VoIP Solutions - UK

Taking a look at the various VoIP ISP's around in the UK right now.

Draytel

Draytel Website

Company Background

It says that Draytel is operated independently from Draytek, who make VoIP routers etc, but is clearly aimed at being an easy way for Draytek owners to get connected to the PSTN. Should work with other VoIP solutions too.

Inbound and outbound PSTN services, SIP registrar.

Registration Free

Allocation of an 0870 number £2.99
Allocation of an 0845 number £9.95
SIP-to-SIP Calls Free
Incoming calls from PSTN Free (caller pays normal PSTN rates)
Monthly Subscription Free
Outgoing calls to another VoIP/SIP user Free
Outgoing calls to PSTN: pre-pay credit required, rates seem pretty reasonable: UK / USA 1.4p + VAT, China 2p, etc

Call UK

Call UK Website

Company Background

Subsidiary of Telco Electronics Limited, formed in 1997. Licensed by the PTO in 1998.

Backbone Connectivity

Fibre backbone in London, military spec. connectivity (they offer VoIP services to the military and educational organisations). Electronics hardware designed by the Telco Electronics parent.

Services

Switching
Customer Care & Billing
Voice & Data
Voice Mail
Personal Numbers and Free Phone Numbers (0800)
National Rate Numbers (0845)
VPN services
VoIP
SMS


BT Broadband Voice

BT Broadband Voice Website

Company Background

It's British Telecom. You either love them or hate them!

Services

Broadband voice 'KIT' includes an analogue adaptor so you can use your regular phone.

See website for information on call charges.


VoIPTalk

VoIPTalk Website

Company Background

No info on site unfortunately.

Backbone Connectivity

No info on site.

Services

PSTN to SIP termination
Outbound calls via their SIP Server (pre-pay - prices on site)
IAX termination (if you pre-pay for outbound - prices on site)


Babble

Babble Website

Backbone Connectivity

Long Standing provider with good reputation for customer care.

Services

Inbound and outbound SIP (prices on site).


Voipfone

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/

Company Background

Owned by Inet Telecoms Ltd. Based in London’s Docklands.

VoIP in three protocols, SIP, H323, IAX.

Voicemail and Voicemail Email Alert, Incoming Telephone Number, Caller ID, Call Transfer, Call Hold, Call Divert, 1471, 123, Call Waiting, Software Telephone, free Internet Calls, 3-Way Calls, free Video Calls, Voipfone Setup Wizard, multiple lines and technical support. Registration Free.

Allocation of an 0870 number free
Allocation of an 0560 number free
Allocation of a geographic number £1.99
SIP-to-SIP Calls Free
Incoming calls from PSTN Free (caller pays normal PSTN rates)
Outgoing calls to another VoIP/SIP user Free
Outgoing calls to PSTN: UK , North America, South America, Western Europe, Australia, China etc

Call rates available on the homepage

MyWebCalls

http://www.mywebcalls.com

Company Background

Online trading arm of ID Telecommuncations Ltd.

Backbone Connectivity

Various PSTN and SIP interconnects

Services

Free PC to PC calls with free software dialer
Very low cost outbound calls
Per second billing
Pay as you go (no monthly fees)
Inbound calls from 3rd parties such as VoIPUser.org and Libretel.com
Reseller packages

UK specific service coming soon

Blueface

http://www.blueface.ie/

Company Background

Dublin based VoIP provider

VoIP in SIP and IAX

Blueface Number, Irish VoIP (076), Geographic Number, UK VoIP Number, Blueface 2 Blueface free call, VoiceMail, VoiceMail to e mail, Caller Id, Call Waiting, Call Transfer, Online Management, Number Blocking, 3 Way Calling.

Various of the above options depending on the calling plan chosen (details on site).

aql

aql telecoms

Company Background

aql is a Leeds based company established in 1999 as a provider of Internet-based services (email, hosting, domain registration) and diversified rapidly into the mobile and land telephony sector, including VoIP.

Backbone Connectivity

BGP peering with multiple providers including ENTA and TELIA/TISCALI multiple TDM interconnects with BT, MCI, Verizon and other carriers

Services

PC to PC calls
Landline to PC
PC to landline
Mobile VoIP
Allocation of UK non-geographic numbers 0870, 0871 (free!)
Allocation of UK geographic numbers
Various SMS services (sms2email, bulk SMS, shortcodes etc)
Reseller packages
Provide SIP and IAX connectivity
reseller billed for the first 20 seconds and then per second afterwards
pay as you go basis for top up

So, who have I missed here - I know there's a few more, but always good to hear about the new ones also.

Anyone have any background/connectivity etc info about the above?

I'll recompile and edit the list from time to time - would be nice to get the definitive collation together, then maybe some discussion and comparisons on prices?

Dean

I'm using voiptalk at the moment. I don't know the technical stuff about company and backbone, but services are pretty good.

Only criticism would be that they don't offer voicemail. However, if you sign up to the (free) Telcentrex service (virtual pbx) you do get voicemail and vm2email. I've only just registered but it's pretty easy to configure through your phone.

So far, you only pay for outbound pstn calls (no monthly service charge).

Thanks for the info Faraz.

I might invite some of these guys in to talk about their products, or at least give me some information that I can add about them.

Personally I find company background and backbone connectivity quite revealing.

Dean

I have been registered to www.freeipcall.com

They are PC to PC only provider (straight SIP server only).

I had a problem with my SIP phone, that I've received 4 days after my order. They were very helpfull.

I hope that they will become a PC to PSTN provider.

<Edited by Dean>Let's keep it on-topic. There is an existing thread regarding Gossiptel payment/service</Edit>

<Bump>

Thought we might amend this up. Anyone have any additions?

Dean

There are lots more UK suppliers - If anyone would like to contribute their favourite or has a suggestion of a VOIP service provider they would like to see listed then please do the following...

1) Check that the info you have is up to date
2) Check that the facilities and services offered are current
3) Check the website address is correct
3) Follow Deans original format and provide the same info

It can then be made a 'sticky' at the top of this topic and provide a useful resource.

The stipulations are they must be the actual service providers ...
NO MLM companies
NO White Label 'Resellers'

<snip>

Thanks Ralph - added to top post.

Dean

Voipfone

<snip by Dean>Thanks Tangle, added to the main thread</snip>

http://www.ipclouds.co.uk/ offers some rather interesting packages.

<snip> - added to top post.

A plug for my own company - hope thats allowed!

<Edit by Dean>We don't allow self-promos here as a general rule, no. But at least you posted it in the right thread, and gave us all the relevant details so I've added it to the top.</Edit>

I am in Norway and are using a UK provider that saves me a lot of money. I call a lot as I have family and friends in the UK.

the company is http://astartelecom.com

It have been working perfect for me for 3 months.


Tor Jarl
Oslo, Norway

hi all:

I use Mywebcalls and voipfone:

both good services but voipfone is better.

Voipfone is also per second billing, and offers a lot of free services.
hilario.

More info on Voiptalk

Protocols supported

ulaw,alaw,gsm,g729,ilbc and speex

Now provide inbound 0800 numbers for a fee.

So far so good with this provider

rgds

Hi,

I have been using a service from Blueface in Dublin....

<Added to above top post>