question on my voip setup

ygaurav · 09-08-2009 09:17AM #1

Hi All

I have a upc boardand connection and I use voipbuster to make calls from my PC and I also have skype "online number" or virtual number so I use my laptop acts as phone if somebody calls me. In terms of money it works out great as I am only paying

5 EUR per month for the online/virtual number to skype
around 10-15 eur per month to voipbuster to make phone calls around the world.

I am happy with my setup but it has few problems
1. I have to turn on my laptop if I would like to make a phone call
2. similarly If some body wants to call me on my irish number I have to keep my computer switched on as my computer rings when somebody calls me on my irish landline number.

My questions.
1. Is there a cheaper provider of virtual phone number in Ireland ( I pay 5 EUR per month) I am looking for cheaper option.
2. To ovoid turning on my PC when making a phone call, Can I buy Linksys PAP2 and plug my phone into it ( I assume this a SIP client). I have information from voip buster so enter all the voip setting and use my phone to make phone calls (and still use computer to receive calls)

3. So is there a device which I can plug to my DSL modem and then use it make phone calls using voipbuster or similar and also that device can also be skype client ( or if there is any other provider ) to receive calls.

Thanks a million

Johnboy1951 · 09-08-2009 10:11AM

You can get an Irish VOIP number from one of several providers -- I use Blueface.
I do not pay for the number. It is a non-geographic number 076xxxxxxx which is dialable from any landline or mobile.

Combining Skype and SIP in one phone is problematic ... there are few options and those I have found are costly and limited. I have not purchased any. Do a google search for such as Dual Phone.

Blueface do a PAYG with min €5 payment for those who want to check out the service. I still have that setup as I don't make a lot of calls.

I got a router with VOIP ports built in so I make and receive calls without any PC .... but of course the router must remain on.
An ATA will do a similar job without the integration (integration should ensure that the voice/VOIP gets preference through the router)

Also for those with more than one provider account and nowhere to store the info MySIPSwitch is a good free service. It registers your accounts with the provider/s and forwards calls from any of them to your one phone -- free service supported by Blueface.

No, I have no connection to Blueface, other than I am a customer, and a friend uses them for his business without problems.

I used to use Freespeech but left them when they decided they would no longer provide call-in to the number on the 'free' accounts.

Essentially I have an 076 number and also a SIP address for the same number, so a call to the number or the SIP address is the same thing.

The only problem for me is Skype. It is a closed 'community' type setup which limits or prevents calling to & from SIP accounts. I read lately that ebay are considering dropping the service, although I suspect that is just a bargaining ploy as their licence is running out apparently.

regards.

Quacksalber · 09-08-2009 10:25AM

Interesting - i have questions

1. Whats SIP ?

2. Where does one get a router with VOIP ports built in?

3. how do you take calls on said router ? u ust plu a normal phone into it or what ?

Edit 4. can i set up voip on my htc mobile phone via high via high speed data conneciton ?

Johnboy1951 · 09-08-2009 12:12PM

Quacksalber wrote: »

Interesting - i have questions

1. Whats SIP ?

2. Where does one get a router with VOIP ports built in?

3. how do you take calls on said router ? u ust plu a normal phone into it or what ?

Edit 4. can i set up voip on my htc mobile phone via high via high speed data conneciton ?

1. "Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signalling protocol used for establishing sessions in an IP network. A session could be a simple two-way telephone call or it could be a collaborative multi-media conference session. The ability to establish these sessions means that a host of innovative services become possible ..."
http://www.sipcenter.com/sip.nsf/html/What+Is+SIP+Introduction

It is the traditional protocol used for VOIP. It is the most widely used protocol for VOIP in commerce. It is open and free for anyone to use and is a recognised standard in VOIP.
Skype uses its own proprietary protocol which is used only by them as they "own" it.

2. Search the net for router+VOIP and you should get a lot of hits. I use a Draytek but there are many others from different manufacturers.

3. A normal 'standard' phone is plugged into the port/s provided in the router. It is like having an ATA integrated into the router. The phone can be any standard type including Dect wireless, desktop etc. The Draytek I have, has the capability to register 6 different numbers so is most likely aimed at businesses rather than home use.

4. Doubt it ..... but I don't know never having tried.

Regards.

