Free DID Numbers, Free Voip Calls, & more Voip Info

Free DID Numbers, Free Voip Calls

Free Incoming DID numbers:

SipNumber (www.sipnumber.com) (Iowa State Numbers)
-Can be forwarded to any SIP URI

SipNumber Rebranded Websites (once you make an account in one, you can log in all of them):
http://www.talkdigits.com/
http://www.freedigits.com/
http://officedigits.com/
http://www.faxdigits.com/
http://www.calldigits.com/
http://www.clickdigits.com/

IPKall (www.IPKall.com) (Washington State numbers: 206, 253, 360, 425)
-However lately they have added a message, such that whenever someone with no CID calls, they have to enter their number, this is slightly annoying and has kept some people from being able to get through.

VoiceStick(www.voicestick.com)
-Free Numbers in the US (just about every state) and Free real geographical UK numbers.
-The catch is you have to load a one time $10 US credit.
-In terms of receiving calls they are not compatible with VoXalot and do not support SIP URI forwarding, so all in all you cannot have the number forwarded to your current provider
-You can have a regular Cell/Landline ring when someone calls but it will be charged at the rate of the Plan you chose.
-There is mixed reviews about configuring PAP2/Sipura with them, but it may be doable
-They do offer a softphone with which you can rceive calls
-In summary in terms of call receival: They are not very easy or convenient (for now)
-But read on about a neat way of using them to make VoIP Calls from any phone.

OrbTalk (http://orbtalk.co.uk/)
Real geographic UK numbers including London 020 7 numbers.
-Got one of these and configured it to forward to my current SIP provider via Voxalot. Called it with Skype to test and it's working.

Coms (www.coms.com)
Free Real UK Geographic numbers
Free 0845 Numbers
Find yourself a real UK address before registering, they seem to check the postal code (this helped me http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs.../Bedfordshire/)

MessageNet (http://www.messagenet.it/)
Real Italian numbers in Rome,Milan and Turin.
-Got one of these and configured it to forward to my current SIP provider via Voxalot. Called it with Skype to test and it's working.

VoipUser (http://www.voipuser.org/mynumbers.html)
Free UK Non-Geographic numbers 0844 0871 0870 0703
(the caller pays a premium rate for these, for a good explanation of what these are all about check here http://www.esms.com/services_numbers_2_08.php)

eSMS (http://www.esms.com/services_numbers_5.php)
Free UK Non-Geographic Numbers: 0844 0871 070.

OpenTelecom (http://www.open-telecom.co.uk/produc...-services.html)
Free UK Non-Geographic Numbers: 0844 0845 0871 070.
Takes them a while to reply, and depending on the number you choose, you can forward it to various destinations.

IPStar (http://www.ipstar.us/)
Free UK Non-Geographic Numbers: 0871 0870

Setting Up any of the above free Numbers to forward to your current Voip Line

1. Some of them offer forwarding to your current SIP URI, YourVoipUsername@YourProviderProxy

2. VoXalot.com(www.voxalot.com) (As of 7 days after July 16th, VoXalot is charging for premium services, starting at $15/year)
-Make an account
-Add your Voip Provider (including any of the above)
-Set Active and Register to Yes
-Setup codecs as follows: ulaw;alaw;g726;g729;ilbc;gsm
-Save and wait until status says: Registered
-In the meantime under call forwarding tab set to forward all calls to *SipCode (find the one for your provider here ) + Your Internal Voip Number
-Also set Voicemail under Member Details on VoXalot to No.
-Once all is done, whenever someone calls any of those numbers your current Voip Line will ring

Free Voip Access Numbers

SipBroker.com (www.sipbroker.com)
-Here is a list of access numbers around the world: http://www.sipbroker.com/sipbroker/action/pstnNumbers
-So someone can call you by dialing AccessNumber + SipCode (find your provider's SipCode ) + Your Internal Voip Number
-If you register with SipBroker.com using username@voipproviderSipProxy and create an alias someone could call you: Access Number+ *011 + SipBroker Alias

Free Calls

An Interesting Service:
PhoneGnome.com (www.phonegnome.com)
-You register your Home or Cell Number (assuming you are not buying a box from them).
-Now anyone else also registered can call you for free.
-If you set up the software, it'll ring there, but your phone will also ring.
-The call is free for the person placing the call.
-The CID appearing (if using the cellphone) is not local though.
-See below for a neat workaround.

