Voip with out skype?

Question

I was told that if I can purchase a VOIP device I can connect it direct to my dsl router and that way I can make free calls ( no skype required). I was given 3 models to check out LinkSys CIT400, Philips VOIP8411 and netgear SPH200. All of these devices require skype. Is the information they gave me correct? Is any way out there so I can utilize my DSL connection to make calls with out having skype or something similar to that? Thank you

Answer 1

You still need someone to provide the connection between your internet device and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Perhaps you misunderstood. They probably told you you dial out with out using skype on your PC.

Answer 2

All of them use a Skype Out account, but connect to your routers LAN so that you don't need to to run the Skype program on your PC. You still need a Skype Account for Skype to Skype calls or a Skype Out for VOIP Device to Land line calls. Skype out is cheap only $30 per year for unlimited North American calling. Worth every penny. The SPH200 is great too (almost worth every penny), and lets you also use RJ-11 phones. It uses DECT wireless so it doesn't interfere with 2.4Ghz 802.11 and Cordless Phones.

Regardless of what VOIP you use you still need to pay money for it. If you use Asterisk (an open source VOIP for POSIX systems), you still need to pay a phone company to disconnect the call eventhough you are using the SIP or AIX protocol (but it only works out to al most $5 per month).

Asterisk is a pain to setup and a nuissance for an unexperienced linux user. Skype Out is much more user firendly, but is less robust.

Answer 3

You can use IM voice to make calls.

The key to making a good VoIP connection is that the "network" understand that you are using it for voice. Voice is highly sensitive to delay and packet loss. Therefore networks - such as comcast voice (which is VoIP) work GREAT. Skype, IMHO, stinks, because skype is riding on the Internet which has no quality of service capability.