Just became Braodband enabled-best way to make phone calls?

dinneenp

Hi,
My estate just became Broadband enabled.
We currently have a landline, which we use a lot.
Is it possible to get rid of the landline but still be able to make calls VERY easily? (Internet phone)
Do I have to have the PC turned on at all times to receive and make calls then?
What are the other options?

Thanks,
Patrick

RangeR

dinneenp wrote:

Hi,
My estate just became Broadband enabled.
We currently have a landline, which we use a lot.
Is it possible to get rid of the landline but still be able to make calls VERY easily? (Internet phone)
Do I have to have the PC turned on at all times to receive and make calls then?
What are the other options?

Thanks,
Patrick

This is soooo easy you wouldn't believe. Firstly, how do you see yourself getting broadband? If you want to ditch the landline you will be looking at getting broadband through wireless or cable.

Anywho, once setup, all you need is an ATA* or IP Phone.

I would suggest an ATA with DECT phone. This means that you are making calls over the internet but you can make them from anywhere in the house.

You will also need to signup for an account with an Internet calls provider. I have only used Blueface and would highly recommend them but others can give info about other providers.

One thing to note about Blueface. There monthly "rental" which is very cheap, doesn't include calls to mobile phones. You have to "top-up" your account to ring mobiles. It's no bother at all and you can do it all online.

* ATA is a little device that connects your normal landline phone to the internet. Like this Linksys PAP2

nilhg

I would totally agree with everything IrishTLR said but would add that VOIP comes into its own when you have family/friends overseas, the savings can be huge then.

When you get your BB in try running this a few times, it will give you a realistic idea of how VOIP will perform on your connection.

watty

However Mobile phones and regular landline phones are much more reliable, so if your broadband is DSL, (needs phone line) I wouldn't bother much.

I'm sitting on fibre today and Skype has been down nearly all day.