- Before you begin, you will need a PC with a full duplex sound card, a set of speakers and a microphone. Some people find it useful to buy a set of light weight headphones with a microphone attached similar to those used by switchboard operators.
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- You have a choice of:- downloadable software, browser based internet telephony and private or virtual private network based systems.
Net2Phone and DeltaThree are examples of downloadable software.
Dialpad is an example of browser based software and is extensively used across the world. Dialpad is available in Spanish and Chinese.
There are a number of network based systems available which are either privately owned and traded or are available through various ISPs on a rental/lease basis. The pages here are really for the smaller user so we haven't devoted time to network based telephone/PC systems. Should you require more information please mail us at freecalls@pc-internet-2-phone-voip.com
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- You visit one of the VOIP Supplier's websites. You will have to register as a user. If you go the downloadable route, you will have to download their proprietary software. This is usually free.
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- Extract the software and install it on your computer. It is normally self extracting.
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- The software will place a console on your PC screen with clickable buttons. The console looks exactly like a conventional phone dialpad with two or three additional buttons.
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- Providers often give you an experimental destination number such as their toll free service number to try out the software for free.
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- You will be asked to register and most likely have to pay a deposit against future usage. This varies from around $8.00 to $25.00 depending on the service provider. The java based ones are often free.
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- In return you will be given an account number/login name and a pin.
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- Using the console you simply dial the number you want anywhere in the world. (You will need to be connected to the internet and online at the time).
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- Simplistically, the software makes use of the internet to transmit your message to the closest phone exchange to the destination of your call. Alternatively it will connect you to a PC anywhere in the world where your message is decoded.
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- When the call reaches this exchange it leaves the "internet" and goes back into analogue form and ends up at your destination caller's phone.
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- The destination caller merely picks up his or her regular telephone and talks to you in the regular fashion. Alternatively the message reaches the destination PC.
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- You will hear the person you called over your PC speakers and you will have to talk into the microphone to respond to them.
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- Your Internet Phone service provider will keep track of the long distance calls you make and reduce your deposit by the amount of the call. Obviously there is no charge for a free call!
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- When your deposit is zero you will have to recharge it before you make further calls. The software typically warns you that your resource is low.
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- You can improve the quality of your transmission and reception by installing a VOIP enhancement card in your PC. Click here to review a good example of a VOIP enhancement card. This card enhances the voice transmission by using high compression technology which improves speed and reduces echo.
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- Remember to factor in the cost of your internet connection as you still have to pay for this.
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