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Tesco and other VOIP Phones
jaffered
17-07-2006
On the tesco TV ad' it says that Tesco VOIP USB phones can make free phone calls with other tesco usb phones.

Can any brand USB VOIP phone call a tesco or any other brand VOIP phone for free?

Thanks. Sorry if its a silly question, I'm new to this and thinking of buying one
Lurch
17-07-2006
You could buy a USB phone from eBay for a tenner then sign up with a free VoIP account somewhere. Even cheaper.
SmegSnot
17-07-2006
You can only call other Tesco VoIP customers free.

These USB toy phones, are just a soundcard, mic and speakers in a moulded case, you need to use a PC and software.

Tesco's service is poor value for money.

As said above, just sign up with a free service like Sipgate or Orbtalk, you can then use your PCs mic and speakers, buy a cheap toy phone/USB phone.

Or you could use an ATA/VoIP router and connect your standard phones and make and receive calls without the computer being on.
crowfield99
18-07-2006
How is it poor?

1) It works
2) It allows you to Make/Receive calls
3) It has Voicemail
4) It gives you an extra phone number

It does what a phone is meant to do!!

If thats all you want, whats wrong with it? Fair enough you have to have your PC on to take calls. But thats the only bad thing about it that I can see...

its plain, simple and easy to use. What more could you ask for!

When someone rings you know what I do....
The phone rings, Press the green key and hey I talk...

You make it sound like the service does not work at all, it really does what it says on the tin. Its basic and that’s what we need basic things! Something we can plug in, use and get going.
SmegSnot
18-07-2006
The cost of calls to non free destinations is dearer than what you can get from using a standard landline, so the only saving would be if you can get others to use the service too.

These USB phones are poor compared to an ATA and proper phone.

It's OK to test the water, but not for long term use.
SmegSnot
19-07-2006
MSE has sent out their mailshot and in it, it states:

Ignore Tesco's 'internet phone ad': the normal phone is massively cheaper!
Night_Market
22-07-2006
we bought 2 TESCO's phones, installed the software and it crashed both both our PC's one almost fatally - rubbish things
JasonW
24-07-2006
I bought two that mis-scanned - so became free thanks to Tesco's price promise or whatever it's called. Never used the Tesco service, just using the handsets with X-Lite when travelling

Helper applications for many softphone clients to use the Tesco USB phone are here -> http://www.yamamoto-group.co.uk/index.php?page=download
Night_Market
25-07-2006
Originally Posted by JasonW:
“I bought two that mis-scanned - so became free thanks to Tesco's price promise or whatever it's called. Never used the Tesco service, just using the handsets with X-Lite when travelling

Helper applications for many softphone clients to use the Tesco USB phone are here -> http://www.yamamoto-group.co.uk/index.php?page=download”

Thanks for that Jason.
Simplyastag
31-07-2006
My advice would be to steer well clear of the Tesco Internet Phone.

Registration is a farce, due to their internet/systems being off line, meaning it's impossible to register your phone yourself, without having to call the helpline.

The helpline are often unable to help you because their systems/ internet are down. You have to wonder how Tesco think that they can run an internet phone service, when they can't even maintain their own internet connection!

When you receive an incoming call it crashes so you're unable to receive anything!

On the plus side, their help line is 0845 rather than 09- ut that's about all the positives there are about their service!

My advice- DO NOT BUY Tesco Internet Phone!
scooby1970
31-07-2006
I bought the Tesco Internet Headphone package for £4.97 with £2.50 credit, and use it to phone USA. 2p a minute is a bargain, and being PAYG makes sure I don't spend too much.

The call quality is fantastic, and I was really impressed. Just sent a couple of sets to USA for my mates, so won't cost anything before long.

Didn't have any trouble in registering, and everything has run smoothly!

Mark
kyresa
01-08-2006
Originally Posted by Mark Adams:
“I bought the Tesco Internet Headphone package for £4.97 with £2.50 credit, and use it to phone USA. 2p a minute is a bargain, and being PAYG makes sure I don't spend too much.

Mark”


Umm. there's a company called telediscount that lets you phone the US for 1pence per minute....!!
bilbonvidia
01-08-2006
voipcheap.co.uk, U.S. landlines and mobiles are free.
scooby1970
01-08-2006
Originally Posted by kyresa:
“Umm. there's a company called telediscount that lets you phone the US for 1pence per minute....!!”

Yes, there's always someone cheaper no matter what you're on. As I said though, my mates out there will soon have the Tesco Internet Phones, so will be even cheaper then... ie... FREE!

Still, I'm more than happy with the service and prices for what I use it for.

Mark
Dickibobboy
01-08-2006
i think it is great so far, i have not used the software yet, i just plugged it in and downloaded voipcheap then downloaded the software from here http://www.yamamoto-group.co.uk/index.php?page=download and it works great i love it, i might try the tesco software later, i got a £5 voucher with it i will use for calling mobiles when i am away
TheKnock
02-08-2006
www.gcitelecom.co.uk is one I came across the other day. Seem to offer a good service....we use it at work but I think they offer it to residential users too
rc3675
03-08-2006
Originally Posted by bilbonvidia:
“voipcheap.co.uk, U.S. landlines and mobiles are free.”

It's only free if the call is less than 1 min, otherwise you have to 'top up' every 4 months, which basically makes it a subscription service.
preetkk
07-08-2006
Originally Posted by JasonW:
“I bought two that mis-scanned - so became free thanks to Tesco's price promise or whatever it's called. Never used the Tesco service, just using the handsets with X-Lite when travelling

Helper applications for many softphone clients to use the Tesco USB phone are here -> http://www.yamamoto-group.co.uk/index.php?page=download”


Thanks m8 works fine with voipstunt
eightieslad
10-08-2006
ive purchased a tesco internet phone but the pc is unable to recognise the phone and the lcd screen on the handset shows "check pc" all the time. i have checked all connections firewalls etc but no joy, any help would be appreciated
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