VOIP solutions

srichards

srichards

Suspended / Banned
Messages
10,968
Name
Suz
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm thinking of ditching the landline altogether as that is an option with VM. It is currently costing £200 a year which is a waste. For £40 pa I can have a landline number from skype and their call package is about £50 pa. This is half the price for the same features.

Has anyone got one of their doodads that lets you use a normal phone to make calls via skype? I also would like to know if you have one skype account and you're logged in multiple places eg on your phone and the doodad is at home whether it rings in both places or just one. I'm hoping it is both so you can pick up anywhere but know you've missed a call.

I've also looked at vonage but I think the mobile client might be more complicated. There is a nokia one for skype but they seem to mention ACR and other features which I like the idea of.

Can you set up skype to reject all anonymous calls? Part of the advantage in a new number would be dropping off quite a few marketing lists. New number would be TPS registered immediately.

Any other good solutions?
 
Do you actually need a landline number? I cancelled my broadband and landline and just use my 3 mobile with its "all you can eat" data package hooked up to my laptop, if I have to make overseas calls I use Viber, which is free.

Previously I had a Skype number (I have a Skype/landline combo phone kicking around somewhere) but I found the quality to be awful, although if you're on VM rather than an ancient BT line things might be better...
 
A landline number is very useful. The vonage one is looking likely as you can plug it anywhere in the world! Plus you can migrate your VM cable number to them.

I sometimes find sign ups for things require one so having a mobile only can be an issue. Plus I don't think it is fair for people calling me to get stiffed with mobile charges compared to calling landlines as most people have the inclusive packages these days.

If it's awful I can always move it back to VM.
 
£40pa seems a lot for "line rental" on a voip account as there is no actual physical line.
I have a voip landline number with a local 01823 code from http://call.me.uk/ (they also provide my adsl but also do voip as a standalone service) and it costs me £1+vat per month with no minimum term.

I normally have it set to forward to my mobile as if I ever need to give someone my number it's easier to remember 6 digits rather than 11 (most people can easily remember their STD code prefix) and they let you select the last 4 digits of the phone number to make it easier to remember.

If I want to make outbound calls I can do it via free voip software on my PC or I could get a voip phone - they normally cost about £60.

I mainly use it for inbound calls as I get 100 free minutes per month on my mobile, so just use those.
 
srichards said:
A landline number is very useful. The vonage one is looking likely as you can plug it anywhere in the world! Plus you can migrate your VM cable number to them.

I sometimes find sign ups for things require one so having a mobile only can be an issue. Plus I don't think it is fair for people calling me to get stiffed with mobile charges compared to calling landlines as most people have the inclusive packages these days.

If it's awful I can always move it back to VM.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a landline number for about 6 months and haven't noticed any difficulty signing up for anything. In the past a lot of sites demanded a landline number, but that doesn't seem to be the case any more.With regard to incoming calls,if anyone calls me from a landline (and it isn't a business) I simply call them back, but again I'm on 3 with 2000 minutes a month.
 
I've been using Vonage for 4 years, pretty cheap & so far 100% reliable :thumbs:
 
You can't make emergency calls with Skype, so it would be advisable to keep a charged mobile to hand.
 
mrgubby said:
I've been using Vonage for 4 years, pretty cheap & so far 100% reliable :thumbs:
Click to expand...

That's good to know :thumbs:

Signed up. Kit should be here soon. The simulring thing looks really useful as well as the forwarding number should the broadband be off.

Knocked calling packages and caller display off VM. Didn't realise I was paying £25 a year just for caller display!

Will see how I go then the phone line from VM will probably be cancelled too.

I can't find out how any diversions are charged though. I'm assuming anything incoming isn't so if you are answer on any of the simulring numbers then it isn't charged to you but at normal landline rates to the caller.
 
Mixed feelings so far. The help pages are unclear and don't mention that you will be charged for a diverted call if the destination isn't within the calling plan. It always mentions incoming calls as free. So if you set up a simulring/call divert you'd feel that should be free or it should at least warn you if your plan doesn't include calls to that number.

None of the calling plans I could see included calls to UK mobiles either! Plenty for those all over the world but not within the UK.
 
Can't find out whether you can transfer a number into be a virtual number or whether it has to be an additional line. I want to transfer my old number in but not over write the one that I was allocated as it is a good number. CS rung me back about it and said they'd email with precise steps on how to do a number transfer several days ago. No email has arrived :(

Call quality seems ok though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top