smeology.co.uk » Benefits of VoIP

VoIP calls on the iPhone!

smeology — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:32:08 +0000

A new Voice Over IP Service that allows for free calls on the desktop, web and iPhone, has now become possible with a revelation from Apple. Apple has recently dropped the restriction that made it impossible to have VoIP calls over 3G meaning it would be possible to make cheap VoIP calls over your iPhone.

Apple has declared that it is now “the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod touch over cellular 3G networks.” Regardless, there is now at least one app on the market that can make 3G VoIP phone calls possible on the iPhone.

We knew this was coming. At the CTIA conference in October, the American telecoms carrier AT&T confirmed that would provide functionality to support cheap VoIP over 3G for the iPhone.

Now that the restriction have been lifted, you can expect Skype and possibly Vonage to soon work over mobile 3G networks. This is a fantastic revelation could mean cheap mobile phone calls in the future with VoIP functionality over their Apple iPhone and possibly other Smartphones by makers such as Nokia, Motorola, Sony-Ericsson and Samsung.

But another possibity with this application which is available on the iPhone is that it will also be available to the iPad, which could mean cheap VoIP calls on the iPhone, the iPad and other Smartphones in the future such as the Blackberry….what a cool money saving prospect.

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Vonage VPhone Reviewed

smeology — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:44:08 +0000

The Vonage V Phone is an Internet telephone on a USB stick that has its own ‘virtual’ landline number.

Vonage has come up with this nifty little phone on a stick (a USB stick that is) that turns your laptop into low-cost phone and virtual office.

Set-up could not be easier – you just take the lid off the USB stick and plug it into a USB port. The software launches itself from the USB stick. Dialling is via an on-screen virtual keypad and you can dial by typing the numbers in or by clicking with your mouse.

The Vonage V Phone headset, consists of a pair of ear buds, a microphone bead and a clip to attached it to your clothing, plugs into the side of the USB stick.

Call quality is generally good. One cool feature is that the V-Phone has an assigned virtual landline telephone number . This means that anyone can call you , wherever you happen to be, by calling the number assigned to your phone. It’s a handy way for your contacts to call you without racking up huge bills.

Voicemail is supplied so if your laptop is switched off or you don’t have the USB stick plugged in, you won’t miss a call.

The system works through a broadband internet connection, either wireless or wired, so you’ll be able to use the V-Phone in plenty of places. Remember that some hotspot providers ban the use of internet telephony services like this from their networks.

The VPhone is good if your doing lots of international travelling, where it is a lot cheaper than a mobile and it gives people the ability to call you on a fixed landline which is cool.

The Skype Phone Reviewed

smeology — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:41:58 +0000

The Skype Phone allows users that’s why you’re able to make both ordinary 3G calls on this handset as well as using it to access Skype voice over IP services.

To use the Skype Phone you need to pay a monthly subscription or pay for a handset then pay as you go.

So the Skype Phone is a mobile Phone that also allows you to make free Skype to Skype telephone calls. 3-Mobile provides the mobile telephone network and Skype does the VoIP part.

If you want a good basic mobile which is cheap to use and have a network of contacts who all use Skype, this handset is ideal.

The Skype Phone can be purchased on an 18-month contract from the 3Store.

The Skype Phone handset is manufactured by handset maker Amoi. The Skype Mobile/VoIP combo phone, because that’s what it is offers a slim design and cool backlit buttons. You can access the 3-Mobile network and 3’s Planet 3, to access tunes, games, and mobile tv clips, news and content from the likes of MTV and Warner Bros.

Accessing Skype is pretty straightforward – you can set up a new account or access an existing one when you press the Skype button. Now this isn’t full-blown Skype here. You can’t use it to access SkypeIn and SkypeOut services – the ones that let you have your own follow-me telephone number and for you to call any landline or mobile number for a small fee. This is understandable – 3 wants you to use its network for this purpose.

Sound quality is generally good and with no problems with dropped calls in the time I have been using it.

New Vonage VoIP Services for 2010

smeology — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:52:33 +0000

VoIP company Vonage has announced new features in its Vonage World Mobile app. The app is available now for Apple’s(AAPL) iPhone and iPod Touch as well as BlackBerry (RIMM) devices.

