On to VOIP itself. How does it work? What's the quality like? Can you can any number or only VOIP capable numbers? I've checked some of the plans and VOIP companies out, what recommendations or experiences have you had with your VOIP or previous VOIP companies?
Anyone have a Germany plan with a VOIP? What level of DSL do I need for quality VOIP? Can you use the internet and VOIP at the same time?
Are there other questions or issues about VOIP that I'm missing and should consider?
Thanks and a happy Sunday evening to all.
You should consider that if your internet or electricity fails, there goes your phone - if it’s the only one you have.
It could be just the thing though to eliminate those expensive calls to Germany.
Skype has a free service, or at least it used to be free.
What the hell is the deal with all the vanities lately?
VOIP is as reliable as your internet connection.
If the folks in Germany have access to a computer, look into “Skype”. Free download, free video phone if you have the equipment. Can also use it to call a phone number, but there is a charge.
I am no expert on this but I was in a similar situation the phone company did not have DSL and no cable was avalible. I went to Dish Network and signed up to a VOIP service. I had no problems. But you do need to keep your computer on in a situation like mine. All phone calls were logged on the computer along with voice mail services. I don’t use the services any more just cell phones. You do get to select the area code you want to use but the actual number to your phone is assigned. And you can change the area code if you move.
You can transfer your current number to VOIP. We're utilizing Vonage with Canada, UK, and Italy treated as local calls. Germany is $0.05/min unless calling a cell phone.
http://www.vonage.com/intrates.php
BTW, If you’re receiving your DSL thru a phone line you will be required to keep a basic phone line.
Mr. Peel and I have been using VOIP for years. Can't remember the last time we had a land line. We love it. For us, we have reliable signal strength and consistent billing.
$31.94 tax included for unlimited North American calling is fantastic.
If I were you, I’d get Skype. You make and receive calls from your computer using its microphone and speakers (and a webcam, if you have one and want to do video calls). I use the same Bluetooth headset I got for my cell phone (my laptop has built-in Bluetooth; you can get a Bluetooth USB adapter for about $30 if yours doesn’t). Or you can get a cheap plug-in headset or use a normal microphone. Skype doesn’t have any per-month fees or contracts; you only pay for the minutes you use.
US-Germany is 2.4 cents/minute to call a landline, but if you can convince your wife’s relatives to also get Skype on their computers, it’s 100% free to call another Skype user. Combine that with a cheap cell phone plan for your local calls and you’re covered.
Then there’s YMax MagicJack for PCs for $20 and $19.95/year subscription.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2250257,00.asp
There seems to be a lot of misinformation in this discussion.
I have VOIP, I’ve used it solely for years now.
^^^^^^^On to VOIP itself. How does it work?^^^^^^^^
The easiest explanation I’ve been able to come up with is a comparison between old/phone service and dialup.
VOIP and your high speed internet connection are exactly backwards. Dialup relies upon a phoneline to get online. Well, VOIP relies upon a high speed connection for phone service.
The voice quality is normally good unless you have packet loss. I don’t get that often at home.
Some VOIP companies offer number portability(keep your existing phone number) and some don’t. So you may have to get a new number.
^^^^^^^I’ve checked some of the plans and VOIP companies out, what recommendations or experiences have you had with your VOIP or previous VOIP companies?^^^^^^^
I went with skype because I was able to get a stand alone phone unit, and because it’s very cheap. I have a linksys i-phone CIT400
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^What level of DSL do I need for quality VOIP?^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had a 256k down and 128k up broadband connection about two years ago and the VOIP worked fine. I could browse webpages and talk at the same time.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^Are there other questions or issues about VOIP that I’m missing and should consider?^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes. Consider E911. Sometimes you cannot dial 911 from a VOIP line. Other times, they could literally sit there and listen to you die on the phone and they have no way to trace the call. It would be incumbent upon you to be able to state your name, address, and other pertinent information.
E911 compatible VOIP providers will have a data packet that goes along with any 911 call you place that gives your name and address.(If I remember correctly, that’s what it does)
One other thing. Many people around here say that ‘if you lose your power, you lose your phone line’. That’s not necessarily true. Just get a cheap UPS to hookup your cable/DSL modem and VOIP phone to. That’s what I do. I’ve lost power several times during several storms but never do I lose my phone connection.