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Forums › VoIP › Going Naked - Which VOIP to use


432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Topic # 159772 12-Dec-2014 09:11
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We are moving in a few weeks - and although it's only 15km Spark won't let us take our number with us (we're moving city to Porirua). 

So it seems to right time to lose the landline. We will initially be on VADSL - but fibre has been laid in the street and Chorus is saying availability in Jan 15 so hopefully within in the month... 

So I've used Skype before (4 years ago) for a landline number - and found them  to be not very reliable in NZ for phone-internet or internet to phone calls.

What are people using here? I use Facetime and Skype for overseas people, and some locals who have Skype, but I feel like a need a local number for the odd person I know who still thinks of calls as something you do on a telephone! 

2talk is coming up a bit - are they the best option? only option? I do want to have an 04 number that people can call for free if in Wellington. 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

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436 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1196050 12-Dec-2014 09:17
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2Talk isn't perfect, but they offer a large number of features via their Web interface, and I've not seen better pricing for the level of service I currently have (I am on one of their old plans).

4123 posts

Uber Geek
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  Reply # 1196055 12-Dec-2014 09:22
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I have used both Worldxchange and 2Talk, haven't had an issue with either.

80 posts

Master Geek
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  Reply # 1196057 12-Dec-2014 09:26
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I use 2talk a lot. Once you overcome initial (minor) setup stuff you will pretty much have zero problems and tons of features and very cheap.
You could port your existing number to them when you move and keep the number.



432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1196067 12-Dec-2014 09:33
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Checking wordxchange and 2talk now. Seriously both companies needs to employ a writer who can communicate to those of us without a background in teleco and networking (and I"m  NOT that stupid - I can develop websites!) 

Taking  the number with us is appealing! 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

80 posts

Master Geek
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  Reply # 1196082 12-Dec-2014 09:53
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Try 2talks free plan to get you started. It is a small learning curve. Or alternatively pay someone to provide you the full service.. but with a small amount of tech initiative you will get an amazing setup for very low cost.

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  Reply # 1196121 12-Dec-2014 10:44
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I use the free VoIP provided by Snap! It works fine, just like a regular phone. I paired my cheap DECT phone directly with the Fritzbox, it works fine throughout the whole house. WiFI strength and coverage seems fine to me, I have it in the centre of the house up high, it works fine inside and outside.

Be careful of getting VDSL if you have to sign a years contract. Also remember that UFB installs can take anything between 2 weeks and a year - in my case it was around 8 months while they negotiated with Wellington Electricity for rights to use their poles.




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80 posts

Master Geek
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  Reply # 1196128 12-Dec-2014 10:57
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2 talk also have soft phones you can run on your smartphone and computer . or you can buy Bria app which will allow 729 codec.
try the free soft phones on the free account to get you going.



432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1196138 12-Dec-2014 11:10
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Yeah got it going on my Android phone - seems to work well 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

237 posts

Master Geek
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  Reply # 1196140 12-Dec-2014 11:16
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2Talk.  Been using them for 4 years and going without problem.



432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1196144 12-Dec-2014 11:19
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LOL pretty unanimous around here - 2talk is it! I've signed up for the free account and contacted them about keeping my Wgtn number 

Cheers
Lis 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

86 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 1196183 12-Dec-2014 12:01
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Might be a bit late, but having moved from 2talk (broadband plan was cheaper) to unlimitedinternet I have to say unlimitedinternet has been great (had a small issue with 2talk to do with my router where I had to adjust a setting via telnet to the router to get my phone to ring, which was a pain when I had to reboot the router cause that setting didn't stick (and you can imagine how that went down the reboot occurred when I was out of town, made me get remote access workingembarassed ).

That said I know unlimitedinternet aren't accepting new customers until the new year.

    

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Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1196207 12-Dec-2014 12:40
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nicmair: Might be a bit late, but having moved from 2talk (broadband plan was cheaper) to unlimitedinternet I have to say unlimitedinternet has been great (had a small issue with 2talk to do with my router where I had to adjust a setting via telnet to the router to get my phone to ring, which was a pain when I had to reboot the router cause that setting didn't stick (and you can imagine how that went down the reboot occurred when I was out of town, made me get remote access workingembarassed ).

That said I know unlimitedinternet aren't accepting new customers until the new year.

    


It appears they are now - new website and ordering form, new prices (up a bit but still very good) and new plans.




rb99



432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1197935 15-Dec-2014 16:45
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2talk has confirmed that I can keep the same number as  I have - even though Spark can't move it from Wgtn to Porirua (shakes head) but want to do my broadband as well.  Has anyone had any experience with them as a broadband provider? I was going to stay with Spark  for broadband because it's a bit complex with VDSL to start with and fibre in January (when it become available). Am I wrong to assume it's simpler because chorus and spark are pretty much the same company? 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

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  Reply # 1197951 15-Dec-2014 17:07
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lissie: 2talk has confirmed that I can keep the same number as  I have - even though Spark can't move it from Wgtn to Porirua (shakes head) but want to do my broadband as well.  Has anyone had any experience with them as a broadband provider? I was going to stay with Spark  for broadband because it's a bit complex with VDSL to start with and fibre in January (when it become available). Am I wrong to assume it's simpler because chorus and spark are pretty much the same company? 


Spark can't let you keep your number as they don't offer a voip service/platform yet, it's a limitation in the physical hardware switches that numbers must stay within their area code in the old school phone system.

2talk can let you keep your number because they run a software based voip platform and their network is interconnected to the old network, so calls will get to the right place.

Chorus and Spark are not the same company at all anymore.

This will be a tricky migration, most likely you want to do the following in this order (someone else may be able to confirm):

1: At your existing place get a new number assigned from Spark and the old number you want to keep get that customer linked to the new number (this means calls still come in for now). In theory this ensures you don't lose your internet connection when you port the older number you want to keep off to a different provider.

2: Port the number you want to keep to 2talk, set it up, get it working etc.

3: When you're ready get your spark services moved to the new address and change to naked dsl.



432 posts

Ultimate Geek
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  Reply # 1197957 15-Dec-2014 17:15
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Thanks - that makes more sense now Ragnor -  I thought Spark were just being difficult. Maybe I should just go with 2talk with the broadband as well - that way if it doesn't work it's one place to call! 

We do have mobiles which most people know so if something goes wrong way up people can use those.

I think my main concern is that I've never heard of 2talk until last week - have they been around for long? Will they stay in business? 




I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

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