Confused by VOIP options.

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slliwgd

213 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 109933 29-Sep-2012 18:05
I am an Orcon Genius customer. My wife wants to call her sister on OZ. Her sister only has a mobile, no land line. Orcon rates are high. I have found a calling card to use buts its a pain to use this method. 2Talk rates look ok but can you use 2talk and still retain your number. I don't want to port my number just have a 2talk number as well as Orcon number. Is this possible? Or can you suggest another cheap method to call OZ mobiles. Thanks team. Edit. Will a Softphone be an option to use 2 numbers ?

blair003

361 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 693436 29-Sep-2012 18:18
With my fritzbox on snap I have an vfx number and a 2talk number configured and it works fine. I can then set dialling rules, or dial a certain prefix before a number to specify whether I want to use vfx or 2talk for that call. You should be able to retain your number with orcon and have a separate 2talk number. But I don't know the specifics of orcon genuis so I'll let someone more qualified answer.

tee-em

13 posts

Geek

Reply # 693453 29-Sep-2012 18:56
Yes softphone is an option. If you phoning Aus a lot check out http://www.faktortel.com.au I have an account no monthly bills, only if i use it and local calling rates in Aus.

chevrolux

983 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 693456 29-Sep-2012 19:01
From what I have seen on here the orcon router is fairly locked down unlike the fritzbox so your best bet will be to get a free 028 number from 2Talk and use that on a pay as you go basis. Use a softphone on your PC with a half decent headset and you will be away laughing.

kfella2000

440 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

Reply # 693458 29-Sep-2012 19:06
If you dont cancel your genius service you can set up an account with 2talk and also have a 2talk number. 2talk do have an excellent softphone that you can download and use but I believe you can only use it for 2talk so would be best to keep the genius phone going as well if you are wanting to have both numbers

billgates

2556 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 693465 29-Sep-2012 19:31
Skype. You can get a local Auckland or any other major NZ city's access number for free which connects to your skype subscription or their pay as you go plan. Use your Skype smartphone app which also uses that same subscription or pay as you go plan. dirt cheap to call landlines in Australia else mobiles are pretty cheap compared to other companies. No need to change ISP or buy any additional hardware. http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/pay-monthly/#AU http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/payg-rates/?currency=NZD#cc=AU Microsoft\|Outlook\|Skydrive\|Windows Live Admin Center\|Skype\|Office Web Apps\|Office 365\| Windows Phone\|Windows 8\|Xbox\|Hyper-V\|Office2013\|Bing\|Security Essentials\|Server 2012

NonprayingMantis

3626 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 693482 29-Sep-2012 21:21
if your ozzie rellys have smartphones, then get her to install Skype. then you use skype and call her for free

1eStar

385 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 693483 29-Sep-2012 21:25
Be aware with Skype that there is a connection fee per call which makes it expensive if your call drops or they happen to not be home. If you have a smartphone on your home wireless network then setup a sip dialler with 2talk and use it for outgoing calls.

billgates

2556 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 693486 29-Sep-2012 21:32
There is no connection fee with Skype if you buy an subscription which is the cheapest way to dial to Australia. Connection fees only applies to the Pay as you go calling. Microsoft\|Outlook\|Skydrive\|Windows Live Admin Center\|Skype\|Office Web Apps\|Office 365\| Windows Phone\|Windows 8\|Xbox\|Hyper-V\|Office2013\|Bing\|Security Essentials\|Server 2012

NonprayingMantis

3626 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 693487 29-Sep-2012 21:48
1eStar: Be aware with Skype that there is a connection fee per call which makes it expensive if your call drops or they happen to not be home. If you have a smartphone on your home wireless network then setup a sip dialler with 2talk and use it for outgoing calls. there is no fee at all if you are calling skype to skype, which you can do. just tell you rrelly to install skype onto their phone

freitasm

BDFL
43792 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

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Geekzone

Subscriber

Reply # 693489 29-Sep-2012 22:05
Folks telling others to "install Skype on their phone" must remember that this option is "free" for voice calls but will use mobile data - you don't know if the relatives have a data plan - casual data for Skype would be expensive. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

ubergeeknz

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Orcon

Subscriber

Reply # 693511 29-Sep-2012 23:24
$13 a month gets you unlimited (up to 1 hr each) calls to your chosen destination. Maybe worth while if you make a lot of calls. Just one more option (and simple to implement)...

NonprayingMantis

3626 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 693535 30-Sep-2012 08:18
freitasm: Folks telling others to "install Skype on their phone" must remember that this option is "free" for voice calls but will use mobile data - you don't know if the relatives have a data plan - casual data for Skype would be expensive. True, or over wifi if they have naked broadband, or can otherwise access wifi

allstar1

57 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 693552 30-Sep-2012 09:56
One way to use Orcon and 2 talk is to set up 2talk to give you a dialtone when you phone it .. then call the number you want using 2talk account minutes. // no need for softphone then. 2talk account with a local number same area as your Orcon. Seems alot of effort though .. why not go straight to 2talk for everything? This is a good way to use 2talk a bit like a calling card.