us creating more!!