View Full Version : Broadband for phonecalls ???
mrmcdean
28-01-2004, 7:55 PM
Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, ive searched but not found anything...........
Me & the missus are about to have a baby and, more importantly about to switch to broadband.
Im sure i read somewhere that if you had broadband you could make normal phonecalls using the broadband line thus not pay anything extra for the call (I notice that BT have just introduced something like this)
Is there a way to do this with other broadband suppliers?
Plus while I have you experts on the case...... what about the possibility of web cam call to another broadband user to keep the new grandparents happy,
are they possible ?? if so are they easy to sort out ?
Many thanks in advance.:)
There are two ways in which this can be done. Both require the requisite hardware (speakers and/or heaphone and/or a microphone) on your PC, and some software.
The first way is IP telephony. The person at the other end needs to be using a PC in the same way that you are. This method typically IS free of charge (beyond your normal ISP fees).
The second uses your PC to dial a regular phone line. This is rarely if ever free.
A search in Google will find websites that offer these services etc.
Desmo
29-01-2004, 10:06 AM
Google is your friend :) Do a search for VoIP (Voice Over IP)
mrmcdean
29-01-2004, 10:12 AM
Great, many thanks for the help, should save a few trips to the inlaws !!:boring: :laugh:
best bet if they have a similar setup is something like Teamspeak 2 which is free. It's mainly used by gaming clans but is basically VOIP.
http://www.teamspeak.org/
Even good old MSN Messenger should do the trick
scouse
30-01-2004, 2:40 PM
What about if you want to see the other person whilst you talk to them, is there anything out there for that??
a web cam and msn messenger
ian_guinan
30-01-2004, 8:40 PM
Have a german friend who wants to speak to his folks back home seeing as they both now have broadband.
We've been testing out all the options for him and so far MSN Messenger has seemed to work the best (with a handy extra program called Realtunnel from www.realtunnel.com to help with the audio).
Nothing will get you started better than getting a cheap webcam, and headset mike (cuts down on echo) and diving straight in.
Ian Guinan
Tides2002
30-01-2004, 8:42 PM
BT have indeed just started a VoIP service, it can be used on any BB service. According to PC Pro magazine (page 36 march 04) BT describe the service “as an aggressive ploy to entice customers away from cable competitors”.
The service costs £7.50 per month + 3p per minute for daytime landline calls. You also get a box that interfaces between the BB modem and the normal phone so there is no need to have the computer switched on in order to make calls. www.bt.com/broadbandvoice
ataylor
06-07-2005, 2:02 AM
get a twin pack from ipclouds.co.uk
stick on at the grandparents, one at your end, PC doesnt need to be on, they can use there normal tekephones and call you all day every day for 5 years for free.
As for pics, then use a PC and get a webcam, intel, logitech ones are cool on this.
Andrew