In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Allan Gould <invalid@invalid.invalid>  wrote:

> [Reposted from uk.telecom, where incorrectly posted]
> VOIP has been around for a while now.  I don't use/have it, but maybe
> need to review that decision.  The main reason I don't use it seems to
> be that I don't know many (if any) people that I ring who have it (and
> therefore can't get the full benefit).  I don't make a high volume of
> calls to any one number (that may or may not be a VOIP number).  If I
> had VOIP, and I ring a non-VOIP person, I would have to pay call
> charges (about 1p/min?).  Also, if I make international calls (not
> many), I can usually find a cheap (1p/min) number from that trusty
> old friend, http://niftylist.co.uk/ (who are presumably using some
> clever international internet-related VOIP routing comms).  I
> typically have enough free minutes & texts on my landline (which I
> need for ISP broadband subscription) and mobile packages. I can't see
> the advantage of having VOIP at present.  Am I missing something?

Probably not! A lot depends on individual circumstances.

My wife and I are retired, and in a lot during the daytime, and - although
we don't make that many phone calls - we often want to use the phone at the
same time, or one of us wants to use the phone while the other wants the
line left open because they are expecting an important incoming call.

Our solution is to use VoiP for virtually all outgoing calls (at 1ppm with
voip.co.uk[1]) and to use the BT landline for incoming calls. Calls are
charged by the second, with no minimum per-call charge - so if we get BT
Answer rather than a person, and ring off without leaving a message, the
call costs a fraction of a penny rather than BT's 6p or whatever. Our VoiP
system is set up to present the BT landline number rather than the VoiP
number when making outgoing calls - so anyone returning a call automatically
does so to the landline.

We need the BT line for broadband, but pay the lowest line rental
available - with no bundled calls. Also, we only use our mobile phones for
emergencies and when away from home, so don't have a monthly contract or
bundled minutes with them.

[1] There is an option to pay £2 per month and get free evening and week
end
calls, with daytime calls costing 2p each - but my monthly analysis of calls
made invariably shows that I'm better off just paying the 1ppm for all
calls.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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