Is this the cheapest VOIP set-up?

Earth Traveller

I have BT 3Mb broadband, 3COM OfficeConnect wireless router, Linksys PAP2T ATA, regular phone plugged into the ATA.

For outgoing calls I use one of the Betamax clones (VoipCheap, Poivy, etc.) A full list and price comparison of the Betamax clones can be found on <http://progx.ch/home-voip-prixbetamax-3-1-1.html&gt; I can call landlines in about 20 countries 'free' for 90 days. 'Free' means I put EUR 10.00 on the account and get up to five hours of calls per week. The EUR 10.00 does not expire after 90 days; it can be used to call mobile numbers or countries not in the 'free' package. So for EUR 3.33 per month I get about 22 hours of calls to international land lines plus about 50 minutes of calls to mobiles in countries like the U.K.

For incoming calls I have bought an 01 area code number from VoipTalk in the U.K. <http://www.voiptalk.org&gt; The number costs GBP 4.59 per month (about EUR 5.20). They also do Irish numbers with 021, 061 and 091 area codes. I divert incoming calls to the Betamax clone account, thus using the same handset for incoming and outgoing VOIP calls.

The quality of incoming and outgoing calls is excellent. Customer support at VoipTalk is good but do not expect to ever get a reply from the Betamax clones.

emul

What are you paying BT per month for the 3MB line? That needs to be factored in to your calculations, but initally looks good.

Earth Traveller

The BT package costs EUR 56.18 a month, which includes broadband, line rental and inclusive 'anytime' local, national and U.K. calls. The extra incoming/outgoing line is useful for accommodating the needs of the others who live with me!