Making phone calls over the Internet isn't just for the tech savvy anymore. Using VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) is easier than ever before, with several services out there that can help drastically reduce your phone bill. Here's everything you need to know about VoIP in Australia.
- What is VoIP?
- VoIP strengths
- VoIP weaknesses
- What you'll need
What is VoIP?
Since it first appeared in the home market about five years ago, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology has been helping people make big savings on their phone bills. Yet many users are still unsure about exactly how it works and what you need to get started.
In essence, VoIP allows a broadband Internet connection to be used to make and receive phone calls. Because the calls travel over the Internet rather than the copper wire networks of the major phone companies, VoIP service providers can offer rates way below those of traditional carriers. In some cases calls can even be free.
To achieve this feat, VoIP technology converts sound waves (a human voice) into data. During this conversion, the voice is sampled thousands of times each second with the samples being converted to electronic packets. These packets are then streamed over the Internet in the same way as everything from emails to web pages.
Because the voice stream has to find its way through the complex web of networks that make up the Internet, each packet is labelled with the destination address of the person being called. So, even if some of the packets take a different path or arrive out of order, they can still be reassembled into voice sound waves when they arrive. When this process happens in two directions, you have a phone call.
Early usage of VoIP was constrained by slow Internet links which led to poor voice quality and call drop-outs. But, as more and more people moved to broadband connections such as ADSL or cable, the quality and reliability of VoIP calls has improved significantly.
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Alan Barker
27/10/2006 07:22 PM
Re weakness of VOIP, you stated the necessity of having a running computer - not true. I've been using VOIP for 12 months with Iinet and using a Belkin VOIP 4 port wireless router / modem which permits two VOIP connections at all times, without a running computer. The only requirement is power however should that fail then the modem defaults (failover) to normal phone line.
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nothanks
20/01/2007 03:10 AM
I think you need to update your section on engin. You talk like getting an additional local phone number free of charge is a down side while my net phone doesnt. think of the eventuality that aus gets of dsl and the need for a pstn becomes redundant. Also, the down sides you mention there are present in all voip providers. also, engin has a much more extensive range of products to suite any broadband user. There is a reason they're so far ahead of the rest you know. If your getting poor call quality, perhaps you should take a closer look at your own network settings!
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PeaPod
20/01/2007 08:50 PM
Also iiNet has a VoIp service. For $9.95/month the computer does not have to be on and you don't need any special equipment. Just plug a regular phone into teh back of one of their modems. Also the computer does not have to be on.
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Freemason
05/02/2007 03:57 PM
such a small range of providers, is this a paid advertising space?
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Norm
10/02/2007 08:46 PM
This is far too expensive in Australia ,I would love to get it but look at the prices per minute , compared to the US they pay $22 per month and all yes all calls mobile overseas everything are covered for that $22
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fazie
21/02/2007 11:15 AM
for my generation it's info overload. Can anyone advise of speedy, most cost effective, connection to broadband with voip - using hand held phones?
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Barbara cameron
16/03/2007 08:20 AM
i agree with norms comment it is far to dear in australia i think if you made it $22 a month for every thing like over seas you would have a lot more subscribers
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sma86947
25/04/2007 10:37 AM
I have a Broadband ADSL, splitter/filter, connection with Bigpond. I also have a free web site with them. Can I get VoIP and still maintain my connection with Bigpond?
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tommyone
30/04/2007 09:06 PM
Although power must be on at all times for VoIP to work, I use a "Powerware" UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to ensure I always have power to my VoIP equipment.
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webjecks
02/05/2007 11:14 AM
Can you use a standard type VoiP phone with a satelite connection? Our provider is trying to sell us a handset for $100 saying it is the only kind of handset which will work on their Ipstar satelite connection? True or not?
