VOIP programs you are using.

[krafty]

I think that you need some reliable VOIP,why not go for some unified IP messaging system(fax,voice,text...), of course you have to pay but the price is still affordable. Pfingo is a good choice, have used it for few years and i find it rather reliable.

I actually started this thread with the intention of asking if there were other voip programs other than skype anyone else is using. Well from the replies it seems that using voip even in this day and age is new to some ppl even though voip like skype has been around for like 5 yrs or more.

Looks like i'll ask somewhere else.

 

[Ash007]

I actually started this thread with the intention of asking if there were other voip programs other than skype anyone else is using. Well from the replies it seems that using voip even in this day and age is new to some ppl even though voip like skype has been around for like 5 yrs or more.

Looks like i'll ask somewhere else.

Google not enough for you? Xlite,eyebeam,minpax, all within the 1st page.

If you must know, I've tried out xlite, its free and useable. Only problem it seem it doesn't have G729 codec, which some say is the best for bandwidth wise.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

Google not enough for you? Xlite,eyebeam,minpax, all within the 1st page.

If you must know, I've tried out xlite, its free and useable. Only problem it seem it doesn't have G729 codec, which some say is the best for bandwidth wise.

google shows a list of programs but it's better to ask in a forum especially a local forum to get an idea of another good voip.

 

[Faidenk]

For the record, let me just state I have no, absolutely no personal interest nor gain from any parties writing this. I took pain to write this becoz it probably saves me a couple of hundreds $$$ every month using this and bros might like to explore this. It makes no difference to me if you eventually use it, or not. However if anybody has a better and cheaper plan, I am very interested to look at it. Anything that saves me some $.

I have been using A-Best’s WebCall for over a year now. WebCall is essentially a friendlier user interface that piggybacks on Hoiio callback services.

You ask, so why do I use it?

Because
1. It costs me only SGD0.038/minute local call compared to local telcos’ rates of SGD0.08 to SGD0.16/min.
2. It costs a fraction local telcos charge for IDD calls. E.g. China SGD 0.048, UK 0.049, US 0.045, Thailand 0.076 (http://a-best.net/WebCallRates.aspx)

So, why do I use A-Best and not Hoiio directly?

1. No. 1 reason is A-Best’s user interface which is the most convenient compared to the rest. E.g. To make a call, I access WebCall via my bookmarked URL. It then displays a drop-down list of my Frequently Called Numbers (FCN). I select and press CALL. If the number I want is not a FCN, I enter C, e.g. for Charlie, and press SEARCH. It displays a list of records beginning with C, I then select the record I want (Charlie) and press CALL. Note that no call has thus far been made (therefore not incurring any charge). More on this later.
Meanwhile, your call has been auto-terminated and Hoiio is connecting your contact. When your contact is available, Hoiio calls you back (usually not more than 20 seconds) and the moment you pick it up, your contact’s phone rings, you hear the connecting tone, the moment he picks it up, your call is connected.
Because Hoiio calls you, you are the callee, therefore you incur no call charges.

2. Rates are the same whether using WebCall or Hoiio. I think A-Best gets a small commission from Hoiio
So, how much do I pay both A-Best and telco every month?
I subscribed to Singtel ‘s 3G iOne Super Value costing $15.00/month (includes GST) which gives me 80 mins/month. At the end of each month I normally find I don’t even consume half. I also have Broadband on Mobile Lite (2MB) which costs $3.00 which WebCall needs. Each time you use WebCall, it uses on the average 15Kb, so this data plan is more than enough for my calls as I don’t surf the net on my antiquated phone
WebCall cost me $10 per month plus those calls I make through it, at SGD 0.038/min, which comes to not more than SGD10.00 a month.

I only use the 80 mins allocation for calls I need to make in a hurry. All else, I use WebCall. All in all, I pay SingTel about SGD30 (plus Caller ID, etc), A-Best – about SGD29. SGD50 tops, for all the calls I make and received. Used to be >$100.

Oh, I forgot this - one of the main advantage is, with a lot of these VOIP providers, you either need a PC to make a call, or download an app into your phone, or have to enter the VOIP provider’s phone, followed by your PIN provided, followed by your contact’s phone. Even Hoiio. Not with A-Best, main reason why I use them.

 

[Ash007]

Because
1. It costs me only SGD0.038/minute local call compared to local telcos’ rates of SGD0.08 to SGD0.16/min.
2. It costs a fraction local telcos charge for IDD calls. E.g. China SGD 0.048, UK 0.049, US 0.045, Thailand 0.076 (http://a-best.net/WebCallRates.aspx)

So, why do I use A-Best and not Hoiio directly?

1. No. 1 reason is A-Best’s user interface which is the most convenient compared to the rest. E.g. To make a call, I access WebCall via my bookmarked URL. It then displays a drop-down list of my Frequently Called Numbers (FCN).<blah blah blah blah>
Because Hoiio calls you, you are the callee, therefore you incur no call charges.

