What VOIP alternative do YOU recommend?
Moderators: Pilot, Bill Smith
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:02 pm
Pay as you go
I like pay as you go service plan form VOIPVOIP.com It is a great place to port over the number only costs $7 a month. It is free unlimited incoming call. When you make phone calls out, I will use magic jack. I accomplished the calling route through Mysipswitch.
What's the trick to setting up magicjack with MySIPSwitch? I entered my SIP credentials on the config page and setup a MySIPSwitch SIP account with their SIP credentials, but when I made an outbound call, their calltrace indicated that there was no response from magicJack. I'm able to register with them though. Did you do something differently?
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:02 pm
MJ with Mysipswitch
Here is an Ex. of my dial plan for my MJ and other providers. http://www.mysipswitch.com/forum/viewto ... =2446#2446
For the config...
Provider Name: MagicJack
Username: Exxxxxxxxxx01
Password: password
Server: proxy01.any city.talk4free.com:5070
Checked on Registered with this provider
That's it.
For the config...
Provider Name: MagicJack
Username: Exxxxxxxxxx01
Password: password
Server: proxy01.any city.talk4free.com:5070
Checked on Registered with this provider
That's it.
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
Cheap alternatives
IPKALL + ATA = Free & unlimited inncoming
For outgoing, I subscribed to www.localphone.com (0.7c US). I don't think anybody can beat that.
For outgoing, I subscribed to www.localphone.com (0.7c US). I don't think anybody can beat that.
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
Re: Cheap alternatives
inet777: Thanks. Who are you using for the SIP (with IPKALL); I thought that FWD was no longer free (and as far as I know you need a SIP provider to provide DID for IPKALL).inet777 wrote:IPKALL + ATA = Free & unlimited inncoming
For outgoing, I subscribed to www.localphone.com (0.7c US). I don't think anybody can beat that.
Anyone try Voip.ms?
US DID $0.99 to $1.49 a month / $0.01 to $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $4.95 to $6.95, Free / Up to 3500 minutes
Canadian DID $1.99 a month / $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $8.95, Free
Tollfree DID Monthly Fee: $0.99/ $0.029min @ 6sec billing
e911 (optional): $1 per month
US DID $0.99 to $1.49 a month / $0.01 to $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $4.95 to $6.95, Free / Up to 3500 minutes
Canadian DID $1.99 a month / $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $8.95, Free
Tollfree DID Monthly Fee: $0.99/ $0.029min @ 6sec billing
e911 (optional): $1 per month
As a family of seven we needed all the flexibility that we could get as cheap as possible with multiple calls going on. We have 4 extensions in our house. I have Asterisk PBX I use both my land-line skinned down to just local calling for 16 dollar a month with call forward busy set up to go to my VoicePulse account which I use just for long distance. Since they are a variable rate center for their Asterisk service but I usually get a penny per minute with them.
I added the Magic Jack Back in January to my PBX and then routed all my long distance through their service. The VoicePulse service was used to route calls that overflowed from MagicJack since they only allow 1 call per registration. VoicePulse allows 4 concurrent calls.
Anyway VoicePulse also has a residential non-wholesale plan at 24 bucks a month and they do have great voice quality.
I added the Magic Jack Back in January to my PBX and then routed all my long distance through their service. The VoicePulse service was used to route calls that overflowed from MagicJack since they only allow 1 call per registration. VoicePulse allows 4 concurrent calls.
Anyway VoicePulse also has a residential non-wholesale plan at 24 bucks a month and they do have great voice quality.
-
- magicJack Apprentice
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:45 pm
I'm using them right now and can honestly say it is everything it is advertised to be. The lower end route at 1.05c/m sounds exceptionally good. 10 times clearer than MJ on a dongle. in my short time with them i've never been down for service. The CID I choose passes through on every call.tazxx wrote:Anyone try Voip.ms?
