Just Not That

You often hear people talking about saving money by making phone calls over the internet. This may sound complicated but in reality it is easy. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the term for voice communication over the internet.

VoIP requires a broadband / ADSL internet connection. In a previous post I explained what ADSL is and what equipment you need.

When you get started, try to use the same ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider) as the people you would like to phone most often. In order to phone people for free, you need to ensure that you are using the same provider.

Popular providers are SIP providers (e.g. Sipgate), Skype and Google Talk

From

Equipment

What you need to make VoIP calls (without a switched on PC)

• An ADSL modem/router with a VoIP/FXS port *** (the FXS port turn your standard or cordless telephone into a VoIP phone and allows you to make VoIP and normal PSTN calls) or
• a VoIP/Skype compatible cordless phone e.g. the RTX DUALphone 3088 for Skype, the Philips VOIP321 VoIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone
  or the Siemens Gigaset A580 IP DECT Cordless Phone – Black or
• an Internet Phone Adapter or
• an IP Phone

What you need to make VoIP calls using your PC

• One of the following options:
  • the best Logitech webcam you can afford with a built-in microphone for making calls with video and PC speakers or
  • a standalone microphone and PC speakers or
  • a headset or
  • a USB phone (only works when your PC is switched on) or
  • a downloaded Softphone like the X-Lite or Skype

*** Entry level ADSL modems with VoIP ports: Dlink DVA-G3672B, Siemens Gigaset 762SX, Billion 7401VGP, Netgear DG834GV, Billion 800VGT,