WhichVoIP Awards Vocalocity Business VoIP Phone Service Provider of the Month

Leading residential and business VoIP comparison resource WhichVoIP.com, announced today that it has awarded Vocalocity, one of the most established Internet phone service providers, with its provider of the month award for October 2009.

"Vocalocity's Hosted VoIP solution is a proven leader in all aspects of its service. From reliability to price, support and overall value," says Michael Jones from WhichVoIP. "We've long been aware of Vocalocity's presence in the industry and have used the service here at WhichVoIP ourselves. Our own great experience was confirmed by positive feedback from site visitors regarding the reliability, sound quality, feature set, value, customer care, and ease of setup, all of which earned Vocalocity this award." Vocalocity offers a powerful yet affordable solution for small business owners. "We have been in the industry for many years serving thousands of small business with our hosted PBX solution and it is nice to get this recognition," says David Politis from Vocalocity. "WhichVoIP's prominence as an internet VoIP authority makes this award very meaningful." Vocalocity's Business VoIP phone service stands out from the competition for its high quality service, responsive customer care and technical support, and competitive prices. As business VoIP continues to expand as the most affordable phone solution for small businesses, Vocalocity is positioned as a top choice in the Hosted VoIP industry.

For more information on Vocalocity and other top choice business VoIP phone service providers, visit www.WhichVoIP.com.

The WhichVoIP.com VoIP website provides consumers with extensive information on residential and business VoIP phone services, including available plans, their features, prices and special offers, as well as explanations on how VoIP technology works, benefits of VoIP, consumer submitted VoIP reviews, the latest VoIP news, VoIP articles, VoIP forums, Blogs, and much more.

ABOUT WHICHVOIP.COM WhichVoip.com is based in Seattle, WA. The company consists of experts in the VoIP and telecommunications field, utilizing their knowledge to ensure consumers and businesses understand VoIP and choose the best VoIP service plan and provider available to them.

ABOUT VOCALOCITY Vocalocity, founded in 2003, is the leading provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Vocalocity powers small businesses with its core offering, VocalocityPBX, a business voip solution that provides them with the quality and reliability of traditional PBX phone system, with more features, flexibility and cost savings. Vocalocity helps small businesses compete more effectively, by giving them the communication services traditionally reserved for larger organizations, at small business prices.

Telesphere Receives 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award

www.telesphere.com announced today that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC (News - Alert)) has named Telesphere Complete™ as a recipient of the 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award presented by INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.


Telesphere Complete is an all-in-one smart voice and data solution that simplifies the way businesses connect. A fully hosted PBX technology, Telesphere Complete comes with: Private, secure data connection Hosted VoIP with Quality of Service (QOS) Business-class IP phones and installation The latest user and system features 24x7 support "We are extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award for our flagship product," said Sanjay Srinivasan, CTO for Telesphere. "Customers love our Complete product because it provides everything they need at a predictable cost. As businesses continue to search for ways to streamline their business processes while reducing costs, we expect our Complete product to gain even more popularity." "The editors of INTERNET TELEPHONY were pleased to grant Telesphere with an INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award for their achievements in advancing IP communications and providing genuine solutions in the marketplace. Telesphere Complete™ has proven its outstanding contribution to IP communications and delivered winning solutions for its customers," said Erik Linask, Group Editorial Director of INTERNET TELEPHONY.

"We are very pleased to present Telesphere with a 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award. Telesphere Complete™ has made an incredible contribution to IP communications and has also delivered great solutions for its clients," stated Rich Tehrani (News - Alert), CEO, TMC.

The 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award winners are published in the October 2009 issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine, www.itmag.com.

Zultys Receives 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award

Zultys Inc., an award-winning IP telephony solution provider for SMB and Enterprises, announced today that Technology Marketing Corporation (TMC) has named Zultys' family of advanced IP PBX products (the MX250 and MX30) and Unified Communications solutions as the recipient of the 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award presented by INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.

"We're honored to be recognized by TMC for our innovative family of IP PBXs, SIP phones and Unified Communications products and the high quality service they provide every day to thousands of companies worldwide," said Steve Rothenberg, CEO of Zultys. "Not only are our solutions cost effective, but our all-in-one design approach provides a highly energy efficient system that lets companies do more with one IP PBX than any other system on the market. Zultys' distributed architecture also helps companies maintain 99.999% reliability, while being simple to install, manage and scale. We continue to innovate, adding new features such as MXmobile, a Unified Communications client for BlackBerry devices, video, and new conferencing options to provide the maximum value and ROI for any company's telecom investment." "The editors of INTERNET TELEPHONY were pleased to grant Zultys with the INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award for their achievements in advancing IP communications and providing genuine solutions in the marketplace. Zultys family of IP PBXs and Unified Communications solutions have proven their outstanding contribution to IP communications and delivered winning solutions for its customers," said Erik Linask, Group Editorial Director of INTERNET TELEPHONY.

"We are very pleased to present Zultys with a 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award. Zultys has made an incredible contribution to IP Communications and has also delivered great solutions for its clients," stated Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC.

The 2009 INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award winners are published in the October 2009 issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine, www.itmag.com

Google Voice offers Free Calls to Hawaii And Alaska

Google Voice has been instrumental in changing the way we make or receive calls in USA. Its already being used by thousands to manage their busy schedule or even make a free call anywhere in the USA.

However, not many people knew that when google was launched it was only limited to Continental USA that means you could only make calls to only 48 states. However, Google Voice has finally expanded its free VOIP service to all 50 US States which means you can now make totally free calls to Hawaii and Alaska along with continental US.

Please note that this is full deployment of the Google Voice service for these states. According to the official Google Voice Blog, You can initiate free calls to Alaska and Hawaii from your inbox online, from our mobile apps, or by dialing your own Google Voice number from one of your phones and selecting option 2 to place a call. You can also forward calls to any hawaii or alaska number for free with google voice.

How SkypeIn Works?

We know that Skype is free for PC-to-PC calls, but when there is a PSTN or cell phone involved, Skype offers a fee-based service. There are two modes for involving a PSTN or cell phone in a Skype conversation: SkypeIn and SkypeOut.

SkypeIn Defined

Skype In is the service you should have if you want to receive a call from a PSTN or cell phone on your computer using Skype. This is a very interesting option, especially if you want to be reachable from anywhere locally as well as internationally while on the move.

You can take calls on your laptop equipped with audio input and output devices (like headset, or microphone and speakers), and being connected using wireless technologies.

To use SkypeIn, you have to buy one or more phone numbers, which will be associated with your Skype user account. Then you can give the number or numbers to any person who wishes to contact you through Skype from their conventional phones. In fact, you might give the number without mentioning anything about Skype if you want to be discreet, since the person calling you will hear the same sounds as for a conventional phone call and will be unaware that the call is being received on a computer. Your location will also not be known to the people who contact you.

How it works

Unfortunately, SkypeIn service is not offered everywhere in the world. At the time I am writing these lines, you can buy SkypeIn Numbers in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. Very restrictive, you would say. Well, Skype are working on other places.

You can buy up to 10 numbers in each place. Say you buy a number in New York and you travel to Mauritius (which is on the other side of the globe) for your holidays, and want a friend to be able to contact you through Skype. Your friend can call from New York using the SkypeIn number you gave them. Other people from other places can call too using that number.

How much does it cost?

Skype buys blocks of phone numbers from local phone companies in the locality in which the service is offered and sells them to SkypeIn users. They work out their mechanism in such a way that these numbers can be used to contact the Skype users.

You can buy SkypeIn numbers on subscription, for either a year or three months. For a year, it will cost €30 and for three months, €10. Prices are in Euro because Skype is European, most precisely from Luxemburg. You can easily convert that to dollars or any other currency.

How much does the caller pay?

