I've discovered a reasonable amount of help for configuration on the web; I also believe that I might be able to set myself up to connect my Sky I might also use the second line and connect to SIPCall here in Swissieland....cheaper calls too, of course. Has anyone else done this already as I think it works but of course I have not tested it yet. Also I am not yet fixed on providers so frankly can be swayed to use other systems that're out there. I also want to use a SIP-based system not
as I've signed up for SIPGate , have a nice UK number and am now in the process of moving from x-lite software to a Linksys PAP2 adaptor connected to a phone.
I haven't used anything like this yet - but I'm interested. I don't really care about a UK number, but I'm interested in a provider in CH that allows you to port a number from Swisscom (or cablecom digital phone) to their network.
Here's what I'd like: 2 locations, both with cablecom digital phone. Except that the phone can't be unplugged and moved to a new location. Both locations have wireless. I'd like a handset that can talk 802.11b/g (wireless) to the net and connect to the service. Then it's simply a matter of taking that handset between home and work and the number follows you seamlessly between both locations!
Even though 20 francs per month for cablecom digitial phone is cheap, it might still be nice to get one that is almost free...
But the big disappointment with all of these really cheap services is that it is still not any cheaper to call mobile numbers from landlines, and this is what we spend a lot of time doing!
Mark - check out the SIPCall link - calls to mobile are significantly cheaper IIRC....you have to trigger the drop-down on the homepage...
checked it out. First thing I noticed was that the scale on those graphs doesn't start at zero - pretty lame trick. Second thing was comparison was on daytime calls only. This saves them from mentioning that calls on the other providers in the evening are as low as 0.31 to mobiles - cheaper than them!
In fact, from cablecom digital phone to Swisscom mobile it's 0.35 all the time - i.e. not enough of a saving to create much of a wow factor. I think the problem is the inbound charges made by the networks - no voip provider can do anything about that.
I think the big breakthrough will come with scenarios like the one I mentioned above. Most of us spend most of our time at no more than 2 or 3 locations, what we actually need is for our number to follow us, not the be reachable in every single place. We could always have that number forward to our mobiles if we aren't in any of our normal locations... If more and more calls were treated and charged like landline calls instead of mobile calls the telcos would start to lose a fortune :-)
blissfully easy is what I can report; the voxilla.com creates a configuration that was downloaded into my PAP2 with a click - I only had to change DNS from Manual to DHCP and there I was, online. I even called myself.
Sipcall.ch rejected my application for a free account. I suspect this is down to it being a free account and thus they don't feel "an urge".
I did find a new site similar to comparis.ch - www.vergleiche.ch - and I am looking at the SIP VoIP providers there in order to get free calls in Switzerland to fixnet all the time. Maybe even free calls to certain countries too.....after all, I have a second line on my PAP2.
- there's my status
I'm thinking of trying www.switzernet.com for line 2 as they offer free calls into fixnet CH and also to landlines in UK and USA. This just about covers me
Well I don't have a clue what you are banging on about, and what's this about a pap smear?
Anyway, I'm sure you'll figure it out and then tell us what we need to do to get a cool solution working
Cool solution? Ok....here's the skinny.
Find a SIP/STUN VoIP provider. You might like an Aussie one so that they can call you on the cheap? Frig your browser with a public proxy from that country. I used a UK-based one and got myself a local number Get a Linksys PAP2 which supports 2 VoIP lines - using regular phones Connect the PAP2 [smear?] to your BB router Open ports on the router. More about that when I look at what I opened - UDP 5060 is one of quite a few Register an account on voxilla and hope that they have a configuration assistant for your provider which is inserted into the PAP2 You're largely good-to-go....
Your signature is getting a bit crowded...
Anyway, the pap smear has to have physical phones connected into it, right? What about my idea to have a wi-fi enabled phone, and to be able to transport it between two locations? Essentially this would require the pap2 and the phone to be integrated into one unit so that it could move...
Mark
I toyed with this:
http://www.sipgate.co.uk/catalog/pro...products_id=13
The issue with "roaming" would be having port-forwarding to the device. Fundamentally, it would work.....simply? Who knows...!
Netgear I think are also bringing a wifi-phone to the market which will work with Skype. Now I've avoided Skype because they have their own standard and more so because fleabay bought them.
The PAP2 only needs one phone connected to it - it bridges the gap between using x-lite on a PC and having the device above (or something similar) - and RJ11 connection is perfect for your existing analogue phones.
And the signature has been rolled-back due to the fact that I can't be bothered
That product looks interesting.. I wonder how well it works? You'd need to have two base stations (for charging). But it basically looks like it has the features of the PAP built into it.
