Free Calls over IP: voip

Skype for iPhone: Free Calls on Your Mobile Phone

ipcalls — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:54:29 +0000

In the days before cell phones and applications like the new Skype for iPhone, there was this thing called the hotel room telephone.

Here’s how it worked. You’d pick up the bedside phone, dial to get an outside line, dial a number, and talk. Then, when you’d check out, the front desk clerk would give your bill. And you’d wonder: How could a 10-minute call home cost more than a lobster dinner and bottle of wine from room service?

But that, as they say, was then. Now when you’re traveling, you can call home and talk for hours, for free, thanks to Skype (and other Voice over IP services). This week: a look at the new Skype for iPhone app.
Good-to-Excellent Audio Quality

After much anticipation, Skype recently released its free iPhone app to complement its free Skype-to-Skype VoIP calls. PC World’s Liane Cassavoy gave Skype for iPhone a favorable review. My experience with Skype for iPhone so far has been positive, too.

Using Skype for iPhone, you can make and receive VoIP calls using your iPhone over a Wi-Fi network. (As of this writing, you can’t make Skype calls on an iPhone over AT&T’s cellular voice network.) If you’re calling another Skype user, the call is free–even if the person lives oceans away. You can call landline or cell phones inexpensively, beginning at around 2.1 cents per minute.

In my tests, using Skype for iPhone on my home wireless network, call quality was good to excellent. Skype-to-Skype calls even sounded a little better than those I made on my iPhone using AT&T’s cellular voice network. Calls to landline and cell phone numbers were good, though sometimes sounded a bit muffled.
Easy to Use

Skype for iPhone is easy to use and nicely mimics the iPhone interface. And you can send and receive Skype instant messages wherever you go. You don’t have to be on a Wi-Fi network, as you do with voice calls.

A Skype feature I love is the ability to designate a cell phone number as your caller ID. This is crucial, because so many people these days let calls from unidentified numbers go straight to voice mail (I’m guilty as charged). The caller ID feature isn’t particular to Skype for iPhone; it works with Skype on your computer. But it will certainly help you get more out of Skype for iPhone, because people you contact will actually answer your calls.

By the way, you don’t have to own an iPhone to make mobile Skype calls. There’s Skype for Windows Mobile, Skype Lite for Java phones, and a version for Google Android phones.

Downsides? A few. You have to be logged into Skype on your iPhone in order to receive an incoming call or instant message. Currently, you can join a Skype conference call but you can’t initiate one on your iPhone. You can’t add an emoticon to an IM or see one in a message you receive. (But if you’re using Skype for business, you’re not sending emoticons, right?)

Though this may come as no surprise, you can’t video chat using Skype for iPhone. I suspect that feature is coming, though it’s anyone’s guess when. (The iPhone 3G doesn’t support video recording, though there are some video recording apps you can download to a jailbroken iPhone.)

VoIP Equipment

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:58:38 +0000

Headsets

Headsets boast a dramatic impact on the VoIP user experience. VoIP headsets dispense mission critical reliable communication for small businesses and residential users alike. A headset will take the aggravation out of using the phone and give you the freedom to roam and talk freely.

IP Phone

An IP phone is similar to a traditional phone in how it looks and sounds but an ip phone delivers voice communication over an ip network. IP phones also offer additional features like extremely cost effective calling, a display for caller id and stored address book and an Ethernet line instead of a phone cord. If what you need are multiple lines or simply multiple Ethernet ports or if you are on a tight budget or if you’re merely trying to impress others a VoIP phone is an excellent choice.

VoIP Books

Understanding on how VoIP actually works would be a closer step to success. More than 28 million users wordwide have been enjoying the benefits of VoIP system. If you are a Network Professional, we recommend these quality books on VoIP to harness the true potential of VoIP Systems.

VoIP Router

Few are aware of the significant value the right VoIP Router can generate for a VoIP based environments and communication protocols. The proper VoIP router will transform an IP signal into a vigorous communication pipeline. Some VoIP routers will transform an analog signal into a VoIP signal without any jitter or packet loss. Mass Market calls are steadfastly moving toward VoIP solutions and with the proper support in a VoIP router just about anything is possible.

