Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming or
outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out mobile
numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call if we're
home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations whilst out and
about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one way orI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or per
another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming or
outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out mobile
numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call if we're
home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations whilst out and
about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/ >>
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether they get >anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one way orI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or per
another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming or
outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out mobile
numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call if we're
home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations whilst out and
about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether they get
anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:Can you use any SIP capable device with it?
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month. Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per minute.
Theo
On 30/01/2026 13:26, Theo wrote:
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:Can you use any SIP capable device with it?
Is that a serious worry?-a I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that.-a If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives?-a Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call.-a We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month.-a Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per minute. >>
Theo
On 1/30/26 16:38, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
I wanted to know if that was preloadable, or direct
debit. One of the _advantages_ of voipfone - AIUI - is that you can
preload the outgoing [at any time], but if at any point you used up all
of your monthly _and_ your preload, it would cut off - _not_ rack up a
huge bill. [You could always top up _during_ a call you actually needed.]) >>
A&A is direct debit, no preload, no cap available. You can specify a
Bill Warning limit, and you can put a hard limit on max charge rate (I
have 20p in the first minute). You can also restrict the IP allowed to
make outgoing calls.
I would have preferred preload like you say Voipfone is, and Sipgate
Basic used to have. A -u10 used to last me a year on Sipgate Basic, Billy
no mates :o). To be fair to me, most of my calls are VoIP to VoIP, which
are free, on Sipgate and A&A (not sure if that is only for matching provider or for all VoIP to VoIP).
On 30/01/2026 13:26, Theo wrote:
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month. Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per minute.
TheoCan you use any SIP capable device with it?
On 2026/1/30 17:0:2, Pancho wrote:
On 1/30/26 16:38, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
I wanted to know if that was preloadable, or direct
debit. One of the _advantages_ of voipfone - AIUI - is that you can
preload the outgoing [at any time], but if at any point you used up all
of your monthly _and_ your preload, it would cut off - _not_ rack up a
huge bill. [You could always top up _during_ a call you actually needed.]) >>>
A&A is direct debit, no preload, no cap available. You can specify a
Thanks for coming back so quickly!
Bill Warning limit, and you can put a hard limit on max charge rate (I
have 20p in the first minute). You can also restrict the IP allowed to
How does that limit work - if you dial something that's going to cost
more than 20p a minute, does it fail to connect? (If that's the case, do
you get a message?)
make outgoing calls.
Hmm, that aspect of VoIP I'm not sure about - not sure what the IP would
be. If it means the device, then I'm a single-person household, so
unlikely to be a problem (though I'm still not sure if I can use "my"
VoIP when visiting someone else's house and using their broadband connection).
I would have preferred preload like you say Voipfone is, and Sipgate
Basic used to have. A -u10 used to last me a year on Sipgate Basic, Billy
Johnny no mates here too - but could imagine it clocking up if on hold.
I have had one case of being on hold exceeding the free hour on my
current landline contract; for a friend call you redial, but of course
when on hold you can't.
no mates :o). To be fair to me, most of my calls are VoIP to VoIP, whichWhen you do a VoIP to VoIP that's free (and I too would like to know
are free, on Sipgate and A&A (not sure if that is only for matching
provider or for all VoIP to VoIP).
whether that's any VoIP or only matching provider), how do you know the remote person is on VoIP (other than, obviously, asking them)?
On 1/30/26 17:09, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
On 2026/1/30 17:0:2, Pancho wrote:
On 1/30/26 16:38, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
I wanted to know if that was preloadable, or direct
debit. One of the _advantages_ of voipfone - AIUI - is that you can
preload the outgoing [at any time], but if at any point you used up all >>> of your monthly _and_ your preload, it would cut off - _not_ rack up a >>> huge bill. [You could always top up _during_ a call you actually needed.])
A&A is direct debit, no preload, no cap available. You can specify a
Thanks for coming back so quickly!
Bill Warning limit, and you can put a hard limit on max charge rate (I
have 20p in the first minute). You can also restrict the IP allowed to
How does that limit work - if you dial something that's going to cost
more than 20p a minute, does it fail to connect? (If that's the case, do you get a message?)
I don't know. I've never hit it.
I did try reducing the limit on the website, but you can't then put it
back up again, on the website, you need to contact support. So not
something I want to play with to test.
make outgoing calls.
Hmm, that aspect of VoIP I'm not sure about - not sure what the IP would be. If it means the device, then I'm a single-person household, so
unlikely to be a problem (though I'm still not sure if I can use "my"
VoIP when visiting someone else's house and using their broadband connection).
You can have a list of allowed IPs, or not restrict it at all. I only restrict it because I'm nervous about uncapped charges.