Now the only part which is irritating is that it looks like a brick and probably performs like one.
Agree with your comments about skype phones. I'm a big user of skype myself (when I am on the PC), but wouldn't really want to get involved with the whole skypein number thing. I've used skype-out a few times and the quality was not good...
Keep an eye out for similar products like this. It certainly makes for some interesting choices.
I considering a Siemens C450 IP to switch to VOIP. However, I do not want to be restricted to Skype and would like something that supports SIP in general. Was looking at Comparis for some cheap providers for SIP telephony. Anybody knows more about Switzernet & Swiss IP Com as they seem to be the cheapest?
I'd say use Skype "casually" and look for a proper SIP system.
vergleiche.ch has comparisons; also look at VoIP providers that are linked to other companies such giving you free on-net calls to their customers.
some also offer free calls to certain countries' fixnet numbers. And there seems to be a fine line between value for calls and value for monthly charges.
I have been a long time Skype user, and passionately love the service.
As it happens, it is time to upgrade my cellphone, so I am thinking about getting one that has WiFi builtin. The thought of being able to use Skype to call, while lounging at home (or at Starbucks) is too good to be true... anyone done this already? I'm not even sure which cellphone models have a good WiFi facility... would appreciate any inputs/comments...
I think for a wifi-enabled phone, there's nothing much right now unless it's a WM2003 xscale device with Skype (does Skype work with WM5?).
The "proper" VoIP services would need a local SIP client manager on the device to allow you to connect and function via wifi.
There are wifi phones out there for using VoIP specifically; I think there's Skype and proper SIP phones for this.
I could never be passionate about being a supernode Google "skype supernode" and your passion will be needing the little blue pill
A mate got one with a PocketPC built in (it's the small model with slide out thumb-board). He tried the Skype client but I have to say when he tested it with a Skype-to-skype call to me, the results were not good. Lots of delay, echo and fading in and out. That was from his home wifi setup.
It could have been down to the fact that he was using a bluetooth headset at the same time as the wifi link. Also, he'd just got the phone and maybe hadn't got everything fine tuned.
I know that you can buy dedicated Skype wifi phones now but they are as pricy as a good mobile and considerably less flexible.
You could always consider a full-blown PDA for Skype use. Modern ones are very compact and have quite a bit of processing power.
Gav
I have been looking around for an VOIP phone that bypasses the PC completely. At the same time, didn't want to get tied in only to Skype as they use a proprietary protocol. Was strongly favouring a SIP phone based on open standards. Also, there is a lot of current & upcoming competition in the SIP space that the prices are lower than Skype and some good services also bundle free calls to landlines in quite a few European & North American countries. Free calling to land-lines and some mobile networks overseas is quiet a killer idea in my opinion.
The only one meeting the above requirements currently is the Siemens C450 IP. It is basically a dual mode phone:-
- A DECT cordless phone that connects to an analog PSTN line
- A cordless VOIP phone with a built-in SIP client manager
The problem with the VOIP mode is that it seems to be using the DECT technology to wirelessly communicate between the handset & the base station. The base-station has 2 inputs(analog & ethernet/IP/RJ-45 connected to the ADSL router)
Thus the handset is not truly WiFi as it relies on the base station to connect to the internet.
If I wanted a pure WiFI VOIP phone that can directly communicate with any wireless router, I might probably try a SmartPhone or PDA with built-in WiFi. Not sure if Symbian, Linux, PalmOS or Windows PocketPC would be the right way to go(?)
I am currently experimenting with some SIP calling services as the pricing and options are quite varied.
Any body tried SIPDiscount so far? ..I solicit other suggestions/recommendations with open arms.
For anyone looking to use a cellphone and make calls over VoIP using WiFi, you can apparently use the Nokia E-Series according to this article
okay.. i did go and get myself a Nokia E60 and I'm pretty satisfied with it.. so far!
Setting up SIP took about 12 hours of reading and educating myself, but I finally managed with SIPgate and can now amuse myself endlessly by calling friends in the next room and pretending that I am in London!
I also enjoy being able to check mail or the weather or a quick stock quote while lying in bed.
Now why isn't anyone offering free local numbers here a-la-sipgate ?
or are they ??
www.sipcall.ch are close to free but I think are choosy about their clients - they knocked me back.
Spend some money you tightwad
Why would you want to spend any money when there's VOIPbuster?
just discovered the service, and it works on my Nokia E60 to boot!
I can call landlines in North America and in most of W Europe for free... yes thats 'FREE'. Downside? you do not get a number that can be called - as far as I can tell so far
anyone else having much luck with SIP??