MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion VOIP

jackbremer

reelcrazy wrote:

Is there an idiots guide to getting VOIP up and running on a standard PC / Laptop?

I have got Blueyonder broadband (10mb/sec) and would like to start using VOIP to save my inclusive mins on my mobile.

well I'd say this thread and the tutorials linked to from it pretty much constitutes a guide...

I know it's a few pages to trawl through, but it's worth the effort - go through stage by stage, and copy and paste into notepad or equivalent as you go the bits of the guide that seem useful. That way you can back up a complete guide for your system in case of crash.

DesG

jackbremer wrote:

VOIP Phones - http://www.aria.co.uk/specials.asp?productid=18941&customerid=#3937

between £8 and £17 each!!!

Just bear in mind that they are just usb adapters, not 'real' voip phones which have an ethernet connection.

Great for testing the water, but you need to have your pc on to make or receive calls.


Cheers, Des.

Neptune

For those that are going to go as far as getting a VOIP phone, why not consider using bluetooth? This way your not tied to the PC when you make or receive calls. You can get on with other jobs, in or near the house, or keep the bluetooth headset near you when watching TV etc. Works well for me.

If you have a mobile that's bluetooth enabled you can use the bluetooth headset with that too and get handsfree in car.

The Bluetooth dongle is compatible with any other Bluetooth device, printer, PDA etc, etc.

Install was very easy under Windows 2000 and XP.

I would recommend the following:

Jabra BT250v Bluetooth Headset £34.99:
https://www.driverlog.co.uk/vshop/vproducts.asp?ProdID=B000BV97ZW


and

Belkin Bluetooth USB Adaptor 100m Range £17.14:
https://www.driverlog.co.uk/vshop/vproducts.asp?ProdID=B0009GV3M4


or

Belkin Bluetooth USB Adaptor 10m Range £10.00:
https://www.driverlog.co.uk/vshop/vproducts.asp?ProdID=B0009GV3LU

BexTech

I'd rather buy an ATA, don't need the PC on then!

buglawton

Just started to use Voipcheap (actually I have set it up for my son to use via his PC).

Attracted by the free UK calls etc and obtained a free Voipcheap incoming 0118 prefix number which suits our Reading location.

Questions:

1. Has anyone else got the Incoming Number - does it display on other people's phones when you call them? My test showed it does not - desirable feature though and the setup has a yes/no question to display number for others to see.

2. Any chance of incoming voicemail? I emailed this Q to Voipcheap but if you already know... Again, a desirable feature.

3. Any low cost usb phones that work with Voipcheap? My £10 K-200W usb phone from Ebay works fine as a handset but the keypad & display on the phone are inactive.

BexTech

1) Mine displays on outgoing calls most time, sometimes it does show up as International to some BT users.

2) Hate voicemail being forced upon callers, so have no need for it on VoIP Cheap, I have a dedicated voicemail number, if a person wishes to leave a message if they can't contact me otherwise. I hated 1571 / voicemail so much I refused to call people on numbers that had 1571 / voicemail enabled, as I didn't like paying to be told the number was busy, or for them not being able to get to the phone in time!! (Granted not so much of an issue now I can get free calls, but that is not the point, as the Telcos only introduced it to make them money, whereas they wouldn't receive income from a busy or answered number, now they receive income from them and then when the person calls you back).

3) You would need to see if a patch or driver is available for your model phone to integrate into VoIP Cheap.

I use an ATA, as I don't want my PC on just to be able to make and receive phone calls, as I only have a VoIP system, no standard landline here.

buglawton

Thanks. I will investigate an ATA once I get used to voip altogether. I imagine it can plug into my router.

Another snag: the usb phone seems to 'take over' the sound card from the computer so all windows sounds come through it when plugged in but not in use.

johntyler

Hi, PC to LANDLINES to 35 countries for FREE
If you have good equipment then check out https://www.voipstunt.com
I have been using this service since jan. 6th without any problems. I have made several calls to france , malaysia and newzealand for FREE and if you use 0044 you can ring uk nos. as well. My son rings from japan using the same service. After down loading the software you get a trial period of about 30 mins. after which they ask you to by credits (£8.00 approx. this amount will stay the same if you only make free calls)
cheers john tyler

utilitybroker

johntyler wrote:

Hi, PC to LANDLINES to 35 countries for FREE
If you have good equipment then check out https://www.voipstunt.com
I have been using this service since jan. 6th without any problems. I have made several calls to france , malaysia and newzealand for FREE and if you use 0044 you can ring uk nos. as well. My son rings from japan using the same service. After down loading the software you get a trial period of about 30 mins. after which they ask you to by credits (£8.00 approx. this amount will stay the same if you only make free calls)
cheers john tyler

See this thread here. The credit does run out!
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=129575&page=2&pp=10&highlight=voipstunt

johnhunter_2

I work in a global capacity, and the use of voip is vital both economically and socially! To keep in contact with family on business trips is vital!