| Author |
another local phone number
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-24, 7:11 am |
| I want to advertise my business in a neighbouring phone area using a
local phone number. I can do this by using a Vonage setup (at 18.99 per
month), but I don't really need all the additional features.
Skype In doesn't give me the option of the area code I want either.
Does anyone know of a similar service to Vonage, but cheaper, or a call
diversion service that will offer a local number (I don't want to use
0845 or 0870 and can't afford 0800) ?
Simon
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| It happens that bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk formulated :
> I want to advertise my business in a neighbouring phone area using a
> local phone number. I can do this by using a Vonage setup (at 18.99 per
> month), but I don't really need all the additional features.
>
> Skype In doesn't give me the option of the area code I want either.
>
> Does anyone know of a similar service to Vonage, but cheaper, or a call
> diversion service that will offer a local number (I don't want to use
> 0845 or 0870 and can't afford 0800) ?
>
> Simon
<www.gradwell.com> offer PSTN forwarding of a number in an area code of
your choice.
Forwarded calls are 1.25ppm & the number costs £3 per month.
<http://www.gradwell.com/voip/PSTN_forwarding.php>
Alternatively, <www.voip.co.uk> allow forwarding. Unless you sign up to
a package, there is no monthly cost. I'll let you suss out how much
forwarded calls would cost...
With either of the above, you could use an ATA, softphone or hardphone
and not use the forwarding service.
Just for comparison, BT can offer a presence number at £112.65 per
quarter + VAT + Calls.
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"Jono" <nothanks@blueyonder.invalid> wrote in message
news:mn.c2747d695476bf0d.48968@blueyonder.invalid...[vbcol=seagreen]
> It happens that bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk formulated :
Why not get a neighbouring area number from Sipgate perhaps.
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| Steve was thinking very hard :
> "Jono" <nothanks@blueyonder.invalid> wrote in message
> news:mn.c2747d695476bf0d.48968@blueyonder.invalid...
> Why not get a neighbouring area number from Sipgate perhaps.
Because they don't offer forwarding to PSTN...perhaps...?
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"Jono" <nothanks@nospamplease.bluyonder.co.uk.com> wrote in message
news:mn.c2e87d691b459bcc.48968@nospamplease.bluyonder.co.uk.com...
> Steve was thinking very hard :
>
> Because they don't offer forwarding to PSTN...perhaps...?
>
>
True, but then why forward it, just terminate it locally on voip equipment,
an ata or asterisk maybe, I did assume there was some voip involvement this
being a voip group.
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| Steve used his keyboard to write :
>
> True, but then why forward it, just terminate it locally on voip equipment,
> an ata or asterisk maybe, I did assume there was some voip involvement this
> being a voip group.
"or a call diversion service that will offer a local number" was one of
the requests.
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-24, 1:11 pm |
|
Jono wrote:
> Steve used his keyboard to write :
>
ent,[vbcol=seagreen]
this[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> "or a call diversion service that will offer a local number" was one of
> the requests.
Thanks for all those responses guys.. have just had a long search
through the various suggestions.
It seems that if I'm happy to use a VOIP system (and this is vastly
cheaper than BT) then it rather depends if I'm going to make outgoing
calls on the line. Our other phones in the head office (where the phone
will be for at least the first 12 months) have call plans that give us
free outgoing calls.
I've set up Vonage for customers and it's dead easy to use and gives
free outbound calls (is that right?) but 18.99 a month is quite a lot.
The other plus is that the adapter is free. Sipgate looks cheaper as
long as we don't use it for outbound calls but I would have to buy the
adapter as well (about =A349).
We already us Skype but amazingly the Skype In product doesn't have
local phone numbers - just the big cities.
Finally, I looked at the Gradwell PSTN forwarding but I'm not keen on
paying for incoming calls.
Have I missed anything?
Simon
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk brought next idea :
>
> It seems that if I'm happy to use a VOIP system (and this is vastly
> cheaper than BT) then it rather depends if I'm going to make outgoing
> calls on the line.
Yes
> I've set up Vonage for customers and it's dead easy to use and gives
> free outbound calls (is that right?) but 18.99 a month is quite a lot.
Hardly constitutes "free calls" at £18.99 per month. Compare that with
voip.co.uk's £2 per month for unlimited E&W plus daytime calls for a 2p
set up.
> The other plus is that the adapter is free. Sipgate looks cheaper as
> long as we don't use it for outbound calls but I would have to buy the
> adapter as well (about £49).
I don't mind Sipgate, however, I think that if you need to make sure it
always works, gradwell, voip.co.uk or voipfone would better suit your
needs.
