Help With VOIP

Hello everyone,

I am hoping someone can help me out with something that I have NO idea on..

It's a 2 part question/problem.

Part 1: Does BT Internet via the BT Home Hub 2.0 (http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12612/c/1243) allow users to use a separate VOIP provider? - Such as SIPGate.

Part 2: Assuming it's a Yes to Part 1, how do I go about getting started with VOIP? What provider would someone recommend? Is it better to get a VOIP handset? - Let me explain a bit more on this.

I am wanting to set up a number anyone can call that "diverts" to either a VOIP line or another number. It would need to have around 3-4 end users. Ideally it would also enable us to have an IVR menu to select who the call should be directed to. The only number that would be given out and called would be the divert/voip number. Any one calling someone back, would be withholding their own number for privacy.

I hope that all makes sense, if anyone needs more info please let me know.

Thanks

CJT
1. Yes, you can use a softphone on a PC, you should also be able to set up a sip phone to work. This may/will involve setting up a VPN for the phone.

2. Messy question

a. The numbers that connect to an IVR box are a business service that is irrelevent to question 1.
b. The connect to numbers from the IVR box can usually be to any number, so can be to the Softphone / SIP phone in question 1. ( Or to an answer service that will e-mail you the message!).

a and b could be from the same or different providers!

You normally pay a fee for the diverted part of each call, (but not to the answer service).

I don't know details about SIP providers or if they provide IVR facilities, these can be brought from the bigger telephone providers that are good at this. BT, KCOM, C&W, etc. but there is no reason why SIP providers couldn't provide the same service.

Thanks kitcat...

Looks like I need to look into this a bit more..

How would I set up a VPN for the phone out of interest? Has anyone looking at this done that?

Thanks in advance.

you can download a free softphone and set up a free SIPGate account, I would give it a go and see what happens !

Thanks yarwell,

I may give that a go.. I just need to work out how I can go about this..

perhaps I need to add more info, to give a better picture to those offering advice

Do you mean like this? http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Virtual_Switchboard_IVR...

Thanks BatBoy,

That's exactly the type of thing I need..

Basically a menu to give Press 1 for X, 2 for X, and then that sends the call to the person required, or to a recorded message.

I just need to see how "cheaply" I can get it for.. without being a penny pincher.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/495271/setup-an-i...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv0paVu7u9Q

I believe you could do it yourself via VoIP using Draytek IPPBX router,
but they do cost £300+.
I would suggest that you look up www.gradwell.com/phoneservices
they may well be able to provide the service at reasonable cost.
Regards,
Martin

Many thanks BatBoy for the links,

I shall look into those in more detail