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VoIP (Voice over the Internet)

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or Broadband Voice is a way to use your broadband Internet connection to make free and very cheap telephone calls suitable for businesses and residential users. On this page we give details of our UK plans and have listed common questions asked but if you don't understand anything please use our contact us form

How do I use it?

When you use VoIP you pick up a telephone, hear a dial-tone, and dial any number just as you would with a standard telephone line. You do not need to enter any special codes to do this. Simply use it like a standard telephone line.

You can also receive calls through VoIP as well – we provide you with a new standard UK landline telephone number (you can select the STD code you want) with every account.

How does it work?

You can use our VoIP in one of two ways. The most popular way is to use a small box (called an ATA) that plugs into your broadband router. You then attached a normal telephone handset to the ATA and you can start making and receiving calls.

ATA is an abbreviation of Analogue Telephone Adapter – a device that turns a normal phone handset into a handset capable of making and receiving VoIP calls.

Alternatively you can use an IP Phone instead of the ATA/standard handset method. An IP phone replaces the need for a separate ATA and handset and it plugs directly into your broadband router or PC. IP phones often include a lot of extra features (such as detailed on screen display, electronic contacts list).

It is also possible to use a SoftPhone that runs on your PC making use of the speakers and microphone in the PC itself, but we would only recommend this for limited use due to the quality of in-built microphones and speakers.

When you order from us you have the option to obtain a hardware device as part of the order. If you do this then the hardware will be automatically configured with your VoIP account information saving you time.

How many VoIP accounts can I have with one broadband line?

We recommend no more than five accounts (five ATA’s, IP Phones or combination of both) be connected to single broadband connection where the upload speed is 256k.

If you also use the same Internet connection for web browsing, email and file downloads heavy use may result in call quality reduction.

What free or low cost calls do I get?

If you make a call to a phone number that is also a VoIP account provided by us then the call is completely free of charge, this is known as an ‘on-net’ call. Anytime you make a call to someone with one of our VoIP accounts we automatically recognise this and do not charge you for the call. Calls between our users are completely free of charge.

As well as the benefits of free calls between our users, you also benefit from very low cost UK and international calls (sometimes called ‘break-out’ or ‘off-net’ calls). You could use our VoIP to replace your current telephone service to potentially reduce call charges. Some per minute charges:

   UK numbers starting 01: Peak £0.0135, Off-Peak £0.0106, Weekends £0.0082 (incl. VAT)
Australia landline: Peak £0.0141, Off-Peak £0.0141, Weekends £0.0141 (incl. VAT)

Can I take my VoIP service with me?

Yes. You can take your ATA or your IP Phone with you and connect them to a broadband router anywhere in the world. Your device still benefits from free calls and you make low cost calls and receive calls as if you were in the UK (as your VoIP telephone number is UK based).

What extra features are available?

VoIP can provide many features of a home or business telephone line such as voicemail, call waiting and more. We provide multiple packages to suit a variety of needs. Simply look through the packages and select one which includes the features you like.

All our packages come with access to an online control panel where you can configure your account, see your call history in real-time and more.

What kind of support is available?

We provide 24/7 telephone technical support from our UK based call centre.

Purchase confidently from Praeparo a VoIP reseller of Entanet one of the leading VoIP providers in the UK.

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