Query about VoIPCheap

[Mike Hicks]

Hi forum.
I am totally new to VoIP and SIP and need to ask some questions.
I have an account with voipcheap.co.uk and I have been using their PC software for a few weeks now.
I wanted to be able to make and receive calls all the time without my PC switched on so I replaced my USB modem with a Broadband router and bought myself a SIP phone - its a Safecom SDSIP-3000.
I configured the phone with my voipcheap details, username, password, domain voipcheap.com, proxy server sip.voipcheap.com.
I can make calls to normal phone numbers okay (voip-out) and I can receive calls from normal phones via my voipcheap allocated voip-in number. All that works okay.
But how the hell do I make voip to voip calls?
The voipcheap PC software enables you to make calls to other voipcheap users without touching the PSTN - excellent sound quality because its not being constrained by the audio bandwidth of the PSTN.
Lets say for the sake of this conversation my friend's voipcheap username is "wibble".
Using the PC software I can call wibble using my speakers and microphone.
I have tried putting wibble into my SIP phone's phonebook.
I have also tried "wibble@voipcheap.com" and "wibble@sip.voipcheap.com" but none of these works.
(I did tell you Im new to voip and SIP - assume I know nothing!)
Perhaps SIP only supports phone-number based calling? I dont know.
How do I call another voipcheap user without using the PSTN?
If I get them to apply for a voip-in number from voipcheap and I call that number using my SIP phone, can I assume the voipcheap SIP server is clever enough to know its the number of another voipcheap user and route it straight to them without going anywhere near the PSTN?

Can anyone validate my assumptions, answer my questions, or teach me all I need to know about voip and SIP?

[MrMan]

VoIPCheap are not an open network, like FWD, voipfone, sipgate etc.. So SIP to SIP calls without there software does not work properly i dont think.

If your device allows you to use more than one provider, then i reccomend you opening an account with another provider :)

[Barry Mung]

Hi all,first post away from a certain other spam ridden forum!

Voipcheap maybe free(ish) to use,but doesn't have the intergration like skype to enable pc to pc calls on a remote handset....Yet.
I am not sure if skype even allows you to call to other skype users unless the voip intergration software is running on your pc first.
Skype has voice activated pc to pc calls (** I think) but that would be too much to store on an ata/router. (Analogue telephone adaptor.)

I call my friends over in the states quite often now,as I am popping over there soon,will have to see if voipcheap still works from over there,so I can call home etc.Will let you know.

I would like to know how to make my pda work with voipcheap (or any of the other finera family) providers,I am sure I have the settings correct,but it just wont have it.I am trying to use one of the 2 softphones you can get for it,neither work with all the settings.Have even tried a sipdiscount account to try it with no joy.It must be possible!
Skype works seamlessly on it so it can do it! (But that costs!) Its an ipaq 4700 with all the bells and whistles.

[Mike Hicks]

Originally Posted by MrMan

VoIPCheap are not an open network, like FWD, voipfone, sipgate etc.. So SIP to SIP calls without there software does not work properly i dont think.

If your device allows you to use more than one provider, then i reccomend you opening an account with another provider :)

Cheers for that.
I will have a look at some open network providers.
I like the look of SIPGate, they do proper geographic numbers like 01458 for Glastonbury - makes your VoIP totally transparent to all who phone you.

Does anyone have a good list of open VoIP providers in the UK?

Skype is no good - their protocol is proprietary so needs their software running on both end PCs.

[marks_voip]

Been using sipgate for a month or two. Been pretty happy with it so far. Free to sign up, geographic number and the acount managment website is pretty good.

Only downside I can see if that if you say credit your account with £10 and then leave, you can't get the £10 refunded. But thats no issue unless the whole service goes to pot and you want to leave.

The forwarding of viocemails as attachments to emails is a good idea, and useful to me when out and about as i can pick up voicemails via email.

I don't really have other VOIP providers to compare to (as I've not used them). But sipgate seemed the sensible one for me.

[Mike Hicks]

Originally Posted by marks_voip

Been using sipgate for a month or two. Been pretty happy with it so far. Free to sign up, geographic number and the acount managment website is pretty good.

Only downside I can see if that if you say credit your account with £10 and then leave, you can't get the £10 refunded. But thats no issue unless the whole service goes to pot and you want to leave.

The forwarding of viocemails as attachments to emails is a good idea, and useful to me when out and about as i can pick up voicemails via email.

I don't really have other VOIP providers to compare to (as I've not used them). But sipgate seemed the sensible one for me.

Well I've gone for it. I've got an account with SIPGate. I've wagered a tenner to "see how it goes".
There are a number of things about SIPGate that I like:
(1) Having a local "allocated" voip-in number. I'm out on the moor west of Glastonbury, and SIPGate have given me a 01458 (Glastonbury) number.
(2) The voicemail getting emailed to you as a WAV file.
(3) no minimum call charge unlike BT's 5p, so if someone's out and you get their voicemail you'll only get charged 1.1p - My SWMBO does this all the time, she phones somebody, waits for the voicemail to cut in, hangs up and tries again up to 5 times thinking they really *ARE* in but not getting to the phone quickly enough.

Its a terrible shame they don't allow you to phone landlines for free like VoIPCheap do though.

The downside of SIPGate:
(1) 1.1p per minute to landlines
(2) Charged by the minute not the second.


I'm just wondering whether to keep the VoIPCheap account going for outgoing calls and the SIPGate for incoming. Oh I dunno, we'll see how it goes. I *CAN* call other SIPGate people using the username@sipgate.co.uk format, unlike VoIPCheap.

It seems you can register for SIPGate and get a voip-in number for free without having to credit any money

[Mike Hicks]

Another thing, SIPGate's gateways really do seem to be local.
You don't have to go putting 0044 in front of every number you dial, and when other people call you the caller-id display shows 01458... instead of 00441458... Much more user friendly!

[Barry Mung]

Its a shame tel-co's can't give the caller an option,ie 'to leave a message press 1' or 'if you don't want to leave a message,please hang up' so as to prevent charges for unwanted calls etc. Perhaps ofcom will be monitoring this in the following months,seeing as the anti bank charges revolution is rising up quite fast! (Martin lewis off radio 2's little bug bear!)

[Mike Hicks]

Originally Posted by Barry Mung

Its a shame tel-co's can't give the caller an option,ie 'to leave a message press 1' or 'if you don't want to leave a message,please hang up' so as to prevent charges for unwanted calls etc. Perhaps ofcom will be monitoring this in the following months,seeing as the anti bank charges revolution is rising up quite fast! (Martin lewis off radio 2's little bug bear!)

I think what Martin's doing is marvellous. Long may he continue. I've already subscribed to his email newsletter, but Ive found Ive already done most of the money saving things he suggests.