Given the title Vonage Mobile the free VoIP app enables users to place international calls from their mobile devices. iPod Touch owners can do so by placing calls through Wi-Fi. BlackBerry owners will transmit calls over the cellular network only. iPhone owners will be able to place calls from Wi-Fi through the AT&T’s network in the United States.

While the international service is available on both cellular and Wi-Fi, free domestic calls in the US can be made over Wi-Fi on the iPhone and iPod Touch without using up minutes. Existing customer contacts and cell phone numbers will be used for connections.

Vonage expects dynamic growth for the company as mobile devices become more advanced, high speed broadband becomes more prevalent, and 3G/4G networks become more open. Recent pushes in mobile tech have buoyed a sharper rise in VoIP use.

According to Vonage, its app will help users save up to 50 percent on international calling charges levied by carriers. After downloading the app, users need to enter an international number. They can also select a call recipient from their existing iPhone or BlackBerry contacts list. Those who receive calls will see the user’s cell phone number on their caller IDs. Charges will be taken against the user’s credit card, which they need to input when they first start using the app.

Vonage’s app launch comes on the heels of controversy over whether Google’s similar Voice app should have been denied access to Apple’s App Store. Vonage’s new mobile app is available now in Apple’s App Store and Research In Motion’s BlackBerry App World. Both versions are free.

See the Smeology VoIP Comparison Guide for all the best Voice Over IP deals

New Google VoIP service in 2010

smeology — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:43:43 +0000

Google’s Vice President of Product Management Brad Horowitz has recently stated that he wasvery enthusiastic about Google’s acquisition of Gizmo5. Gizmo5 brings technological know-how to Google in the area of VoIP. Google’s VoIP service Google Talk has struggled recently, with it now being expected that Google Talk will be enhanced with Gizmo5 technology.

It is now expected that Google Voice will now:

Include tools as automatic voicemail transcription, SMS support, conference calling, and low-cost international calling to it’s existing 1.4 million users.

The Google Voice subscription total pales in comparison to the nearly 500 million users Skype enjoys worldwide, but unlike Skype, Google Voice users must have an existing phone carrier to use the service.

Google acquired Gizmo5 in November 2009, a maker of so-called softphone software that will enable Google Voice to operate like Skype by letting users place calls via the Web from one PC to another or from a PC to a landline or mobile phone.

In addition, with VoIP termination expertise from Gizmo5 it is quite possible that Google can finally compete not just with SkypeOut, but can become a full phone service provider like Vonage.

2010 will be an interesting year for VoIP and I have no doubt Google will have some interesting VoIP news up their sleeves.

See the Smeology VoIP Comparison Guide for all the best Voice Over IP deals

VoIP to be more popular in 2010

smeology — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:07:57 +0000

Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP is expected to become more widespread in 2010.

A number of expects including Chad Behling, of open source software company RockBochs, expect market growth in the VoIP sector over the next few years “as bandwidth increases and users adjust to declining analogue lines”.

He went on to add that the global economic slowdown has actually been beneficial to manufacturers of VoIP products as businesses want to cut down on their external communications costs and VoIP can be an effective way to do this.

It has been estimated that VoIP and telephony are set set to expand during 2010, with the unified communications and collaboration market reaching a value of $7.4 billion (£4.6 billion) by the end of the year.

Advances in networking technologies over the past few years have had a significant impact on the way businesses deploy telephony services and has stepped up the industry’s shift from PSTN, or old fashioned fixed lined telephony towards Voice over IP (VoIP) based offerings.

Chad Behling believes that said there will be significant market growth in the VoIP sector over the next few years as bandwidth increases and the use of analogue lines declines.

He explained that the VoIP sector has benefited from the global economic crisis, because firms are looking to cut down on external communication costs and are turning to VoIP providers such as Skype and Vonage in order to do this. He added that the ”explosive growth path” is expected to continue well into 2010.