ICall.com (www.icall.com)
Free US/Canada calling.
Uses a Skype-like soft phone.
The software is slighly glitchy so some patience is required.

Rebtel.com (www.rebtel.com)
Geared towards mobiles.
-You make an account.
-You add a friend's number.
-It gives you a local access number to call that will ring your friend.
-When the other guy receives your call, he sees a CID in his screen.
-He has to pick up, then hang up within 10 sec and call that CID, while you wait on the line (if you don't want to go through the hang up process, you gotta buy minutes from them).
-Finally you connect and the call is local for both of you. It works with international contacts too.

Raketu (www.raketu.com)
Skype-like softphone.
Free calls to 43 countries, but you need to add $9.95 credit one time.

MediaRingTalk (http://www.mediaringtalk.com/terms_cond_promo.html)
Skype-like softphone.
Promotion with free calling to 8 countries until July 30, 2007

TruPhone.com (www.truphone.com)
Geared towards mobiles, not 100% sure how it works.

PalCalls (www.palcalls.com)
Uses softphone.
Here is their faq http://www.siliconscript.com/palcalls/faq.aspx#faq2
They say calls are free, supported by the ads they show on the software while you are using it.

Jajah.com (www.jajah.com)
Web based calling software.
Allows free calls between members with some country restrictions:
http://jajah.com/info/rates/ (check bottom of page there).
I tested this:
-I have used Jajah before so I had an account.
-I opened a new one, where I inserted an Italian, UK, and Canadian number.
-Made sure I added a username to be listed in Jajah's phonebook for both old and new account.
-Added the new account as a friend to the old account.
-Added the old account as a friend to the new account.
-After a while in the old account which I have funded before, it shows all three numbers from the new account as having 150 free minutes.
-However the brand new account that has never been funded, still shows all numbers from the older account as chargeable.
-Both accounts between friends may need to be funded at least once (if someone can shed light upon this. that'd be great)

AllFreeCalls/Yak4Ever (www.allfreecalls.net)
-Access numbers in US (so if you have Unlimited US plan, or if calling the US is cheaper than calling any of the countries mentioned)
-Call 218-936-6410
-Enter Access Code 1550#
-Enter Number you need to call (001+Number or 011+ Number)
-This is a workaround to the regular registration process, how long it'll last....?

Jaduka.com + AllFreeCalls/Yak4Ever Above (about 60 min of free calling) (www.jaduka.com)
-Get MyPrivateLine from Jaduka (You get a 1800 number + Extension and you can point to any US/CAD number)
-You also get 60 Free minutes of use.
-Point your 1800+ ext. to Yak4Ever access number.
-Call 1800 + ext. (no cost to you), Yak4Ever answers and asks for access code, enter 1550# (thanks to http://voipguides.blogspot.com/2007/...-hack-for.html)
-It then asks you to enter friends extension, instead enter 001 + Number, or 011 + Number
-You can get 60 more minutes using their Click2Call service and use it this way (I think, I gotta test)
-After first free 60 min, it's 4.99 per 60 min charge

Your Skype Unlimited US/CAD with Yak4Ever
-Yes you have to have paid to get the Skype Plan first
-Dial the Yak4Ever access number ( this is the one I got 218-936-6410 )
-Enter Access Code 1550#
-Enter 001+Number or 011+Number ( you can call for free to other places outside US/CAD as long as they are on the list on yak4ever.com)

Tokiva (www.tokiva.com)
-Similar to Jajah
-Register with a CellPhone (they'll send an SMS)
-You get 50 Credits for free (how many minutes you get out of it, depends on where you call)
-Calls are initiated form the Website

Earthcaller (www.earthcaller.com)
-Remember to enter the adress with www in front
-It seems it wants the number without the 1 in front
-It needs to instal an ActiveX script
-You need to use a Headset/Mic to talk from your computer

It seems I cannot add anymore to the first post because it's too long so here goes:

Free Incoming Numbers: Forwarding to your current HomePhone or CellPhone

GrandCentral.com (www.grandcentral.com)
-You get a US number (just about any state)
-You can set it to forward to up to 10 (different numbers)
-You can have personalized Voice messages for your contacts, by groups, individually, etc.
-You can change the normal ring someone hears to an MP3 song.
-They have CallMe buttons, so someone can ring you up from the web: They enter their number, it calls them, calls you, and you are talking.
-It is still in beta and everything right now is free.

