- VoIP explained
- Types of services
- What you'll need
- VoIP Netphones
- Australian providers
Netphone
The netphone option is probably the easiest, but it can also be
the most restrictive in terms of who can make calls to you and
who you can contact. All a user needs to do is download the
appropriate netphone software onto your PC, install it and,
providing you have a headset connected to your PC, you can make
calls immediately (you can also just use your PC's speaker and
built-in microphone if it has one, but you may experience some
echo).
In many cases, using a netphone is free, but restricts you to making and receiving calls only from other people who have downloaded that same piece of software -- in other words, it's only PC to PC. For example, if you've downloaded Skype VoIP software, you can only make and receive calls from other people who have Skype. Some netphones, however, do offer more comprehensive features -- providing you pony up a little cash. Once again using Skype as an example, users can buy Skype Out credit which allows them to use their Skype account to call normal landline phones or mobiles.
Netphones are a great option for those wanting to try out VoIP and, providing you have enough family and friends using the same software, can be an extremely cost-effective solution. Its main drawback is that you're tied to your computer to make and receive calls. But even that is slowly being overcome, with some new telephones coming out that are specifically designed to use netphone services (such as DUALphone's 2-in-1 Skype Internet phone, Plantronics' .Audio 70 headset for Yahoo! Messenger and Doro's USB telephone 212 IPC for Skype). These phones connect to your computer and can be used just like a normal phone, except that it's using your netphone program for its connection.
Hardware-based
VoIP
Hardware-based VoIP services are handier because they try to
mimic the traditional phone experience -- that means having a
handset that you use like any other phone, except it's tied to
your broadband service. Hardware solutions include VoIP phones
(telephones with built-in VoIP capabilities) and Analog Telephone
Adaptors (or ATAs, which turn your existing phone into a
VoIP-capable one). ATAs are the most widely used with consumer
services (such as the ones provided by companies like engin, Freshtel and more),
while VoIP phones tend to be tied with enterprise-level
services.
ATAs are small devices which connect to a user's home network/modem, with the other end being plugged into your existing handset (analog, cordless or DECT phones). Unlike softphones, you don't need your computer to be on to be able to make and receive calls, resulting in a service that almost has the same "always-on" feel of a normal phone service. That's almost, since you still need a broadband connection running, as well as power to the ATA for the phone to be working. You'll need to sign up to a service to be able to use an ATA, with different brands of ATAs usually aligned with different service providers.
And unlike some softphone solutions, an ATA allows you to call any other number, usually at much reduced call rates than normal. Phone calls to people on the same service provider as you are also often free -- check with your intended provider to see exactly what their call rates are. Unfortunately, you won't be able to assign your existing phone number to an ATA-driven service -- when you sign up, you will receive a dedicated number for that VoIP line, which means you'll have two phone numbers. Phone number portability is something that VoIP providers are hoping to have in the near future.
There are many more other Australian providers than listed in this story. The site http://www.ozinternetphones.com/ provides a much better reference (disclaimer, I have no connection with this site)