When your friend calls from New York, his cost will be at the rate of a local call. If someone calls you from somewhere else (not in New York, where you bought the number/s), they will have to pay the cost of an international call from their place to New York plus the local (SkypeIn) cost of New York to you.

Voicemail Bonus

SkypeIn is offered with free voicemail. This means that if your friend calls and you are enjoying sun, sand and sea, away from you phone or computer, he can leave a voice message which you can listen to later, when you switch on your machine.

How AT&T CallVantage?

AT&T is a company with a huge experience in telephone service provision. Which phone user does not know it? Now, it has come around with VoIP service, CallVantage, and as a result we should expect something quite professional. Well, we are not deceived since few VoIP service providers match CallVantage in voice quality.

In this review, we see

• Pros and cons of the AT&T CallVantage service


• Included service features


• Features that can be added


• AT&T CallVantage service plans


• My review

Pros

• Very good and consistent call quality, reportedly better than that of other providers


• Loud phone volume, with clear voice free of static


• Very good online account management service


• Hardware options


• Interesting large range of features

Cons

• Slightly higher monthly costs on the whole, compared to other providers


• Setting up and installation slightly more complicated


• Limited number of service plans

(Free) Included Service Features

• Caller ID with name


• Call waiting


• Call forwarding


• 3-way calling


• E911 service




• Call logs
  Allows you to see a list of the phone numbers you called and the people who called you.


• Voicemail


• Phone book


• Locate me
  Allows you to forward calls to (up to five other phone numbers) where you can be reached


• Do not disturb


• Speed dial


• Safe forward number


• Fax and modem support
  Allows you to use AT&T CallVantage service with most commonly used fax machines and modems


• Directory assistance


• Control by phone
  Remote dialing at the same rates as at home

(Paid) Features That Can Be Added On

• Second line


• Simple reach number


• Add phone users - AT&T CallVantage Plus
  Ability to set up additional phone lines, add additional callers to all your lines, and give each caller several different ways to set up her features. Each additional user is $7.49/Mo. per user.


• Call filtering


• Record and send
  Use Record & Send to broadcast a message to several different telephone numbers at the same time. You can also manage Record & Send using your AT&T CallVantage service phone.


• Conference calling
  With Conference Calling, you can set up a call with 10 people for $0.35 per minute per conference on the call.

Top Voip Service Providers ...

For phone users that want a type of VoIP that is more or less like their existing landline, with traditional phones, the most suitable of the types of VoIP services are the subscription and hardware based services. They are aimed primarily at households and small businesses. Upon subscription, the user is sent an adapter (ATA) and is given a phone number. This requires an Internet connection, which adds up to the cost, but the overall cost is relatively much lower. Added to the benefits are the numerous features that come with VoIP.

Here is a list of the most prominent VoIP services providers of this type:

1. Vonage

Vonage tops my list because it delivers the goods. The price is not the lowest, but not the highest as well. Call quality is great, as well as the service and all it entails, including the features and customer service. The adapter is provided for around $40, refundable on returning it. 14-day trial.
Vendor's Site

2. Lingo

For $21.95 a month, Lingo offers unlimited calling to the US, Canada and 22 other countries. There are around 25 features with the servoce, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Equipment comes free.Vendor's Site

3. Voip.com

Voip.com offers VoIP service at a price lower than most of the competition, $16.95 per month. Among the strong points are a huge amount of features, the softphone that ships with the service, and a second line and voicemail for your mobile phone. They provide a Grandstream ATA, shipped free. A 30-day money back guarantee allows you to try the service.
Vendor's Site

4. BroadVoice

If you make a lot of international calls, Broadvoice is the company to subscribe to. It offers service plans that are specifically tailored to users that call mostly outside the US, without however sacrificing local calls. Another interesting thing with Broadvoice is its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) scheme, whereby you can bring along your own device and sign up with a fee starting at $5.95 a month. The service works with most SIP-capable devices. The money back guarantee period is 30 days.
Buy Direct

5. Packet8

Packet8 is an important player in the VoIP market as it has a series of services, including a hosted PBX and a mobile VoIP service called MobileTalk. The price is the standard $24.95, and with $5 more you can call unlimited to 40 countries. It has an activation and a termination fee and 30 days trial period. They provide an IP phone instead of an ATA. You can use their softphone SoftTalk for free.
Vendor's Site

6. ViaTalk

What draws most people to ViaTalk is the price, even though they have to commit themselves for a year to get the cheapest price. ViaTalk also stands out with the long list of features it has. It also allows users to use their own devices (BYOD), which saves them from paying for activation and shipping. It has a money back guarantee of 14 days.



Vendor's Site

7. AT&T CallVantage

CallVantage shares a lot of its focus on small business and enterprise VoIP service. The cost is slightly higher than that of competitors, but the service is somewhat worth it, with great features, good call quality and good service. An ATA is provided with the service, and $29.99 applies for activation and termination fee. No money back guarantee.

Update: AT&T has closed subscription to the CallVantage service, but existing users can still use it.
Vendor's Site

The Different Ways to Connect Voip

There are three ways in which you can make a VoIP connection, each way having a different set of requirements and implications. The three ways are differentiated by what you have on each of the two communicating sides.

Computer to Computer

This mode is the most common, as it is so easy and free. You need to have a computer connected to the Internet, with the necessary hardware to speak and listen (either a headset or speakers and a microphone). You can install voice communication software like Skype and you are ready to talk.

Obviously, this mode will work only if you have a correspondent who is using a computer equipped like yours to communicate. She should be connected at the same
time. It’s like chatting, but with voice.

This can happen not only on the Internet, but on a Local Area Network (LAN) as well. The network should be IP-enabled, i.e. the Internet Protocol (IP) should be running and controlling packet transfer on your network. This way, you can communicate with another person on the same network.

Whether you are communicating over the Internet or a LAN, you need to have adequate bandwidth. If you have around 50 kbps, it will work, but you won’t have great quality. For good quality voice, get at least 100 kbps for a conversation.

Phone to Phone

This mode is very handy, but is not as simple and cheap to set up as the other two. It implies using a phone set on each end to communicate. Thus you can use VoIP and take advantages of its low cost by using a phone set and speak to another person using a phone set as well. There are two ways in which you can use phones to make VoIP calls:

Using IP Phones:

An IP Phone looks just like a normal phone. The difference is that instead of working on the normal PSTN network, it is connected to a gateway or router, a device which, simply said, does the necessary mechanisms to get the VoIP communication running. The IP phone therefore does not connect to the RJ-11 socket. Instead, it uses the RJ-45 plug, which is the one we use for wired LANs. If you want to have an idea of what a RJ-11 plug is, have a look at your normal phone or your dial-up modem. It is the plug that connects the wire to the phone or modem. The RJ-45 plug is similar, but bigger.

You can of course use wireless technologies like Wi-Fi to connect to a network. In this case, you can either be using a USB or RJ-45 for connection.

Using an ATA:

ATA is short for Analog Telephone Adapter. It is a device that allows you to connect a standard PSTN phone to your computer or directly to the Internet. The ATA converts voice from your normal phone and converts it to digital data ready to be sent over a network or the Internet.

If you register for VoIP service, it is common to have an ATA bundled along in the service package, which you can return once you terminate the package. For example, you get an ATA in a package with Vonage and AT&T’s CallVantage. You only have to plug the ATA to your computer or and phone line, install the necessary software, and you are ready to use your phone for VoIP.

Phone to Computer and vice-versa

Now that you understand how you can use your computer, normal phones and IP phones to make VoIP calls, it is easy to figure out that you can call a person using a PSTN phone from your computer. You can also use your PSTN phone to call someone on his computer.

You can also have a mixture of VoIP users, using phones and computers to communicate over the same network. The hardware and software are heavier in this case.

The images of Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate examples for each of the three types of connection.

How Vonage Works?

