Which VOIP for me?
 

What I have: a USB headset with microphone.

What I want/need: I’d like to be able to use my headset, plugged into my laptop, and use skype to connect to a landline for work toll-free calls from the US to a US toll-free #. I got a new VZ MI-FI card last week, and it seems to give me pretty good, fast service when I’m in a 4G LTE service area.

I was thinking to try skype. I’d like to use it when I’m in an airport (usually Admirals club or other lounge), or in a hotel where it hurts to hold the phone on my shoulder for hours, and it’s hard to type & talk & concentrate while holding it on my shoulder. Since these calls are for work, the call quality is extremely important to me.

I know lots of folks use skype to talk with folks that would otherwise have to pay LD, or to talk with someone who’s on skype or has no landline, but my purpose would be skype from the US (probably a VZ 4G area) to a toll-free US # while using my headset.

Do you have regular cell phone service? Why not use that?

Yes, I have regular Verizon cell phone service. Sometimes I'm on calls for work for hours during a day, and I don't have unlimited minutes. At my job, my minutes are not paid for by my employer. So I'm reluctant to use my personal cell minutes for work.

My old cell phone got real hot when I used it for more than 40 minutes at a time. I haven't tried using my new Android for more than 20 minutes or so at a time. Holding my cell on my shoulder would pose more challenges than holding a landline phone from airport lounge or hotel room to my shoulder. I have a blue tooth headset but haven't used it much.

I haven't tried the speakerphone option on my cell, but I would think the quality of call would be better for both the others on call and me if I use my headphone with mic.

While I'm reluctant to use my personal cell minutes for work, I would be glad to use my MI-FI to make VOIP calls for work.

I'm very concerned about quality of calls. Any ideas, would quality of VOIP calls be better or worse than cell calls?

Skype seems to be the best deal as I don't think they charge for call to 800#s. As far as voip goes the main issue with call quality is latency and I think LTE latency is pretty good, but if you switch back to EVDO then quality will suffer.

Google Voice is free and what I like. With GV you also get a real phone number that other people can call with their regular phones. Skype charges for a phone number.

I have used skype for several years. I have used it with several different wifi systems. I have hardly had any problems video or hearing the other person. I talk to friends in Afghanistan at least twice a week with no problems. It is the best as far as I am concerned.

Thanks for the info. I'll try skype & GV. I don't think I need a phone #, but who knows? I may find a need for it once I have one.

I'm happy with VOIPo.com

$6.21/month for three [count'm 3] lines. Two POTS, via their terminal adapter
and one softphone. Note: They do not "support" the softphone, but have all
the necessary config info on their website ... and Acrobits has been trouble-free.

It is cap'd at 5,000 mins/month.

-doug

True for incoming, however his outgoing calls to the 800 number will still eat from his minutes bucket even if using GV.

I would go with skype. google voice doesn't offer a true on device voip solution, only the on computer solution. If you have a number that people are going to be using/calling you might as well be able to continue with an essentially unlimited service IF you find yourself on a mobile device, android or iphone. With the google voice solution since they don't offer a truly VOIP solution on the mobiles, it would be a call to a cell phone or landline - which you don't seem to have?

The cost for skype is pretty darn cheap and the quality is quite good. I've even used it with only edge connections and it passes if need be.

I have a landline when I'm home or in the office. My OP was to inquire about my options for calls when I travel, not using my cell phone.

Problem with landline in hotel or airport lounge - it's uncomfortable & less productive while on a business call to hold landline on shoulder & try to listen, talk, type on laptop (often screen-sharing or viewing a screen-shared interactive meeting. Can't use speakerphone in lounge. Many hotel phones either don't have speakerphone or it doesn't work well. So I was looking for a solution to use my headphone with microphone. Sometimes I can be on one or more calls during a day for many hours.

Problems with cell in hotel - it's more uncomfortable holding on shoulder than landline, some of them have overheated on my and died, I'm not sure if the speaker feature would work, and I have a bluetooth but haven't used it much and not sure it would meet my needs. Again, can't use cell speakerphone in lounge.

As far as charges, I'm reluctant to plan on using my personal cell phone for 100s of minutes a day, unreimbursed for work. On the other hand, I have an unlimited data plan for my MI-FI, so I wouldn't mind using a VOIP for a few days or a few weeks at a time.

Correct. I only plan to use this for outgoing calls. When I'm working, folks can either email me or ping me or call my cell. I can then tell them to meet me on the toll-free bridge line, for which I'm seeking a way to comfortably and reliably connect.