See the Smeology VoIP Comparison Guide for all the best Voice Over IP deals

IP and VoIP Phone Features

smeology — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:29:08 +0000

There is a wide range of IP phones available today; but for the most part, IP phones can be divided into the following categories:

Desktop: today’s desktop IP phones typically include single-line access, a limited number of interactive soft keys and a screen with browsing and instant messaging capabilities. Top of the range IP phones also feature a backlit, high-resolution, touch screen for easy access to communications information applications and special features.

Wireless: Wireless IP phones are becoming more and more popular with the increase of wireless networks. That’s because wireless IP phones contain a wifi adaptot that allows it to connect to a wifi network. Although slightly more expensive than wired phones, wireless devices can deliver long-term cost savings, with access to cheaper Voice over Ip (VoIP) vendors such as Skpe and Vonage.

Conferencing: IP conferance phones offer instant, face-to-face communication between two or more participants. Ideally suited for small or medium-sized conference rooms, these specialty phones incorporate a camera, speaker, keypad and handset in a single unit.

Client Matter Code or CMC: This featrure allows businesses to bill each of their organisational units for calls made and identify which areas receive which volume of calls. After being specified by a system administrator, the CMC can provide billing information to each department for accounts purposes.

Corporate Directory: IP phones with this feature have a soft key or button which lets users place a call to a number in the directory listing. Searchable directories appear on the phone’s display for easy to access.

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VoIP sales on target for over $40b for 2009

smeology — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:30:37 +0000

The recession may have given a boost to worlwide Voice over IP (voip) sales.

It has been reportred that in the first 6 months of 2009, VoIP services brought in nearly $21 billion in global revenue. The report by market research firm Infonetics Research, stated that sales of residential and business services VoIP services are on target to grow by even more in the second half of the year.

Residential VoiP services account for the majority of revenue, with the number of subscribers growing 14 percent from the end of 2008 through the first half of ‘09. On the business side, the research firm said it expected IP Centrex and hosted unified communications service revenue to grow 26 percent year-over-year.

There is also a VoIP or Voice Over IP article section, with articles including……What you should know about VoIP….Skype Smartphone….VoIP Providers Improve call quality…International VoIP…..VoIP explained….8 VOIP questions answered….Voice Over IP FAQ’s….What is VOIP ? etc

T-Mobile Offers New VoIP service

smeology — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:44:45 +0000

T-Mobile has recently announce (Nov ‘09) that it is to launch a Voice Over IP home phone service in the United States.

The company announced that it would introduce a VoIP based phone service called T-Mobile@Home later this month which it hopes will compete with landline and other VoIP services in the US. The service will cost $10 a month, but customers must also have a T-Mobile cellphone plan (which typically start at $29.99 a month) and broadband Internet service (which typically costs $20 to $50 a month, depending on who the provider is).

The move is part of T-Mobile’s effort to extend its brand beyond the mobile phone market. The offering also builds on the company’s innovative service began a year ago that allowed its mobile phone customers to make unlimited calls over their home wireless Internet networks.

T-Mobile@Home transmits calls from the phone handset through a $50 T-Mobile router to the Internet, where voice-over-Internet-protocol technology is used to complete the call. Customers are allowed to keep their existing home phone number. The $10 price tag for unlimited calling is cheaper than what competitors like AT&T and Verizon, charge for wired or VOIP access.

Vonage £7.99 month offer

smeology — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:21:30 +0000

Vonage has released a but with a new package that allows consumers to make unlimited international calls for just £7.99 a month.

The new plan offers the unlimited calls to over 60 countries, while the previous plan only offered unlimited calls to six countries.

Countries that are included in this plan include India, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, and Australia as well as locations in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The company stated that since international VoIP calling is on the rise they feel heavy users will get the greatest value from this plan.

The new plan also includes calls to mobile phones in over 12 of the countries now included such as China and India.

In a separate development Vonage has released a VoIP app for iphones and BlackBerry smartphones in the US, allowing users to benefit from low-cost international calling over Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

The calls are routed through Vonage’s network, but the app redirects international calls over cellular networks to a local access number, saving money.

Wi-Fi can be used with the iPhone, but not with the BlackBerry version of the app.

The release of the app is part of Vonage’s plan to expand beyond the residential market.