Skype/VoIP to replace home phone?

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timmmay

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#71361 9-Nov-2010 12:30

I'm thinking of getting rid of my home phone, it's used about five times a month, which is a waste. I figure i'll use mobile and skype instead, unless there are better VoIP options.

I've read the Dualphone review from a couple of years ago, I was wondering if there were any newer cordless skype phones I should consider instead? I know I can use the PC, which is on almost all the time, but a handset is more convenient for when people call me. Because of my house layout cordless would be a big bonus.

Also, can I keep my 04 number and transfer it to skype?

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Biddle Corp

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#402055 9-Nov-2010 12:38

Skype is not a reliable PSTN replace and doesn't support porting in or out since their numbers are acquired from a 3rd party in Australia. It also lacks the ability to call emergency services.

I would recommend a SIP based service with as VFX or 2talk.

timmmay

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#402061 9-Nov-2010 12:46

Thanks sbiddle. I'm not really bothered about number porting or emergency calls, cellphone is reliable enough for me. I'm really just doing it to drop the monthly fee. I'm not interested in anywhere that will charge me a monthly fee, but usage fees are fine.

2talk would do the job fine, and if they port numbers, great. In that case could I buy a generic SIP Wifi phone and use it as a drop in replacement? Are there any recent recommendations of a cheap phone like that? All I need it to do is let me ring out, and ring when someone calls me, extra features aren't needed.

I could get by without any kind of home line service at all, using skype from the PC. Having something like this just makes it easier say if my parents want to call me, but they can be trained to call me cell or txt me to call them.

timmmay

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#402069 9-Nov-2010 12:50

The other advantage of skype is my family uses it already, so they could call me for free.

I could even get a "Skype Online Number" so people could call me from a regular phone. They're about $6/month... I don't think i'd bother paying that though. People can call my cell.

Ragnor

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#402084 9-Nov-2010 13:17

Who is your broadband provider currently and what plan?

The reason I ask is that even if you do practically no land line calling, typically switching from standard adsl with a landline to naked adsl will only save you typically $10/month at best.

If you want to know why there is such a small difference, it's because there are actually 3 components to the cost: Broadband service cost, Phone service cost, Line rental cost.

With naked adsl you still have to pay for the broadband service and line rental.

stevonz

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#402104 9-Nov-2010 14:01

timmmay: 2talk would do the job fine, and if they port numbers, great. In that case could I buy a generic SIP Wifi phone and use it as a drop in replacement? Are there any recent recommendations of a cheap phone like that? All I need it to do is let me ring out, and ring when someone calls me, extra features aren't needed.

You could keep your existing fixed/ wireless phone and use with a VOIP ready roueter or an ATA device added to an existing router.

Some plans will come with this sort of hardware, or allow you to bring your own.

Cheers, Stevo

timmmay

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#402148 9-Nov-2010 15:20

I'm on TelstraClear cable. There's no price on their website for internet plus TV, all their packages have phone in them. When I called they first told me I need a phone line to get internet, then after putting me on hold they told me I need a phone line to get cable TV. After I told him (a guy in Manilla) both times he was wrong I tried to file a complaint, I was transferred to someone in NZ but I think I was fobbed off.

Anyway, i'd save $39.95 a month by dropping the phone. The money isn't even the big issue, it's that I just don't use it and it seems like a waste. Still, it's a $480 per year saving, which i'd rather have than give to TC.

So I guess I could use 2talk which would give me a Wellington local number without a monthly fee, get a Linksys SPA3102 ATA thingy, and plug my existing cordless phone into it?

Alternately i'll just use Skype on the PC, and people can call my cell.

bazzer

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#402161 9-Nov-2010 15:43

I don't think the free 2talk gives you a local number, does it?

I'm thinking about doing the same as you. Since Orcon changed their plans and made the smartphone features a $10 addon, I don't feel like I'm getting good value from the phone service anymore. I could get 10GB more and pay $10 less on the naked plans. 2talk or VFX seem to charge $11.50 a month for a local line, so it works out about even. We don't make many calls, so we won't really make any gains there.

We probably won't bother, because I'll need to get an ATA ($), we'll have no phone without power (unless I get a UPS, $), and I'm not sure I'll really get much benefit out of it.

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timmmay

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#402175 9-Nov-2010 15:55

Yep they do http://blog.2talk.co.nz/porting.html

They have a no monthly fee plan too. I've emailed them to check everything, and i'll post once I get a reply.