Vonage is the most popular phone-based VoIP service provider and it tops my list of the best VoIP service providers. Vonage has been doing well both in terms of technology and marketing; no wonder why it attracted more than two million subscribers. This adds up to their user relation experience and momentum. On the user's side, it is more serene to sign up for a service which you know many other people have signed up for.

In this review, we see

• Pros and cons of the Vonage service


• Included service features


• Features that can be added


• Vonage service plans


• My review

Pros

• Ability to use the same line in a different place, with Vonage Pro


• Huge number of subscribers, over two million


• Gives you an ATA along with the service


• Money back guarantee (14 days)


• Supports phone number portability


• Many features


• Low international rates


• Supports 911


• Offers a second line for only $9.99


• Sophisticated and user-friendly web interface, for online account management

Cons

• Does not have numbers in all cities


• Setting up the service requires a minimum skill


• Many users report poor customer service


• The 911 service is difficult to handle

Included (Free) Features

• 911


• Voicemail


• Caller ID with Name


• Call Waiting


• Call Forwarding


• 3-Way Calling


• In-Network Calls


• Take Vonage With You


• Area Code Selection


• Call Transfer


• Click-2-Call


• Call Return


• Caller ID Block


• Repeat Dialing


• International Call Block


• Ring Lists


• Call Hunt


• Vonage V-Forecast

(Paid) Features That Can Be Added On

• You can upgrade to Vonage Pro, which allows you to use the same line with at other locations.



• Add a Line - Allows you to add multiple phone numbers to your existing Vonage account.



• Virtual Phone Number



• SoftPhone - which you can use on your desktop or laptop computer, with 500 minutes included for local and long-distance calls.



• Toll Free Number



• Fax Service - separate fax line for $9.99 a month.



• Enhanced 411 service.

How Yackie Works?

The Bottom Line

if you are one of the increasing number of mobile phone users that are sick of paying huge monthly communication bills, Yackie mobile is an interesting option. It gets even more interesting if you travel frequently and need roaming. Unlike other VoIP mobile services, you don't need to have a data plan. You are given a SIM card through which you can make and receive VoIP calls, but you will have to subscribe for the VoIP service, which is separate from the GSM service.Vendor's Site

Pros

• No data plan is required, since the GSM network is used, via the SIM card.
• The service covers 200 countries.
• Users can select a local number number within a list of 32 countries.
• Unlimited free incoming calls in 150 countries
• SMS service as well as voicemail included.

Cons

• The GSM service (that comes with the SIM card) and the VoIP service have separate balances.
• A softphone has to be downloaded and installed in order to use the VoIP service.

Description

• VoIP through SIM card - cheap mobile calls
• Up to 80% savings on worldwide roaming
• Make and receive calls in over 200 countries
• Add unlimited phone numbers from 32 countries
• No contract or monthly fees
• Free VoIP account and softphone

Guide Review - Yackie Mobile VoIP Service Review

On buying the SIM card, you get a certain number of airtime minutes, depending on the package you opt for. This is pure GSM service. If you then want to benefit from the VoIP service, you have to register for it. Registration for the VoIP service free, and on topping up, funds are added to it.

Users can choose local phone numbers in 32 countries. This means that, if you choose a number in New York, people calling you from New York will pay local rates. Thanks to VoIP, the incoming and outgoing rates for the international calls are low, around the average standard for the market.

The service itself works in 200 countries. This allows travellers, but also those at home or in their office in these countries to benefit from VoIP coverage without having to pay for a data plan.

One inconvenience with the service is that the VoIP and GSM balances are billed separately. This means that if you have credit on your GSM account and your VoIP credits are flat, you cannot make VoIP calls.

Also, with this service, it is not possible to make completely free calls using mobile phones, like with Yeigo and Fring, with which you can do so if both communicating parties have the softphone installed on their mobiles.

Unlimited free calls can however be made through the service's softphone that can be downloaded and installed on a PC. Two persons using PCs that run the softphone can make and receive unlimited calls to each, just like with Skype.

The rates, roaming coverage and local number lists can be found on their website, which also has a rate calculator based on source and destination locations and types of call.Vendor's Site

How MobileTalk Works?

The Bottom Line

Packet8's MobileTalk is a pioneering service in the field of Mobile VoIP and is interesting for people who spend heavily on international calls. The rates are cheaper than for fixed VoIP. However, only US residents can benefit from it.Vendor's Site

Pros

• Low international rates
• No need for data network
• Compatible with most cell phones

Cons

• Available only for US users
• Cheap rates only for international calls

Description

• Rates can be as low as below 2 cents per minute for certain destinations.
• Is compatible with most mobile phones, and does not require 3G phones.
• Direct international calling - no pin codes or scratch cards

Guide Review - Packet8's MobileTalk Review

I find that the most interesting feature of this service is the freedom from a data network, which can be a burden. Data networks like WiFi and 3G are quite costly, and is needed with softphone applications like Yeigo and Fring.

To use MobileTalk, you only need to download and install the application on your mobile phone, for which you need to check the compatibility before subscribing. There is no subscription fee. You can use your mobile phone through your GSM carrier as usual; once you dial a number with an international prefix, the call is routed through your carrier to Packet8's VoIP network, and you are connected to your correspondent abroad through IP.

Packet8 is one of the leading VoIP service providers and offers good call quality. There is no reason why MobileTalk will suffer quality since they use the mobile carrier and their VoIP phone network to place calls.
Vendor's Site

How VoipStunt Works?

What is VoIPStunt?:

VoipStunt is an international VoIP service based in Germany. It works in a manner similar to Skype, in that it has a softphone application installable on a computer, and a service which can be obtained online. VoIPStunt has gained some popularity lately among softphone users due to its free calls to PSTN (landline) phones over some common destinations. There is a list of countries to which you can call free, according to www.voipstunt.com, but how free is free?

Free for One Minute:

Using VoIPStunt, you can make calls to landline phones in the free destination countries, but these calls last only a minute! The reason given for this by the VoIPStunt marketers is to prevent misuse of their network. Anyhow, it's only logical: anyone on business needs to make some money, besides Santa Claus!

Freedays:

If you want to make lengthier calls, you have to pay 10 Euros (you can of course pay in dollars as well). This done, you can make calls to those destinations for the next 120 days.

When these 120 days are over, your credit remains, but a rate applies for the free destinations. This rate varies according to the destination country. Read more on these rates here.

Here is the explanation of the asterisked ‘free’ given on the home page: “Max 300 minutes per week of free calls, measured over the last 7 days. Unused free minutes cannot be taken to the following week(s). If limit is exceeded, a minimal rate will be charged".

You can also send text messages with VoIPStunt, each message costing 5 dollar cents.

Getting Started With VoIPStunt:

First, download and install the softphone application. You have to register andn get a user name and password to be able to make calls, even the free 1-minute calls. You will use these same credentials to buy credit.

You can however make a trial call without installing the software, by just entering your phone number and the destination phone number in the special area provided on VoIPStunt home page, and clicking Call.

How Does It Compare With Skype?:

• Some users have complained of poorer quality in VoIPStunt calls, many saying it has much to improve to compare with Skype. The quality depends on the location of the call and the destination.



• Globally, the communication cost is slightly lower with VoiPStunt than with Skype, and this is the factor that is actually giving VoIPStunt its growing popularity. Rates keep changing, so keep checking the different rates for Skype and for the different locations.

• With Skype, calls to other Skype users, using the Skype softphone is free, independent of the destination country. Calls to non-Skype (landline) users can be made by subscribing to and paying for the service.




• Skype voicemail is available for a fee of 5 Euros for 3 months or 15 Euros for 12 months. VoIPStunt provides no voicemail facility.



• Skype allows you to chat and hold videoconferences, with multiple participants, while VoIPStunt does not.

