What is it with VoIP?

I have yet to find a VoIP company that would work out cheaper to use than my normal land-line.

I am in the UK and using what is probably the cheapest service around, but how come no VoIP company can beat it?

 

If you're trying to make local calls, then you probably won't be able to. As far as I know, to call a landline number, the VOIP connection still has to pay the "termination fee", the fee to terminate the call at a specific point, be it landline or cellphone. So, you would still have to pay the local landline cost. That's why it's so cheap to phone overseas, because you're paying the local landline costs.

Does it make sense? Am I right?

 

For the most part VoIP is beneficial to companies, not somebody trying to reduce their phone line from 40 to 30 each month. The quality that you are going to get as a consumer--sort of sucks also. Its a major investment in infrastructure for a company. The stuff aint cheap.

 

Maybe it's different here in North America (Canada, specifically) but VoIP phones ARE cheaper. You can get a VoIP line AND unlimited calling to anywhere in Canada and the US for $40/month Canadian dollars. Some VoIP companies are even cheaper than that. A standard Bell Canada line costs at least that with no long distance plan at all.

And, because they are VoIP phones, you are NOT limited to signing up with one from your country. You just need a Canadian address and credit card (Canadian or not) to get the equipment and service here, then you can take it wherever you want. My brother lives in Japan, but he has a local VoIP phone and service, so it costs nothing for calls to/from the Toronto area to his home in Nagoya, Japan.

 

hmm... Assuming you can use all $40 in one month, then it is cheaper. With our Monopoly Telkom (check out http://www.hellkom.com) that would be quite a lot of phone use.

 

That $40 plan is unlimited use. It is actually the cadillac of their plans. I think they have a basic line for $16/month. A basic phone line with ALL the features (call display/voice mail/call screen/etc) is around $20/month. But the $40 plan is for people who want to make as many long distance calls throughout Canada and the US for one flat rate without worrying about being on the phone all the time.

If you compare service of VoIP with the local phone company here (plan for plan) it always works out cheaper to go VoIP. I have one and I can tell you that the sound quality isn't great at times. Most of the time, it's OK, but there is the odd call that isn't great. It's tough to beat the price, though.

...by the way, I clicked on your link and it takes me to a parked PPC.

 

had to jump in one this one (have an interest in it as well! )

Considering that within the last 2 years, close to 2000 voip companies in North America have jumped in to the market, unfortunate in some cases, some have had difficulty with raising capital (call centres, distribution, etc), some have folded or have been bought out.

I've been paying $14.95 unlimited for Canada & US calling. I still maintain my existing land line, but for long distance calling in North America, it beats out my local telco.

Best of luck!

 

40 bucks for unlimited calls anywhere? that sounds good at first, but when you add it to your Internet Bill it will still be close to 60 bucks per month.

Most of the big phone companies are now starting to bundle packages into 70 bucks per month, so it isn't really a good deal.

What I do for long distance is simply buy 5 dollar phone cards whenever I need to make them. My regular phone bill for local runs at about 26 bucks a month, and I want to soon switch my ISP to a company that starts at 44 bucks so I will still be at about 60 bucks.

Its hard to save money on the phone, and the government and big corps have such a huge monopoly. Maybe things will change in the future.

14.95 for VOIP? Can you tell us the name of that company?

 

Who are you with? I'm with Primus and the equivalent for me costs $40!

 

I have some friends with primus, went with Zingotel - $14.95 US

Check out sig

 

Zingotel huh? Once my contract expires with SBC/ATT in a few more months I'm going to give those guys a call.

If I switch to them, and then change my ISP over to infowars, I will be spending about 58.95. Not bad in a day and age when most people are spending a 100 bucks a month or more.

 

no contracts either ...

 

I was thinking about get voIP...would anyone recommend vonage?

 

Looks like the call prices in the US are pretty poor.

Here in the UK everyone has to pay £10.50 (~$18) to British Telecom for any standard phone line (even if you only have it for DSL and then use VoIP).

On top of that my phone company just-dial charges:

Saver plan:
Monthly fee = £0.00
Calls to any UK land-line peak: £0.02 (~$0.035) per minute
Calls to any UK land-line off-peak: Free
Calls to the USA (land-line and mobile) anytime: £0.02 (~$0.035) per minute
Calls to UK mobile peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.10 to £0.15 (~$0.18 to $0.26) per minute
Calls to UK mobile off-peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.035 to £0.10 (~$0.06 to $0.18) per minute

Max plan:
Monthly fee = £8.99 (~$15.75)
Calls to any UK land-line peak: Free
Calls to any UK land-line off-peak: Free
Calls to the USA (land-line and mobile) anytime: £0.02 (~$0.035) per minute
Calls to UK mobile peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.10 to £0.15 (~$0.18 to $0.26) per minute
Calls to UK mobile off-peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.035 to £0.10 (~$0.06 to $0.18) per minute

International Lite Plan:
Monthly fee = £16.99 (~$30)
Calls to any UK land-line peak: Free
Calls to any UK land-line off-peak: Free
Calls to the USA (land-line and mobile) anytime: Free
Calls to 39 other countries anytime: Free
Calls to UK mobile peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.10 to £0.15 (~$0.18 to $0.26) per minute
Calls to UK mobile off-peak (varies by mobile company): ~£0.035 to £0.10 (~$0.06 to $0.18) per minute

 

If you're just looking to save money on long distance calls, you might want to try Skype. It's about 2 cents per minute to 40 or 50 countries.

I don't have a landline, I only use a cell phone, but Vonage, from what I know, seems to be a good replacement.

 

I have found the audio quality when skyping - out very poor.

I also find it costs about the same from my normal phone supplier!

 

I am using VONAGE right now in India paying $35 a month for unltd calls to US and Canada, and i am using a cell phone kind of device which automatically connects to a WiFi network around and gives dialtone.

Just walk into any WiFi zone and switch it on. Its really nice, no need for PAP2 Device, LAN Cable, Phone instrument and power adaptor(This cordless device comes with a charger).

See this device here.