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Good home VoIP providers?

Ah. Terminology. A landline is just that a line that is run across land to a telephone exchange.

"Digital Voice", "Internet Calls" etc are VoIP although they are fixed by use of a router location to which you can then connect analogue (all) or digital equipment (BT). The generic term being used is Digital Voice.

We haven't really moved on in the last couple of years. As always its commercials winning over technology.

Cheapest UK voice option is still a Unlimited Calls and Text SIM from someone like ASDA.
  • Use a basic 4G cradle phone as a cordless handset. eg .
    Easyfone Prime-A6 Sim-Free Easy-to-Use 4G Mobile Phone for Seniors or equivalent just ensure it does VoLTE.
  • For corded phone or your own DECT Handsets use a basic VoLTE router such as the Alcatel HH71V1 (cheap on ebay) with a SIM that also has a small data allowance. VoLTE router can be positioned where the signal is best with extension wiring to phone(s).
However as you have poor 4G reception and appear to have already dumped the landline all you can do is compare the main VoIP suppliers and look at their T&C detail for you use pattern. Most have call plans based on business use.

My advice to others is that if your are likely to make a lot of calls, or i/c only, people should not simply dismiss the major players. VM and Sky include a DV line without cost/price and hence are ideal for incoming and low usage o/g on PAYG. BT may charge for their DV line but if you are going to consume minutes their 750 min package is competitive with VoIP providers. All the main players have fill your boots plans.

I think a lot more consideration is required before selecting a particular consumer voice technology.

Personally for seated outgoing calls I use a Yealink MP50 office phone which connects via Bluetooth to any 4G phone. The Yealink detects my iPhone 13 as soon as I am in the "office" which invariably uses WIFI Calling.
I would’ve looked at sky but they can’t port out my number from AAISP so I had to cancel my order with them as they didn’t tell me they couldn’t port my number until AFTER my order went through.
 
[ never mind, not relevant ]
 
There's always this, although I need to update that at some point (currently got too much to do).

 
I would’ve looked at sky but they can’t port out my number from AAISP so I had to cancel my order with them as they didn’t tell me they couldn’t port my number until AFTER my order went through.
I would not give up just because Sky don't have the process. Once a number is on VoIP there should be no excuses why someone can't keep their number. The problem is the providers just are not interested in spending effort or money where there is no reward and Ofcom don't appear to care about compliance to their policy.
I'd persevere and use something like https://nta.co.uk/number-rangeholder-lookup/ to check who owns the number. It may be easier if you moved ISP to that owner for a period.

Alternatively AAISP do provide a "Fail" option so that if it can't establish a call it will divert. Although there will no doubt be a charge. So you could go with an ISP that has a voice option and then use this to divert calls to it from legacy contacts.
 
Too expensive, it’s £24 for unlimited
There are a few other VoIP providers around that offer unlimited calls although it is not always obvious whether that includes calls to mobiles. But I doubt that you are going to find anyone that offered you unlimited for a lot less than that.
Also, it might not be worth signing up for unlimited, but rather check your usage and sign up for 1000 minutes per month and pay per minute for anything above (or get a rest from making calls until the next month :) )
How much did you pay when you were with BT?
 
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I don’t know the answer as to why, but I can agree with OP on this one. Across multiple devices and ISPs I have found that WiFi calling has been unstable (as is VoLTE, particularly on some networks)

Maybe it was your handset? I’ve used WiFiCalling on a number of wifi networks and on all mobile networks and invariably had perfect good call quality.

Usually via an iPhone which might be the difference…
 
Maybe it was your handset? I’ve used WiFiCalling on a number of wifi networks and on all mobile networks and invariably had perfect good call quality.

Usually via an iPhone which might be the difference…
I’m on iPhone as well. And across 3 different phones it’s still an issue.
 
As with other VoIP providers always check the T&Cs

LoveVoIP:
  • Love VoIP’s services are provided for business use only
  • Unlimited package has specific exclusions and defines a "normal" usage pattern and may therefore only suite certain business types.
  • They reserve the right to cancel at their discretion
  • Mobile numbers defined only as those 07 coming from the 4 networks.
  • Main T&Cs include additional administration costs that may apply
  • Prices are exclusive of VAT
Very similar to many others so nothing strange but the UK market remains complex so close look at T&Cs and FAQs (where they exist) is essential.
 