• The VoIPStunt user interface is quite similar to that of Skype, and is therefore quite user-friendly, but provides much less features. Maybe more is to come in the future, depending on the popularity and healthy growth of the ‘baby’.



• VoIPStunt has a commercial banner at the bottom of the application window, while Skype does not. Is this worth considering in a comparison? Well, it actually is for many, while others just don’t care.

VoIPStunt or Skype?:

Many people ask whether VoiPStunt will be overshadowing Skype. I don't see this happening, at least in the near future. Meanwhile, I believe your decision in choosing between the two will be based mainly on the price of calls to landline phones, which also depends a lot on your calling destination, as the rates vary so much.

How Gizmo Works?

Gizmo is yet another VoIP software-based service that uses your broadband Internet connection to make calls to other computers and phones. It comes with a lot of ‘free’ stuff, including free calls to landline (PSTN) and mobile phones to people in 60 countries. To my liking, it arguably surpasses VoIPStunt in nearly all aspects and is of good-enough caliber to compete with Skype. Just like Skype, you have to download the Gizmo software and install it, and register for a new account.

What’s Free in Gizmo

Gizmo offers a lot of free things:

• Free PC-to-PC calls to any other Gizmo user.


• Free landline calls to landline and mobile phones over 60 countries.


• Free voicemail service.

Gizmo surpasses Skype on giving the possibility of calling landline phones for free over 43 countries, and both landline and mobile phones for free in 17 countries. The free destinations are listed here.

Also, voicemail, which is the ability to send offline voice messages, is free with Gizmo, whatever be the destination; while for Skype, it is €5 for 3 months (around $4 US) and €15 (around $12.50 US) for one year. It however comes free with SkypeIn.

The Gizmo Prices

If you want to call people on their landline or mobile phones over destinations that are not free, you have to purchase credit for a service called Call Out. This service allows you to call for €0.017 ($0.021 US), which is slightly lower than that of Skype’s SkypeOut service - $0.01 US.

On the other hand, to receive calls from landline or mobile phones, you have to pay for a service called Call In, $12 for three months, which is 2 dollars higher than its Skype counterpart, SkypeIn.

Communication Technology Used

Gizmo uses SIP standard to connect and route calls, while Skype uses its own proprietary system, based on the P2P standard. Both have their advantages and disadvantages: P2P is more robust, while SIP interests companies more with its rich features. Since SIP is getting better and more popular, Gizmo has put many chances on its side by adopting SIP.

Quality is great with Gizmo, as it is with Skype. It all depends on your bandwidth and hardware.

Other Considerations

Gizmo allows conference calls, and surpasses Skype in that it imposes no limit on the number of call participants. Skype only allows five participants per call.

Gizmo is new on the market, and since its entry on the market, it has not been growing as fast as Skype did. Skype has gone past the hundred million subscriber line, which is far ahead of all other services of its type.

Gizmo exists in only one language: English. On the other hand, one of the great tastes of Skype is that you can meet and talk with people that speak 26 different languages. Skype forums are always full and rich.

The Gizmo user interface is rich and very attractive. Though Skype’s interface is very attractive as well, I personally feel Gizmo wins the look and feel battle over Skype.

Check out the main features available with Gizmo here.

How to Get Started With Gizmo?

• Download and install the Gizmo software.


• Register online, and get a user name.


• Invite your friends worldwide and other people you want to communicate with and ask them to install Gizmo and register.


• Ask them to enter their landline and mobile phone numbers in their profile, and do the same.


• Now you’re talking!

Will Gizmo Stand Above Skype?

Gizmo seriously intends to take Skype’s place on the throne. The Gizmo home page carries a quote which is very meaningful:

“My new prediction is that within 18 months people will forget about Skype and will be using something open like Gizmo.”

How SkypeOut Works?

If you want to phone someone from your Skype softphone using your computer, you can do so using SkypeOut, which allows you to make phone calls to just anyone with a PSTN phone or cell phone, and not just a Skype softphone user.

The great thing about SkypeOut is that you can make calls to people anywhere in the world at local rates, and you can make calls also while on the move.

How it works?

If you want to make SkypeOut calls, you purchase calling credit (counted in minutes), similar to calling cards. Thus, you can call anyone, whether that person has a Skype account or not.

Just dial the phone number of the person you want to call using the Skype softphone interface and speak. The other person will not even know whether you are calling her using Skype.

Technically, Skype channels all SkypeOut calls to gateways, which then directs the calls to the PSTN or cell phone services. So, what you are paying for is the renting fee of the gateways.

How much does it cost?

Very cheap. There is the global rate and the local and the rate to other destinations. The global rate is a unified rate for some of the most popular destinations, including Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobiles), Chile, China (Beijing, Guanzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen), China (mobiles), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hong Kong (mobiles), Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland (Poland, Gdansk, Warsaw), Portugal, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Singapore, Singapore (mobiles), South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (Taipei), United Kingdom and United States (except Alaska and Hawaii).

The global rate is € 0.017 per minute, which is approximately the same as $ 0.021 or £ 0.012.

For other destinations, there are other different rates. The list is huge. Check it here.

Note that you should add VAT percentage to your cost if your billing address is in the European Union.

No 911

You should also note that, emergency calls are not possible with Skype. If you dial 911, you will not be connected. Skype says it clearly, “Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency dialing.”

How Fring Works ?

What is Fring?:

Fring is a VoIP client (softphone) and service that allows free VoIP calls, chat sessions, instant messaging and other services over mobile devices and handsets. What makes the difference between Fring and most of the other VoIP software is that it is designed specifically for mobile phones, handsets and other portable devices. Fring offers all the benefits of a PC-based VoIP client, but on mobile phones.

How Free is Fring?:

Fring's software and service are both completely free. Consider the cost benefits of having a softphone like Skype on your computer. You would be able to make free calls to other people on the PC, but would have to pay small amounts for calls to mobile and landline phones. Fring gives free calls not only to people using PCs, but also to those using mobile phones.

Since you can make calls from your mobile phone to other mobile phones, you save a real lot on mobile communication. However, you need to convince your buddies to install Fring on their mobile devices as well. Since calls to PSTN have to be channelled through paid services, you will require paid services like SkypeOut, Gizmo or VoIPStunt to make calls to PSTN.

Eliminating the need to call PSTN, all calls are free; and the only thing you have to pay for is the data network services like 3G, GPRS, EDGE or Wi-Fi. A person using Fring optimally is likely to save more than 95% of what she would spend on traditional mobile communication. If Fring is used with free Wi-Fi in a hotspot somewhere, then the cost is nil.

What is required to use Fring? :

Let us look first at what is not required. You don't need a computer with headsets, or complex equipment like ATAs or (wireless) IP phones.

In terms of hardware, you need a 3G or smart mobile phone or handset. Most of 3G phones and smart phones of the most common manufacturers are compatible with Fring.

You also need to already have a data service (3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi) which you normally use with your smart phone. These services normally come with multimedia, mobile TV, video chat etc.

How Fring works?:

Fring is based on P2P technology and harnesses the power of data bandwidth to place and receive calls, without bearing the costs of acting as middleman between VoIP and PSTN. It uses purely data bandwidth to transmit voice.

Getting started is a breeze: download the application from www.fring.com and install it on your mobile device. Register for an account and start communicating.

Brief specifications :

• Free calls using 3G, EGDE, GPRS and Wi-Fi technologies on mobile phones.


• Works with other voice applications, including Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, SIP andn Twitter.


• Free calls to PCs and mobile phones.


• Cheap calls to PSTN using services like SkypeOut, Gizmo, VoIpStunt etc.


• Works on most smart phones.


• Auto-roams on Wi-Fi hotspots.