> We already use Skype but amazingly the Skype In product doesn't have
> local phone numbers - just the big cities.
I am surprised, though have no intention of trying skype, so will have
to take your word for it.
> Finally, I looked at the Gradwell PSTN forwarding but I'm not keen on
> paying for incoming calls.
Then you can only really choose an non-geo for this purpose.
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| M.Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk 2006-09-24, 1:11 pm |
| On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:08:31 +0100, Jono <nothanks@blueyonder.invalid>
wrote:
>I don't mind Sipgate, however, I think that if you need to make sure it
>always works,
Can you tell me just what good is a phone service to anyone if it
DOSEN 'T always work be it free or otherwise and in any case Sipgate
isn't free you have to pay for all calls unless everyone you call is
another sipgate user .
I will fully endorse your recommend for Voiphone I have been with them
ever since ditching that German CRAP and have yet to find a fault with
them always up and running and readily available and always pleased to
answer any questions you may have via the TELEPHONE instantly.
Vonage are good there is no doubt about it but once I get to the end
of my freetalk contracts I shall be leaving them only because I have
no need for their additional services free though they may be which
was the reason I left them previously and joined Freetalk.At that
point I intend to use Sip discount for outgoing and Voiphone for
incoming.
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-24, 7:11 pm |
|
> Hardly constitutes "free calls" at =A318.99 per month. Compare that with
> voip.co.uk's =A32 per month for unlimited E&W plus daytime calls for a 2p
> set up.
>
But I have now use for evening and weekend calls. Peak calls are 2p for
the first 60 calls and then 1p per minute which isn't bad. Still have
to pay for the hardware though.
> I don't mind Sipgate, however, I think that if you need to make sure it
> always works, gradwell, voip.co.uk or voipfone would better suit your
> needs.
>
I can't get any sense out of the voiphone website - seems to be a load
of waffle about what they 'can do' with email addresses for signup.
Very thin on actual information.
>
>
> Then you can only really choose an non-geo for this purpose.
Don't understand what you mean by a non-geo ..
Simon
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| {{{{{Welcome}}}}} 2006-09-24, 7:11 pm |
| Thus spaketh bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk:
>
> But I have now use for evening and weekend calls. Peak calls are 2p
> for the first 60 calls and then 1p per minute which isn't bad. Still
> have to pay for the hardware though.
>
>
>
> I can't get any sense out of the voiphone website - seems to be a load
> of waffle about what they 'can do' with email addresses for signup.
> Very thin on actual information.
>
>
>
> Don't understand what you mean by a non-geo ..
>
> Simon
0845 / 0870 rip-off numbers.
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| Paul Cupis 2006-09-24, 7:11 pm |
| >>> Finally, I looked at the Gradwell PSTN forwarding but I'm not keen on
>
> Don't understand what you mean by a non-geo ..
If you want a telco to give you a number which you can divert to UK
landline numbers at no charge to you, then you will need to use a number
which is charged at more than the cost of the UK landline call (so the
caller pays for the cost of providing the service).
Non-geographic numbers include 03, 05, 07, 08 and 09 numbers, typically
for your requested use you would use 08 or 070 numbers.
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| M.Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk 2006-09-24, 7:11 pm |
| On 24 Sep 2006 12:43:13 -0700, bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
>I can't get any sense out of the voiphone website - seems to be a load
>of waffle about what they 'can do' with email addresses for signup.
>Very thin on actual information.
For Christ sake open your eyes and read what you see couldn't be
simpler
Residential sign up
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/FP_Voipfo...l_Customers.php
Business
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/FP_Voipfo...l_Customers.php
Many items have been added and site changed since I first signed up
but I found the above within 10 seconds .
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| wikedhumor@large.com 2006-09-24, 7:11 pm |
| On 24 Sep 2006 02:03:34 -0700, bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk, wrote:
>I want to advertise my business in a neighbouring phone area using a
>local phone number. I can do this by using a Vonage setup (at 18.99 per
>month), but I don't really need all the additional features.
>
>Skype In doesn't give me the option of the area code I want either.
>
>Does anyone know of a similar service to Vonage, but cheaper, or a call
>diversion service that will offer a local number (I don't want to use
>0845 or 0870 and can't afford 0800) ?
>
>Simon
Could you not use
www.voiptalk.org
Depending upon the county you register as your address,
it allocates your Geo number to a city in that county.
Wik
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-25, 1:11 am |
|
> For Christ sake open your eyes and read what you see couldn't be
> simpler
>
Gosh, why so cross? I picked up www.voiphone.co.uk from your original
post, a completely different site.