Quacksalber · 09-08-2009 05:09PM

Thx Johnyboy

I did some googling - seems i can set it up on my htc but it might take a little hacking in the process.

Johnboy1951 · 09-08-2009 07:42PM

Quacksalber wrote: »

Thx Johnyboy

I did some googling - seems i can set it up on my htc but it might take a little hacking in the process.

Quacksalber · 09-08-2009 08:57PM

so i've been doing more googling johnboy

this seems like a sweet way to go

use blueface for free phone number as you do

then use fring on my mobile
http://www.fring.com/default.asp

and access blueface number via fring
http://www.blueface.ie/fring/

I'll let u know how i get on

malachy47 · 10-08-2009 12:06AM

Quacksalber wrote: »

so i've been doing more googling johnboy

this seems like a sweet way to go

use blueface for free phone number as you do

then use fring on my mobile
http://www.fring.com/default.asp

and access blueface number via fring
http://www.blueface.ie/fring/

I'll let u know how i get on

Welcome to the 21st century Quacksalber

Just one word of caution...the non-geographic 076 number that Blueface give you might not be as free as you might think. At least not to your friends who have to dial it. Some overseas phone companies will not connect to Irish 076 numbers, and for those that do an 076 number is often treated as a premium number with a corresponding premium price. :mad:

In addition your local friends who have "bundle" plans, be it on a mobile or a landline, might not enjoy the bundle price when it comes to 076 numbers.

Salvation is at hand however, courtesy of the outstandingly good compnay that Blueface is

In addition to the 076 number that they give you can also purchase a regular landline number (01 - Dublin, 021 -Cork ...etc.) at a very low cost. That's what I did, I can't remember how much I paid as it was insignificant and there is no recurring monthly fee involved.

I just went to their website, but I don't see this extra mentioned, so I hope it's still available, but I also remember I had to speak with customer service to get it. Do try for it though, as otherwise you may find your pals won't call you so often if they are paying a premium for the pleasure ;-)

malachy47 · 10-08-2009 12:15AM

ygaurav wrote: »

Hi All

3. So is there a device which I can plug to my DSL modem and then use it make phone calls using voipbuster or similar and also that device can also be skype client ( or if there is any other provider ) to receive calls.

Thanks a million

In my opinion FWIW, the easiest, surefire way of having a single device that can handle both SIP and Skype without use of a PC/Laptop in the home is to use a WiFi router and a Wifi-enabled mobile phone running either Fring or Nimbuzz. Personally, I prefer Nimbuzz.

Quacksalber · 10-08-2009 10:59AM

ok after about 8 hours i and learning a whole new tech language i managed to setup fring on the mobile and get it to link into to blueface and skype.

gotta say i most impressed with blueface call quality compared to skype. i rang my buddy on mobile in us using both from my pc and the blueface clarity was fantastic!

hahaha o2 your days of ripping me off are severly numbered!

yygaurav · 13-08-2009 01:35PM

I already have a DSL modem so I would prefer If I can just buy a ATA and plug it in my DSL modem RJ 45 port and plug my normal phone into my ATA

Can somebody recommend a ATA ?

Thanks a milllon

Johnboy1951 · 14-08-2009 11:03AM

Quacksalber wrote: »

ok after about 8 hours i and learning a whole new tech language i managed to setup fring on the mobile and get it to link into to blueface and skype.

gotta say i most impressed with blueface call quality compared to skype. i rang my buddy on mobile in us using both from my pc and the blueface clarity was fantastic!

hahaha o2 your days of ripping me off are severly numbered!

Nice!

Is your mobile using wi-fi?
What model phone?

As previously mentioned the call cost for phoning the 076xxxx number from an Eircom landline is the full local call rate, not discounted and not included in any of their plans.
I haven't had need for a local number to be associated with the 076xx number because I have to have an Eircom number to get broadband anyway.

Regards,

Johnboy

malachy47 · 14-08-2009 11:35PM

yygaurav wrote: »

I already have a DSL modem so I would prefer If I can just buy a ATA and plug it in my DSL modem RJ 45 port and plug my normal phone into my ATA

Can somebody recommend a ATA ?