My opinion on using Fring:

The first thought should be given to the cost. While the Fring service in itself is completely free, using it might not be so. You will need to have a data network service like 3G or GPRS, which is normally paid service. It comes back to the same as with PC-based softphones - you have to pay for internet service. Now, if you are a regular 3G or GPRS user, then there is no reason not to use Fring, since you will be paying for the service anyway; you will thus be benefitting from mobile communication at no additional cost. But even if you are to sign in for a data network service only to be able to use Fring, it would result in considrable savings on mobile communication.

Whether to use Fring is also subject to the mobile device you have. If you use a simple mobile phone without 3G or GPRS functionality, you can't use Fring. Now, some simple phones have only GPRS, making them usable with Fring, but GPRS is around four times slower than 3G, so quality might suffer. Would you invest on an expensive 3G phone and service for Fring (or for free)? Maybe most of you who don't already own a smart phone will say no, but for some, the investment might be much worth it. If you spend a lot on mobile communication, then Fring can be an intelligent thing to buy hardware for.

Feature-wise, Fring is rich enough to give a nice experience. I find the best one to be the interoperability with other services like Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, Gizmo, VoIpStunt, Twitter etc. The Fring software can also autoconfigure whenever a Wi-Fi hotspot is detected in range, making roaming seamless.

For call quality, the main factors are roughly the same as for other applications like Skype: the P2P network, bandwidth and processor power. If you have these right, I can't see why you will complain.

Bottom line: If you already have a smart phone with 3G or GPRS service, it is worth giving Fring a try. If you don't, estimate how much you will save depending on your mobile communication needs, and decide whether it is worth investing on a smart phone and data network service.

Fring site: www.fring.com

How Yeigo Works ?

Yeigo is a free VoIP application for mobile phones, allowing voice calls, chat, instant message and SMS using your mobile phone, while cutting down the usual cost down to as low as 20 %. No need for complex, expensive and bulky hardware. With this, it sets a new paradigm that can revolutionize the communications world.

One of the strong points of Yeigo is that it can be installed on a vast range of mobile phones. It also comes with many new features.

What Does Yeigo Cost And What Is Free? :

Both Yeigo's service and application are free. The application is free for download and install. The service is free only to the limit of communicating with another person using the Yeigo application. If your callee or caller uses traditional GSM or landline network, Yeigo applies a cost through a service they call ConnecUs.

Since you can make calls from your mobile phone to other mobile phones, you save a real lot on mobile communication. However, you need to convince your buddies to install Yeigo on their mobile devices as well.

Eliminating the need to call PSTN, all calls are free; and the only thing you have to pay for is the data network services like 3G, HSDPA, GPRS, EDGE or Wi-Fi. A person using Yeigo optimally is likely to save more than 80% of what she would spend on traditional mobile communication. If Yeigo is used with free Wi-Fi in a hotspot somewhere, then the cost is nil.

Yeigo Hardware Requirements and Versions:

This is one thing on which Yeigo shines out: it is compatible with most mobile phones out there, of different makes and models. So you most probably won't have to buy a new phone to use Yeigo. If Yeigo 2.1, which is made for phones running Windows (for Nokia) and Symbian (for I-Mate, HTC, Qtek, Samsung, HP, Motorola, Palm phones etc.) operating systems, does not mount on your phone, you can install the Yeigo Lite version, which is Java-built, and plugs in as a Java application. Only extremely few phones out there do not support Java. You can test the compatibility of your phone with Yeigo on their web page.

How Yeigo Works:

Despite being rather new, Yeigo already has a solid underlying mechanism and service support. Unlike some others that are tied to other services, Yeigo has its own service and servers for P2P communication. This helps in providing very good quality voice and low call rates.

Yeigo supports other instant messengers like Yahoo, MSN, Google, AOL and so on; so Yeigo users can communicate with buddies using those messengers as well for free.

To get started using Yeigo, you have to register for an account. You will then be sent a message through which you will download and install the application on your mobile.

Yeigo Features:

Tools like Yeigo are getting numerous, with the same general features; but Yeigo stands out with the following:

• It is independent with its own service and servers, and is not attached to other services like Skype.


• It is compatible with most mobile phones, which include all phones running Windows and Symbian, and all Java-enabled phones.

Other Yeigo-unique features:

• Holler, which allows you to let your friends know you are online while they are not. Resembles paging.


• Connection Quality Indicator, which indicates the strength of the current connection, allowing users to know the call quality they should expect.

QuickFire chat, which allows a user to chat with friends on the actual friends list screen - a new screen need not be opened for each conversation, however. This makes instant messaging extremely easy to follow on such a small screen as that of a mobile phone.

Status Message Change - Yeigo allows users to change their status message, which updates their status message across all the instant messengers.

Hotlist - Yeigo users may create a list of preferred connections on their phone for managing multiple access points, making Yeigo easier to live with.

My Opinion On Using Yeigo

Cost-wise, Yeigo offers very interesting options. Calls to landline and GSM users are considerably low, although maybe not better than those of Skype and its alternatives. More interestingly, the free service touches most of your calls since Yeigo supports most phones so most of your buddies can install and use Yeigo. Such has not been the case with products of this like so far.

According to me, the main deterrent to use Yeigo is the need for a data network service like 3G, HSDPA, GPRS, EDGE or Wi-Fi, which can be quite costly for people who are looking for free service. But if you are already enjoying a data network service, then there is absolutely no reason why you should not try Yeigo, given that there is more than 9 chances on 10 that you own a Yeigo-compatible phone.

With its P2P servers, and given that it works with networks like 3G, HSDPA, GPRS, EDGE and Wi-Fi, voice quality can only be very good. I see the only reason affecting call quality will most of the time be the connection on your data network.

Yeigo is very rich and specially original in features. Read its features page.

A list of the most popular SoftPhones

A softphone is a piece of software that simulates the functionality of a phone on a computer: it makes phone calls to other computers or phones. It can also receive calls from other computers or phones.

Not all VoIP service providers are hardware-based like Vonage and AT&T. Many providers offer VoIP service through the PC, very often starting with PC to PC calls and extending to PC-Phone calls. Among these, some provide a softphone application along with the service, while others offer the service through their web interface. Most people using VoIP do so via softphone applications and services, like Skype for example, which is the most popular software-based VoIP service provider.

Below is a list of some of the most common VoIP softphone services and applications:

• Skype

  
  
  Skype is the most popular of all softphones, with hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide. The Skype community is well developed on the web. Skype is also a VoIP service provider. PC to PC calls are free while PC to Phone calls and are paid. Skype's prices have taken a slight rise compared to other services of its like. The application is downloadable for free at www.skype.com




• Gizmo

  
  
  The Gizmo Project, launched by SIPPhone.com, is more or less like Skype, with both a softphone and a service.




• VoIPStunt

  
  
  VoIPStunt is similar to Skype and Gizmo, with the difference of offering free calls to landline/mobile phones in a number of countries. Its rates are quite low and it is another competitor for Skype. The application can be downloaded free at www.voipstunt.com.




• Yeigo

  
  
  Yeigo is what I find to be the best VoIP application and service for mobile phones so far. Read more here.




• PeerMe

  
  
  PeerMe is a VoIP application and service that offers classical free calls and other basic features. However, at the time I am writing this, it it way ahead of other applications, even Skype, in two arenas - first, it allows multi-party video conferencing, and second, it has a version of its client for mobile (WAP) phones and a version for Java-based mobile phones. The application can be downloaded free at www.peerme.com.




• Fring

  
  
  Fring is one of the best VoIP software applications and services for mobile phones. Installed on a mobile phone, it allows completely free phone calls to any PC and mobile phone over the world. Any mobile having Fring, Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, GoogleTalk, SIP, VoIPStunt installed can be contacted. Fring works only on 3G, GPRS or Wi-Fi smart phones.




