Cheap VoIP telephone line needed

[Berics Accounting]

Hi All

I am thinking of venturing into a new business area, and would require a VoIP system that can manage multiple lines and numbers.

Ideally the number of lines would need to be potentially limitless, (although would just be starting with a couple of lines.) We would then need the freedom to add / remove lines as and when needed. In addition, we would obviously need a handset that could manage this. My current system has an online portal so we can manage call history, messaging, forwarding etc. Although its a digital system, current business needs mean we only currently need analogue phones plugged in. Obviously I am aware that we would need to purchase a digital handset to accommodate the above.

As it would be a new direction for us, I would want to keep costs to a bare minimum, so any suggestions would really be appreciated.

Thanks

Jon

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Has to be http://www.voipfone.co.uk at £2.40 per number and add as many as you like.

The handset will need to manage the number of lines you need.

 

[Berics Accounting]

Thanks for the quick response. Do you know whether their lines are flexible? (i.e. if we find after 3 months we dont need a line, can we remove it from our account without penalty)

Thanks

Jon

 

[Faevilangel]

yes you can, you rent the line on a monthly basis, if you don't want it no more, just remove it from your account.

@cjd is the head honcho @ voipfone

 

[leemason]

You could (with voipfone) setup a virtual PBX system to handle the inbound numbers. I don't have one with voipfone but usually you can show by some sort of prefix on inbound CLI's which number they have called so you can identify which inbound number they have called.

 

[it-comms]

We can provide this at cost of £5.00 per extension / month + VAT
Phone Numbers at £2.00 + VAT
Can also supply the phones from £60.00 (One Off Fee per phone) "Cisco SPA303" with a plug in and use service.

 

[VoIP2Go]

I agree that a Cisco IP Phone would be a great choice, however, if you think you may need more than 3 lines at any time in the future, it may be wise to choose one with a slightly larger capacity.

To "keep costs to a bare minimum", you will need to decide if you want to PAYG or an "all you can eat" service for outgoing calls.

 

[cjd]

Thanks for the quick response. Do you know whether their lines are flexible? (i.e. if we find after 3 months we dont need a line, can we remove it from our account without penalty)

Give us a call on 020 7043 5555 and talk it through with one of our support people then you can get a sense of our customer services too.

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Voipfone's customer service techs are really helpful, your questions are never too much trouble now matter how dim you might feel you are on the subject of voip!

 

[skinz]

Not sure if this helps but you could get a free phone number from sipgate

I think you can only get 1 number though, however you can pick what geographical number you like.I have been using this with betamax companies for a few years now

 

[DigitalDaz]

I agree that a Cisco IP Phone would be a great choice, however, if you think you may need more than 3 lines at any time in the future, it may be wise to choose one with a slightly larger capacity.

To "keep costs to a bare minimum", you will need to decide if you want to PAYG or an "all you can eat" service for outgoing calls.

With regard to these ideas that you may need more than three lines etc, where do you think the phone comes into play? I'm not sure if I am misunderstanding or some people have a misunderstanding of VOIP and the way it works. A phone is a phone, not a PBX.

Say your company has a need for 100 concurrent calls, this doesn't mean your phone needs to support 100 concurrent calls (you can only speak with one person at a time, unless you are conferencing of course).

Also with respect to the 'all you can eat service', it doesn't exist, if you think you know where you can find one that does, let me know, I'll buy it tomorrow.

What I'm really saying is don't buy more than you need. You shouldn't buy anything now because you may need it in the future. The only real place where something like this comes into play is your internet provision, that should also really only be the limiting factor in your growth of voip.

 

[cjd]

Post deleted, wrong forum

 

[Berics Accounting]

Hi All

thanks for all the help and advice. All sorted now and am just about to order. Have decided on VoIPfone, as they have been the most helpful and have the most flexible approach to the service needed. Also, they seem to be the cheapest.

Annoyingly now, the provider of my 0800 numbers, (callready.co.uk) have quoted me £60 for each number to change where it is being redirected to, or £395 each to have them ported to VoIP!!!!

 

[cjd]

Annoyingly now, the provider of my 0800 numbers, (callready.co.uk) have quoted me £60 for each number to change where it is being redirected to, or £395 each to have them ported to VoIP!!!!

email porting at voipfone co uk with the number and ask if it can be ported. Include the name of the company it's currently with. If it can be ported, those charges disappear.

 

[Berics Accounting]

Thanks cjd. Great piece of advice. Will email now and see what they say

 

[Berics Accounting]

Unfortunately it seems CallReady are a con and they charge you for EVERYTHING!!! So I will have to bite the bullet and pay their fees.

The good news though is that my new numbers with Voipfone are all set up and working via the desktop program - Its brilliant!! Just going to order a handset now.

Whats more, if you use my unique referral link, you can get a whole months trial!!! I would highly recomend it!

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/free.php?free=174131

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Doh, didn't know we could use affiliate links in forum posts!

 

[thevirtualworksuk]

Getting a VOIP number for your business is not just about how much it costs, but also about how reliable the connection and quality of calls are. This can depend on your own internet access speed, but it can also depend on the provider's end as well. I would say that with voip providers, you get what you pay for, so be careful before you make a commitment to a 'cheap' provider.

I would recommend Xoomtalk provided by Pepper IT UK Ltd

 

[adamo]

I've used Sonetel in the past (mainly because of the low cost - just $1.99/mo for a UK phone number), but I also know people who use Gradwell too with no problems.