VoIP is So Freaking Cool
Working with mobile applications has ignited a keen interests in handset and mobile device design. I spend way too much time lurking in forums and reading blogs about new devices, their software, and new services that manufacturers are releasing.
I started to feel that this obsession was become a bit of a distraction, so I started looking at more productive diversions. Recently, I’ve been fascinated by Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) as a cost saving measure.
Typically, I have used Skype to manage my long-distance calling, but in that I have never managed to convince my network of friends and family to use it as well. The fact that it is connected a computer is often cited as a key reason why it is not used more often by my wife.
Moreover, I have had shoddy quality with Skype, which I think has to do with it’s P2P (Peer-2-peer) model—so much so, that I has become more than “a bit annoying”. I would use iChat or Google Talk Voice more if I knew other friends that used them. Consequently, I felt that I needed to address both the medium (computer) and the transport path (Skype) in order to leverage the Internet and create some value to me and my family.
So I started researching straight up VoIP sevices. As it turns out, I have already had two devices capable of being VoIP phones (my Nokia n800 Internet Tablet and my Nokia E61i mobile phone). All I needed was a VoIP SIP-provider. I chose Voip.ms, a Montreal-based provider and I have been quite happy with the experience. No echo, really great voice quality—there really isn’t anything bad that I can say at the moment.
VoIP is a powerful tool. Here is what I’m doing with it:
- Using it to make long distance calls at calling-card rates. No fees, no expiring credit—just no-nonsense pay-as-you-go.
- Paying $1.49 USD a month for a Toronto-based phone number (Direct Inward Dialing or DID) as a second-home line, primary work line.
- Setting up multiple devices to ring simultaneously when my new number is called. These devices will ring as long as they are connected to the Internet.
- Configured a relatively inexpensive analogue-terminal-adapter (ATA) that converts a standard phone into an IP phone. I use the Cisco Linksys SPA2102.
Sure I pay for incoming calls—but at 1.5 cents a minute (USD). It’s so cheap. To top-it-off, I am billed at 6-second intervals.
The great thing about this is that the number follows you were you go. As long as I’m connected to WIFI, my mobile phone has 2 lines effectively—with the VoIP line allowing me to make calls without impacting the shared minutes I have between my wife and mother-in-law. Suck on that Rogers!
In the case of my mobile, I’ve configured the VoIP server to use my mobile number as the call-display. You can actually spoof a lot of numbers—kind of dangerous.
The ATA device is what makes this all accessible for me and my wife—I can use a standard cordless phone to make my calls—none of the hassle with Skype, headsets and microphones.
I’m pretty stoked about this.