VoIP for the individual

[pedruid]

I use voipstunt for all overseas calls to house phones and find it very good. 10 euros gets you 120 free days and then starts coming off your 10 euros at about 0.02 euros per min. Used it for years on my desktop and now on my iPad.

[ChyrillStucker]

Telkom are driving me nuts. Billing for stuff that never happened and I am really getting tired of the mess.

I was hoping VoIP might be a viable alternative but the more I look the more it seems VoIP solutions are geared more towards companies than they are the individual. I'm finding it rather difficult to see the wood for the trees here.

Anyone know of a company that caters more for home users and not companies wanting all the bells and whistles?

It’s not that VOIP is used mostly for home. I have been using VOIP services for home. I am using a Hosted PBX system with three extensions, one for home, one for office and one for my wife’s phone. If I have to talk to my wife, I can talk without any expenses since extension to extension calling is free of cost. When I have to call outside, for that, I am charged on a per-minute basis. They offer full support and many other options as well but since you don’t need a lavish phone system, it would definitely satisfy your basic needs. I have been taking VOIP services from The Real PBX and it is working well. You can check out their services with http://www.therealpbx.com/

[cavedog]

http://www.nexus.co.za/voip.html

totally free voip. Just pay for the calls you make. The call rates are pretty good too.

[bekdik]

Can VOIP run without ADSL?

[bullfrog]

Can VOIP run without ADSL?

Yes, just needs a fairly stable internet connection.

[Mr.CookieMonster]

http://www.nexus.co.za/voip.html

totally free voip. Just pay for the calls you make. The call rates are pretty good too.

Very interesting! I am also thinking of getting VOIP, these guys seem all good. A question though, will it work on 384kbps ADSL? And can I use my integtated microphone on my laptop as the microphone?

[cavedog]

Very interesting! I am also thinking of getting VOIP, these guys seem all good. A question though, will it work on 384kbps ADSL? And can I use my integtated microphone on my laptop as the microphone?

I'm sure you can do this. I run it on my android phone with wifi @ home. Works well and its not badly priced. You can also choose what your number start with. 087, 010, 021, or 031

I got myself a 031 number and its quite cool actually. I know its free and I just pay for what I use which means if I do not make any calls the month I don't have to pay anything.

Not bad cause other voip providers charge a monthly fee having a number.

[Tim the Techxpert]

I have used Skype for many years primarily to say in contact with family overseas although I have also used it for business. The skypeout capability does work reasonably well and is certainly more affordable than even the cheapest rate in town.
You can also have a skypin number which people can call you on. I have not tried the other packages but there is nothing like a bit of competition to keep people on their toes so Fring may work for you or indeed any of the other solutions mentioned in the thread.
Skype to Skype works very well too and I do use that quite a lot in business. I have also used Facetime but its biggest limitation is that you need to be using an Apple capable device such as an iPhone or Ipad 2 (+)

Good luck and Warmest regards Tim

[kimbo]

I am with Vox and i am happy
No monthly charges, i asked them to cap when i reach a certain amount, i am running from a 386 line. i must just close all downloads before i call.

[Wimhotep]

Try www.wanatel.co.za for voip solutions.

try http://www.zoiper.com/ for soft phone software.

[Brandon]

There is also: http://www.mweb.co.za/productspricin.../MwebTalk.aspx

No subscription fees & very good call rates.

[HandyTechTipper]

I use voipstunt for all overseas calls to house phones and find it very good. 10 euros gets you 120 free days and then starts coming off your 10 euros at about 0.02 euros per min. Used it for years on my desktop and now on my iPad.

I have used VoipBuster - cheaper than SkypeOut and gives 120 days free calls to major cities.
Check out Rynga too for 120 days free calls to other countries eg: Israel

See here for more details and how I connected by cordless DECT phone to my PC to make these VOIP calls:
http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/20...-cordless.html

and for a comparison of call charges:
http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/20...dict-read.html