Wireless VoIP

Wireless VoIP will help you save money without sacrificing any convenience. A next generation wireless VoIP phone will improve productivity within your organization or in your home. Enjoy all the same great benefits of a regular phone without wired hassles.

Wholesale VoIP

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:55:19 +0000

Find and compare carrier-class wholesale VoIP solutions to meet the demanding needs of today’s telecommunications customers. Whether a reseller or service provider, Voipreview’s network of wholesale partners offer solutions to increase profit margins helping to compete with the larger service providers.

Access companies offering complete turn-key wholesale VoIP solutions or easily compare individual services tailored to meet specific business needs. Find cost effective solutions on origination, termination, DID’s, collocation, fax and emergency services and much more.

See below for a list of wholesale VoIP providers and the services they offer. For more detailed information on specific services, please register with our site to gain access to our comprehensive wholesale section.

* Origination
* Termination
* Toll Free
* International A-Z
* Metro Ethernet
* FCC Compliant E911

* Fax
* API
* Portal
* Minimum Commitment
* VoIP Colocation and Hosting

Origination

Origination is simply the collection of an initiated call to be handed off to an exchange or VoIP endpoint for completion. Our carriers provide large national footprints in North America for origination along with access to local DID and toll free origination …

Termination

Termination makes it possible for calls placed using VoIP to be handed off and routed to destinations all over the US and Canada. Calls must originate on an IP-enabled device such as telephone adapter, IP PBX, interface box or similar devices …

Toll Free

Our Toll free section allows you to browse through leading VoIP providers offering affordable VoIP toll free numbers for your business. Get an 800, 888, 877, or 866 number and increase productivity without breaking the bank. Toll free numbers are increasing in …

International A_Z

Find low-cost termination routes worldwide from carriers offering wholesale international A-Z. Our comparison section lists companies providing International A-Z termination to thousands of destinations around the world …

Metro Ethernet

Metro Ethernet is a metropolitan access network used to connect businesses to a Wide Area Network, such as the Internet. Ethernet provides cost-effective bandwidth of 5 Mbps to 10-Gig solutions for fast, reliable connectivity without the need …

FCC Compliant E911

All VoIP providers are required by law to remain in compliance with the FCC’s E911 VoIP Order to transmit all 911 calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). We list wholesale companies offering reliable E911 compliant service …

Fax

Virtual fax solutions will give your customers the reliable faxing capabilities needed for their business and home office. Carriers offering feature-rich fax services including fax to email and “always online” mobile services that allow customers to send …

API

Portal

VoIP Colocation

Reduce overhead costs using VoIP Colocation and Hosting services through a wholesale carrier. Avoid the hassles of a phone room filled with expensive equipment that requires additional office space and personnel to manage. Save dramatically on power usage …

What can a VoIP phone do that a landline phone cannot?

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:48:32 +0000

A VoIP or broadband phone service can help you save up to 90% of your monthly phone bill. VoIP providers like ITP and Phone Power, offer many features which are covered in the monthly fee, such as voicemail, caller ID, three-way calling, and call waiting. Many providers offer unlimited long-distance with their plans, which saves customers the trouble of having to purchase long-distance phone cards. Furthermore, most providers offer unlimited calling to other subscribers of the same service, allowing you to talk to those users for as long as you wish at no additional cost, regardless of the type of plan you purchase. VoIP service, (also known as Internet phone service) is best suited for you if you can relate to any of the following comments:

* “I have a high speed internet connection and would like to lower my phone bills.”
* “I make expensive long-distance or international calls and would like to reduce those costs.”
* “I run a small business and phone bills make significant part of my overhead.”
* “I like the convenience of taking my number with me as I travel anywhere in the world.”
* “I’d like to utilize attractive features such as conference calling, choice of any area code, voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, etc.”
* “I’m frustrated with excessive taxes and long-distance company monopolies.”
* “I live outside the U.S. but I need a local NYC number for my business.”

Residential VoIP Buying Guide

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:47:11 +0000

There are so many residential/small office home office(soho) VoIP providers like Phone Power and Intalk in the market, but what would be the best choice for you? How do you know whether or not you are getting what you paid for? We encourage you to perform thorough research before deciding on a provider. Below are a few tips to help you in your decisions.

