Well so far I’ve worked out:
BROADBAND INTERNET
You need broadband with at least 128Kbps UPLINK speed, but to work well you really need 256.
Eg 512/128 is too SLOW.
1500/256 is GOOD.
1500/512 is EXCELLENT.
YOU NEED A PHONE TO INTERNET ADAPTER, called an ATA. (Otherwise You’ll have to have your computer turned on all the time and use a program like skype)
The ATA plugs into your network, and then your normal phone into it.
You can spend lots of time looking for a good one, but the SPA3102 I use is pretty good, it plugs into the phone line as well so that if your internet is not working (eg in a blackout) you can still call out via your normal phone line.
YOU NEED A VOIP PROVIDER
Engin is very popular, but like telstra, popular doesn’t mean the best deal.
I tried 4 or 5 for a month, and now I use pennytell, 2c per minute calls, 13c per minute to mobiles.
Also you need to pick a good codec, this is a bit tricky. Make sure whoever you buy the SPA3102 from can help you set it up.
I’ve found G726-32 is good.
G711 may be better quality theoretically but breaks up too much when the line speed drops.
G723a. I think may be good too.
I read this somewhere…
“The most commonly used mode G726-32 , since this is half the rate of G.711, thus increasing the usable network capacity by 50%. It is primarily used on international trunks in the phone network. It also is the standard codec used in DECT wireless phone systems.”