From my bill I see I messed up last October and had a 40 minute wait
call to my GP surgery cost me 50p. In general, my call charges are ridiculously low. I wonder how A&A make a profit, Sipgate clearly didn't make a profit, or at least I guess that is why they closed their service.
no mates :o). To be fair to me, most of my calls are VoIP to VoIP, which >> are free, on Sipgate and A&A (not sure if that is only for matchingWhen you do a VoIP to VoIP that's free (and I too would like to know whether that's any VoIP or only matching provider), how do you know the remote person is on VoIP (other than, obviously, asking them)?
provider or for all VoIP to VoIP).
I know the remote people are A&A because I set up their phones.
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month. Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per minute.
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one way or >>>> another) soon.I'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or per
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming or
outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out mobile
numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call if we're
home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations whilst out and >>>> about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether they get
anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming or
outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out mobile
numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call if we're
home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations whilst out and
about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (oneI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or
way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming
or outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out
mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call
if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations
whilst out and about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether
they get anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (oneI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or
way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming
or outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out
mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call
if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations
whilst out and about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether
they get anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am
out of date). I've been doing that for years.
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free >>>outbound land lines cheap.
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (oneI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or
way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming
or outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out
mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call
if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations
whilst out and about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether
they get anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am
out of date). I've been doing that for years.
On 01/02/2026 13:09, Richmond wrote:
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (oneI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or
way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming >>>>>>> or outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out
mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call >>>>>>> if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations >>>>>>> whilst out and about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether
they get anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am
out of date). I've been doing that for years.
No -u6/month is for a call package. If you don't mind having an 056
number you can just pay for the calls you use. If you want an 01/02
number that is -u3.00/month + VAT so -u3.60
On Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:09:03 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free >>>>outbound land lines cheap.
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (oneI'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or
way or another) soon.
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic
Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional
incoming or outgoing calls but better in many situations than
giving out mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the
incoming call if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone >>>>>>> conversations whilst out and about with those that have the home >>>>>>> number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether
they get anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
|e-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am
out of date). I've been doing that for years.
Interesting, thanks, though I was hoping to save effort and retain the existing BT number.
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
Interesting, thanks, though I was hoping to save effort and retain the existing BT number.
I meant try it out before you transfer your number.
I used to have Voipfone on my router with one handset on it, which I
used for outgoing calls. And the other handsets connected to the analog
line for incoming calls.
Now I have moved to digital and all my old phones are connected to the router. You can connect several phones to the same VOIP service using an
RJ11 to BT adaptor and BT splitter. My phones are old DECT base/handsets
and corded phones. But why throw them away and pay -u185 for two SIP handsets? You could buy two smartphones for that much.
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:09:03 +0000, Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free >>>>>outbound land lines cheap.
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one >>>>>>>> way or another) soon.I'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or >>>>>>> per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether >>>>>>> they get anything out of it or not).
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic >>>>>>>> Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional
incoming or outgoing calls but better in many situations than
giving out mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the
incoming call if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone >>>>>>>> conversations whilst out and about with those that have the home >>>>>>>> number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
|e-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am >>>out of date). I've been doing that for years.
Interesting, thanks, though I was hoping to save effort and retain the
existing BT number.
I meant try it out before you transfer your number.
I used to have Voipfone on my router with one handset on it, which I
used for outgoing calls. And the other handsets connected to the analog
line for incoming calls.
Now I have moved to digital and all my old phones are connected to the >router. You can connect several phones to the same VOIP service using an
RJ11 to BT adaptor and BT splitter. My phones are old DECT base/handsets
and corded phones. But why throw them away and pay -u185 for two SIP >handsets? You could buy two smartphones for that much.
But I've just had another thought - is it practical to just use a
spare mobile as the home phone?
On 30 Jan 2026 13:26:45 +0000 (GMT), Theo
<theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month. Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per minute. >>
That's good to know. In a different life I used to point our
customers towards AA for more complex internet needs and they are far
too expensive now for my broadband needs but the VOIP cost, from a
trusted supplier (if indeed that is needed) is quite reasonable.
On 31/01/2026 21:22, AnthonyL wrote:
On 30 Jan 2026 13:26:45 +0000 (GMT), TheoA slight aside ... having recently got FTTP and moved our old landline
<theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
In uk.telecom AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:
Is that a serious worry?-a I suppose if they go to voicemail then they >>>> could try hammering that.-a If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives?-a Last month we did not have >>>> one non-0800 outgoing call.-a We don't need 100mins.
https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/
-u1.80 per month.-a Incoming calls free, outgoing calls charged per
minute.
That's good to know.-a In a different life I used to point our
customers towards AA for more complex internet needs and they are far
too expensive now for my broadband needs but the VOIP cost, from a
trusted supplier (if indeed that is needed) is quite reasonable.
to A&A - the plan is to redirect or leave a 'try this number' voice
message for a year or so - ... we seem to be getting (presumably) spam
calls to that number from Germany (country code 0049).
They hang up before the voicemail message kicks in. They are at a
similar frequency to the old spam calls we would get on the actual
landline (a few a week), but the caller ID number on those typically
showed up as a UK number.