US DID $0.99 to $1.49 a month / $0.01 to $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $4.95 to $6.95, Free / Up to 3500 minutes
Canadian DID $1.99 a month / $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $8.95, Free
Tollfree DID Monthly Fee: $0.99/ $0.029min @ 6sec billing
e911 (optional): $1 per month
Their DID numbers are not the cheapest on the block, but the outbound seems to be. Do the math on 10 calls at say 36 seconds each, being billed in 6 second increments vs 30 second increments. You're using only 60% of the minutes you'd normally use.
For DID, I wouldn't bother paying. IpKall works but you might wait a while to get an actual number. Took me like 3 weeks for them to respond.
Sipgate claims to offer a free DID for life. They appear light on the area codes now but that should change. In the meantime, just fwd your MJ line to the San Fran area code you get. You can change the area code later. Works great and they have a free call recording feature.
If your ATA can't setup a different inbound and outbound, just use pbxes.com There are lots of tutorials out there, but what you basically do is setup a Trunk for both the voip.ms and sipgate account, which they both gladly let you add to pbxes. Create a SIP extension, still on pbxes. Register your ATA with that extension. Create an inbound route on the sipgate trunk that sends calls to the extension, then an outbound route that uses the voip.ms trunk. One telephone line, you're done. pbxes free accounts allow 2000 minutes of use before they start to ask you to upgrade to paid acct, so i have no worries of going over the allotted.
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
sorry, did not get it
How does DID work? $0.99 per month + $0.01/minutes for incoming call?tazxx wrote:Anyone try Voip.ms?
US DID $0.99 to $1.49 a month / $0.01 to $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $4.95 to $6.95, Free / Up to 3500 minutes
Canadian DID $1.99 a month / $0.0149min @ 6sec billing
or Monthly flat rate $8.95, Free
Tollfree DID Monthly Fee: $0.99/ $0.029min @ 6sec billing
e911 (optional): $1 per month
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
That would be correct no ONE vendor can support mission critical needs. But some come much closer to it than others. That is why I have always advocated a diverse mix of providers for any services that are important.mel2000 wrote:Oddly, most of the VOIP venders listed by the OP don't support his "mission critical" needs, so I don't understand why he singles out MJ. BTW, 911 support is a non-issue since all cellphones are required to support 911 calls even if there is no provider attached.
And please note that I do not bash any vendor; I am simply trying to find who provides what for what cost.
-
- magicJack Apprentice
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Mon May 11, 2009 11:53 am
-
- Dan Should Pay Me
- Posts: 703
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:36 pm
- Contact:
thisiskate: I don't have sipgate, but I don't think that is the case. They say on a number of pagesthisiskate wrote:Sipgate looks interesting, but it looks like a Google Voice number (for incoming). I mean, the actual phone which is connected via ATA will not ring, only the phones that are linked to your account will ring. Can someone confirm this?
"Works with your favorite phone
Talk on a legacy phone, a VoIP phone, a VoIP adapter, a landline, a mobile phone or your computer."
Hopefully someone who has it will confirm.
BTW, as someone mentioned in another thread, what is most "interesting" (i.e., somewhat disconcerting) is their Privacy Policy. Seems just a bit creepy and gives me pause. Couple that with asking for DOB on the "residential user" signup and I am sufficiently creeped out ... and that might be just me.
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
Sipgate One is free if you use an ATA or softphone. They do however charge you to forwarded your calls to a landline or a mobile phone. They also charge for E911 once you add credit to your account. Sipgate One can ring multiple phones or SIP enable devices. They also offer up-to 10 free SIP User ID's so you can have multiple SIP devices ring at different locations from your assigned Sipgate One phone number. This feature seems pretty cool as I can have my Sipgate One phone number ring an ATA at my home, an ATA at my office and my laptop computer or mobile phone with the Fring application installed when I am eating lunch at a restaurant with a WI-FI hot spot.
I also have an IPKall number that I forward directly to my ATA. This reduces latency problems that sometimes occur when you have IPKall forward your calls to VoIP service provider. If you do not want to have your IPKall number directly forwarded to your ATA I would highly recommend forwarding your calls to Callcentric free IP Freedom account which has also worked well for me.
Please share what concerns you about Sipgate One' TOS as I may have missed something!