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don't have
02/05/2007 05:08 PM
You may want to check the My NetPhone rates , 12.5c untimed
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3DFun
27/05/2007 03:27 PM
Funny there was no mention of MondoTalk? allows you to BYO VoIP devices and supports users on many platforms. Seems likes it is an Aussie company thinking ahead and serving an international market. E.G they can get you a number just about anywhere in the world. They are also one of the few that support T.38 for faxing! I've been using them for ages and its been working great.
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NikkiL
26/06/2007 08:49 PM
Go Talk have 14c untimed land line calls with no monthly access fee or 9c untimes calls on a $5 month plan.
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Ian Allen
11/07/2007 12:28 PM
My iinet Voip service is working OK with the corded phone and filter, but the Uniden DSS7855 cordless phone echo badly and today I have no dial tone on the cordless phones, do I need a special Voip Handset ?
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Pedro666
18/07/2007 10:33 PM
I can't believe the prices quoted in your table for Freshtel -10c a minute for local calls! Surely that's a mistake? Also, why such a limited display of providers? I have been with Faktortel for a year - a local company and $8 per month and 10c untimed calls within Australia.
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dasbar
20/07/2007 11:01 AM
Can My Uniden Cordless Digital 5.8 Gig work as a Voip softphone Please. can somone tel me the correct place to ask a question or start a new thread Thanks Dasha
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NOT A HAPPY CHAPPY
30/09/2007 05:14 PM
Engin voip tHIS IS A jOKE( DON'T EXPECT ANYTHING FROM THESE HARDENED UNFRIENDLY ARROGANT PROVIDERS) yOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS OUTFIT. tHEY KEEP BILLING EVEN AFTER CANCELLING, AND DON'T HELP WHATSOEVER. THEY CALL THEM SELVES A COMMUNICATIONS OUTFIT, UNUSUAL FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES JUST TO GET SOME UPSTART GIVING CHEEK ON THE OTHER END.dON'T BOTHER THEY ARE RIP OFFS
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Vaibhav
17/10/2007 12:19 AM
Very Poor!! I think PennyTel is the best service that has been provided in Australia. On $10 deposit you can get a DID for major cities. Local calls are way too cheap and $0.8 PER CALL (YES PER CALL) to 20 countries. They are adding more. Its worth looking at their website and getting a connection. I have been using them since last 1.5 years.
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Ross
06/12/2007 10:07 PM
I have been using VoIP for some times now. I was with Freshtel but I eventually discovered that if I used it for local calls i was paying huge bills for just a few minutes call whereas with my landline it cost me only 20c untimed. So I ditched Freshtel and moved on to some other including Skype. But again Skype fails in exactly the same as Freshtel as there is no such thing as untimed calls there. Hence I signed up with another provider and installed a phone adapter. I have not looked back since. I only pay for the calls I make. Local and interstate calls are all 12.5c untimed and the voice quality is just great.
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gillynco
11/12/2007 10:12 AM
TRY www.gotalk.com.au, They have a great variety of VOIP plans. Certainly the cheapest I've seen and the call quality is excellent. I'm on there Aussie pack and it works great for me.
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gillynco
11/12/2007 10:20 AM
Local, National and Mobile calls are FREE FREE FREE. A fair use policy does apply though. International calls are .20c or .50c (depending on the country you call) and that's for the whole call. GO VOIP and $AVE $$$$
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gillynco
11/12/2007 10:21 AM
Local, National and Mobile calls are FREE FREE FREE. A fair use policy does apply though. International calls are .20c or .50c (depending on the country you call) and that's for the whole call. GO VOIP and $AVE $$$$
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gillynco
11/12/2007 10:28 AM
Local, National and Mobile calls are FREE FREE FREE. A fair use policy does apply though. International calls are .20c or .50c (depending on the country you call) and that's for the whole call. GO VOIP and $AVE $$$$
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bronwyn68
29/01/2008 08:43 PM
Is it possible to walk around the house or outside with any VOIP or Skype phones and services?
