[ubuntu-uk] Open Source VOIP

[Barry Drake]

On 18/10/11 14:42, Tim Dobson wrote:
> I used to work for a gradwell reseller and they definitely have an 
> unlimited UK landlines package. Call them up, speak to a salesdroid 
> and get him to sort you out... ideally get him to mail you some 
> options. :) 
I'm coming back on a now somewhat extinct thread because the original 
posting inspired me to do some research.
Truphone seems to offer an excellent service and I've never met a more 
helpful e-mail support service.  But the dedicated Java-based client 
failed to work for me under Ubuntu.  Truphone will not reveal SIP 
settings, so you are stuck with their proprietary apps.

VoipALot - http://www.voipalot.com seems to have great possibilities but 
as I couldn't find a way of testing before putting $10 on the account, I 
gave up with that one.

VoipStunt - http://www.voipstunt.com/en/ looks even better and offers 
free testing.  But I have not managed to get it to allow me to sign up.  
I'd love to know how you did it if anyone gets it to work!

CallCentric - http://www.callcentric.com/ Works OK for me.  It gives 
free testing, and a variety of different tariff options including a PAYG 
arrangement which suits me.  The PAYG accepts topups of as little as $5 
so it doesn't cost the earth to check it out.  It also automatically 
gives you a free +1 777 number which becomes your username.  Call rates 
seem on a par with Skype - or maybe a bit higher.  As SipGate and 
Gradwell don't offer PAYG, I haven't really looked at them.  It's horses 
for courses.

SoftPhones: I tried and failed with Ekiga.  ZoiPer is recommended by 
CallCentric and worked well when I installed it, but it crashed and 
burned after a while, and unless I re-install, I can't use it.  As it 
seems to be deprecated in recent Ubuntu releases, I gave up on it.  
Twinkle works tolerably well.

Any further thoughts/suggestions are welcome.  Currently I use Skype 
when I'm out of the country, but I'd like to have a backup, and 
CallCentric sounds promising.  And the US phone-number is kinda cool.

Regards,        Barry.

-- 
Barry Drake is a member of the the Ubuntu Advertising team.
http://ubuntuadverts.org/