A WorkAround: Anyone can call you from a number local to them, Your CellPhone or HomePhone rings, no Voip Line required

Edit: This workaround will be free until 7 days after July 16, at which point VoXalot is introducing Premium plans, so you would have to spent $15/year to keep this working

1. Register your CellPhone/HomePhone with PhoneGnome (www.phonegnome.com)
2. PhoneGnome will call to confirm
3.When logged into PhoneGnome go under the Features tab and activate Remote Access.
4. Select checkbox to ring both Home and SoftGnome.
5. Click View Sip Settings to see Sip Username, Password, and Sip proxy
6. Save info somewhere or keep page open

7. Now go to VoXalot.com
8. Get an account with a six digit number you like.
9.Once in your VoXalot account, under Providers add PhoneGnome (using Sip Settings you saved above) as a provider.
10. Set both Active and Register to No.
11. Set your codecs as follows ulaw;alaw;g726;g729;ilbc;gsm (SAVE)
12. Under Member Details on VoXalot, set Voicemail to No (SAVE)
13.Now on Voxalot under Call Forward set to forward all calls to the number you registered with PhoneGnome
14. The number should be the same as it appears in the HomePage of your PhoneGnome Account without the Country Code, and without any spaces or dashes
15. Select PhoneGnome as the provider to carry out the forward (SAVE)
16. At this point someone calls local Access Number, then enters *010123456 (replace 123456 with your VoXalot six digit username)
17. The Caller ID that shows in your phone is your own number

For even more access numbers (SipBroker doesn't have a local number in all countries)
18. Register an account with TPad.com
19. Go to the same VoXalot account you used above
20. Under Providers add TPad
UserName: Your TPad Number
Password: Your TPad Password
SIP Proxy: SIP.TPAD.COM
Codecs: ulaw;alaw;g726;g729;ilbc;gsm
Active and Register: YES
(SAVE)
21. Wait until it goes from Pending to Registered
22. Now you can also be reached if someone dials one of these Access Numbers then your TPad Number

To test in Toronto:
647-476-FREE + *010 + 6 digit VoXalot account
or
647-723-3640 + TPad Number

The Cell/Landline you register with PhoneGnome must be in:
US/Canada, Portugal, Argentina, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.
Also includes:
Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Seoul, South Korea
Taipei, Taiwan
Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla, Mexico
Warsaw, Poland
Mobile numbers are excluded except in US(excludes Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and Singapore.

You can even take this one step further:
-If you have a VOIP Number(DID)/Account (eg. 515-123-4455 free from SipNumber.com), ADD it as a provider in the same VoXalot account, with Active and Register set to Yes (Just like we added TPad)
-Now when someone calls any of those Voip Numbers/Accounts (eg someone calls 515-123-4455) your Home/Cell phone will ring.

Free Incoming Numbers: Voicemail and SoftPhones:

AIM PhoneLine(http://www.aimphoneline.com/)
-A Free US number (if you wanna pick a specific area code, better know a zip code from that area)
-Goes to VoiceMail
-You can also pick up and talk to whoever is calling if you are logged into AIM or AOL IM (are these 2 different IMs.....not to sure)
-When logged in to an AOL IM you also get CID
-Gotta receive 1 call per month or you lose the number

PrivatePhone (www.privatephone.com)
-This is really a NetZero service
-You get a US number
-It is really just voicemail
-According to their FAQ you get "Ten calls of up to 10 minutes each are included for FREE each month", and these are callbacks to people that have already called and left a message (cannot confirm this)
-You may be able to receive calls via a Soft-Phone (http://www.zdnetasia.com/downloads/p...166181s,00.htm)
-However NetZero seems to have cut out all their other Voip offerings and services, while you can still get a free PrivatePhone Number, and receive voicemails (tested and can confirm up to here), the rest is not very clear.