* Have in mind an idea what features you need.
* Visit the provider’s website and research their plans and services which fit your needs.
* Find out whether or not the provider includes taxes, 911 service charges, and/or regulatory charges in their monthly fees.
* Find out if the necessary equipment will be provided for you.

What is Residential VoIP?

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:31:24 +0000

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) involves using your Internet connection to place and receive calls. The growth of high speed internet has made this technology available with a low monthly flat rate for residential consumers, like the residential plan offered by Phone Power, to call both local and long distance. It usually includes advanced features of traditional phones, such as caller ID, voicemail, callwaiting, etc. VoIP is also known as digital phone service and Internet phone service. Instead of using traditional phone, it requires high speed internet, VoIP Phone and VoIP Adapter to work.

Before proceeding any further, we highly recommend you to use our VoIP Speed tester to find out if your internet connection is suffice to work with VoIP sytems.

Business VoIP Telephone Service vs. Traditional Phone Service

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:18:37 +0000

VoIP phone service is growing in popularity. Many of the drawbacks seen when it was first introduced have been addressed by improvements in equipment and ISP connectivity. Not every business may be a candidate for VoIP, but a growing number are choosing to use this digital-based phone service option like Jive to enjoy reduced rates and improved productivity, as well as scalability for future growth.

What is business VoIP?

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:16:37 +0000

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) involves using your Internet connection to place and receive calls. A business VoIP solution like Nextiva is the same as residential VoIP except that business VoIP includes a PBX and offers many more advanced features like desk to desk calling, automated attendant, managing extensions, music on hold, find me – follow me, conference calling and much more. Business VoIP also often includes an Internet connection that routes calls over a private network which guarantees quality phone calls.

You are here: Home VoIP News Article VoIP placed in the top five IT investments

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:53:32 +0000

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is among the top five technology investments that business professionals are prepared to make during the recession, new research suggests.

According to a study of chief information officers (CIO) by Robert Half Technology, seven out of ten respondents said their companies will be investing in information technology (IT) applications over the next 12 months.

Among the top five most popular areas for investment, 26 per cent of CIOs said that they would opt for VoIP in order to access more flexible voice and data communications with lower monthly bills.

Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology, said: “Although times are lean, many companies are finding that they can’t afford to postpone IT investments that lead to increased security, efficiencies or revenues.

“Organisations also are trying to make sure they are prepared for growth when conditions improve and enhancing their IT infrastructure is part of that process.”

Connection Telecom chief executive Rob Lith recently told South African newspaper the Times that businesses introducing VoIP to their call centre environments can cut costs and also put themselves ahead of the competition.

Mobile Companies May be Forced to Offer VoIP Services

ipcalls — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:44:36 +0000

The EU may soon force all European mobile operators to allow VoIP services on their networks, according to reports today in the German business newspaper Handelsblatt. It appears that legislation is being prepared that will open smart phones to VoIP technology. Until now some carriers have resisted the drive towards allowing VoIP, arguing that it would harm their voice call business. The EU is concerned that this is hampering the ability of consumers to get connected to VoIP services on their mobile phones.

At the moment, it is up to individual member states to decide which internet services should run on mobile networks. However, the EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding claimed recently that “action” should be taken against carriers that use their large market share to “block innovative services.”

VoIP services enable consumers to make calls at much cheaper rates than those currently charged by cellular operators, especially if the calls are abroad. Naturally the larger European mobile carriers see the technology as a threat to their profit margins and many have banned VoIP from being used on their networks.

At the end of March, this year, Skype, the e-Bay-owned internet telephone company, launched a VoIP service on Apple’s iconic mobile device, the iPhone. The application, which is initially only available to iPhone owners in the UK, allows users to place calls and use Skype’s IM service. Skype has also produced the so-called Skype-lite application for use on other mobile devices. The iPhone application offers free calls to other Skype users, of whom there are 450 million, via a WiFi connection. Calls to other phone lines can be made using the Skype Out service, which they have to pay for.

Apple allows network operators very little choice as to what runs on the Apple iPhones and what does not, which could mean that O2, the UK seller of iPhones, had little choice but to accept the feature.