>>- via a SIP address (name@provider.com), if your VOIP provider 
> Ok, that one doesn't. I mean. I hear what you say but I'm not sure I
> see the point of doing so?

Because:

- name@provider.com is easier to remember than a phonenumber (think of this:
we also don't remember a website's IP address, but use a easy to remember
name to reach them - still, with telephony, everyone seems to prefer a
number)

- in case you have your own domain, you can have your name servers resolve
sip:name@yourdomain.com which can stay the same even if you switch providers
later on

- it routes completely and directly over the Internet, so no intermediate
PSTN operator necessary (no charge for that, and no codec conversion loss -
so better sound quality).

- it's a more modern way of calling - and sip:firstname@lastname.co.uk next
to mailto:firstname@lastname.co.uk would look good on your business card ;)

> Now, say I wanted to dial out via the SIP(gate) service ...would that
> be the "*121#" in the Internet Telephony ? Internet Numbers field,
> Sipgate ?

If you put *121# in front of a phonenumber, the Fritz!box will ignore your
dialling rules and user your first VOIP provider to dial out.  So if sipgate
is first in your list, then yes.

PS. It's *122# for the second VOIP provider, and so on.  *111# is forcing to
use the fixed line.

But in general, these prefixes are only necessary in exceptional cases.
It's better to use the dialling rules, and then just dial the regular
numbers as usual.

Note: if you put a # at the end of your phonenumber the connection will be
made quicker (otherwise the Fritz!box will wait a few seconds more because
it's not sure if it got the complete number yet).

> p.s. Is there a particular DECT phone that works well with these boxes
> / SIP in general please (I'm thinking something that has a good
> display / flexible phonebook etc)?

Since the analogue ports of the Fritz!box use a standard POTS signal, any
decent DECT phone should work properly on it.

If you want more "integration" and settings, you should consider an ISDN
phone.

> p.p.s. Can you have more than one number per Sipgate account or would
> I have to create a new complete account for my daughters line?

I have no idea (I don't use their service).

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