Transcription
Internet Phone & Video Services(i.e.,VoIP)CAT Web Site: sir-web.org/computer/
Topics To Be DiscussedyLandline alternative companies Examples: Vonage, Via:talkyVoIP Adapters (no or low monthly bill) Examples: MagicJack, netTalkyComputer based systems (softphones) Examples: Skype, Google Talk/ChatyMobile phone based systems Examples: Truphone, Skype appsyVideo & Conference Calling
Voice over Internet ProtocolVoIP – “Voice over Internet Protocol”y Uses Internet rather than landline cable totransmit voice and video signalsy Advantages of VoIP:y Lower cost (or free) phone serviceInexpensive domestic & overseas callingVideo calling capabilityPhone & video conferencing
Telephone vs.VoIP uterInternetDSLModemVoIPProvider
VoIP Phone SystemsUnlimited free calling for domestic callsy Typical free services:y Voicemailcaller idcall waitingonline message playbackEtc., etc.Low cost international callsy Cost less than a standard telephonelandliney
VoIP Connection Setup
Potential Issues with VoIP Phonesy Voicesignal qualityy Emergency 911 Callingy Fax handlingy Retention of existing phone numbery Loss of AC power Loss of phoney Loss of Internet feed Loss of phoney Customer service
VoIP Phone CompaniesMain advantage vs. other VoIP alternativesy Business quality systems Better signal quality Better customer supportMain disadvantage vs. other VoIP alternatives Typically they are slightly mores costly
IP Phones vs. AdaptersyIP Phones are specifically designed to workwith VoIP technology Ethernet ports to connect voice/datayLandline phones work with VoIP, if you use an“Analog Telephone Adapter” Converts voice to VoIP call Can be used to connect to your existing phonesystem Voice quality may not be as good as IP Phones Some features, such as caller ID, may not work
Leading VoIP Phone CompaniesVonagey Lingoy Voip.comy BroadVoicey ViaTalky AT&T U-versey Comcast Digital Voicey Etc., etc. (100s)y
VoIP Company ComparisonCompany /Mo.SetupCommentsVonage 26 0Most popular VoIP, great call qualityLingo 10-22 0 10 250 min., 22 unlimitedVoip.com 8.33 0One of the lowest cost VoIPBroadVoice 10 0Good for lot of international callsViaTalk 11-17 0Long list of featuresSkype 3 170Pricey phone, no 911AT&T 31-Basic phone service for comparison
Internet Phones
Video Calling Systems EyejotSightSpeedGoogle ChatYahoo MessengerAOL Instant Messenger
Video Calling SystemsConference CallOne-on-One
Video Calling EyejotSightSpeedCommentsSimilar to Skype, desktop sharing, can join via browserMost popular, easy to use, up to 640x480, 30fpsFocused on multi-users, desktop sharing & mark-upCalling, faxing, video conferencingLinux’s alternative to Skype, complete softwareSimple & we-based, group conferencing up to 200Browser based, spam-free, create/receive videoExcellent video quality but outdated interface
“Do it Yourself” AdaptersyMagicJack PlusynetTalk DuoyOomayObi w/ Google VoiceyFreeTalk “Connect.Me”
MagicJack PlusyyyyyyyyyyMatchbox-sized deviceWorks as stand-alone device or via PCLow cost: 70 30/yr after 1st yearFree USA calling, low cost international callsYou get a new phone numberNumber porting available ( 20 10/yr)Portable: Use in hotel (need Ethernet cablefeed or laptop for Wi-Fi)Smartphone app availableWhen buying- try to sell you “extra” servicesCustomer service is difficult to deal with
netTalk Adapter Similar size & features to MagicJack PlusLow cost: 70 30/yr after 1st year Free USA calls, low cost international callsYou get a new phone numberNo number porting available Portable: Use in hotel (need Ethernet cablefeed or laptop for Wi-Fi)Smartphone app availableBetter customer service than MagicJack
Ooma AdapterAdapter box (not as small as MJ or NT)y Different pricing ( 200 3.78/mo. tax)y Free USA calls, low cost international callsy Can use landline as backupy Number porting available ( 40)y Better voice quality than MJ or NTy Smartphone app availabley Good customer servicey
Obi AdapterObi is an “Unlocked” adaptery May be used with Google Voicey Cost: 50 0/mo.y Can handle 5 Phones (Ring Load)y Smartphone apps availabley Another similar option to Obi: “VoSKYCall Center”y
VoIP Adapter ServicesFeatureM. JacknetTalkoomaObiFree calls to US & CanadayesyesyesyesFree calls to identical devicesyesyesyesyesVoicemail to e-mailyesyesnoyesFree 411 Directory AssistanceyesyesnoyesEnhanced 911 serviceyesyesyesnoConference callingyesyesyesyesFax friendlyyesyesyesnoVideophone capability w/ PCnoyesnoyesCost – Purchase device 40/ 70 70 200 50Cost – Per year (after 1st year) 20/ 30 30 45 tx 0goodgoodbest best-Voice quality ** Voice quality tends to be very subjective and depends on specific conditions
Calling Rates ( /minute)Call to:MagicJnetTalk*GoogleSkype*AT&T*China2 2 2 2.3 3.49France2-18 3-22 2-10 2.3-21 1.49Italy2-28 4-30 2-15 2.3-31 1.49Japan2.5 4-19 2-11 2.6-18 3.49Thailand10 9 2-3 6.5-12 3.49UK2-23 2-25 2-10 2.3-26 1.49USA0 0 0 2.3 39 * Calling plans available at a monthly fee that will reduce /min. costs
