VoIP Advice

[Russinating]

Mods: Please feel free to move this to where you feel most appropriate (mobiles/general hardware/networks?)

Basically, I need a new phone line for business use. I've heard bad things about getting a second BT and at first glance it also seems expensive.

So then I remembered VoIP. I've never used it before other than Skype so I have no idea how it works, who's best to go with and what I should be looking to pay.

Firstly, a few questions:
1. Can you receive calls from other landlines/mobiles as well as make them?
2. How much should I be looking to pay PCM and setup?
3. Who are the best providers?
4. Are there any things I should look out for (do's and dont's)?

Many thanks in advance .

PS. How good is Vonage?

 

[marmalade]

www.internetcalls.com offer 5 hours of free calls a week to most mainline countries inc UK (not mobiles, 087 or them sex lines etc) One can also get an incoming number. 10 euros for 4 months plus vat. I use a Thompson 780WL plugging in a bogstandard telephone. This cost peanuts to try. My incoming number rings anywhere in the World from a McDonalds in Sydney to Hanover airport Germany - anywhere I am connected to the net.
Other than this there are the more sophisticated business setups
Oh - Google are starting a telephone service in the next months starting in the US

 

[malef!c]

Have a look at freespeech.co.uk.
You get a free 0844 number and can buy geographic numbers as well.

Decent pricing and service has been fine for the 4 or 5 months I have been using it.