• iChat

  
  
  iChat is the popular instant messaging, voice and video chat application for Apple's Mac operating systems. The lastest Mac OS X, Leopard, has brought around an enhanced version of iChat. Apple has bundled new features with with this new version of iChat that Mac chatters used to look for in third party applications.




• Jajah

  
  
  Jajah is the most popular of those services that don't require an application to be downloaded and installed. If you want to make a call, you go to their web interface at www.jajah.com, key in your number (phone or mobile number) and that of your correspondent and make the call. Your phone and your buddy's will ring and the call can start. The calls are quite cheap.




• iCall

  
  
  iCall is very interesting for people living in the US or Canada. Besides making PC to PC calls, your can make and receive PC to Phone calls for free in the US or Canada. If you live in other places, you can still call to the US or Canada for free. For paid calls, the rates are really cheap!




• X-Lite

  
  
  X-Lite Softphone is one of Counterpath's first softphones. It is a SIP softphone that is based on the Eyebeam 1.5 architecture. Eyebeam is another product of Counterpath Solutions. X-Lite is very rich in features and is a full-fledged software version of an IP Phone. It is completely free. There is however no service associated with it; you need to be subscribed to a VoIP service to be able to use it. I often think that I should categorize X-Lite as an IP Phone, but since it is a softphone, here is stays.




• Bria

  
  
  The full name is Bria Multimedia Communicator, and it is the latest product from Counterpath Solutions. It goes one big step further than its brother X-Lite; it supports voice and video over IP. The features are numerous and much advanced. Unlike X-Lite, Bria is not free.




• Talkster

  
  
  This is another of these services that allow you to place phone-to-phone calls without actually needing to install an application. You can trigger everything through your PC. You can even make calls without a PC if you have a mobile phone with a web browser and web connectivity. This is not possible with Jajah, for example. The calls are made through Talkster's web interface at www.talkster.com.




• Talkety

  
  
  And yet another one. Like Jajah, you don't need to install an application to use Talkety. It has great rates for long-distance and international calls. Talkety popped its head out recently with its service for Apple's iPhone.




• Raketu

  
  
  Raketu has both its web interface and an application to dowload and install. Same services as with Talkster, but it has an impressive list of features, which include voicemail, conferencing, integrated media player etc. It is also interoperable with other instant messengers. Free call is allowed on trial but its span is quite limited.




• Nimbuzz

  
  
  Nimbuzz has interesting interfaces: for mobile phones (and any Java-enabled devices), for the web and for installation on a PC (Windows only). Chat and SMS are free, and calls are cheap. With Nimbuzz, you can call your friend on MSN or Yahoo with your mobile phone. The amount of things that are free in Nimbuzz is interesting.




• Jaxtr

  
  
  With Jaxtr, you can link your mobile phone to your PC. With Jaxtr as well, you can call friends from other messengers like MSN, Yahoo or Google, and who are registered with Jaxtr. When you register online for a free Jaxtr account, you can have unlimited voice messages and worldwide calls to other Jaxtr users.




• Wengo

  
  
  The OpenWengo Project is an ambitious venture in developing free software products related to communication over IP. This French project developed the Wengo Phone as a completely open-source softphone. It has cheap rates for worldwide calls and SMS, while PC to PC calls are free.

What is a SoftPhone ?

Definition: A softphone is a phone that allows you to talk using VoIP without necessarily having a physical phone set.

As its name implies, it is a piece of software, or part of a VoIP software, that acts as an interface allowing you to dial numbers and carry out other phone functions using a screen (that of your computer or PDA) and your mouse, keyboard or keypad.

Commonly, the interface resembles a phone with buttons representing the keys, which you press using the mouse to dial. An example is the Skype softphone.

For speaking and listening, a headset and microphone suffice. You can also use an IP phone or handset, if you have one.

Here is a list of the most common popular softphone applications and services.

What is a Data Packet

Definition:

A packet is a basic unit of communication over a digital network. A packet is also called a datagram, a segment, a block, a cell or a frame, depending on the protocol. When data has to be transmitted, it is broken down into similar structures of data, which are reassembled to the original data chunk once they reach their destination.

Packets and protocols

Packets vary in structure depending on the protocols implementing them. VoIP uses the IP protocol, and hence IP packets. On an Ethernet network, for example, data is transmitted in Ethernet frames.

Structure

The structure of a packet depends on the type of packet it is and on the protocol. Normally, a packet has a header and a payload.

The header keeps overhead information about the packet, the service and other transmission-related things. For example, an IP packet includes

• The source IP address


• The destination IP address


• The sequence number of the packets


• The type of service


• Flags


• Etc

The payload is the data it carries.

3G Explained

Definition of 3G:

3G is the third generation of wireless technologies. It comes with enhancements over previous wireless technologies, like high-speed transmission, advanced multimedia access and global roaming. 3G is mostly used with mobile phones and handsets as a means to connect the phone to the Internet or other IP networks in order to make voice and video calls, to download and upload data and to surf the net.

How is 3G Better? :

3G has the following enhancements over 2.5G and previous networks:

• Several times higher data speed;


• Enhanced audio and video streaming;


• Video-conferencing support;


• Web and WAP browsing at higher speeds;


• IPTV (TV through the Internet) support.

3G Technical Specifications :

The transfer rate for 3G networks is between 128 and 144 kbps (kilobits per second) for devices that are moving fast and 384 kbps for slow ones(like for pedestrians). For fixed wireless LANs, the speed goes beyond 2 Mbps.

3G is a set of technologies and standards that include W-CDMA, WLAN and cellular radio, among others.

3G follows a pattern of G's that started in the early 1990's by the ITU. The pattern is actually a wireless initiative called the IMT-2000 (International Mobile Communications 2000). 3G therefore comes just after 2G and 2.5G, the second generation technologies. 2G technologies include, among others, the Global System for Mobile (GSM) - the famous mobile phone technology we use today. 2.5G brings standards that are midway between 2G and 3G, including the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) etc.

What is Required for Using 3G?:

The first thing you require is a device (e.g. a mobile phone) that is 3G compatible. This is where the name 3G phone comes from - a phone that has 3G functionality; nothing to do with the number of cameras or the memory it has. An example is the iPhone 3G.

3G phones commonly have two cameras since the technology allows the user to have video calls, for which a user-facing camera is required for capturing him/her.

Unlike with Wi-Fi which you can get for free in hotspots, you need to be subscribed to a service provider to get 3G network connectivity. We often call this kind of service a data plan or network plan.Your device is connected to the 3G network through its SIM card (in the case of a mobile phone) or its 3G data card (which can be of different types: USB, PCMCIA etc.), which are both generally provided/sold by the service provider. Through that, you get connected to the Internet whenever you are within a 3G network. Even if you are not in one, you can still use 2G or 2.5G services provided by the service provider.

What Does 3G Cost?:

3G is not very cheap, but it is worthwhile for users that need connectivity on the move. Some providers offer it within a somewhat costly package, but most of them have plans where the user pays for the amount of data transferred. This is because the technology is packet-based. For example, there are service plans where there is a flat rate for the first Gigabyte of data transferred, and a per minute cost for each additional Megabyte.

3G and Voice:

Wireless technologies are a way for mobile users to make free or cheap calls worldwide and save a lot of money due to the latest telephony applications and services. 3G networks have the advantage of being available on the move, unlike Wi-Fi, which is limited to a few meters around the emitting router. So, a user with a 3G phone and a 3G data plan is well-equipped for making free mobile calls. She will only have to download one of the free applications and install on her mobile phone and start making calls. Here are examples of mobile VoIP services.

Using VoIP is a great way of saving money on phone calls.

Wi-Fi Explained

Wi-Fi is a very common wireless technology that was developed in the 1990s. It is used to connect machines in a LAN. So, Wi-Fi is like a wireless version of Ethernet.