Using Any Phone to place VoIP calls

VoiceStick-Not Free but Cheap (www.voicestick.com)
1. You load some money on your VoiceStick Account.
2. Now Follow the Complete Steps of the Workaround for a CellPhone or HomepHone
6. Add this Cell or Home number for I2Bridge on VoiceStick (4161112222 format, may work better than 1416111222 format)
7. Now register your VoiceStick Number with PhoneGnome as well, using the SoftPhone to accept the verification call.
8. Under Features, Activate Remote Access, check Ring both Home and SoftGnome.
9. Now go the VoXalot account, and under Call Forward set to forward to the VoiceStick Number, 1+VoiceStick Number, (instead of your Cell/Home number that you set following the WorkAround)
12. Now when Calling
Access Number + *010 + VoXalot 6 digit number
or
Access Numbers then your TPad Number

you can make calls using your VoiceStick Account and the funds you have there, at the VoiceStick Rates.

13. If you wanna take it a step further: Register for Jaduka's MyPrivateLine, point the 1-800 + extension you get to a SipBroker Access Number.
14. Now in emergencies, pick up a phone, even a payphone, Dial the 1-800 + Extension from Jaduka, then enter *010 + Voxalot 6 digit number, then enter the number you need to call.
15.The call is free to place from any phone, you have 60 free minutes of use of the 1-800 + Extension, and the actual call is charged at the rates from VoiceStick (Reccomended for emergencies though, as there is only 60 free minutes from Jaduka)

Voip Networks/Communities

VoXalot (www.VoXalot.com)
-Run by the same people behing e164.org (a public enum directory) and SipBroker (provides Voip Service Provider SipCode listings, Free PSTN access numbers etc)
-Can be used with SoftPhone/Voip Adapter
-Allows free calls to other VoXalot users
-Allows free calls to any other VoIP users on any Voip Service Provider using SIPCode + Internal Number method powered by SipBroker
-Can act as a VSP central, you can register all your providers, activate its Voicemail box, build dial plans to create least cost routing using all your voip accounts with all other providers
-Receive call from PSTN: Access Number from SipBroker + *010 + 6 digit number (access number on sipbroker.com)
-Receive SIP URI calls to 6DigitUser@us.voxalot.com
-It's definitely worth getting an account, in fact I reccomend three:
1. Voicemail Active, Active and Register Yes for all providers. Build dial plans etc.
2. Voicemail Inactive, Active and Register Yes for most providers. Use to forward DIDs or calls placed to other accounts to your main provider.
3. Set one up with the Workaround and people can reach you directly on your cell/landline from around the world. Local for them, free for you.

* 7 days after July 16th, you have to pay from $15 to $40 to be able to register a sip provider, and forward with VoXalot.

FWD: Free World Dialup (www.freeworlddialup.com)
-Free Calling between Members on their Network
-Can be used with their SoftPhone/Other SoftPhones/ VoIP adapter
-IM other FWD members, SIP-Users, AIM/MSN/Yahoo/GTalk/Skype/ICQ (http://www.freeworlddialup.com/help/...base&c=17&a=86)
-Call other Voip Users on other networks
-Receive Calls from PSTN using access numbers (only 2 numbers really)
-VoiceMail
-They plan to be offering paid FWDout/FWDin service soon
-From personal testing the FWD Communicator, and adding IM contacts from other networks is glitchy.

Gizmo Project/ SipPhone (www.gizmoproject.com / www.sipphone.com)
-Use with their SoftPhone/Others/Voip Adapter
-More aimed at putting together IM and Voip
-Free Calls to other members
-You are assigned a 1-745 number (only valid within Gizmo, not from outside)
-Can get a free 775 area code PSTN nummber (but requires a credit card and US adress)
-Gizmo All Calls Free plan (http://support.gizmoproject.com/FAQs/freecalls.php)
If you have a friend that you regularly call or chat on Gizmo, once in a while when he/she is not on you can call their cell/home number for free. Both of you have to have Active status for All Calls Free
-Claims to let you message and call MSN/GoogleTalk/Yahoo/AIM/Jabber/SIP users (this works some times and not others; from my experimenting MSN is the most problematic)
-Is offering paid Outgoing Minutes/Incoming Numbers