Thanks a milllon

ATA's are typically SIP devices as that is an open standard. With that in mind, the ATA you need is a Linksys PAP2 or something equivalent from another vendor. But the PAP2 is the most popular around. Note: It won't do Skype, but you appear to have gone off that idea, judging by your question. Also make sure you understand port forwarding and how it works for your particular router.

Johnboy1951 · 15-08-2009 09:34AM

malachy47 wrote: »

ATA's are typically SIP devices as that is an open standard. With that in mind, the ATA you need is a Linksys PAP2 or something equivalent from another vendor. But the PAP2 is the most popular around. Note: It won't do Skype, but you appear to have gone off that idea, judging by your question. Also make sure you understand port forwarding and how it works for your particular router.

Would it not be true to say that port forwarding is not needed if the ATA is set up using a stun server?

It has been a while but ...

There are Grandstream products available also.
I only ever owned one of the cheap ones but it served me well and is now in use by my son and is still working well. Voice quality is not as good as some of the more costly products.

malachy47 · 15-08-2009 11:28PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Would it not be true to say that port forwarding is not needed if the ATA is set up using a stun server?

Hi Johnboy1951. It depends on the network topology (double NAT e.g.), uPnP, and the particular router's capabilities :eek: It does help in I.P. discovery, but won't do anything for port forwarding if you had two or more SIP devices behind your router. None of this is an issue if IAX were used as the signaling is sent along with the voice traffic, but SIP is far more popular.

Seoirse · 16-10-2009 11:52PM

Yes there is... 3CX. This is an IP PBX, essentially a phone system... allowing you to have multiple SIP phones and SIP trunks. There is a free, fully functional version available, from www.subnet.ie. THis will allow you to register not only one but several slype accounts at the same time. I've played about with it, and have managed to regiser three skype accounts, and when I receive a call on the main skype account, which I advertise, it passes to a spare line, keeping the advertised line free.

So, no worring about linux and asterisk. It'll sit on XP Pro and above, even virtual servers. It took me about 4 hours to set up a fully functioning PBX with no support at all. Got it working with several SIP trunks, Skype, remote phones, 4 SIP phones and two ATAs and all on one Asus EEE PC 4GB SSD, though I'm emailing the vmail to my iphone, and not call recording due to SSD limitiations, but costs f all to run.

Oh, Try clarity telecom for VoIP trunks.... no minimum spend rate... international calls from 1.7c per minute.... can't beat that. www.claritytele.ie.

malachy47 · 17-10-2009 11:36PM

Seoirse wrote: »

Oh, Try clarity telecom for VoIP trunks.... no minimum spend rate... international calls from 1.7c per minute.... can't beat that. www.claritytele.ie.

Nothing cheap about that ;-) That's >70% more expensive than my provider, who charges €0.009 per min. to many/most landlines around the world.

k123456 · 19-10-2009 03:32PM

malachy47 wrote: »

In my opinion FWIW, the easiest, surefire way of having a single device that can handle both SIP and Skype without use of a PC/Laptop in the home is to use a WiFi router and a Wifi-enabled mobile phone running either Fring or Nimbuzz. Personally, I prefer Nimbuzz.

Looking into getting a wifi phone and installing fring

Just wondering should I use Nimbuzz, what are the benifits over fring

(I would be using Fring or Nimbuzz to access my voipcheap and or skype account)

Thanks

malachy47 · 19-10-2009 11:24PM

k123456 wrote: »

Looking into getting a wifi phone and installing fring

Just wondering should I use Nimbuzz, what are the benifits over fring

(I would be using Fring or Nimbuzz to access my voipcheap and or skype account)

Thanks

There is no reason you can't have both on your phone and use whichever you find best for you. The Skype call quality seems better on Nimbuzz for me. I also like how you can take a photo of wherever you are and upload it into your chat with minimal keystrokes. Nimbuzz can even cut the image size to down to a web-friendly size for you.

Finally, Nimbuzz are testing their own service (NimbuzzOut) which is cheaper to use than SkypeOut. I'm a beta-tester, and I like what I see so far. Nimbuzz also has Facebook chat which Fring does not, but Fring has Twitter integration which Nimbuzz does not (much anyway).

Nimbuzz, is GPS-aware.

So, there is no reason not to sign up, install both and decide for yourself.

question on my voip setup

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