Voip FAQ
Welcome to the VoIP FAQ we aim to answer all the common VoIP questions that you might have on this page.
Q: Does VoIP work?
A: Yes, VoIP is the future of telephony. Eventually all phone systems will be Internet based using VoIP, however there are a number of factors that can effect your VoIP reliability.
Q:
Why should I use a VoIP Phone System?
A: please see http://www.netzensolutions.com/voip/whyvoip.html
Q: How much bandwidth does VoIP use?
A: Most UK broadband lines are 256k upload, if the connection is not used for any thing else you can make about 3 / 4 concurrent calls on this single connection. However with ADSL MAX line from Netzen you can achieve upload speeds of 832kb upload, allowing you to make more calls on a single broadband line.
Q: Do I need a separate broadband Line?
A: Depending on the amount of concurrent calls you make will determine how many broadband lines you will require. It is possible to use QoS on supporting ADSL routers, this gives VoIP traffic a higher priority over other web traffic and will help stop jitter.
Q: Does it matter who my ISP are?
A: Yes, it matters who your ISP are for a number of reasons. Your VoIP system will be using your Internet connection to make and receive phone calls there for it needs to be from a reliable provider with good support. Another key factor with VoIP is latency, latency is the time it takes for your data to get it destination. This is crucial as with VoIP the data is your voice, if the latency is high you will hear a delay. We offer a ADSL service and provide real support for our clients, if you use Netzen Broadband your latency to our servers will be about 11 - 18ms. This is the lowest latency we have seen from a UK ADSL connection.
Q: Can I use a normal phone?
A: Yes, it is possible to use your existing analog phones with VoIP adapter, you plug your phone into the adapter and connect a network cable from your ADSL router and your good to go. However for a new office install we would recommend using native VoIP IP based phones.
Q: Can I use my existing numbers?
A: Yes, if you have a BT number they can, subject to survey, be ported to our system. Please go to http://www.netzensolutions.com/voip/numberporting.html and follow the instructions provided.
The process is that you sign up with a temporary new number, then we put the port through, and replace the temporary new number. Number porting takes 7 - 14 working days for a simple BT line and costs £25+VAT. It is important to remember that when you port a number away from BT, BT will cease that line, and all its associated services such as broadband.
Q: How many numbers do I need?
A: It depends on how many calls you expect to have at anyone time and whether you want DDI in which case it's one per person. A number gives you 2 calls.
Q: What sort of new number can I have?
A: We provide a number in your local geographical area (01 or 02), or you can choose memorable number from £20+VAT, with Gold Silver & Bronze costing more. We also provide Spanish numbers.
Q: Are the call charges from landline/mobile to VOIP noticeably different?
A: No, we provide a regular UK land line phone number, or you use your ported number, so people pay the same to call you.
Q: What do I need?
a SoftPhone on your computer; with the Plantronics DSP 400 USB headset;
or analogue/DECT phone adaptors which we supply preconfigured - with std analogue handsets with display preferably
or VoIP hardware phones which we supply preconfigured.
Q: If I use and I use an adapter like the Linksys I can use my DECT phones?
A: Correct.
Q: Can I call skype users for free?
A: No, Skype is a closed system and you can't connect to it. However we do connect to a number of other providers we connect to these can be found here http://www.netzensolutions.com/voip/crosscalling.html
Note. Tesco and TalkScan are also closed.
Q: Will my VoIP phone work if the power fails?
A: No - Your ordinary phone doesn’t need a separate power connection, but as VoIP relies on your internet connection, if your broadband router has no power, your phone won't work either. Much in the same way your wireless DECT phones would not work if there was a power cut.
Q: What about my fax machine?
A: We do not recommend putting fax machines on VoIP lines and would suggest putting it on the PSTN line which hosts your ADSL and/or use our Fax2Email services.
Q: Are there any phone numbers that VoIP phones can't call?
A: You can phone most phone numbers, apart from premium numbers. The big exception is the emergency services. You can't call 999 on a VoIP phone at present, so in an emergency you would need to also have a mobile or landline.
Q: Do I have to pay line rental?
A: Yes, you pay a fixed amount for the rental of the PBX (phone exchange) this however is much less and will save a fortune on line rental as you can make several calls on a single ADSL line, that means you only need one phone line into the building. You can make multiple calls over the same phone line and have multiple phone numbers incoming and outgoing. Currently you will pay line rental on each of the incoming phone lines and or the cost of ISDN. VoIP can save you money as you will only need one line.
Have a question that was not answered here? Please contact us http://www.netzensolutions.com/contact.html