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As with other VoIP providers always check the T&Cs

LoveVoIP:
  • Love VoIP’s services are provided for business use only
  • Unlimited package has specific exclusions and defines a "normal" usage pattern and may therefore only suite certain business types.
  • They reserve the right to cancel at their discretion
  • Mobile numbers defined only as those 07 coming from the 4 networks.
  • Main T&Cs include additional administration costs that may apply
  • Prices are exclusive of VAT
Very similar to many others so nothing strange but the UK market remains complex so close look at T&Cs and FAQs (where they exist) is essential.
Nice find!
 
I use A&A for inbound and freevoipdeal (PAYG) for outbound.
You said you use over 1000 minutes per month, is that calling landlines?
If you top up approx. £10 on Freevoipdeal, you get max 300 minutes per week of free calls for 120 days, measured over the last 7 days to landline destinations in the UK and 30+ other countries as well as free calls to mobiles in US and Canada . The calls to destinations not included in freedays is also quite reasonable, e.g. calls to UK mobiles at 1.2p per minute. Same if the 120 days are up or if you exceed the 300 minutes per week.
I am setting A&A on a snom ip phone with two IP identities. I can choose Freevoipdeal as a default for outgoing calls; using the 0330 number but identified as the A&A number, I will connect to certain international landlines free of charge for 120 days after applying €10 credit.

If A&A process the outgoing 0330 call the charge is 1.5ppm peak. So it is necessary to set it up as a separate VOIP account on the IP phone.

Am I right so far?
 
I am setting A&A on a snom ip phone with two IP identities.
I am not familiar with the Snom phone, but in general, you would need to set up two (or more) VoIP (SIP) accounts on the phone, e.g. one for A&A and one for freevoipdeal and then configure the dialling rules accordingly, e.g. o800 via A&A, national/international/mobile via FVD.
 
I am not familiar with the Snom phone, but in general, you would need to set up two (or more) VoIP (SIP) accounts on the phone, e.g. one for A&A and one for freevoipdeal and then configure the dialling rules accordingly, e.g. o800 via A&A, national/international/mobile via FVD.
Does FVD give you a phone number to create a SIP identity?
 
Does FVD give you a phone number to create a SIP identity?
No, you pick a user name when you register with them here https://www.freevoipdeal.com/signup/
The user name and password you use on their web page to access your account are also used for the SIP identity (took me a while to figure that out :)).
On the account management website, you can enter your existing landline number (where you would want to receive calls) and get that verified. You will receive an automated call on that number to check that it is really your number. When you make calls through FVD, the caller will see your existing landline number.
Always set up a caller ID, because calls to a lot of destinations in the EU are much more expensive unless a EU caller ID is used. (Despite Brexit, the UK is still considered by FVD as part of the EU).
FVD don't give out phone numbers, but since you can pnly make outbound calls, there is no need for that.
 
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so can this 'existing landline number' be a VOIP number?
The term 'landline number' may be a bit vague, with FVD you could get any number (e.g. mobile) verified as long as their automated system can reach you. It works similar to automated callback from a bank, where you have to enter a one time code
 
No, you pick a user name when you register with them here https://www.freevoipdeal.com/signup/
The user name and password you use on their web page to access your account are also used for the SIP identity (took me a while to figure that out :)).
On the account management website, you can enter your existing landline number (where you would want to receive calls) and get that verified. You will receive an automated call on that number to check that it is really your number. When you make calls through FVD, the caller will see your existing landline number.
Always set up a caller ID, because calls to a lot of destinations in the EU are much more expensive unless a EU caller ID is used. (Despite Brexit, the UK is still considered by FVD as part of the EU).
FVD don't give out phone numbers, but since you can pnly make outbound calls, there is no need for that.
how in the heck do they offer free UK to UK calling? I presume then if I'm in say Spain and I open my softphone and call someone in the UK then is it UK to UK ?
 
how in the heck do they offer free UK to UK calling? I presume then if I'm in say Spain and I open my softphone and call someone in the UK then is it UK to UK ?
Once out of free minutes it’s 1ppm UK to UK with EU callID.
AAisp charges 2ppm to Ireland, 1.5ppm for UK landline so €10 goes further with FVD (until rates change)
Perhaps they invest the prepaid €10 to make it pay?
 
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