CR Phone Service Ratings ** Consumer Reports,May 2011
VoIP SoftphonesNo adapter neededy PC or smartphone app requiredy Softphone examples:y AOL Instant MessengerGoogle Chat/TalkSkypeWindows Live MessengerYahoo! Messenger
Google, Google,y Google Voice- Phone mgt. systemy Google Talk- PC appy GoogleChat - Browser app
Google VoiceyyyyyyUnique & free phone management systemRequires Gmail accountMany of useful featuresYou need to get a new phone number orPort one of your existing numbers ( 5-10)No “911” access Use CallCentric for E911 service at 1.50/mo.yExcellent “User Quickstart Start.pdf
Google Voice FeaturesUnique & free phone management system1. Google Voice with your existing number Google Voicemail – Voice mails in your inbox as text emailVoicemail transcription – Read what your voice mail saysCustom Greetings – Caller can send voice mail greetingsInternational Calling – Very low cost international calling plansNotifications – Read your voicemails via email or mobile smsShare Voicemails - Sharing features like you can embed, downloadand forward voicemails2. Google Voice with Google Number One Number – Single number which can ring all your phonesFree SMS – Share, receive and archive text messages onlineBlock Calls – You can block unwanted or advertisement callsRecord Calls – You can record phone calls and store onlineConference calls – You can make or receive conference callsScreen Callers – You can check callers ID before receiving the calls
Google Voice Options & FeaturesGoogle Voice Lite (No GV# needed)y One voicemail for all your phonesy Voicemail transcriptions & forwarded via e-mail/SMSy Custom voicemail greetingsy Free domestic and low cost international callingFull Google Voicey Get a custom Google phone numbery Call forwardingy Call recordingy Call blockingy Conference callingy Free SMS
Google Voice “Call Forwarding”My Google VoicenumberSelect phonesthat you want tohave callsforwarded to
Google Voice – Calls to YouCall to yourGV ServerVoicemail is stored &available on GV Server
Google Voice – Calls from YouDomestic InternetGoogleServer
Google TalkyyyPC/Smartphone applicationRequires Gmail AccountFeatures yVoice calls (to friends online)Instant messages (IM)Transfer filesLeave voicemail messagesNo video call capability
Google ChatBrowser application inside Gmaily Requires Gmail Accounty Featuresy Voice and video chatInstant messagesGroup chatPhone calls to any landline or mobile phone
Local Number Porting (LNP)yyyyyyKeep your existing phone numberCancel your land-line accountPort all calls to this number at another phone(VoIP or cell number)Some VoIP services require you purchaseLNP from themCost: 6.99/month (typical)With LNP for VoIP phones, 911 Operatorsmay not automatically receive Calling phone number Calling location
VoIP Quality of Service (QoS)1.2.3.4.Latency: Delays in transmissionJitter: miss-timed info packetsPacket Loss: lost info packetsRouter/Adapter “hang-ups”Things you can do to improve QoS: Sufficient Internet bandwidth Enable “Quality of Service” setting on router Enable “Background Services” in Windows Computer firewall (“allow” VoIP access)
VoIP Quality of ServiceSome VoIP systems are better than othersy VoIP techniques to improve QoS:y Voice compression Wire-speed (prioritize voice packets) Adaptive redundancy (packets)yNo “stand-out” best QoS winner but: Ooma gets generally good marks Although all systems have some bad reviews, theyall also have many satisfied customers
Test Your VoIP QualityWeb Site: myspeed.visualware.com
Call Quality Comparison
Skype
SkypeyyFree voice/video calls to other Skype usersMaximum Video Resolution: VGA (640x480) at 30 fps (min. 0.5 Mbps) HD (1280x720) at 22 fps (min. 1.2 Mbps) Automatically optimizes video call qualityyyyyySoftware on PC or Smartphone neededSmartphone works via Wi-Fi or 3G/4GLow cost fee to call non-Skype phonesConference calling (up to 8 connections)Can not call emergency numbers
Skype Video
FreeTalk “Connect.Me”y Useland-line phone for Skype callsy FreeTalk “Connect.Me” adapter ( 50)y Also use your phone for landline callsy Emergency 911: Available via Packet8for 1.99/monthy All calls at Skype rates Unlimited domestic calling for 4.50/mo. Low international rates
FreeTalk “Connect.Me”SkypeRouter
Apple “Facetime”iOS 4 Application (Apple)y Free video calls between iOS4 devicesy Simple to use – Just like making any othercall from address booky Video up to: 320 x 240 at 10 fpsy Both devices must be in a Wi-Fi areay May be projected on HDTV via HDMI cableor Apple TV “AirPlay”y
Mobile Phone AppsyyyUse to make data-only phone calls (doesn’taffect your “minutes”)Use Smartphone to make free domestic &low cost international phone callsApps available for: Vonage (audio)Skype (audio & video)ooVoo (video)Paltalk (audio & video)MagicJack (audio)netTalk (audio)Google Voice (audio)Etc .
