The site looks very clunky, and I always use paypal just in case they are skimming card data, but it does seem to be a legit firm.
Cancelled Switzernet as due to constant service outages was falling back on UPC line and racking up 100-150chf a month.
Have a Fritzbox where you can setup how the calls are handled using:
1/ Local cable provider - Gives free calls anywhere in Switzerland, incl mobiles.
2/ Netvoip primarily for incoming calls (they give you 3 numbers for free that can have multiple devices sharing them), including our old number which was ported to this service (but made this go straight to voice mail as fedup of sales calls)
3/ Switzernet - calls to the US and UK mainly.
Will checkout the suggestions here.
Anyway I think now it may be a good idea to have a second VOIP Provider, as like you, my Telephony "Base Unit" (Gigaset S850A GO) has a lot of control/policy on outgoing calls and Providers available. I maintain my "Land Line" as a backup, but any calls made are proving to be "very expensive"; my main requirement is to make oversea calls, predominantly UK, but also US and NZ which has made Switzernet very attractive for years.
So I am keen to hear your learnings/feedback on suggestions in this thread!
Everything up and running, and obviously very similar to Switzernet with essentially only the domain name changes.
I now plan to cancel my second Switzernet line, and run Switzernet in parallel with voipcheap and compare the 2 i.e. service reliability and cost - against my usage/profile. Having 2 separate Providers, should also overall improve my service availability, one acting as a backup to the other across my 2 geographic locations. Should also improve my own understanding of external (network, server) dependencies etc.
Seems you need to credit the account with 10EUR (plus 70cents admin) and get 120 days free calls, then need add another 10EUR ?
So if you are primarily making free calls then I assume the amount they hold will increase. But I guess this is ca. 3.333333 per month
However you don't get a number with this and it is purely for outgoing calls.
My solution for no number is to use: SipGate: sipgate.co.uk where I have setup a UK number for my Mum. Number will not be active until I enter the code which they post to the address I used. However the connection is setup and has been tested, just can't make or receive calls yet. It should then be possible to add this to the FreeVOIPdeal.
My Switzernet runs until the end of the year. But I am thinking of extending this as it is possible to have 3 devices connected and used simultaneously. Meaning this could be used from multiple locations, making the cost more reasonable. While in the UK, I was able to use this using the SIP app on my Mobile.
Also trying to get an 0345 number to replace my 0845 number which used to be a local call but changed to premium calls some time ago.
Right, but that works for me as a have kept my land line (and number), which essentially comes free as it is with my Broadband Provider.
"it is possible to have 3 devices connected and used simultaneously"
I didn't know this specifically (3 devices), although I have seemingly managed to use 2 devices simultaneously whilst experimenting this last few months, and all together has led me to cancel my second line today (thank you). I too used the Account information to use my mobile (Zoiper client) whilst on the move in the UK.
These minor "details" help a lot with one's planning/implementation strategy!
That said, I am really happy with it, and just opened an account with another of the resellers that uses the same underlying infrastructure to spread these call around a bit.
A couple of things I would say, are:
- sometimes my OH mis-dials, and blames Switzernet (when it is her fault, but poor messages fail to point that out!)
- sometimes the Switzernet SIP Servers (based in Paris & Holland, from memory) are not always connectable for short periods of time, but I think that is Internet Service Provider related depending upon the last mile/connection topology at the Server-side.
I am happy... so I wouldn't suggest any major problems(s)...
- check my Base Station has registered with Switzernet
- if not registered (connected), issue a re-connect
- if fails to Register a second time, try another SIP Server (in the range 1-31) which invariable works
The online Web/Switzernet Account portal tells one which SIP Server one is theoretically assigned to, but it seems to by highly dynamic (always changing) in the range 1-31. Maybe the new infrastructure will stabilise the numbering... I wait to see.
Once I was aware of the above, the Switzernet services have been very available & I am happy now even though sometimes (yearly?)a small nuisance, because the benefits are so big.
After about one week of busy signals the service is back in working order for me. I have been going through several spouts of problems with their services over the last 7 years or so and got the impression they are following the "management by duct tape" strategy. By now I have also an alternative service I am using when things with Switzernet fall apart. Thanks for your input.
" I am using Switzernet daily (& also VOIPCheap) from 2 geographical/country locations with generally no problems. "