I was wondering - does my VOIP number now show up on some new list that
the spammers from Germany have got access to? Or were they always coming from German and the CallerID info was wrong?
-a-a-a Thanks
-a-a-a J^n
On 01/02/2026 21:54, AnthonyL wrote:
But I've just had another thought - is it practical to just use a
spare mobile as the home phone?
It's probably possible with an Android, but I don't think you could interpose the push sever, that is essential for iPhones, in such an environment. The Android will need the VoIP app set to never sleep.
In uk.telecom.voip David Woolley <david@ex.djwhome.demon.invalid> wrote:
On 01/02/2026 21:54, AnthonyL wrote:
But I've just had another thought - is it practical to just use a
spare mobile as the home phone?
It's probably possible with an Android, but I don't think you could
interpose the push sever, that is essential for iPhones, in such an
environment. The Android will need the VoIP app set to never sleep.
There are paid iOS apps that have their own push server - ie their server registers with your SIP service, and then sends a push notification to ring you mobile when you get an incoming call. Otherwise Apple's powersaving prevents you receiving calls if your phone is sleeping.
Can anyone recommend a good Android app that does this? I have Linphone which sometimes gets one way audio, but haven't spent any time debugging
why.
A slight aside ... having recently got FTTP and moved our old landline
to A&A - the plan is to redirect or leave a 'try this number' voice
message for a year or so - ... we seem to be getting (presumably) spam
calls to that number from Germany (country code 0049).
They hang up before the voicemail message kicks in. They are at a
similar frequency to the old spam calls we would get on the actual
landline (a few a week), but the caller ID number on those typically
showed up as a UK number.
I was wondering - does my VOIP number now show up on some new list that
the spammers from Germany have got access to? Or were they always coming from German and the CallerID info was wrong?
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.I'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or per
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor downside
of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether they get
anything out of it or not).
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then they
could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown number we
would likely not answer at all.
I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not have
one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
Dave
I wanted to know if that was preloadable, or direct
debit. One of the _advantages_ of voipfone - AIUI - is that you can
preload the outgoing [at any time], but if at any point you used up all
of your monthly _and_ your preload, it would cut off - _not_ rack up a
huge bill. [You could always top up _during_ a call you actually needed.])
On Sun, 1 Feb 2026 13:40:35 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 01/02/2026 13:09, Richmond wrote:
nospam@please.invalid (AnthonyL) writes:
On Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:03:51 +0000, David Wade <g4ugm@dave.invalid>
wrote:
On 30/01/2026 13:02, AnthonyL wrote:
On Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:53:37 +0000, "J. P. Gilliver"I have voipfone.co.uk. Just pay for the number. Inbound calls free
<G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:
(UTV added)
On 2026/1/28 13:7:56, AnthonyL wrote:
Still on FTTC with BT phone but likely to go fully digital (one >>>>>>>> way or another) soon.I'd be wary of the have-to-pay-for-incoming, whether per call or >>>>>>> per minute; worry about being susceptible to mal-intents (whether >>>>>>> they get anything out of it or not).
There are just the two of us in the property and the Panasonic >>>>>>>> Answerphone plus 3 handsets works fine. Very occasional incoming >>>>>>>> or outgoing calls but better in many situations than giving out >>>>>>>> mobile numbers (eg either one of us can answer the incoming call >>>>>>>> if we're home and wouldn't want to be having phone conversations >>>>>>>> whilst out and about with those that have the home number).
Anyway, looking at options have come across Premitel.
https://www.premitel.uk/services/voip-phone-service-uk-homes-and-businesses/
This looks ideal. Low cost, can port existing number, minor
downside of having also to pay for incoming calls.
Anybody used them and any views/opinions/alteratives?
Is that a serious worry? I suppose if they go to voicemail then
they could try hammering that. If the call is from an unknown
number we would likely not answer at all.
What are the (very) low cost alternatives? Last month we did not
have one non-0800 outgoing call. We don't need 100mins.
outbound land lines cheap.
-u6/month, if I've read it correctly, is way over my budget.
You can try it out with a free 056 number, pay as you go. (Unless I am
out of date). I've been doing that for years.
No -u6/month is for a call package. If you don't mind having an 056
number you can just pay for the calls you use. If you want an 01/02
number that is -u3.00/month + VAT so -u3.60
Thanks, that wasn't clear to me from the website.
Next issue is how to have two or more handsets. We have a Panasonic KX-TGC220 (https://business.currys.co.uk/catalogue/office-supplies/phones-faxes/telephone-handsets/panasonic-kx-tgc220e-cordless-phone-answering-system-with-caller-id-call-waiting-3-way-call-capability/P193954P)
with 3 handsets. This is handy and presumably can be attached to a
new router with an ATA.
But the Panasonic was bought in 2017. Whilst both my wife and I both
have mobiles we would only want the home number to ring on them when
we are at home (ie home wi-fi) if that was an alternative.
VOIP phones otherwise seem expensive though ATAs don't seem cheap
(compared to DECT).
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