Voip Networks/Communities Continued

TPad (www.tpad.com)
-Free calls to other TPad users
-Use SoftPhone/Voip Adapter
-Gotta pay for outgoing calls to real numbers
-Can receive calls from other Users, or by someone dialing Access Numbers + TPad number
-Includes Voicemail Service
-The biggest plus is their access numbers in countries where it is commonly hard to find one.
-Mentioned in the WorkAround above for local calls to your Cell/Home from around the world

GTalk2Voip (http://www.gtalk2voip.com/)
-Used in conjuction with MSN, Yahoo, GoogleTalk messengers
-You create an account by simply entering your email in the home page
-service@gtalk2voip.com (or somehting similar) adds you as a friend, accept
-Open a Convo and type: MYPAGE
-Click on the link for your account page
-To CALL type commands on convo with service@gtalk2voip.com :
SIP URI:
Code:

CALL user@provider.com

MSN:
If email is username@hotmail.com
then type
Code:

CALL username_at_hotmail.com@msn.gtalk2voip.com

If email is username@msn.com
then type
Code:

CALL username_at_msn.com@msn.gtalk2voip.com

GoogleTalk:
If email is username@gmail.com
then type:
Code:

CALL username_at_gmail.com@gtalk.gtalk2voip.com

If email is username@DomainWithGoogleApps.com
then type:
Code:

CALL username_at_DomainWithGoogleApps.com@gtalk.gtalk2voip.com

Yahoo
If email username@yahoo.com
then type:
Code:

CALL username_at_yahoo.com@yahoo.gtalk2voip.com

PSTN
Type:
Code:

CALL 14161112323

(always type number in international format)
PSTN calls are not free, but you can now add your own providers to GTalk2Voip, and the call will be routed through them. Otherwise GTalk2Voip routes through its own providers and requires you have a balance
-When calling someone for the first time using the commands above, chances are it will not go through, but they will receive a notice that service@gtalk2voip.com has added them as a friend, if they accept, the second time you try they will receive a call from service@gtalk2voip.com
-This works much smoother in GoogleTalk, rather than MSN (have not tested with Yahoo)
-They assign you a number *018xxxxx, that can be reached by dialing SipBroker Access Number + *018xxxxx
or *018xxxxx@sipbroker.com (SIP URI calling), in all this cases you'll receive a call on your MSN/Yahoo/GTalk messenger
-You can also get a DID number, forward it to *018xxxxx@sipbroker.com, and your MSN/GTALK/YAHOO messenger will ring when someone calls you
-There is a generic Voicemail if you don't pick up, or you can forward to a SIP URI and receive calls to your current provider
-You can use them to IM people not using same messenger (http://www.gtalk2voip.com/gtalk_service_im.shtml)
-You can create your own WebCall button (it calls you via Voip, plus uses one of your providers to call the other party and connect you together, if someone enter an actual number though, you will end up paying for the call, but at VoIP rates) (http://www.gtalk2voip.com/webcall.shtml)
-In Summary, neat to play around with. It is a raw framework for now, not very user friendly, but looks promising.

Feel free to make suggestions, comments or anything else you think may be useful. I will try to correct mistakes, and keep things updated.

BTW, this are some other services I am hoping to look into, but if someone already has experience with them, feel free to post a quick summary:

http://www.talkster.com/
http://www.barablu.com/
http://www.mobivox.com/
http://www.nimbuzz.com/en/
http://www.iskoot.com/
http://www.truphone.com/
http://www.eqo.com/
http://hullo.com/
__________________

Original Post

Best Free VOIP Setup

Original Post

Using SIP (the most standard open-source protocol), this guide will show you how to get FREE incoming(with your own call-in number!) & outgoing calls through your softphone with multiple voip providers, along with setting up your sip address.

As you can saw in my previous post about softphones, I did a lot of research and playing around with different software to get the best setup for me. I wanted something non-proprietary (and so, way more accessible) but feature-filled (as much as possible). I also preferred a method that could work cross-platform, as I do have both Windows & Linux on my computer. Unfortunately I did not find much on Macs (though I do have one recommendation below), so I have little to recommend to Mac-users, which includes my sister who has been waiting for a good answer as well.

