BT line rental to SKY or Voip?

[visagephoto]

I currently subscribe to SKY TV, Broadband & Talk services, however I rent the phone line from BT as I also subscribe to BT's call sign feature for business calls and have an 0800 number directed to my BT call sign Number

I was considering moving my line rental over to SKY, but they don't have an equivalent service to BT's Call sign, therefore I would lose my additional business number.

If I were to subscribe to voip, would it be possible to port my regional 0141 (callsign) number from BT? and what about my 0800 number, could this be ported from the supplier or would I just have to redirect this to my voip number?

 

[movietub]

You would keep the current landline number which your 0800 etc is directed towards. This would ring through your voip phone.

The benefit of Voip is its cheaper to have several different lines, outgoing calls are much cheaper and you can have full switchboard functionality with no expensive equipment, just one line and tiny overheads.

We are about to switch from 2 landlines to one. Our voip solution will give us 4 seperate numbers and a fax. Our current 0845 number will still work the same way. In fact none of our numbers will change - so I would say go for Voip, spea to a pro and let themexplain this issue and every other.

Voip is the natural way forward in a digital age - like most things digital it's making things more efficient and costs less when you need to scale up your requirements.

 

[cjd]

If I were to subscribe to voip, would it be possible to port my regional 0141 (callsign) number from BT? and what about my 0800 number, could this be ported from the supplier or would I just have to redirect this to my voip number?

Yes you can port your BT 0800 number and either divert the inbound call to your landline or mobile or use VoIP fully and have a seperate telephone for it - this last is cheaper and gives you an outbound calling service too.

Porting info here:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Porting_Numbers.php

Call Forwarding info here:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/Call_Forwarding_And_Divert.php

General VoIP info here:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/What_Is_Voip.php

 

[visagephoto]

Ok, I've decided to give Voipfone a try, then if all goes well I'll port my BT number across (£20 + vat!!?)

As I'm not a heavy phone user, Would it be feasible to run the softphone service on a (high spec) laptop via Wi-Fi, until I decide whether I want to fork out over £80 on a new (Voip) phone.

Colin. on your site it mentions a code being available, giving UKBF members a free months trial of Voipfones features, could I possibly request a copy of the code.

 

[cjd]

Using a softphone on WiFi would give you the worst possible experience of VoIP - not recommended at all - the security encryption creates too much lag.

If you are going to use the softphone please use a wired connection to your router and get a cheap mono headest - Tesco do one for about £8.

If you give us a call on 020 7043 5555 and tell them I sent you, they'll give you a month's free trial of all or services.

(That applies to anyone else reading this )

 

[movietub]

Ok, I've decided to give Voipfone a try, then if all goes well I'll port my BT number across (£20 + vat!!?)

As I'm not a heavy phone user, Would it be feasible to run the softphone service on a (high spec) laptop via Wi-Fi, until I decide whether I want to fork out over £80 on a new (Voip) phone.

Colin. on your site it mentions a code being available, giving UKBF members a free months trial of Voipfones features, could I possibly request a copy of the code.

Good for you.

Even if the laptop was low spec you would be fine, so long as it has the processing power of skype handset/10 year old mobile phone (clearly it will do) then no probs. Online gamers use the same tech to talk over the net while killing each other on a daily basis! Obviously you will require a headset or USB handset etc.

The VOIP hardware we are going for is one killer base station for my desk to make me feel like I rule the world and portable handsets for the rest.

It will be useful for me to take calls when I'm abroad via my laptop though - this sort of tech really breaks down barriers.

 

[movietub]

Using a softphone on WiFi would give you the worst possible experience of VoIP - not recommended at all - the security encryption creates too much lag.

I think we posted at the same time about wifi lag... although you know much more than I do!

When using voip while playing online via MIMO wifi hardware things are fine. The game shifts far more data than voip and both have very little lag.

Over wireless G games are a bit of a waste of time but voip still seemed usable.

My question is over typical hotel connections is VOIP realistic? I know they can suffer from heavy usage but do they suffer from lag more than a typical home network as a result?

 

[cjd]

There's no real way of knowing without trying.

Luckily trying it costs nothing and if you find it works ok, then fine. By and large - laptop plus public wifi works ok - but I wouldn't want to run my business on it.

When the bombs went off in London a few years ago the mobile phone network was congested then closed, but people were still able to communicate using VoIP from laptops.

But, like I say, not something to run a business off.

 

[visagephoto]

Thanks guys, I'll give them a call and register tomorrow, I'd rather not have my laptop confined to the same room as my router, therefore I'll probably try to use it on my laptop as it is (wireless), then if I find the experience is too restrictive I'll look for, or buy the appropriate cable.

I appreciate the ideal solution is to buy a voip adapter, or phone, but they're not cheap are they? therefore I reckoned that as my laptop has a built in mic. and speakers, it might be sufficient until I can purchase the proper equipment.

As Colin suggested, a cheap headset would be ideal, as long as I remembered to disconnect it (and release the laptop speakers) so that I can hear the softphone ring when I get a call.