VoIP Noob Seeks help for setting up small business VoIP

Hi everyone,

Im a small business owner hoping to take advantage of the VoIP technology. I want to use a softphone over my computer and don't want to buy any hardware at this point besides the headphones with the microphone.

I need voicemail and I need it to work when my computer is off-is this possible? If not, I can work with that...

Secondly, I need to be able to make outgoing calls to Canada and USA as well as Asia and Europe. What are the cheapest and most reliable providers? (Im in British Columbia Canada)

As well, Im looking into getting a DID number since Skype doesn't have canadian numbers then using skype call forwarding to access this number.

All of this is very confusing and there are so many providers and so much information I was wondering if anyone out there can help me cut through the red tape and help me find a reliable service at a reasonable rate. As well, it would be nice if I could easily implement a PBX system later on. Im worried about hidden fees etc. Can anyone help with this, let me know about companies you have experiences with? I also don't understand the difference between VoIP and a company like Skype and some of the SIP providers I am now reading about.

Thanks again,

Bob Graham

Welcome to Voipuser forums.

Quote:

Im a small business owner hoping to take advantage of the VoIP technology. I want to use a softphone over my computer and don't want to buy any hardware at this point besides the headphones with the microphone.

You need to have a good reliable ISP providing your high speed internet. As you are willing to send a little then perhaps a better buy would be an ATA box as it does not require you to run a computer and you can probably just plug your current phone into it. For example, the SPA3102 (that I have) and some similar models allow you to connect to voip and your PSTN line and plug in you regular phone (including cordless phone) to make and answer calls.

Quote:

I need voicemail and I need it to work when my computer is off-is this possible? If not, I can work with that...

If you use a provider such as Voxalot (basic version free) this will give you several other services including voicemail. Many DID providers also provide voicemail (eg Les.net based in Manitoba provides DIDs for most of Canada but not Newfoundland so I have not tested them). You can get a free US (Washington) DID from IPKall. Since you have joined Voipuser you can get/have free DIDs for the UK here.

Quote:

Secondly, I need to be able to make outgoing calls to Canada and USA as well as Asia and Europe. What are the cheapest and most reliable providers? (Im in British Columbia Canada)

There are far too many different Voip providers for us to recommend particlar ones. You can experiment with Voipusers service.

Hi Bob, welcome to Voip User

I'd like to discuss your needs with you. I offer small business VoIP and I can get Canadian DIDs. Let me know if you'd like to discuss further, if it turns out my service can't help you, I might be able to point you in the right direction.

=== no selp promotion on the forum please ===

Thanks, and if you have any questions let me know.

-Ben
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