I'm also not sure if i'll bother. People can call my cell or txt me to call them. But $120 is only 3 months phone service, and then it's free or pay as you go for years.

bazzer

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#402222 9-Nov-2010 16:33

I don't doubt that they accept ported numbers, but on the plans page "2talk Go Free" the pay as you go plan, lists "1 x 028 non geographic" as included, whereas the others all include local numbers. I assumed the non-goegraphical number wouldn't allow a port either.

If it does then I will probably look into switching, so let me know what they say. I wouldn't bother getting the free one just to get an 028 inbound line.

timmmay

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#402263 9-Nov-2010 17:46

Ah, I get you now, and it looks like you're correct. If you want a regional number on the free plan it's $7/month, plus the transfer fee.

$11.50 per month is still a lot better than $40 per month, but the first year will still be $260 including the required hardware. After that it's $140 per year or so.

It's cheaper just to have my family call the 0800 number associated with my Vodafone account. That was a $15 setup, with no monthly charges, and costs me $0.50 per minute even if someone calls from a cell.

Teeps

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#402298 9-Nov-2010 19:15

timmmay: I've read the Dualphone review from a couple of years ago, I was wondering if there were any newer cordless skype phones I should consider instead?

If you're still thinking of the Skype route I can recommend the RTX DualPhone 3088. As you I was unsure about this as it seemed a few years old and wondered if there was anything newer/better but couldn't really find anything so I took the plunge. I have to say I am pretty impressed, it works great as a dual landline/Skype cordless and really is a no brainer to use.

I'm from the UK and talk to friends and family quite a lot and using this the DualPhone is just great as you have none of the restrictions of being tied to a computer and having a UK number with it means anyone in the UK can call us from their landline or mobile without worrying about international charges or having to use their computer to call via Skype. We have 4 handsets dotted around the house all connected to the same base and can even do internal calls if we so desire.

The downside is you're Skype account always says you're online (I guess I could change this though as the handset let's you change your status) and at times have had calls from forgetful friends in the UK who are using their computers and see us online on Skype and decide to call in the middle of the night!

All in all if you're still thinking of Skype, whether you keep your landline or not I'd recommend the DualPhone for a seemless Skype experience.

timmmay

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#402301 9-Nov-2010 19:23

Awesome, thanks for posting Teeps, that's great information. At $240 it's not cheap, but given the lack of monthly fee for standard skype it might be worth it.

The only reason i'd have a handset is so people can call me, but that comes out at about $10/month for a local number with 2talk or skype, and will inevitably rise with time. I'm thinking plain old skype would do fine, I can always add a local number later if I find I need it.

If I was going with an 04 number it'd be cheaper to get 2talk, transfer my local number, get the Cisco/Linksys router, and use my existing cordless phone.

Teeps

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#402341 9-Nov-2010 20:56

timmmay: Awesome, thanks for posting Teeps, that's great information. At $240 it's not cheap, but given the lack of monthly fee for standard skype it might be worth it.

The only reason i'd have a handset is so people can call me, but that comes out at about $10/month for a local number with 2talk or skype, and will inevitably rise with time. I'm thinking plain old skype would do fine, I can always add a local number later if I find I need it.

If I was going with an 04 number it'd be cheaper to get 2talk, transfer my local number, get the Cisco/Linksys router, and use my existing cordless phone.

I know it's a UK website but this company is where I purchased mine before I left the UK, prices pretty good but of course they'll have UK wall warts so might not make sense even though they do ship internationally.

http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/skype-phones/cordless-skype-phones/

If nothing else it's a good resource for info of what's available for both Skype and other phones/adapters etc.

For your info my subscription with Skype which gives me an online number (I chose a London, UK number) and unlimited free calls over the whole of Europe is UKP33.93 (approx. NZD70) a year, this would be less if I just picked one country so I'm sure you could get it for less than the NZD10/month suggested. Maybe the prices have gone up and I'm luckily still on the old pricing i've had a few years now. For me though this is a complete bargain and well worth every penny (cent)

timmmay

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#402346 9-Nov-2010 21:02

Do you have a Skype Online Number? They're €15 per 3 months, which is €5/NZ$10 per month. That's the same as 2talk. Do they have an annual rate or something? The pricing on the website is terrible for pricing in this area.

Teeps

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#402353 9-Nov-2010 21:11

timmmay: Do you have a Skype Online Number? They're ?15 per 3 months, which is ?5/NZ$10 per month. That's the same as 2talk. Do they have an annual rate or something? The pricing on the website is terrible for pricing in this area.

Yes, it's a Skype Online Number, my subscription gives me one for free and I can add more wherever in the world I feel like for 50% off the price you quoted above.

I think you may be right that the prices have increased though but have a look at the subscription packages (if you can find them) as you get a better deal.

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