Internet Telephony Article Discussion Area

1jacks64

How can you tell if someone is phoning you using this technology because the computer won't make a ringing sound will it?

Edinburghlass_2

1jacks64 wrote:

How can you tell if someone is phoning you using this technology because the computer won't make a ringing sound will it?

As a very new user of Skype, used it twice, yes you get a ringing sound

andy88_2

There will be a difference between using PC-based systems and hardware ones. Skype and SIP softphones will ring on the PC, maybe a pop-up box. Hardware phones, either a digital phone or an analogue one plugged into an ATA (analogue telephone adapter) and into the broadband connection will behave exactly as an ordinary phone, and not require the PC switched on.

seth

I noticed that Cisco have / are in the process of buying Sipura. Their kit looked nice. The plan is to badge it as Linksys.

The Sipura kit looked better made than the Grandslam stuff.

Has anyone bought an ATA recently that runs without problems and runs cool (not hot) and have the prices come down?

Are the ADSL modems with ATA on board any good? They claim to garantee bandwith on the ADSL line even if the clients on the green side of the modem are mullering the connection with P2P et al. Is this true?

seth

crunchy_with_ketchup wrote:

......... I have just ordered a new ADSL modem/router which has two phone ports, so I could sign up for two accounts and have a local number and, say a German number coming through to 2 normasl phones right next to each other! As it is I will be using it as a cheap second line (no line rental, and won't be making many calls on it)

How did the new modem work out?!

Albiwobble_2

imported_admin wrote:

This section is to discuss issues arising from the following article Completely free calls worldwide via your PC

To discuss this click reply

I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SKYPE SERVICE THREE WEEKS AGO. I HAVE CALLED PEOPLE IN THREE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES BUT THE RECEPTION IS A LITTLE SHAKY SOMETIMES. I HAVE ALSO PHONED MOBILES AND THEY ARE CHARGED AT APPROX' 2P P'MIN.

Edinburghlass_2

Albiwobble wrote:

I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE SKYPE SERVICE THREE WEEKS AGO. I HAVE CALLED PEOPLE IN THREE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES BUT THE RECEPTION IS A LITTLE SHAKY SOMETIMES. I HAVE ALSO PHONED MOBILES AND THEY ARE CHARGED AT APPROX' 2P P'MIN.

I think you will see that you have quoted from Martin's post started back in September 2004 and the article written in October 2004.

Due to the recent BBC2 programme it has been brought to people's attention again.

ifd001

ice_maiden_28 wrote:

[B]Hi,
Does anyone know anything about Vonage? A friend of mine got it and raves about it but I'm an eternal sceptic. He paid £30 for a box which goes into the modem or something and its £10 a month with free landline calls. There has to be a catch. Any views would be appreciated. Thanks.[/B]

I have subscribed to Vonage in the UK.

I pay £9.99/month and paid an initial fee of about £30.

For this I get free UK landline calls 24x7, cheap calls to mobile, 0870/0845 type and international calls.
Vonage supply you with a broadband router which can either replace or be added to your existing broadband set-up. This router has ordinary ports (for connecting several PC's) plus two telephone ports (for connecting ordinary telephones).

The benefits I see are:
- savings vs NTL on calls
- you can carry on using your ordinary phones
- not dependent on having a PC running to use the phone (compare Skype)
- additional features which either cost or are not available via NTL
- caller display
- voicemail accessible via internet or phone
- dynamic billing - up to date online all the time
- call history (received and made) available online
- call diversion to one or more phone numbers simulataneously
- cheap broadband router, which you own
- ability to have a phone number in the location of your choice (I haven't used this, but I live in Portsmouth and could have phone number in for example Portsmouth and New York if I wanted). Good if you have relatives/contacts in New York.

The disadvantages:
- it will help if you have an understanding of your home pc set up
- The sound quality is acceptable, though not as good as an ordinary phone. Difficulties are occassional echo on the line; rarely distortion in the sound.
- The voicemail etc is a bit Americanised (I'd hope they'll fix this)
- there are some minor bugs in the online facilities
- some older phones don't work well with it
- can't port your old number to the new service
- some basic features (eg incoming call blocking) are missing
- customer service is as bad as NTL's (long waits, misunderstandings etc)

I am closing my NTL telephone account (for which the basic package without TV is more expensive than Vonage). Prerequisite to Vonage is that you have a broadband internet service, so will continue with NTL's broadand service. So for one month I've diverted all my calls from NTL to Vonage, now I'll leave a message on NTL to give my new number, then I'll cancel NTL.

I cancelled NTL Digital TV some months ago and got Sky. I found their costs comparable and Sky had better facilities (eg digital features). So having been NTL for everything I'll now only pay £24.99/month for their broadband, which continues to be good value for money.

To find out more about Vonage:

http://www.vonage.co.uk
- tells you about the service, faq, rates, subscribe etc etc
I suggest you read this carefully to be sure it's right for you. It's not as straightforward a switch as eg BT to NTL might be.

http://www.vonage-forum.com
- find out what the geeks think (oh dear that includes me)


cheers
Ian

innovate

Just found another one that might be the right choice for some people http://www.voipbuster.com.

It's presently in Beta only, so hickups are to be expected. There's also a lively Forum, ranting and raving about things.

What attracts me to VoIPBuster is that they (currently, at least) offer totally free calls to UK landlines, and to landlines in many (not all) countries around the world. Beware their rates for mobiles and local rate etc numbers, however - it's a good idea to check out their Rates table first.

On first tries, the call quality seems very good, and I found it way easier to use than Skype. There is no voicemail or other frills, though they did give me an 0845 number (which I might or might not give out to people, haven't decided yet).

innovate

Here's another one - Jajah


Just downloading it as I type this..... (download link is towards the bottom of the link posted)

Anyone got any opinions yet on Jajah?