VOIP - AT home

[flashsnaps]

Can someone just fill me in with some info.

 

I've just ordered a VOIP, maybe I should have waited first!

 

Can I plug it into my existing router, or will I need something special?

 

Can I make phone calls to other landline/mobiles? Or do I need to subscribe to a service?

[Domino]

how do you mean?

VOIP is a protocol, not an item, what is it you've bought?

[flashsnaps]

Sorry, I understand that. I meant to say IP Phone!

[CyberNerd]

get one of these:

Asterisk :: The Open Source PBX & Telephony Platform |

 

then plug it in

[localzuk]

What phone have you ordered? Is it a USB style one such as those from Tesco or Skype? Or is it a generic one like those from Polycom, Grandstream etc...?

[powdarrmonkey]

TBH that's a) overkill b) overtaxing. Depending what phone you've bought, you probably just need to lease a VOIP service from someone like Vonage and configure it appropriately. But to answer your question: no, you can't just make calls, you need a service provider of some sort to reach ordinary phones.

[Domino]

ip phone, ah.

 

depends on the product - I'd expect you'll need an account with some service - unless its included with the product

[rush_tech]

I use skype to speak to relatives all over the world. you have to pay little if you want to phone a land line, I think its €0.0017 per min to portugal.

The quailty is quite good aswell i use a headset on my PC. never tried a phone.

[tom_newton]

Flash: if it is a "regular" VoIP phone, try sipgate first. Easy to test and a free signup.

[FN-GM]

If you setup an asterisk server and point the right ports form your public IP then your friend gets an IP phone you can make free phone calls.