Thanks,
macman4hire
I also have an IPKall number that I forward directly to my ATA. This reduces latency problems that sometimes occur when you have IPKall forward your calls to VoIP service provider. If you do not want to have your IPKall number directly forwarded to your ATA I would highly recommend forwarding your calls to Callcentric free IP Freedom account which has also worked well for me.
Please share what concerns you about Sipgate One' TOS as I may have missed something!
Thanks,
macman4hire
sipgate works
I just got my ATA and found out Magicjack doesn't work with it anymore. I can still return my Magicjack since it is less than 30 days. I tried the sipgate and it works with my Pap2t ATA. I don't have to worry about breaking the TOS like magicjack. I'm going to play with it some more. I need to figure out how to get free outgoing sip calls now. Incoming is free on sipgate. The v-mail did not work at first and contacted support and now it is working.
-
- magicJack Apprentice
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:49 am
- Location: Spring, Tx
- Contact:
VOIP Alternatives
I would like to thank all of you on this thread. I have learned so much and it was a great springboard to enhance my VoIP knowledge.
samarai
I have seen some mention in these forums of a voip service "Localphone" and after checking out their website it appears the calling rate from U.S. to U.S. is .07 cents per minute, which is very good.
However, my question is are there any other charges added to that rate like taxes, VAT, etc...?
If anyone is currently using Localphone, please let me know this info, as well as your opinion of the quality of the calls.....thanks.
However, my question is are there any other charges added to that rate like taxes, VAT, etc...?
If anyone is currently using Localphone, please let me know this info, as well as your opinion of the quality of the calls.....thanks.
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
VoipDude,
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
1. localphone.com 0.007 cents per min.
2. callwithus.com 0.0099 cents per min.
3. future-nine.com 0.01 cents per min.
4. voip.ms 0.0105 cents per min.
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
1. localphone.com 0.007 cents per min.
2. callwithus.com 0.0099 cents per min.
3. future-nine.com 0.01 cents per min.
4. voip.ms 0.0105 cents per min.
Last edited by macman4hire on Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:31 am, edited 2 times in total.
I just signed up with Localphone yesterday. Was having problems with the SIP credentials but they responded with Email in less than a day to get me up and running. They even gave me 50 cents credit to test the quality.
Call quality is exceptionally good going straight through their proxy servers. It is OK via mysipswitch servers but I'm new to using this so there may be some tweaking necessary as my ATA does not have a G711 codec option. I'd say this is what MJ on my ATA used to be before 06/09. My goal is to use sipgate for free local US inbound, Localphone for normal outbound. A 3rd provider would be nice that offers SIP to Toll Free Numbers (free of charge, of course).
Billing is straight forward: .007/min rounded to 30 sec(that's 42c/hour). No extra fees so this is the best deal so far for an ATA.
Synchron
Call quality is exceptionally good going straight through their proxy servers. It is OK via mysipswitch servers but I'm new to using this so there may be some tweaking necessary as my ATA does not have a G711 codec option. I'd say this is what MJ on my ATA used to be before 06/09. My goal is to use sipgate for free local US inbound, Localphone for normal outbound. A 3rd provider would be nice that offers SIP to Toll Free Numbers (free of charge, of course).
Billing is straight forward: .007/min rounded to 30 sec(that's 42c/hour). No extra fees so this is the best deal so far for an ATA.
Synchron
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
Sipgate One and Future-NIne One offers free Toll Free Numberssynchron wrote:I just signed up with Localphone yesterday. Was having problems with the SIP credentials but they responded with Email in A 3rd provider would be nice that offers SIP to Toll Free Numbers (free of charge, of course).
Synchron
I just took a look at my current tab for test calls and they are charging me just .007, not anything extra.macman4hire wrote:VoipDude,
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
Synchron
You sure about that? My current call log from Sipgate shows they are charging $$ for 1800 numbers (at least the Google 411 tests I've been doing). They also appear to be charging at least 30 sec of talk time just for dialing the number with no one answering.macman4hire wrote:
Sipgate One and Future-NIne One offers free Toll Free Numbers
Synchron
Synchron: Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I've just registered for Localphone, and had a few questions if you don't mind.synchron wrote:I just took a look at my current tab for test calls and they are charging me just .007, not anything extra.macman4hire wrote:VoipDude,
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
Synchron
1. In order to use voip on my Linksys PAP2T, I had to register for a DID number in the UK. Since I live in the US, am I correct in my understanding that all of my calls from the US to the US will be originated from the UK?
