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centric
join:2005-07-31
Ann Arbor, MI | reply to gnexus
Re: FWD-Free world diapup, how does it work? So in essence it be a SIP device configured to talk out to different proxy servers for a varity of services that you can sign up for? Would I need a TFTP server or anything for the SIP device to talk to?
I guess the final question is, does this method end up saving money, or would it be a lot of work that would only end up saving pennies?
I'd like to try this if a different of mix of service that would work thru my SIP device would save me money in the long run. The majority of my expenses thru my current VOIP provider (Sunrocket) are international calls to Bangkok, Thailand and China.
Just something new I'd like to tackle. Thanks for all your input. And yes, I'm a terrible typer =) | |
| said by centric:So in essence it be a SIP device configured to talk out to different proxy servers for a varity of services that you can sign up for? Free World Dialup is not a SIP device. It is one of those services you can point your own SIP device at! In the case of FWD, it is a free service, that is mostly designed for internet to internet calls only.
NOTE: While FWD is for internet to internet calling, it also has "peering arrangements" with a number of other services. As such, there are "3rd party" services (although they are not necessarily "free", unlike FWD itself), that you can use to interconnect FWD and the normal "telco" phone line network (so it is possible to call from FWD to a normal number, indirectly via these 3rd party services). However, such services are not FWD per se, they are just accessible from FWD!
NOTE: Once you have your own (unlocked) SIP device, you are not limited to just using it with one service (especially if it is a device the allows multiple services to be setup in it "at the same time", which is why I use a Sipura SPA-3000 is my primary "SIP device"). Instead, you can "shop around" for the best deals to wherever you want to call. And remember, the best deal of all is "free", which is the price you will both pay if/when you are calling FWD to FWD (i.e. if both of you properly setup your own internet phones with the FWD service)! And FWD to FWD calls are still "free" (beyond any charges your ISP may charge for the internet usage) even if/when you are calling 1/2 way around the world!
Would I need a TFTP server or anything for the SIP device to talk to? That depends upon which SIP device you use. But most "unlocked" SIP devices (such as the SPA-3000 I use) allow you to set them up from a web browser (point your browser at the SIP device, and you see a web page full of setting you can change). So most devices you would buy do NOT require a TFTP server, to use them (as you can do the setup from a web browser).
I guess the final question is, does this method end up saving money, or would it be a lot of work that would only end up saving pennies? That entirely depends upon your calling pattern! Look at where you want to call, how much you want to call, and the cost savings (if any) on such calls. In my case, using a unlocked Sipura SPA-3000 is a cost savings over even a service like my former Packet8, much less what a normal telco would charge for those calls. But my household's calling pattern is not going to be yours. Look at where you call, and "run the numbers", to see how long it will take you to recover the (one time) cost of the adapter (+ the minor "ongoing cost" of the electricity to power the adapter)!
I'd like to try this if a different of mix of service that would work thru my SIP device would save me money in the long run. The majority of my expenses thru my current VOIP provider (Sunrocket) are international calls to Bangkok, Thailand and China. Ah, so you already know what VoIP is! The difference between FWD and SunRocket, is that SunRocket is a commercial service that uses their own adapter (they are "locked", so that only their adapter will work) and their own pricing structure, whereas FWD is an free service that allows you to use whatever adapter you wish to purchase.
Will FWD save you costs to Bangkok, Thailand, and China? By itself, FWD won't even let you make such calls! But the one place FWD could save you a LOT of money, is if you could get the people you talk a lot to, to also be on FWD. Remember, FWD to FWD calls are FREE (except for the initial cost of your equipment, and any "bandwidth charges" your ISP may charge you). So if the people you talk a lot with (in those countries) have "broadband internet" available, it might be "worth it" to arrange for both you and them to sign up with FWD (for the one time costs of buying a compatible adapter). You could then talk all day "for nothing", and "free calls" are certainly going to be cheaper than whatever SunRocket is currently charging for these international calls! But again, this will only work if not only you, but also the people you talk to, can arrange to be on FWD!
NOTE: A Sipura SPA-3000 (cost around $100 per adapter) has one "line" jack, designed to hook up a real phone line to (and allow you to use that phone line, in addition to any VoIP providers you program into the device). While I haven't tried it myself (partially because I don't have SunRocket service), I don't see why you couldn't hook up the existing "phone" output of your SunRocket Gizmo (since the SunRocket device already emulates a "phone line") to the "line" jack of a SPA-3000 (and then hook up your actual "phone" to the "phone" jack of the SPA-3000). With proper setup on the SPA-3000, such an arrangement should allow your "phone" to make and receive calls via the SunRocket adapter _AND_ any services (such as the free FWD service) you setup directly into the SPA-3000. This should allow you to get the best features of your current SunRocket setup + the best features of other BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) services (such as the free FWD service), all accessible from the same "phone" (for outbound calls, you would dial the prefix code of your choice to pick which service you wanted that particular call to go out via, and for incoming calls your phone should just "ring" no matter which service is calling you). | | |
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| reply to centric
You don't need anything extra like servers, and no, it's not really any work to do.
Whether it saves money or not depends on a number of factors. If the user on the other end that you are dialing to has FWD or another VoIP provider that allows inbound calls then you save a LOT of money because the call is free. If the user on the other end that you are dialing to has FWD or another VoIP provider that allows inbound calls, and has a SPA-3000 gateway, then you save even more money because you can make outbound PSTN local calls through it.
For example:
Say you know somebody in Bangkok. The have internet and FWD and a SPA-3000. You can call them for free with FWD. You can also call their number, enter a password into the SPA-3000, and it will dial out of their local Bangkok number to another Bangkok number as a local call.
FWD is not the only FREE provider. There are others and like I said you really don't need any provider in certain situations. As an example of another FREE provider SIPphone has the same thing and has better features, IMHO. If you use SIPphone instead you can call ANY PSTN number worldwide 5 min./day for FREE. If you buy SIPphone minutes Bangkok is $0.10/min anytime. | |
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