After some downloading & tinkering, I’ve finally found the best way (for me) to communicate through my computer. I believe that using the SIP protocol is the best, as its the most standard of the open networks to date, and there are many different softphones to choose from. However, it seems that only a small percentage of those actually allow you to choose your own provider (and so, let you know your sip address)! Many of the sip programs out there actually are just trying to suck you into their group with grand displays of “free!” all over their sites, only to pile on fees later (like Skype did).

Well, I have found a way to get FREE calls, IN & OUT of my softphone to landlines(most countries) & mobile phones (the U.S.) alike. Yes, yes, it’s true. This method requires a few tricks, and a couple different services. I didn’t spend a penny, and I’m actually pretty surprised myself. I’m sure this won’t last forever though, so hop on this bandwagon while you still can!

Summary:

1. Get a customizable/configurable sip softphone (for instance Ekiga for Linux and X-lite for Windows/Mac).

2. Find a voip provider that offers free outgoing calls (such as Voipbuster, which I use).

3. Find a voip provider that offers a free incoming number (such as IpKall or SipNumber or Stanaphone) or (better for people–from different places–calling you to get cheaper rates) just access your sip account through SipBroker’s access numbers.

4. Set up a mother account (for instance at Voxalot) to manage & direct your calls(Note: only needed if your softphone does not offer multiple voip accounts)

5. Configure your softphone to register with your mother account.

6. Set up a sip alias account at sip411.com

7. Give out your “regular” number(for people calling you from regular phones) and your sip address(for calls through the computer) for people to contact you. [Note: you can also map your “regular” number to your ip address with other services if you want to have just one number for finding you]

* establish your “presence” on your website, blog, or myspace? account with clickable icons to contact you

#1 - Softphone

I used Ekiga (on my Ubuntu) with Voipbuster’s free calling as the default account, then sign up(optional, actually) for SIP Broker’s alias & PSTN-SIP service. If you have both Linux & Windows, like me, you will be able to follow pretty easily, as you will soon see. If you have just Windows, you will have to hope that the beta Ekiga will work well on your computer or use another softphone like X-lite, and if you have just Linux, you will need to borrow somebody’s Windows to download Voipbuster once in order to sign up for their account (Note: you won’t need it after that though).

For those of you with Ubuntu Dapper, you probably already have Ekiga installed. For the rest of you (Linux & Windows), please follow the links on my previous post to download Ekiga. Go ahead and sign up for their sip address if you don’t have one already (though you don’t NEED to, since you will be setting up other providers later/below). Also, you can log in at ekiga.net and find out your alias number. Write this down, as this will be handy later.

For those of you with Mac or Windows, I would suggest X-Lite (which also works on Linux, if you want it). It is customizable, easy to set-up, and has a pretty slick interface. It looks like it could be skinnable too (but it’s not!). It also seems to read your network and automatically configure itself to work (a real time (and hair) saver). Mac users could also try Xmeeting, which also has some good reviews.

#2 - Free Outgoing Voip

Next, you will need to get a free account at Voipbuster’s. You will have to download their softphone program (Windows only) & from there you can sign up automatically for your account. Remember your username & password, and that’s it. Voipbuster’s will be your outgoing voip provider, since it’s typically free (for many countries). Check here, though, for other options, if Voipbuster doesn’t work for you.

#3 - Free Incoming Number

After that, it’s time to get your free incoming number. At ipKall, you can get a free number only from Washington State, while at SipNumber, the number is randomized but will most likely never be the local number you want. (you’ll have to pay for a local number) I set up SipNumber for myself and ended up with an Iowa area code - not really that appealing to me. So I found Stanaphone, where I got a local NYC number (212, 718, & 646 are already being billed about $15, so I got a free “347″ area code instead). If you are looking for a more stable non-free but still cheap solution, take a look at Les.net, which offers numbers to people for a low monthly payment. Voip-info.org lists more bargain voip providers.