2. Rates are the same whether using WebCall or Hoiio. I think A-Best gets a small commission from Hoiio
So, how much do I pay both A-Best and telco every month?
I subscribed to Singtel ‘s 3G iOne Super Value costing $15.00/month (includes GST) which gives me 80 mins/month. At the end of each month I normally find I don’t even consume half. I also have Broadband on Mobile Lite (2MB) which costs $3.00 which WebCall needs. Each time you use WebCall, it uses on the average 15Kb, so this data plan is more than enough for my calls as I don’t surf the net on my antiquated phone
WebCall cost me $10 per month plus those calls I make through it, at SGD 0.038/min, which comes to not more than SGD10.00 a month.

I only use the 80 mins allocation for calls I need to make in a hurry. All else, I use WebCall. All in all, I pay SingTel about SGD30 (plus Caller ID, etc), A-Best – about SGD29. SGD50 tops, for all the calls I make and received. Used to be >$100.

Oh, I forgot this - one of the main advantage is, with a lot of these VOIP providers, you either need a PC to make a call, or download an app into your phone, or have to enter the VOIP provider’s phone, followed by your PIN provided, followed by your contact’s phone. Even Hoiio. Not with A-Best, main reason why I use them.

[\QUOTE]


Looks like time for you to change pal. $0.022/min for Singapore/UK, USA depends on territory, around $0.025 and Thailand $0.029.
https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/International-rates
I went for a global saver plan. $15 a month entitles me to have 100 calls at $0.15 per call to SG/China/Malaysia etc etc. Includes following countries

Australia

Germany

Netherlands

Sweden

Argentina

Greece

New Zealand

Switzerland

Belgium

Hong Kong

Peru

Taiwan

Canada^

Ireland

Poland

Thailand

China^

Israel

Portugal

Turkey

Cyprus South

Italy

Singapore^

United Kingdom

Denmark

Malaysia^

South Korea

U.S.A^

France

Mexico

Spain

https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/Plans/GlobalSaver


This Webcall hoiio thingy still requires a PC doesn't it? Well, for my parents you can purchase a $10 SIP device, connect to your home network and use it exactly like a local phone. No PC/web to deal with. No password to remember as well.

https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/VoIP-Online-Shop/Phone-Adaptors


Oh I forgot, if you want to use this on PC, you can as well. Just download xlite and use configure with your SIP infor and its good to go.

 

[Faidenk]

Looks like time for you to change pal. $0.022/min for Singapore/UK, USA depends on territory, around $0.025 and Thailand $0.029.
https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/International-rates
I went for a global saver plan. $15 a month entitles me to have 100 calls at $0.15 per call to SG/China/Malaysia etc etc. Includes following countries

Does this incur any call charges from your telco? I assume not, in which case I will have to concur this is cheap. I certainly will look into this.

This Webcall hoiio thingy still requires a PC doesn't it? Well, for my parents you can purchase a $10 SIP device, connect to your home network and use it exactly like a local phone. No PC/web to deal with. No password to remember as well.

https://www.mynetfone.com.au/Residential/Home-Phone/VoIP-Online-Shop/Phone-Adaptors


Oh I forgot, if you want to use this on PC, you can as well. Just download xlite and use configure with your SIP infor and its good to go.

Oops! my bad.

No, I don't need to use a PC to make calls, although I can. I make calls with my mobile and use the PC to make entries and amendments to my contacts phonebook, as well as check my usage, bills and IDD rates. No download of any kind needed.

 

[Ash007]

Does this incur any call charges from your telco? I assume not, in which case I will have to concur this is cheap. I certainly will look into this.






Oops! my bad.

No, I don't need to use a PC to make calls, although I can. I make calls with my mobile and use the PC to make entries and amendments to my contacts phonebook, as well as check my usage, bills and IDD rates. No download of any kind needed.

I'm using Naked ADSL, basically, for $10 extra on top of your broadband plan, you don't pay the $20-$30 line rental to the telcos. All traffic is through your ISP. The SIP company just provides a server essentially for you to make VoIP calls. If I'm using it over the 3G network that is extra. So yes, depending on how much your data traffic cost, it can get more expensive.

Your mobile most likely has a SIP program in it. There are other softphone where you can download to your mobile to use. Not sure if SingTel or StarHub provides naked ADSL plans. If they do, just route all trafffic through VoIp and you are good to go. I even have a DID number that comes with the plan.

 

[Faidenk]

I'm using Naked ADSL, basically, for $10 extra on top of your broadband plan, you don't pay the $20-$30 line rental to the telcos. All traffic is through your ISP. The SIP company just provides a server essentially for you to make VoIP calls. If I'm using it over the 3G network that is extra. So yes, depending on how much your data traffic cost, it can get more expensive.

Your mobile most likely has a SIP program in it. There are other softphone where you can download to your mobile to use. Not sure if SingTel or StarHub provides naked ADSL plans. If they do, just route all trafffic through VoIp and you are good to go. I even have a DID number that comes with the plan.

Thks for the info. Will investigate when I have the time and see how I can make use of it.

 

[kingrant]

Just trawled this from my Favourites. Take a look at how Skype uses up bandwidth in this link:

2 users on skype talking or on idle wth each other with skype open and connected for 1 hr use up 5GB.

Hope it helps bros.

http://www.hellkom.co.za/skype-bandwidth-usage/