VOIP, Discussion, questions and answers

buglawton

In the old days, I once (despite being no pensioner) auto-qualified for a Low Use BT scheme with lower rental, simply because all my outgoing calls were via 18185. Maybe 18185 don't register on BT's record.

If you add an internet service to her line, the cost will outweigh the voip savings. And a combined phone + 'net bundle will probably disqualify from BT basic anyway.

So how about signing her up on 18185 or 1899, at least with that she can make an unlimited length land line call any time for a one-off connection fee of around 5p.

Rev

buglawton wrote: »

In the old days, I once (despite being no pensioner) auto-qualified for a Low Use BT scheme with lower rental, simply because all my outgoing calls were via 18185. Maybe 18185 don't register on BT's record.

If you add an internet service to her line, the cost will outweigh the voip savings. And a combined phone + 'net bundle will probably disqualify from BT basic anyway.

So how about signing her up on 18185 or 1899, at least with that she can make an unlimited length land line call any time for a one-off connection fee of around 5p.

Thanks.

The Internet is with virgin media, I pay for that (I'm het carer so live at home). I don't need a landline, I use my mobile. But she wants (and because of the lifeline) needs a land line. I called virgin media but they won't offer anything to bundle with the Internet. World out no cheaper than using BT's line rental saver.

I can set it up, but it needs to be as easy to use as a regular phone and needs to be able to default back to the landline should the Internet go down.

Is it possible? Or am I asking too much?

Thanks.

buglawton

I am a VM user and with a bit of bargaining, got the landline practically free with a 10 MB broadband connection (no TV). Catch is VM's high phone call charges. So I use 18185 via an 0800 access for some types of call, while making use of the free weekend landline calls also. All international and weekday landline calls go via Skype flat rate global package anyway.

When I moved from BT to VM, I took my old landline number with me.
Maybe you can make use of this approach?

Rev

buglawton wrote: »

I am a VM user and with a bit of bargaining, got the landline practically free with a 10 MB broadband connection (no TV). Catch is VM's high phone call charges. So I use 18185 via an 0800 access for some types of call, while making use of the free weekend landline calls also. All international and weekday landline calls go via Skype flat rate global package anyway.

When I moved from BT to VM, I took my old landline number with me.
Maybe you can make use of this approach?

Thanks,

I have called VM a few times but they're not willing to offer anything besides a small discount, which just brings it in-line with BT's line rental saver.

I don't want to use something like 18185, it's fine for me, but she would just forget to put it in front of the numbers, even if I manually put it in front of numbers in the phone book, there's numbers she'll use that aren't in there.

It may sound stupid to you, but it really needs to be a simple as picking up the phone and dialling the number. No way would she think to put 18185 before any numbers.

Which is why I was hoping there's a voip solution.

buglawton

My mother is in her 80s but rarely forgets to use the 18185 prefix. I do all the 'net part for her.

Rev

buglawton wrote: »

My mother is in her 80s but rarely forgets to use the 18185 prefix. I do all the 'net part for her.

Want to swap?

Mine had two brain ops, her memory is shot. She doesn't remember her doctors surgery number, despite having been going for 20+ years on practically a weekly basis.

She'd remember it once, whilst I was sat there telling her, next phone call she'd have forgotten.

Rev

Another quick question.

I've just ordered a cheap LINKSYS PAP2T-NA from ebay.

I already have a sipgate number for incoming calls (signed up months ago but only used it a few times), and I plan to use voipgain for outgoing calls.

I have searched the voipgain site and googled but can't get an answer.

Can you make emergency calls via voipgain? And does sipgate offer caller ID?

Thanks.

buglawton

Rev wrote: »

Want to swap?

Mine had two brain ops, her memory is shot. She doesn't remember her doctors surgery number, despite having been going for 20+ years on practically a weekly basis.

She'd remember it once, whilst I was sat there telling her, next phone call she'd have forgotten.

You can even program the 18185 together with the destination number into the individual memory buttons. I know there are 'big button' type phones will a list of memory buttons you can place a clear label next to. This works with 18185 because it's short and copes with zero delay before the destination number starts replaying.

johnk

Rev wrote: »

Can you make emergency calls via voipgain? And does sipgate offer caller ID?

I am using Sipdate for incoming and the caller id does seem to work.

I think all VOIP providers advise against using VOIP for emergency, presumably because the internet is not reliable.

stphnstevey

stphnstevey wrote: »

I'm looking to use VOIP as an alternative to line rental

As I will be using it on a work computer with admin rights, so I need something that doesn't need to be downloaded.

The exception is Skype, which seems to download and run fine. Also I can access this on my mobile which is good.

I'm not worried about call charges as I get them refunded through expenses. Its really the line rental I am trying to avoid

Just wondering with Skype, if I buy a number
- do you get free voicemail?
- can I get an itemised bill?
- are there any cheaper alternatives?

Thanks alot for your help

No body want to help?