What do I need to setup VoIP in UK

[bobvilla]

Hi,

I am interested in setting up VoIP at home.

I have broadband supplied by PlusNet at 1mbs.

I am interested in the service which allows a regular telephone to connect via the internet to the regualr PSTN network phones.

What hardware and software do I need, who are the best providers and what are the call rates?

Thanks in advance

[mattpark]

Hi Bob,

VOIP is easy and at the same time hard to set up at home.

The easy way of course is to use skype

The harder way, but much better way, is to work with your broadband provider at Plusnet. At present I know they are working at implementing a Call Centrix solution to divert calls through to you via broadband.

The problem that ISP's face is the incoming calls coming to you and NAT traversal. I.e. they cant see the IP address of your phone behind the firewall and therefore need to implement some sort of session border control so you can get incoming calls coming over your broadband. (Outgoing are easy of course).

I suggest you try and contact Plusnet and see what they can offer you in the near future. And if they do manage to sort a solution out, then you should in theory be able to drop your existing line rental on your home phone because its pure IP and not an analogue gateway like the grandstream.

Failing that, you could sign up with one of the many VoIP providers croping up at the moment. Gossiptel, Sipgate, Vonage, VoIP talk, just to name a few.

Good luck!

[bobvilla]

:D

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll no doubt be bombarding you with more questions as soon as im setup!

Bob