Which VoIP provider?

Berserker

Berserker

Berserker

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Well, I finally took the plunge into the murky underworld of VoIP. ;)

Got the hardware, now I need a decent SIP compliant provider. I'm going to use it mostly for calls to US telco numbers, so cheap US calls is a must. I would like to be able to be called from landlines too, but that's not the highest priority.

Suggestions? :)
 
As of today my NTL line was switched off and I too went VoIP only.

I've been using www.voipdiscount.com for a few months now.. It has an impressive list of free destinations, US (landline and mobile) is one of them, UK landlines another. You no longer get incoming number with any of the Betamax companies, but I've also got a free local number from Voip.co.uk, with the option to pay £1.99 a month for free UK calls, should voipdiscount stop doing them.. This saves me from giving out another number to friends and family.

So if you've got a 2 line adapter get one for free outgoing calls, and one for free incoming.. Dont you just love VoIP? :)
 
Scope said:
So if you've got a 2 line adapter
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I do. Don't have two phones though. However, I have a feeling the VoIP software on the router will take care of it.

I could also get the free incoming from my ISP, but that's only good until I decide to move ISPs (something I never rule out).

I am, however, very dubious about free calls (except SIP-to-SIP). There's no such thing as a free lunch.
 
Had a look through viopdiscount's site. Why on earth do they have to install software crap to set up an account? That's what the internet's for.

OK, anyone else? Those suggested so far look evil, but meh, if they're free, then I'm sure their 'orrible software can be sandboxed appropriately.
 
ive been looking at voipcheap.com for free UK calls! do you have to have credit on the system before they will allow you to phone free locations?
thanks
 
That's what I was trying to figure out. So you have to keep piling in money even though you're only interested in the free destinations. :confused:

Still don't like their software - seems awfully clandestine to me. I'd rather pay a little for good service tbh (less than BT obviously).
 
Berserker said:
I do. Don't have two phones though. However, I have a feeling the VoIP software on the router will take care of it.
Click to expand...

Im not sure about the router taking care of it, but you can buy a switch that will connect 2 lines to a single line phone.. I have used one for about a year now, problem with the one I have is that the outgoing line will always be the last used line (you can override by pressing a button on the switch).. You can however buy a switch that allows you to dial #2 (or something) to switch outgoing line.. On both the switches incoming calls on both lines are directed to the phone.

About being Free.. For me it really is.. I use my credits to call other (not free) destination, and as such the credits gets used.
 
Any more for any more? I'm not expecting a free (read: economically unsound) service, but cheaper than the BT landline equivalent would obviously be a good idea. :)
 
Have a look at SipGate I use them for the free incoming number, and will to call my parents in germany on their sipgate number.

They do pay as you go calls, nothing is free other than calls to other VoIP numbers.
 
Ive tired most of the providers and ended up sticking with Skype, ok you have to pay to connect to landline numbers but they are very cheap and ive found the line quality to be far superior then any of the other providers.

voipcheap etc did used to do free calls to uk landlines but they have started charging now, about 1p per minute which is the same as skype. Just checked up on this voipcheap.co.uk charge 1p per min, voipcheap.com is still free to uk landlines, but there are the same company, as its voipdiscount etc and im sure all these companies will be charging 1p per min to uk landlines v.soon.

I use skype instead of my NTL home line, as NTL charge 3p per min for any call plus a 5p connection, with skype its costing me 1p per min and no connection charge.
 
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marmalade said:
Most any of Finarea's voip providers: cheap, voipdiscount, www.internetcalls.com, voipbuster etc etc. They endlessly change their conditions and start new companies most ok for SIP
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Quoted for truth.

They entice customers with great international rates and then ramp them up - you find out when your credit rapidly goes to zero! :rolleyes: :mad:
 
Orbtalk

Free adapter if you buy a bulk amount of credit to start with.

They dont use stun servers, which are unreliable and have no real benefit at all, plus full uk based phone and email support
 
OK, all the Finarea stuff ruled out. I don't want moving goalposts thanks. Skype ruled out too as they're not compatible with my hardware.

Remaining candidates: SipGate, Orbtalk, DrayTel.
 
in that case, have a look at voip.co.uk. I find they connect calls a lot more quickly than sipgate and the service is more reliable. The have loads of features that you can configure from your control panel includingthe ability to download your voicemails as mp3s which i find really handy. voipcheap.com is still much cheaper but has zero special features. you dial out and that is about it.
 
To pay 1 p aminute or indeed more for a call to the Uk and perhaps even elsewhere is wasteful. Voip is not necessarily cheaper than the normal telephone network. I use 1899 for uk calls 3 p connection charge speak for as long as one wants thats 24/7. Check out:
http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/ukcallchecker/index.php
For the latest cheapest call offerings
One of the best things about voip SIP is that it offers the opportunity of having more than one telephone number and Vonage in particularl offers 3 way calling.
 
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