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Steve S
19/02/2008 11:23 AM
I would have to agree with NOT A HAPPY CHAPPY 30/09/2007 05:14 PM I have been with ENGIN for the last couple of years using ENGIN VOICE BOX 2 However in that time the voice box has'nt been working for around about 9 months and trying to get help from them is like trying to get blood from a stone. This time it has so far been out of action for 6 months and I am still trying to get help.
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Maggie
04/03/2008 12:55 PM
We have been using VOIP for a few months now and the savings are huge. Go for it - you won't regret it. The only thing is that, on the odd occasion the line can have a bad echo. But it's still worth it. thanks Maggie www.organise.net.au
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gillynco
31/03/2008 03:48 AM
Also iiNet has a VoIp service. For $9.95/month the computer does not have to be on and you don't need any special equipment. Just plug a regular phone into teh back of one of their modems. <a href="http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=b4b933e8d8529774edfee1c2884b5ecb">Anime Lesbians</a>Also the computer does not have to be on.
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gillynco
31/03/2008 03:48 AM
Also iiNet has a VoIp service. For $9.95/month the computer does not have to be on and you don't need any special equipment. Just plug a regular phone into teh back of one of their modems. <a href="http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=b4b933e8d8529774edfee1c2884b5ecb">Anime Lesbians</a>Also the computer does not have to be on.
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moore
18/04/2008 11:09 PM
I like using the Grandstream products for my ATA www.grandstream.com man they are afordable and work well
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Michelle Connor
09/05/2008 10:05 AM
Please can you forward me cots. plans etc for our company for vioce over IP.
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test
27/06/2008 04:00 PM
OK. Please help. I have ATA with 2 phone ports. I want to know if I can continue using VOIP with iiNET for one VOIP service configured on port 1. On Port 2, Can I configure another VOIP service with Gotalk which I pay for. So basically two VOIP services via one ATA (2 Ports though) and working? Any suggestions if this can be done.
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ECOTEK
23/07/2008 06:47 PM
WHY PAY when basically VOIP purpose is to totally make internet calls free where ever you may be.. Voip call can even be programed to work with certain mobile phone model mostly those with 802.11 or wireless lan capability phone, not only that ordinary phone line can call this voip numbers from almost any part of the globe at local call rate if you are a little tech savy you could employ FXO FXS voip ATA and use your regular phone line to connect to any land line calls from your voip devise or from calling from overseas from any available telephone to connect to a local telephone number at virtually local cost...Do I sound geeky pardon the comment havent completely master the English language just came here to work for a large telecom company to try and charge you guys more for your telephone or voip calls ha ha ...
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lsb
03/09/2008 08:43 PM
Hi - can someone explain Ecotalk's comment above - "FXO FXS voip ATA and use your regular phone line to connect to any land line " - I am going to be travelling and want to find a way to get calls to my mobile diverted to a local DID number and then somehow route to a US number and then to the US prepaid SIM I am going to get - is that doable?
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jesydney
12/09/2008 12:05 PM
There is a misconception for VOIP. Skype/GoogleTalk/MSNCHat and the likes (i'll group them into iTalks) is not VOiP. VOiP works over your internet data, iTalks works inside your internet data. So basically iTalk (to put it simply)is normal internet data. Picture in your mind a water pipe with water flowing. The water is your internet data, the pipe is your size of your data limits. 1. For VoiP to work properly and efficiently your pipe is divided into two - a certain percentage for voice flow and the rest for internet data flow (web page/email/downloads, etc). 2. iTalk (Skype/Googletalk/MSNChat, etc) works inside the internet data. The pipe is not divided into two. The same data flowing thru' the pipe is utilised. 3. Cost a) because iTalk is not VoiP there are no additional cost except for your internet access. Only cost is the call cost (Skype Out - skype to landline/mobile). Skype to Skype is free. b)VOiP is not free, you have to pay for access on top of your internet access., UNLESS c) you subscribe to new services such as Naked DSL (iinet/internode, etc).
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