VoIP

What is it?

Voice over Internet Protocol. A method of allowing for normal voice communication over the broadband connection that so many of us take for granted these days.

Why are we interested?

Very simple. It’s free or at least very cheap

But it can’t be both?

Well no. If you and a friend have the appropriate software, (see the downloads page) and a PC connected to broadband then it’s free. If you want to call a regular phone then you need someone to connect to the ordinary phone network at a point where that call is only a local call. Then you pay for the local call plus a bit of profit for the person who allowed the connection; the VoIP service provider.

Is it any good?

Most users find it as good as a regular phone. The snags are small and tend to be in things like not being able to get connected occasionally. Some people complain of echoes on the line, but this seems to depend on the line they are on, rather than the fact that they are being called using VoIP.

Any other snags?

One possible big one. Mostly you can’t get emergency services (999, or 911 in US). Even if you find a provider that gives this service bear in mind that you need power to operate the equipment; a regular phone does not.

How cheap is cheap?

I am paying roughly €1.25 per HOUR to call France from Ireland. Rates are available from the web sites of providers listed later.

So it’s a no-brainer then, I should use it?

Well, not quite so fast. If you choose a VoIP provider outside your country then calls to that country will be classified as ‘international’. They’re cheap but not cheaper than a local call. The real benefit comes from making international calls. If a significant proportion of your bill is international calls you’d be a fool not to use it.

OK, OK, what do I do?

Get on the web and find a service provider. Two I have used are IconnectHere and Pipemedia. The first is a US/Israeli company, the second a UK company.

You should also get a dedicated adaptor. You’ll find that talking to your PC, even (or perhaps especially) with a headset on is not great fun, but with the appropriate adaptor you can connect a regular phone and use it like a regular phone. Several are available, and the providers will sell them to you. The best is probably the CISCO ATA 186. Set up is a little complicated but most providers will tell you how to do it and provide the necessary configuration settings.