What are we offering you?

Our motto is "nothing on the desk changes"! In other words, you carry on using the same computer, same internet connection, same telephone, same dialling codes, same everything - but your calls will cost a fraction of what you are used to paying.

Our supplier's technology gives a first class quality of call and a rock-solid reliability you will not find with the popular mass-marketed VOIP applications. Check out our rates here. A ful list of our accounts' features is here.

If you are familiar with the ins and outs of VOIP, go to our hardware page to see how it can be applied to your situation. If you sign up for an account, we promise it won't cost you a penny until we know it will work in your office. We'll even give you some free calls to test the system.

    otherwise, read on....

Voice over IP (VOIP) uses the same technology that connects your computer to another over the internet and allows yours and the other computer to exchange data - usually in the form of webpage code, graphics, text, downloads etc.
Voice over IP packages your voice into data and sends it over the internet in the same way, direct to the other person's computer, where it is turned back into voice again. Since both you and the other person are already paying for your internet links, calls from PC to PC are completely free! (N.B. Although we can set you up for free PC-to-PC calls, we have found that a good PC-to-Landline service is often more suitable for ministries or charities)
When you dial a landline telephone from your PC, you only have to pay for the landline link from the internet to the other person's 'phone. Most of the 'journey' for the data takes place through 'cyberspace'. This explains why calls from your PC to landline 'phones anywhere in the world are so cheap and undercut telephone companies, phone cards etc.

How Do You Use VOIP?

You can use Voice over IP in several ways. The cheapest and easiest is to use a software dialer (a “softphone”) with a headset and microphone or handset that plug into the microphone and speaker sockets on your sound card. These can be picked up very cheaply. If you get the neck band headset instead of the normal over the head one, you won't even have a 'bad hair day' using them! The good thing about using a headset or plug-in handset is that even the cheapest will give you an acceptable quality of call sound. This system is ideal for travelling laptop users. Your internet 'phone number travels with you!

The next level up is to use a USB handset. This is a telephone handset, complete with dialling pad, that plugs into your USB port. With this method, however, your computer still needs to be switched on to use VOIP.

The most complete solution is to plug a normal telephone directly into your broadband internet connection, using an “Analogue Telephone Adapter”. Using this method, your telephone is permanently connected to your broadband internet link, irrespective of your computer being on or off and you can use it like any other landline telephone. This internet telephone line has its own 'normal' phone number, so it is in every way an extra line in your house - just cheaper!

What Do You Need To Make VOIP Work?

The first thing you need is an account with a VOIP provider. This gives you access to the technology to convert a telephone signal into digital data packets. We have teamed up with a British company, who have developed VOIP technology to an excellent standard, while providing low call rates to landlines all over the world. Our provider specialises in 'outgoing' calls from your internet connection to a landline and has developed a reliable and robust system. Click here for a full list of features offered with our VOIP accounts.

You also need either a “softphone” software dialer, a telephone adapter or an “IP phone” (a telephone already adapted to connect to the internet). The softphone dialers are free and come ready-configured for your account. For hardware options, see our hardware pages.

What Does It All Cost?

The basic VOIP account and softphone are free. If you only want to use VOIP with a softphone and head or handset, then you will pay nothing except “pay as you go” top-ups to be able to call landlines.

To set you up with appropriate hardware for your home, office or church, we charge a minimal setup fee of £20, plus the cost of the hardware items, which you can see by clicking here. For this fee, you receive your hardware already configured to your account and tested, access to a telephone helpline and access to further advice on extending your use of VOIP.