Wi-Fi is technically referred to as the 802.11 protocol. Over time, Wi-Fi has improved, giving rise to different variations of the protocol:

802.11a

This version operates at 54 Mbps. It is considered as the favorite wireless LAN protocol for IP telephony. The problem with it is distance; beyond 100 feet, you are out of the network.

802.11b

This version operates at 11 Mbps, but the distance of transmission is 300 feet, which is a considerable improvement over its predecessor. This version is used for public hotspots and small campus environments.

802.11g

This version is relatively new and is considered as a high-speed replacement for 802.11b. It works at 54 Mbps.

Using VoIP in a Wi-Fi Network

With the Wi-Fi 802.11 networks, you can engage in Internet Telephony by simply using your laptop or any type of computer equipped with a wireless interface card. You can use headphones and microphones or any other special phone provided by your VoIP service provider.

Running VoIP on a Wireless LAN

Just like on a wired LAN, you can deploy VoIP on your wireless LAN if you have one, or if you plan to set one up for communication. Wireless VoIP will cause most wired networks to be replaced with wireless networks for VoIP communication.

The Wireless LAN and VoIP

A wireless LAN is one in which the devices and computers are connected without wires. More commonly, Wi-Fi technology is used. In most cases, instead of a hub, form which wires stem out to connect to the different machines in a wired network, you have a wireless router or hub, which may in turn be connected to an ATA.

The caller, who may be using an IP phone or any other communicating device, like a PDA or pocket PC, can make calls through the wireless LAN if he/she is within the range of the network.

Why a Wireless LAN?

Mobility. This word itself says many things. Just to give examples:

• A medical team in a clinic needs to be able to communicate internally and externally while attending to emergencies, which implies being on the move. VoIP on a wireless LAN makes this possible for them, if each of them has a phone in their pocket.
  
  
• A factory floor team, by nature very ‘bee-like’, will find it difficult to either remain glued to a fixed phone set or going to and from it for communication. Here again, VoIP service deployed on a wireless LAN within the company premises saves time, energy and nerves; and boosts productivity.
  
  
• VoIP on Wi-Fi hotspots is a great thing for callers. Just like you take your laptop computer along with you for a business lunch or some revision among classmates, why not take your IP Phone or pocket PC along?
  

Great, isn’t it? Well, wireless VoIP is taking time to gain popular acceptance. Here is why.

Problems with Wireless VoIP

There are four main issues due to which wireless VoIP is not readily accepted everywhere:

1. VoIP on LANs is deployed mostly in corporate environments, i.e. in companies rather than houses. Wireless VoIP poses problems of scalability for enterprises.
   
   
2. As is the case with nearly all wireless networks, Quality of Service (QoS) is not as good as with wired networks.
   
   
3. The cost, in terms of money, time and skills, is higher to set up and maintain a wireless network than a wired network.
   
   
4. The posed by the use of VoIP are even more inherent over a wireless network, since access points are more numerous within the perimeter of the network.
   

VoIP On The iPhone

Many of you have been seduced by Apple's iPhone. One thing that will definitely improve your iPhone experience is to be able to make cheap, if not free, phone calls while using it. VoIP is the way to do that, and here are ways to use your iPhone for making free and cheap calls to landline and mobile phones worldwide.

You can read more on the iPhone from our iPhone/iPod guide.

Truphone

Truphone is the earliest service to get VoIP on the iPhone. Truphone does really well here in terms of integration of the application with the iPhone interface and environment, and the quality of calls. The range of calling destinations at cheap is quite large, and the rates are interesting - around 3 pence (Truphone is British) to major destinations

RF.com

RF.com is an iPhone web application that works in 35 different countries to give users vastly expanded calling services wherever there is a cellular signal. A Wi-Fi connection is not necessary, unlike other iPhone VoIP solutions. With RF.com, you use your basic cell phone service, which is normally pinned down to your house, office or PC, to make calls while on the move using your mobile phone. You can also make voice calls to Skype, GoogleTalk, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and other IM-based voice calling services, even without an actual account with the service

Vopium

Vopium is a mobile VoIP service that offers cheap international calls through GSM and VoIP, without necessarily having a data plan (GPRS, 3G etc.) or Wi-Fi connection. If you do have any of the latter, you can make free calls to other users using the same networks. Vopium also offers new users 30 minutes free calls and 100 free SMS for trial

Skype

Skype is late to the party but positions itself as one of the best. It offers traditional features like free calling to other Skype users, through 3G or Wi-Fi. Cheap calling to any phone worldwide can be done through SkypeOut, and received through SkypeIn. AT&T, the exclusive mobile service provider for the iPhone, at first blocked VoIP applications from operating with the iPhone, obviously for saving its interests since VoIP calls would be free or cheaper. Later on, after assessing consumers needs, they allowed VoIP over the iPhone and today, Skype can be used even over their 3G network.

Nimbuzz

Nimbuzz allows iPhone users to call for free over Wi-Fi, to another Wi-Fi phone or PC. It also supports voice and text chatting with other common instant messaging applications, a dozen of them.

Fring

Fring is one of the leader services providing VoIP for mobile phones. If you have VoIP on your mobile device, you can use it to make free calls to any person around the world who is using Fring as well, either on their mobile devices or their computer. Rates apply when calling to landline and cellular networks. Fring is also compatible with other VoIP services like Skype, MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk and AIM. Skype users can also use Fring for SkypeIn and SkypeOut.

iCall

iCall goes one step further into iPhone integration by getting hold of the phone's internal address book, which can be very practical. What is more impressive is the ability to switch seamlessly to a Wi-Fi network during a call that started on a cell network. This move causes the cost to null down. Upon certain conditions, local calls to the US and Canada are free. While I am writing this, the application is still in beta version.

Jajah

Jajah needs no softphone application. You access it through the iPhone's Safari browser, in which it sits on a toolbar, and use it to specify your callee's number. Then, Jajah calls you and when you answers, you are put through to your callee and your conversation can start. The strong point with Jajah is that it does not require a data network plan, which can be rather costly. No Wi-Fi either. The rates are cheap and can be paid as monthly flat rates.

Raketu

Raketu works just like Jajah. No softphone is required. Some calls are free and the rates for the paid ones are quite low. You can buy prepaid credits for the call. Raketu's service also allow mobile users to send SMS and email for very cheap.

Talkety

Talkety as well works like Jajah. You access it through the iPhone Safari browser and specify a number. What I find interesting with Talkety is the ability to make conference calls over your iPhone, with up to 50 participants. You will need a Pro account for that. Also, Talkety integrates so well with Apple's Mac OS that you can access the OS's address book through its Address Book Plugin.

Sipgate

Sipgate offers a softphone that allows you to make free and cheap calls locally and internationally on your iPhone over any Wi-Fi network. Yes, you will need a Wi-Fi connection. This will allow you to by pass roaming charges. Sipgate is open to services from any SIP provider. The service gives every new user 111 minutes free.

iPhonegnome

iPhonegnome is a web-based service that, like Sipgate, lets you use your iPhone to make calls through any SIP-based service, or common services like Yahoo, MSN and Google Talk. Phonegnome users can be called for free, and credit from your required Phonegnome account are used for calling other people.

VoIP on BlackBerry

If you are a BlackBerry user and want to reap the benefits of cheap and free calls through VoIP on your BlackBerry, here are some options for you. VoIP allows you to make free and cheap calls both locally and internationally. VoIP also comes with a lot more features.

• BlackBerry WLAN Solution
  
  RIM (Research In Motion), the creator of BlackBerry, is making models that are part of a wireless LAN solution, working on 802.11 networks (e.g. Wi-Fi). An example is the BlackBerry 7270 handheld, which connects through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server to allow VoIP along with many other applications like email, IM, Internet and intranet etc. It is made to work with IP-PBXs such that it can have the functionality of a desktop phone. It interoperates with the PBX using SIP-based controls. If you want this, you will have to make sure that you buy a model that comes with the above specifications.
  
