VoIP: Compare features & prices Draytel Silver
| Specification criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Subscription details | |
| Is there an initial sign up cost? | No |
Sign up cost (£)
|
N/A |
| Details of what extras sign up includes | N/A |
| Is there a subscription fee? | No |
| Monthly cost (£)
|
N/A |
| Monthly cost details | N/A |
| Is VoIP service available regardless of which ISP you use? | Yes |
| Details of ISP VoIP service is linked to (if applicable) | N/A |
| Is there a minimum contract term longer than a month?
|
No |
| What is the minimum contract term? (months) | N/A |
| Making and receiving calls | |
| Can calls be made to traditional landlines? | Yes |
| Can calls be received from traditional landlines?
|
Yes |
| Is it free to receive calls from traditional landlines?
|
Yes |
| What is the charge to receive calls from traditional landlines? | N/A |
| Are calls made through the user's PC or by using an adapter?
|
PC or compatible Adapter |
| Can calls be made/received if the computer is switched off?
|
Yes |
| Are there any conditions for using VoIP when computer switched off? | Adaptor or phone must be left on. |
| What happens if there is a powercut?
|
The service won't work |
| What happens if there are broadband problems?
|
Call cannot be received; answerphone answers |
| Does the package include free calls other than to users of the same service? | No |
| Details of free calls
|
N/A |
| Is it possible to make calls to the emergency services (ie 999 calls)?
|
No |
| Will the emergency services automatically know the location of the person who dialled the number (even if they are not at home)?
|
N/A |
| International call costs | |
| Cost of calling Australian landline (pence per minute)
|
1 |
| Cost of calling Spanish landline (pence per minute)
|
1 |
| Cost of calling American landline (pence per minute)
|
1 |
| Additional features | |
| Do you get free equipment as part of the package? | No |
| What equipment is provided free as part of the package? | N/A |
| Is the service compatible with Apple Mac computers? | Yes |
| Are there any conditions to using the service on a Mac computer | No |
| Free voicemail? | Yes (once £10 calling credit purchased) |
| Free group calling? | No |
| Geographic number available?
|
Yes |
| Cost of geographic number | Free, once £10 calling credit has been added |
| How much does it cost to send an SMS (text) message from your VoIP service to a mobile phone? | Service not available |
Help
Sign up cost (£)
Sign up cost may include some free minutes or equipment.
Monthly cost (£)
Services with a monthly subscription usually include some free minutes. If you plan to use VoIP a lot subsription services could be worth considering. You're more likely to get some equipment thrown in too.
Is there a minimum contract term longer than a month?
All VoIP services with a monthly subscription fee require you to sign up for a minimum of a month, and some require a 12 month subscription. Free services do not have a minimum contract.
Can calls be received from traditional landlines?
Most VoIP services allow you to choose a virtual phone number so that people can call your VoIP service from their landline. The type of number may vary - some offer geographic (01 or 02) numbers (you might have to pay for this); others will assign you a non-geographic number (0845 or 0870). A few services allow you to choose a virtual phone number with an international dialling code.
Is it free to receive calls from traditional landlines?
Some companies charge an additional fee (either one off or on a monthly basis) to be able to receive calls from landlines.
Are calls made through the user's PC or by using an adapter?
Many companies offer a choice of making calls either through your computer (via the computer's in built microphone, a VoIP headset or a special VoIP handset) or by using an adapter, which plugs into your broadband modem and allows you to make calls with a normal phone handset when your computer is turned off.
Can calls be made/received if the computer is switched off?
If calls are made via your computer, you will not be able to make calls if your computer is turned off.
What happens if there is a powercut?
Most VoIP services will not work if there is a powercut, but some offer a back-up option or divert to voicemail.
What happens if there are broadband problems?
Most VoIP services will not work if there is a problem with your broadband service, but some offer a back-up option or divert to voicemail.
Details of free calls
All VoIP services offer free calls to users of the same service, but some also include limited calls to UK or international landlines (often in exchange for a monthly subscription). Where a company offers free calls to UK landlines, these will usually exclude calls to non-geographic numbers (eg 0845,0870)
Is it possible to make calls to the emergency services (ie 999 calls)?
Not every VoIP service is set up to make 999 calls.
Will the emergency services automatically know the location of the person who dialled the number (even if they are not at home)?
When you make a 999 call from a traditional landline, location information is sent to the emergency services so that they can find you. Most VoIP services do not yet have this option - if they do not, we would not recommend giving up your home phone entirely.
Cost of calling Australian landline (pence per minute)
The cost of making calls to Australian landlines (cost applies both peak and offpeak).
Cost of calling Spanish landline (pence per minute)
The cost of making calls to Spanish landlines (cost applies both peak and offpeak).
Cost of calling American landline (pence per minute)
The cost of making calls to USA landlines (cost applies both peak and offpeak).
Geographic number available?
Is it possible to choose a geographic (01 or 02) phone number to assign to your VoIP service for incoming calls?