2. What will the caller ID display on the phone of the person I am calling, and how do I set that caller ID?
3. How is the quality and dependability of their service?
VoipDude
Thanks for the info.macman4hire wrote:VoipDude,
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
1. localphone.com 0.00805 cents per min. including VAT
2. callwithus.com 0.0099 cents per min.
3. future-nine.com 0.01 cents per min.
4. voip.ms 0.0105 cents per min.
I did finally find it in their terms, that they do not add a VAT for U.S customers. It is only applicable to European customers.
VoipDude
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
Can #2, or #3 be configured in the ATA to show Caller ID of choice?macman4hire wrote:VoipDude,
I do not know if they charge non EU customers the VAT. The VAT is currently 15%. The total cost with the VAT added is just .00805 cents. This is still the lowest price per minute that I have found for U.S calls.
1. localphone.com 0.00805 cents per min. including VAT
2. callwithus.com 0.0099 cents per min.
3. future-nine.com 0.01 cents per min.
4. voip.ms 0.0105 cents per min.
VoipDude
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
1 - I would think that every call goes through their servers located in Netherlands, western Europe. Surprisingly, the ping times, trace routes are around 125-150 ms.VoipDude wrote:
Synchron: Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I've just registered for Localphone, and had a few questions if you don't mind.
1. In order to use voip on my Linksys PAP2T, I had to register for a DID number in the UK. Since I live in the US, am I correct in my understanding that all of my calls from the US to the US will be originated from the UK?
2. What will the caller ID display on the phone of the person I am calling, and how do I set that caller ID?
3. How is the quality and dependability of their service?
VoipDude
2 - On their website, it says under Settings both my First and last name. I don't see a way to change it and I asked in email if they can change it just to my last name since it's for family phone use. For now, I have it hidden via Features->Privacy.
3- So far, quality is a little distorted for the first 5 seconds of the call once connected (I'm using it through mysipswitch proxy). Thereafter, it's pretty reasonable and I'd compare it to mj when it worked with an ATA.
Regards,
Synchron
Use of Sipgate or localphone or any other service
Hi Folks:
I find this thread interesting.
I like to use my regular cordless phone connected to either my PAP2T or RTP300 as ATA to make in/out calls. Can I configure SIPGATE or LOCALPHONE to those ATAs say SIPGATE to Line 1 for incoming calls (free) and LOCALPHONE to Line 2 for outgoing calls (0.7 cent/min)
My basic requirements:
I want to use my traditional cordless phone both for in/out calls. I do not want to click on the softphone and use a HEADSET to make/receive calls. I have some sort of phobia. LOL
I want to have my GrandCentral # to be displayed as callerID on the other phone I am calling.
If I cannot handle the above with SIPGATE or LOCALPHONE , are there any other VOIP providers there that would satisfy my requirements.
Thanks in anticipation of reply.
anant
I find this thread interesting.
I like to use my regular cordless phone connected to either my PAP2T or RTP300 as ATA to make in/out calls. Can I configure SIPGATE or LOCALPHONE to those ATAs say SIPGATE to Line 1 for incoming calls (free) and LOCALPHONE to Line 2 for outgoing calls (0.7 cent/min)
My basic requirements:
I want to use my traditional cordless phone both for in/out calls. I do not want to click on the softphone and use a HEADSET to make/receive calls. I have some sort of phobia. LOL
I want to have my GrandCentral # to be displayed as callerID on the other phone I am calling.
If I cannot handle the above with SIPGATE or LOCALPHONE , are there any other VOIP providers there that would satisfy my requirements.
Thanks in anticipation of reply.
anant
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:01 am
Hi anant,
Call With Us or Future-Nine both allow you set how your Caller ID information will be displayed. Both of these providers have great user reviews. Call With US is priced at .0099 per min and Future-Nine is price at .01 per min.