Google Voice on iPadUse your Wi-Fi iPad to send/receive callsy Need Google Voice accounty Must be in Wi-Fi areay Two good apps:y Talkatone (for voice) - free GV Connect (for voice, SMS integration) - 2.99yFree calls (no “plan minutes”) and low costinternational calls
Google Voice “Tricks”yyyyyyyFriends/relatives in another state:? Get GV# in theirarea code and forward calls to your home numberTired of all your phones ringing simultaneously? Setup specific times when each phone will ringSend missed calls to your Gmail inbox so you don'tforget to call backRecord incoming calls by pressing “4”Set your Skype Caller ID to your GV#Switch phones while in a call: hit “*” , your otherphones will ring and then pickup another phoneAvoid cell phone “minutes”: Make your GV# one ofyour “Top 5” or “Faves” and then use “Click2Call”
The End .CAT Web Site: sir-web.org/computer/
Supplemental InformationTest your VoIP Internet connection quality:myspeed.visualware.com orbandwidth.com/tools/voipTest/y Good VoIP comparison site:www.voipreview.orgy Another VoIP comparison site:www.whichvoip.comy Google Voice “User Quickstart -Start.pdf
Number Porting to Google VoiceThis tutorial will guide you through the process of porting a non-mobile number to Google Voice. Once yournumber is ported, you can eliminate the monthly fee and use this number on the OBi with Google Voice.Since Google does not support porting non-mobile numbers to Google Voice directly, this requires a two-stepprocess that we will describe in greater detail below. In essence, you will first port your number to a mobile servicenumber and then the mobile service number (previously the original number) to become your Google Voicenumber.Important Note: Google Voice cannot be used to place or receive emergency services calls.Requirements: An unlocked mobile phone (with SIM card access) and a pre-paid SIM card from T-Mobile availablehere (link).1.Check if your number can be ported or transferred to T-Mobile. Click here to check.2.If your number is eligible for transfer, buy a prepaid SIM card from T-Mobile here (link)or at any authorized TMobile dealer. This will cost approximately 3 to 7. Select the image to the right to purchase from Amazon.3.When you receive the prepaid SIM card, activate the SIM card using the instructions included in the package. Youwill choose a new (temporary) number and PIN. Insert the SIM card into an unlocked phone and a test call — callin and out.4.Call T-Mobile's activation department at 1-800-937-8997. Request to port your old number to your new prepaidSIM account.5.In 1 to 3 days, you will receive confirmation that the number port is complete, check to see that the number isworking properly — E.g. Your old number is now the mobile number.6.Go to your Google Voice account and request to port your T-Mobile number to Google Voice. The request toport link is found in, "Voice Settings." Look for the "Change/Port" link (click here for example screen shot).Google will charge a one-time fee of 20 for this service. You will need to provide your T-Mobile account numberwhich is your ported number, e.g. 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx and your PIN. Note: Use your newly ported, original number —not the number you choose when activating the SIM card. Google will call the mobile number for activationpurposes, so be sure to have your unlocked phone in which you inserted the prepaid SIM card.7.In 1-3 days, Google will email you to confirm the porting is complete.You may now start using your old number with Google Voice on your new OBi!
Google Voice Lite Voicemail SetupSet up Google voicemail for your mobile numberGoogle Voice Lite lets you set up Google voicemail for your mobile phone number. This allows youto have all your voicemail in one place, with transcriptions, access to your past voicemails, andvoicemail sharing options.If you'd like to set up Google voicemail for your mobile number, follow the steps below:1. Click the gear icon link at the top right corner of the page. gear icon2. Click Voice settings.3. Click Add another phone and enter a name and the number for your mobile phone.4. Click Save.5. You will be prompted to verify your phone number. Click Connect and Google Voice will callyour phone and you need to verify it by entering the code that appears in the 'Verify your Phone'pop-up window.6. Once you've verified your phone, you'll have to choose your mobile carrier from the drop-downmenu.7. Follow the directions on the next screen and enter the code provided as if you were callingsomeone. Press the 'Call' button on your phone to finish setting up Google voicemail for yourmobile phone.If you need to deactivate Google voicemail for your phone at any time, click the Deactivatevoicemail link and follow the instructions provided.Note: If you are having trouble configuring Google Voice as your voicemail service on Verizon youcan make the switch manually by dialing these three activation codes:y*71[Your Google Voice number]y*90[Your Google Voice number]y*92[Your Google Voice number]
Google Voice Quick Reference
Vonage 26 0 Most popular VoIP ,great call quality Lingo 10-22 0 10 250 min., 22 unlimited Voip.com 8.33 0 One of the lowest cost VoIP BroadVoice 10 0 Good for lot of international calls ViaTalk 11-17 0 Long list of features Skype 3 170 Pricey phone, no 911 AT&T 31 - Basic phone service for comparison