  
  
  This option is device-based, and is made to suit businesses and people aiming at deploying mobile VoIP over wireless LANs. Below are third-party implementations of VoIP on BlackBerry, that are mostly software-based.
  
  
  
  
• Truphone
  
  Truphone VoIP service for BlackBerry is very good in at least two ways: the local and international rates are among the cheapest, starting at 6 cents for common destinations (calls between Truphone users are free); and secondly even if you have no data plan or Wi-Fi connection, you can still make VoIP calls with the service.
  
  



• Yeigo
  
  Yeigo is a free VoIP application for mobile phones, allowing voice calls, chat, instant message and SMS using your mobile phone, while cutting down the usual cost down to as low as 20 %.
  
  



• Vopium
  
  Vopium is a mobile VoIP service that offers cheap international calls through GSM and VoIP, without necessarily having a data plan (GPRS, 3G etc.) or Wi-Fi connection. If you do have any of the latter, you can make free calls to other users using the same networks. Review
  
  




• Raketu's BlackBerry VoIP service
  
  This Raketu service allows BlackBerry users to make cheap international calls, as well as sending email and text messages using the same browser-based application from Raketu. There is no need to download any software. Just load the application on your browser and use it.
  
  




• EQO Mobile
  
  EQO Communications is a developer of mobile applications for VoIP, and it's new application for Skype, EQO Mobile can transform your BlackBerry into a cheap or free calling device. EQO is compatible with all major IM services: MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, QQ, ICQ and Jabber.
  
  




• WebMessenger Mobile For Skype
  
  This is a free downloadable application that allows you to take Skype along with you on your BlackBerry, along with all its all its features, including the ability to make free and cheap calls. A cheap paid version of the application comes with some added features.
  
  

You can have an idea of different prices of BlackBerry models from different stores here.

Top Mobile VoIP Services

If you intend to considerably cut down the cost of your mobile calls, here is a list of VoIP services that can allow you to cut down your mobile communication costs to the cheapest it can be so far. You only have to select the right service tailored to your needs, mobile phone type and model, connectivity, etc.

1. Yeigo

Yeigo is here to end paid-for mobile communication as you know it. It is a free software application that can be installed on mobile phones for calls and messages to any mobile or landline anywhere in the world. Calls are free to other mobiles using Yeigo, anywhere they can be in the world. Yeigo works on most recent mobile phones on the market. To use Yeigo, just like many of the applications of its like in this list, you need to have a data connection like Wi-Fi, 3G, GPRS, etc. Read more on
Yeigo here. Vendor's Site

2. Fring

Fring is also a free application to be installed on a mobile phone for calls and messages. Calls to other Fring others are free, and are paid at cheap rates to landline and mobile networks. The cell phone models on which Fring works is more limited than for Yeigo. However, Fring users can communicate with users of other instant messaging service like Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk, SIP, Twitter, AIM, Yahoo etc. Fring also requires a data service plan like WiFi, 3G, GPRS etc. Read more on Fring here.Vendor's Site

3. Truphone

By installing the Truphone software on your mobile phone, you can have your mobile phones routed through the Internet,and make free calls to other Truphone users. Calls to plain mobile and landline phones are cheap. Truphone allows you to make calls through Wi-Fi hotspots and your GSM network, which means you can use it really anywhere. It focuses mainly on high-end phone models like the iPhone, BlackBerry devices, Nokia E and N series etc. Vendor's Site

4. Vopium

Vopium is a mobile VoIP service that offers cheap international calls through GSM and VoIP, without necessarily having a data plan (GPRS, 3G etc.) or Wi-Fi connection. If you do have any of the latter, you can make free calls to other users using the same networks. Vopium also offers new users 30 minutes free calls and 100 free SMS for trial.

5. VoIP Services For The iPhone

Here is a list of VoIP services that work on Apple's iPhone.

6. VoIP Services For Blackberry

Here is a list of VoIP services that work on Blackberry machines.

7. Packet8 MobileTalk

Packet8's MobileTalk is a pioneering service in the field of Mobile VoIP and is interesting for people who spend heavily on international calls. The rates are cheaper than for fixed VoIP. However, only US residents can benefit from it now. The service is different from other services on this list, in that it is hardware-based. It works through the GSM service, which means you don't need a data service like WiFi or 3G or GPRS etc. However, local calls are not as cheap as you would expect with mobile VoIP, so the service is ideal only for heavy international callers. Read more on Packet's MobileTalk here.Vendor's Site

8. Jaxtr

Jaxtr is a nice and completely free service that allows you to make phone calls to and from fixed or mobile phones. You first need to create an account and submit a phone number through which you can be contacted. Then you can call other people who have done the same. The first time, you need to call them through the web interface or jaxtr, then, once you have saved the virtual number of the person on your phone, you can call them from it the next time. International calls are also supported. Note that the phone number you submit will not be seen by other people, but a virtual number will be used instead, assigned by jaxtr. Vendor's Site

9. Yackie Mobile

Yackie Mobile is a pioneering new type of service in the field of mobile VoIP - it offers VoIP on a SIM card. This eliminates the need for data plans or WiFi connections. You simply have to buy and insert the SIM card in your mobile phone, register for the VoIP service and start using it. The rates are standard cheap VoIP rates; and the international rates are quite advantageous. Vendor's Site

10. Talkety

With Talkety, there is no software to download and install. You don't need a computer for calls, but you do need one for registration, payment and recording numbers. Yes I said payment, because the service is not free. You can call anywhere on any kind of telephone anywhere in the whole world. They also have a Pro service. To use the service, you enter the numbers, the phone rings and the talkers are connected. Vendor's Site

Mobile Voip Services

Description:

Mobile telephony has an important role in our modern world. VoIP would fail if it stayed wired. Most VoIP users are now scrutinizing the pipeline for services that will allow them to conveniently make free or cheap calls using their mobile phones, anywhere. A few mobile VoIP services have emerged, pioneering into a promising industry.Mobile telephony as we know it works on GSM networks, which, in a way, cover the whole world. VoIP has to use IP networks like Wi-Fi, 3G, WiMax, GPRS, EDGE etc. This is the main obstacle barring the way to seamless free VoIP telephony. Yes, if you want to make free calls using your mobile (as with your PC), you need to find a wireless way of connecting to the Internet. A data plan for mobile phones is very often required, if you are under a Wi-Fi hotspot. There is a way to still use VoIP services through GSM networks, but the GSM part remains charged at the local mobile rate.For using mobile VoIP, you need to have a mobile phone that is compatible with the service you choose, download and install a softphone, and use it to make and receive free calls to and from your buddies who have the same service (see Yeigo and Fring). Other companies have pioneered in saddling VoIP over GSM itself (see Packet8's MobileTalk), and in embedding VoIP functionality into a SIM card (see Yackie Mobile).

Cost:

You could call through VoIP on your mobile phone just like you would on a PC, but through a wireless network. So, basically it can be as free as with software based VoIP service, as long as you call people using the same service on their PC or mobile phone. But your cost will not always be nil since you need connection through a wireless service - a data plan (which is not free, in most places). WiFi can be free in hotspots or at home - if you have a wireless router showering your house with Internet connection from your ADSL line. But then still, you need to have a mobile phone that has WiFi connectivity.

Typical users:

Anyone that has a need for mobile telephony (who hasn't?), and who wants to cut down the cost of this expensive way of communication. It can prove to be more profitable for heavy mobile users like business people and travelers.

Pros:

• All the pros of software-based services: Free, available worldwide, features, etc.


• Portability.

Cons:

• The need of a data plan or a wireless network, to connect your mobile device to the Internet


• Mobile VoIP services are not compatible with all mobile models.


• Call quality is not always very good, due to the wireless carriers.

A small test article

This is just the beginning , we are starting buddy !!