Gizmo5 will allow you to have your Grand Central or Google Voice number forwarded directly to Gizmo5 account which be configured on an ATA. I prefer this setup because the call quality seems the better me. Also when I was forwarding my MagicJack number to my SipGate One number I experienced the occasional call break up(choppy sound) and have not experience a call break up yet by having MagicJack forward to Google Voice to Gizmo5 on my ATA. I hope this helps.
Call With Us or Future-Nine both allow you set how your Caller ID information will be displayed. Both of these providers have great user reviews. Call With US is priced at .0099 per min and Future-Nine is price at .01 per min.
Gizmo5 will allow you to have your Grand Central or Google Voice number forwarded directly to Gizmo5 account which be configured on an ATA. I prefer this setup because the call quality seems the better me. Also when I was forwarding my MagicJack number to my SipGate One number I experienced the occasional call break up(choppy sound) and have not experience a call break up yet by having MagicJack forward to Google Voice to Gizmo5 on my ATA. I hope this helps.
Magictalkbox
I was just curious if anybody came across or tried Magictalkbox (http://pcphoneunlimited.com/) - seems like magicjack, only a little more expensive, and they give you their own ATA. No USB donges.
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 470
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:45 pm
- Location: Dallas, TX
If you want free, now you can link up a Gizmo5 account to your google voice for incoming AND outgoing. Set this up with an ATA and you are set providing they keep this service around. There's a thread about this in the hacks & tips subforum for anyone interested. You can also read more here
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r227655 ... mbers-area
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r227655 ... mbers-area
-
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
- Posts: 470
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:45 pm
- Location: Dallas, TX
I spend way too much time on my MJ with my ATA and it doesn't always work. I already had a sipgate account to play around with, but after reading what you stated (multiple SIP devices free), I decided to buy credit with them and use them as my primary home number.macman4hire wrote:Sipgate One is free if you use an ATA or softphone. They do however charge you to forwarded your calls to a landline or a mobile phone. They also charge for E911 once you add credit to your account. Sipgate One can ring multiple phones or SIP enable devices. They also offer up-to 10 free SIP User ID's so you can have multiple SIP devices ring at different locations from your assigned Sipgate One phone number. This feature seems pretty cool as I can have my Sipgate One phone number ring an ATA at my home, an ATA at my office and my laptop computer or mobile phone with the Fring application installed when I am eating lunch at a restaurant with a WI-FI hot spot.
I also have an IPKall number that I forward directly to my ATA. This reduces latency problems that sometimes occur when you have IPKall forward your calls to VoIP service provider. If you do not want to have your IPKall number directly forwarded to your ATA I would highly recommend forwarding your calls to Callcentric free IP Freedom account which has also worked well for me.
Please share what concerns you about Sipgate One' TOS as I may have missed something!
Thanks,
macman4hire
For anyone that wants to know, you CAN set your caller ID with sipgate One. I set mine to my Google Voice number which is pretty nice and works well. Call quality is good and I can disable voicemail completely which lets Google Voice handle my voicemail needs. I will have to pay some for outbound calls (very few), but I can live with that for now.
I would like to add CallCentric to the list
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/loca ... t8395.html
CallCentric website:
http://www.callcentric.com/?aid=112532
http://www.phoneservicesupport.com/loca ... t8395.html
CallCentric website:
http://www.callcentric.com/?aid=112532
Localphone
Here is one that we use to call Mexico. The rates are a lot cheaper than a calling card. I will be setting up my voip phone as soon as it arrives.
http://www.localphone.com/
http://www.localphone.com/
Yup! I just signed up for both Sipgate and Callcentric to compare them. They look like the best deal around currently at about 2 cents a minute for paid plans. They both have free bonus time so you can get away with something more like 1 cent a minute.
I am so tired of screwing with magicjack after 2 years that I'm saying goodbye.
However, I now have a great appreciation for what it takes for the local phone Co's to provide glitch-free service.
I am so tired of screwing with magicjack after 2 years that I'm saying goodbye.
However, I now have a great appreciation for what it takes for the local phone Co's to provide glitch-free service.