#4 - Mother Voip Account

If your softphone allows multiple sip providers, you do not need this (you could register your multiple voip providers through the option menu), though I would still suggest it. [Correction: After I found out that Voxalot does not transmit instant messages (at least for me, it did NOT work), I’d like to revise this. Although Voxalot’s great for having multiple CALLING plans, your *best* bet is to use a softphone with multiple providers, period. This way you can still have your instant messages, etc, too…I also had issues with caller ID & sip presence] You have one spot for all your accounts, you get free voicemail, and you can set up calling plans. If you switch partitions, change softphone programs, hop to a new provider, etc, you only have to make the change once, in your mother account. Go to Voxalot and set up your mother account there. It seems complicated, but it’s not. Login, click on “Providers” in the right-hand sidebar, and just add your voip providers, one by one, with your account names/numbers, passwords, & provider host addresses. After you save, make sure each one is ‘registered’, and then you should be ready to go.

What’s great about Voxalot is that it routes your calls in & out, taking your voicemail if you are out or your computer’s off, and can be a provider itself as well. What’s really great, is that you can use the “Dial Plans” page to tell Voxalot exactly which provider to use for which kind of call. Here is where you input your free outgoing call provider (such as Voipbuster), so that Voxalot knows to use that provider when you need it. For instance, pick “begins with” from the drop-down menu, type in “1″ in the next space, and then pick “Voipbuster” (or your free voip account) in the last drop-down menu. This tells Voxalot to use Voipbuster(for free outgoing calls) when I dial “1″ - whenever I dial ANY U.S. number, basically. (I can also do the same thing for “0″ which would tell make it use Voipbusterfor international calls as well).

#5 - Configure Softphone

The first thing you need to do is register your softphone to your mother account. (if you are just using multiple accounts, then you need to register each one on your softphone). Go to your options, edit Accounts, or preferences menu, and there should be a button to “ADD” a new client. (This is just like adding providers in Voxalot in #4 above. ) There you will need to input your voip provider’s information, such as your username or #, your password, and it’s voip server, which is typically just —–.com or sip.—-.com. If those don’t work, then try pinging the provider to get its exact ip address to input there instead. “Authorized User” is the same as your username or #. You will know if you set up that part correctly, because your softphone will try to register with the provider/s and will tell you if it connected or not. [Note: if you set up a Voxalot account, and it is working correctly with your providers properly ‘registered’, then you just need to configure your softphone to register with Voxalot only]

Next you should try some calls to see test your setup (softphone & providers). Try calling yourself (with your free incoming number), and try calling out through your softphone. If you have any problems actually connecting, either way, then you need to check your settings.

For instance, I noticed that I need to open extra ports for Ekiga to work properly. You can see my write-up on port forwarding here. Alternatively, you may just need to make sure your firewall is allowing your softphone program overall access, &/or check to see that your port 5060 (typically used for these programs) is open. Other issues with audio, etc, can be more complicated (i.e. I probably won’t know the answer for your problem).

#6 - Alias Sip Address

Although it seems they haven’t updated their website in a while and I’m not sure how many people actually use it, sip411.com seems like a great place to set up an alias for your sip address. Say you have signed up with voxalot.com, freeworld dialup, sipPhone or ekiga.net. Now you have some username which usually is just a number (in the case of ekiga, I got a name with a number). With sip411, you can pick any username you choose, and use it as an alias for your other sip accounts. This way you will always have one easy permanent sip address to give out, especially if you have multiple sip addresses or you change your voip provider/s.

Another option could be to use SipBroker as a place not only to get an alias for your sip address (though it has to be a number too), but also access codes for people to call you from almost worldwide. For instance, if your friend lived in Washington, DC, they would call 1-202-552-1297 and get an automated message telling them to input the provider code (for instance my voxalot code is *010) + user number (for instance your voxalot #). If you had set up an alias number through sipBroker, your number would be *011-1-alias#. You can look up your provider code # here. SipPhone & FWD have a similar, but smaller, service but even though I tried several times, I could not connect the call to my computer. [note: I’ve since read that those sipphone/fwd access numbers don’t work?]

#7 - Go Public!

Now that you’re setup to make & receive calls and give out a permanent sip address & telephone number, you are ready to let the world know! One way to do this is through online “presence”, indicating to others, usually with some icon, whether you are available or not. Some voip providers out there have code ready for you on your member/account page. You can paste it on the web, if you like. When people see that you are online, they can click on it and automatically connect to you (voice or im), of course, only if they are using compatible software. This is why it is crucial that people stay away from proprietary software (like Skype), and stick with open protocols which don’t limit interoperability or stop us from communication.