What is VOIP and what can It do?

[Mr.CookieMonster]

Hi guys,

I would like to ditch my phone, buy a brick phone (Nokia 1200 or something). I have been hearing VOIP is something that lets you make calls to other phones on the internet at really cheap rates. Since I do not use 3G (gave up on it), I would like to know:

1. What VOIP services are there? How much do they cost?
2. Can I call phone numbers (landline + Mobile Network)?
3. What Do I need to get?

I have a 384kbps ADSL (hopefully telkom will increase to 1mbps by june for free). I have a good enough laptop (see my signature) and I have a built in webcam (2MP) and a built in microphone.

Links to relevant web pages would REALLY be nice.

Thanks

[mo_to]

1. What VOIP services are there? How much do they cost?
2. Can I call phone numbers (landline + Mobile Network)?
3. What Do I need to get?

1. Depends on what you want to use it for? Enterprise, SME, home use, international Calling etc. If for home use, visit www.cheapcall.co.za

2. yes, with CheapCall you can call local and international, any destination. You can also receive calls if you select a number (087, 012, 011, 021, etc)

3. signup for the service, download the softphone on your laptop, ensure its connected to your ADSL, load some airtime and start calling.

M

[shakes1]

As a quick summary, VOIP uses internet connectivity and internet networks to transmit voice in the form of IP packets. This means that calls are not routed through Hellkom, thus avoiding their charges.

A quick rationale is that if you make many international calls or run an enterprise, you will benefit from a VOIP solution.

Above is not entirely perfect and is missing many gaps, just intended a summary introduction to VOIP.

[Mr.CookieMonster]

I checked on this page: http://cheapcall.co.za/home/how-it-works

It says I need to buy a VOIP phone, VOIP adapters. Is this all necessary??

[rwenzori]

VOIP is a modern-day voice telephone system designed to save you phone costs by packetizing your voice data at a rate of 8 bits per minute, resulting in calls where neither party can hear or comprehend the other, where the connection drops every minute, but where you are getting a lekker cheap rate. Used extensively by senile grandparents to talk on the cheap to their kiddies in Ostraya, and even more extensively by the call-centre industry to sell you cheap cellphone rates that they do not make use of themselves and that are actually more expensive than your current deal.

[Wimhotep]

Very popular VoIP phone , takes a little bit to program , but once configured with SIP settings it works like a charm..
http://gigaset.com/hq/en/product/GIGASETA510IP.html

speak to Wanatel about VoIP / SIP account.
http://www.wanatel.co.za/

[TSpeed]

Nice 1 wanatel, for allowing free calls to other sip providers, unlike Mweb and FNB whose software can't do it, or simply capatilizing on the ignorant.

[Mr.CookieMonster]

Would it be better to use Skype rather than Cheapcall or is there no difference?

[mo_to]

Would it be better to use Skype rather than Cheapcall or is there no difference?

Cheapcall is a more commercialized service, with uncontended routing. Skype is a best effort service.
Cheapcall is a clearer line.

[Mr.CookieMonster]

Cheapcall is a more commercialized service, with uncontended routing. Skype is a best effort service.
Cheapcall is a clearer line.

Okay, do you get your own phone number allocated with this service which you have to pay monthly for (like a telkom voice line) or is there another system?

[mo_to]

It's a SIP Service, so you can use your Broadband connection to dial out. If you select the option where there is a telephone number (DiD), then you will be able to receive incoming calls too.

[entrepr]

If you download a free voip client off the internet (such as X-Lite at Counterpath) then it uses a free voice codec. This is fine except if you have 384 ADSL (ie with 64 kpbs upload), don't try to talk and surf at the same time.

[Tim the Techxpert]

I have used Skype as a VOIP service for many years on a 384 line. No it is not perfect and yes it definately does not work if you are surfing the web at the same time.
That said it does work. If you want a more reliable service then you should make sure that your line is at least 1MB and I would look at some of the other options listed in the thread.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Tim