Skype (voip)

[JGJ]

Has anyone had experience of using Skype (voip) I would appreciate comments re this system. as I am seriously thinking of using it instead of BT as I have been barred due to a disputed bill. All comments would be greatly appreciated, Has anyone succeded in going back to BT after being barred (cut off)

[old_andrew2007]

I use vonage, to be honest apart from the fair useage policy 2000 minutes per month I have no problem

[legalpickle]

Skype requires the computer to be on at all times to be effective. There are phones that bypass this necessity, but I do not consider them to be reliable - definitely not worth the cost.

If you have ADSL then you will have a BT line already. If you have cable internet, then you can get a Virgin Media telephone line.

If you want a BT line, you don't have to go with BT. Numerous companies will arrange the installation with BT Openreach and purchase the services from BT Wholesale that has nothing to do - as far as the accounts go - with BT Retail - from whom you have been cut off. You would have a BT line as far as the technology goes, but not be with BT for any of the bills.

And as Andy says there are also providers such as Vonage - being the biggest of them, to the best of my knowledge - who offer VoIP services that don't connect through the computer, but again these require an internet connection - as does of course Skype. These are more reliable than Skype - in my opinion - and do not depend on your computer at all.

[locutus]

Another option (depending on your web usage) is get a mobile contract with mobile broadband.

(Just thaught I'd throw my spanner in the works , but it may be worth looking into if you have low monthly web usage and especially if you have a laptop! MAKE SURE you check out the coverage that the company has in your area, also remember you have cancelation periods if you get the broadband and it's slow!)

[legalpickle]

Originally Posted by locutus

Another option (depending on your web usage) is get a mobile contract with mobile broadband.

(Just thaught I'd throw my spanner in the works , but it may be worth looking into if you have low monthly web usage and especially if you have a laptop! MAKE SURE you check out the coverage that the company has in your area, also remember you have cancelation periods if you get the broadband and it's slow!)

locutus: I think you missed the point of what the OP wants. He wasn't asking about broadband but about a landline.

Either way I don't recommend this unless you can get a real unlimited plan, because the usage builds up very quickly on these things. Also my experience is that their reception is worse than on the worst mobile phones. The only network to offer completely unlimited service to the best of my knowledge is T-Mobile.

Also, to get a landline number on top of that you'd need something like Skype. Alternatively you could get a Windows or Symbian [Nokia] phone - and possibly the Android based G1 - and put some VoIP software that gives you a landline number.

Basically the options are endless. No need to [not that one could] depend on British Trouble!