Cheapest Voip to use like a telephone?

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DragonSlayre

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Topic # 22077 15-May-2008 21:36

Hey, I'm currently looking for a VOIP service, which can basically replace my telephone. So I'd just like PC-Phone, Phone-PC.

I've had a look at Skype, but I'd like to hear what other people think might be a good option? I don't make many phone calls, and so don't need anything that's heavy duty - but it'd be nice to be able to receive calls still etc.

Thanks!

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Reply # 131147 16-May-2008 00:38

www.2talk.co.nz

mushion22

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Reply # 131150 16-May-2008 04:43

www.2talk.co.nz     I have just signed up with them, works well and has an extensive feature set. Owned by Slingshot/Callplus
http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/    People on here find them good, particularly customer service. Run by WorldExchange
www.italk.co.nz   Kinda basic service and people often have issues with them. Also run by slingshot/Callplus.

DON'T use Skype as a landline replacement! You'll be dissappointed. Its great for PC-PC, but their interconnects to the PSTN are very far away from NZ so call quality is quite bad even though they have local numbers.

nate

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Reply # 131166 16-May-2008 08:59

From how I understood DragonSlayre's original post, they are looking for PC-Phone, Phone-PC which indicates using a softphone.

No go with VFX, italk is rubbish, 2talk is really the only option.

mushion22

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Reply # 131167 16-May-2008 09:03

Mmm true. Still, WxC is a viable option if you meant replace your telephone with an internet telephone, but indeed go with 2talk if you want to use a softphone.

They have their own customised softphone which integrates other IMs too, but as a softphone I found it a little basic, X-lite is better.

nate

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Reply # 131170 16-May-2008 09:05

mushion22: Mmm true. Still, WxC is a viable option if you meant replace your telephone with an internet telephone, but indeed go with 2talk if you want to use a softphone.

Couldn't agree more mushion

mushion22

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Reply # 131171 16-May-2008 09:09

idlearts

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Reply # 131172 16-May-2008 09:17

there's also BBPGlobal, no idea if its any good though.

grant_k

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Reply # 131175 16-May-2008 09:21

idlearts: there's also BBPGlobal, no idea if its any good though.

Last time I looked at that option, Local Calls were charged for, although the rate was quite reasonable.

Land to Mobile calls were very expensive though; somewhere in the 50c+ range IIRC

mushion22

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Reply # 131176 16-May-2008 09:21

They're aussie based, charge for local calls (5c/min) and cost $99 per year for a local number which are only available in Wellington and Auckland. NZ mobile calls are 30c a min.

DragonSlayre

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Reply # 131218 16-May-2008 12:03

Ok, WxC is probably too expensive for my usage, and so I would sit on either skype or 2talk.

I'd probably still go for skype however, as I think it would work out cheaper, and they've got a good deal at the moment for skypeIn (33% off). Is there any reason that I shouldn't go with skype?

mushion22

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Reply # 131220 16-May-2008 12:06

Call quality for calls to NZ landlines is generally very VERY bad for outgoing calls. Incoming isn't tooooo bad usually. Try it for yourself if you don't mind blowing 10 euros (about $20) on some SkypeOut credit.

mushion22

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Reply # 131221 16-May-2008 12:11

Also you can't port numbers too/from Skype. So you'd have to choose a new phone number to start with, and you will be stuck with skype if you want to keep that number in the future.

Moreover, there are less features for skype. Eg 2talk gives you a LOT of features (Forward, Locate Me, Voice mail, etc etc etc) for about the same price per month as having a SkypeIn number.

DragonSlayre

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Reply # 131228 16-May-2008 12:36

Do you know if you can get a free 2talk account, and add credit, and a local phone number onto it?

mushion22

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Reply # 131231 16-May-2008 12:41

Sure can, that's exactly what i just did. So it costs you $7 a month. Just means that you dont get the free forwarding from the local number, and you dont get any included minutes. Costs you $20 if you want to port your exisitng number. Or you can go for the $15 a month plan which include 500 minutes to 40+ countries, which makes it cheaper than Skype if you use a lot of those minutes.

DragonSlayre

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Reply # 131234 16-May-2008 12:50

Awesome - ok... that's me sold right there.

I just need to sort out a phone now. Don't need anything flash - what would be the best way to go?

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