| No doubt many have heard of VOIP phones
and VOIP phone companies. By the way VOIP stands for “Voice
Over Internet Protocol”, not that you need to know that but
it sounds impressive doesn't it.
The advantage with VOIP is that your calls are connected through
your broadband internet connection. The standard price for a call
to anywhere in Australia for any length of time (that's right, any
length of time) is 10 cents. So if you want to ring Auntie Jan in
Broome and have a chat for a couple of hours it will cost you a
measly 10 cents. Overseas calls are around 3c – 4c a minute.
If you don't know a lot about computers it can be difficult to
figure out how to get this VOIP thing setup and all you really want
is the cheap phone calls right?
Before we get into a really simple way to setup your phone for
VOIP I should make it clear that you will use your current phone
as you do now . If you've got a cordless phone you will use it just
as you do now. Your PC does not need to be turned on.
There are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of though,
voice quality at the other end of a call you make is around 80-90%
of a normal call. The call quality at your end is normal. The system
can lock up occasionally, so you'll need to reset the modem now
and again. Also every number you dial has to be preceded by the
STD code.
So what do you need?
1. A broadband connection to your PC with a network card (cable
or wireless)
2. A Billion 7402VGP modem. This modem is way ahead when it comes
a simple setup for VOIP.
3. A telephone line. You don't need any special deals from your
normal phone co. so you can reduce the line rental to around $18
per month.
4. A VOIP phone account (there are heaps on the net)
What does it cost?
The modem is not cheap but it's the only real cost and your phone
call savings will pay for it in no time, particularly if you make
STD or overseas calls. You can buy the modem inc. delivery for around
$260-$280 on the net. If you don't hve a network connection on your
PC, which would be unusual these days, a network card would cost
about $25.
If you aren't computer savvy you'll need some help to set it up.
If you don't know anyone who can do this for you can email
me. It should take 1– 2 hours and will cost you around $50
to $100.
How is it setup?
Basically everything is setup at the modem. Two lines come from
the phone point to the modem, one for your internet service and
one for your phone. Two wires go out of your modem, one to your
PC and the other to your phone. It's that simple. The only complex
part is configuring your network settings on your PC and cofiguring
the modem. |
