VOIP phone, Softphone alternative

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 5

Hello,

I've read thru the forums the past couple of days, and I think I understand the softphone provisioning, but still have a question or two.

My gf is in another country. She has DSL, albeit not great reliability. I think she can use the softphone on her PC, and call my # with unlimited calls, or 500 minutes . . .

Is there a phone alternative to this softphone? If she buys a VOIP phone, and calls my # or IP address straight from a router and not using the PC at all, will this work for free?

I would appreciate some advice from the Vonage gurus to clarify the best way to get calls from her \ simply the setup.

Thank you!

Posts: 4750 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4750

Vonage doesn't sell to people in other countries, but if she buys a Vonage phone here in the US using a US credit card, and if she takes it to her country, and if it works with her internet service, then calls to you will be free.

Posts: 164

Pirate2600 wrote:

Hello,

I've read thru the forums the past couple of days, and I think I understand the softphone provisioning, but still have a question or two.

My gf is in another country. She has DSL, albeit not great reliability. I think she can use the softphone on her PC, and call my # with unlimited calls, or 500 minutes . . .

Is there a phone alternative to this softphone? If she buys a VOIP phone, and calls my # or IP address straight from a router and not using the PC at all, will this work for free?

I would appreciate some advice from the Vonage gurus to clarify the best way to get calls from her \ simply the setup.

Thank you!

Softphone works well wirelessly. You could sign up and merely give her the password info. The downside would be that the controls would be on your dashboard, and all the call records would be accessed only by use of your main account password.

I;m not up on voip phones, but it should work if it will handle password logon. I run mine on an Axim handheld, and find good free connections all over town.

Your friends outgoing minutes are counted, but incoming is free. Merely get in the habit of calling them, even if you need to hang up their call and return it as incoming.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 5

Ok thank you for the replies.

Surely this has been addressed before, albeit I cant find references.

I was told that I could call any number in the US, Mexico and Canada from my account, unlimited. If she has the softphone software installed on a PC, I think she can call me all she wants to.

Should she use the handheld USB phone and Softphone?

Does anyone have a working example of what I want to do?

Posts: 164 · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:57 am Post subject:

Pirate2600 wrote:

Ok thank you for the replies.

Surely this has been addressed before, albeit I cant find references.

I was told that I could call any number in the US, Mexico and Canada from my account, unlimited. If she has the softphone software installed on a PC, I think she can call me all she wants to.

Should she use the handheld USB phone and Softphone?

Does anyone have a working example of what I want to do?

I use the CyberPhoneK usb handset. Excellent sound quality. It does have a dialer on the handset, but I prefer to dial from the software instead; the software saves numbers in the phonebook for one click dialing.

When making calls from the PC, it is important to use a headset or handset. Trying to use the PC speakers results in echo and feedback as the mic picks up the sound of the speakers.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 5

Thx Pepperoni,

Assuming I am correct about her using the softphone on her pc, and calling MY # which is in the US, therefore a free call?, are there any alternative you can think of with Vonage, other than paying for the softphone software each month?

Posts: 164 · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:54 pm Post subject:

Pirate2600 wrote:

Thx Pepperoni,

Assuming I am correct about her using the softphone on her pc, and calling MY # which is in the US, therefore a free call?, are there any alternative you can think of with Vonage, other than paying for the softphone software each month?

You can cancell Softphone without charge, anytime. Testing the Softphone will only cost the setup fee and one months use. There is no hardware to return or a disconnect fee.

If it works, its a bargain, if it doesn't work for some reason, it only cost a few bucks to try.

You may want to test voice quality , etc with one of the free peer services. (don't ask, take your pick) She can test voice quality and make sure her sound is full duplex, headphone setup and the general ability of her net connection to handle VOIP.

Posts: 230 · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:46 pm Post subject:

Most sip phones allow you to call directly from PC to PC without needing an account with a VoIP provider. I use Xten to accomplish this task.

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 15

Just program a UTStarcom f1000 with your softphone credentials and send it to her. She can use anywhere theres wifi access.

I wanted to just add that this option elimantes the need for a computer or laptop. All she needs is the phone. Also it would be best if she called you and you called her back. Incoming to the softphone account is free and wont eat up your 500 minutes.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 23, 2006 Posts: 5

Thank you for the info . . .

If she runs the softphone on a PC, and I call my local # from my cell, will she be able to answer it? Is this a forwarding option?

I think we're getting closer to what I have in mind.

.