> Residential sign up
> http://www.voipfone.co.uk/FP_Voipfo...l_Customers.php
>
> Business
>
> http://www.voipfone.co.uk/FP_Voipfo...l_Customers.php
>
>
> Many items have been added and site changed since I first signed up
> but I found the above within 10 seconds .
I have to say the site isn't particularly clear. Is this why Vonage are
doing so well? Are there any call costs for incoming calls - I assume
not, but I couldn't quickly see any confirmation of this.
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| Mr Man 2006-09-25, 7:11 pm |
| > I have to say the site isn't particularly clear. Is this why Vonage are
> doing so well? Are there any call costs for incoming calls - I assume
> not, but I couldn't quickly see any confirmation of this.
>
There is no cost for inbound calls if you answer them on a SIP device,
softphone / hardphone.
If you choose to divert them then you'll be charged at standard rates.
1p per min (ex VAT) to UK fixed lines, and most of eurpoe.
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-26, 7:11 pm |
| Just thought I'd post a follow up to this as I signed with Vonage this
evening having had a good old tramp through all the suggested sites.
They may not be the cheapest, but they inspire the most confidence.
Some of the competitors sites are too confusing for words. In the end I
phoned Vonage and got a price of 5.99 per month for the first 6 months
and then 7.99 - all landline calls included. They waved the startup fee
(saving =A310) and the adapter is also free - but you have to pay =A38
postage. All of that is inc VAT too.
I'm sure there are cheapers options out there but none as simple and
straightforward as the Vonage offering IMHO
Simon
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| Mr Man 2006-09-27, 7:11 pm |
| Ok, hope all goes well for you with vonage 
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| hairydog@despammed.com 2006-09-28, 7:11 am |
| On 26 Sep 2006 15:24:52 -0700, bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
>Just thought I'd post a follow up to this as I signed with Vonage this
>evening having had a good old tramp through all the suggested sites.
>
>They may not be the cheapest, but they inspire the most confidence.
You have been suckered. They are far from the best. They just spend
more on marketing.
You will notice that not a single person suggested Vonage. There is a
reason for that.
Why do people ask for advice if they don't intend to take any notice
of the advice they are given?
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| M.Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk 2006-09-28, 7:11 pm |
| On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 10:04:37 +0100, hairydog@despammed.com wrote:
>On 26 Sep 2006 15:24:52 -0700, bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
>
>
>You have been suckered. They are far from the best. They just spend
>more on marketing.
There is nothing at all wrong with Vonage who besides Vonage will give
you a 4 port router with two phone ports for free at the end of a 12
month contract they also give the best audio quality I have ever had
from a telephone provider except for BT.
>You will notice that not a single person suggested Vonage. There is a
>reason for that.
Yet quite most people are scared stiff of having to part with a few
bob a month or pay for good service most would sooner use shitty
sipgate for practically nothing and get practically nothing of a
service or support in return.
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| Ivor Jones 2006-09-29, 1:11 am |
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<M.Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8a5oh2dgbb824r7q5oq90l4t84sarnu48v@
4ax.com
[snip]
> Yet quite most people are scared stiff of having to part
> with a few bob a month or pay for good service most would
> sooner use shitty sipgate for practically nothing and get
> practically nothing of a service or support in return.
As more people are perfectly happy with Sipgate than not I would suggest
they are successful enough not to give a toss what you think of them, Ron.
Ivor
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| bitstream7@yahoo.co.uk 2006-09-29, 7:11 am |
|
Ivor Jones wrote:
> <M.Dexter@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:8a5oh2dgbb824r7q5oq90l4t84sarnu48v@
4ax.com
>
> [snip]
>
>
> As more people are perfectly happy with Sipgate than not I would suggest
> they are successful enough not to give a toss what you think of them, Ron.
>
> Ivor
In reply to earlier comments about not taking advice, I can only say
that I spent a reasonable amount of time looking at the options
suggested. I'm not 'non-technical', but the phone line and service is
just a small part of a reasonable investment for my business and I need
to be able to rely on it.
I appreciate the advice, but it is just that, advice which I weigh with
other factors.
Sipgate didn't impress me - that's as much an issue for their
web-design team as it is for me - if you say their service is good then
I'm happy to believe you but I doubt any business should be 'successful
enough not to give a toss' - that's a recipe for disaster.
I also don't feel 'suckered' by Vonage. The box arrived yesterday, 2
days after being ordered and we're up and running. Their
professionalism allows me to recommend their service with confidence -
a service that costs me less than =A3100 a year - I probably spend more
on biscuits for the office.
Thanks for all the advice/suggestions/pointers - I realise that
everyone has their favourites but I hope this thread is useful to
others trying to make the same decision.
Simon
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