VoIP Works---To Test, Please Call 968-2161

PLEASE CALL 968-2161


We interrupt this BLOG to bring you an important message from the BLOGMEISTER!

I have been dabbling in the Internet world for a number of years and have met many innovative players in that game! Internet technology is both scary and exciting with even more to come.

As an example, if someone wanted to set up a system to become a “phone” company for a relatively few dollars and compete with the big boys in the telecommunications world it can be done. The product offering can be comparable but at a fraction of the cost to a customer whether consumer or business. It’s called Voice Over Internet Protocol or VoIP.

My son and I have set up a new business in our Company, Wyndham Hall Consulting, to offer VoIP service to Windsorites. We have become Windsor reps of UNITZ Online. UNITZ’s VoIP network is the second largest provider of local telephone numbers over high speed internet connection in Ontario with over 24.5 million calls placed over its network. It currently provides unlimited long distance calling to Ontario, North America and over 40 countries and has 16 independent companies wholesaling its services.

For the last few weeks I have been testing it to see how good it is and it really does work well. In fact, we were able to “port over” our existing Bell number to the new carrier to make the move without the need to advise people of a new number or to redo stationery with all of the costs that would follow.

The major reason for transferring to the new VoIP service is simple: to save money. Lots of it!

As a Bell business customer, as an example, I was paying over $50 per month with a few bundled services. I can get all of what Bell gave me and more features PLUS unlimited Ontario long distance for $32.95 per month. On top of that is the cost of a converter box which can be rented or purchased. That box permits your existing telephone to be used over the internet by converting the phone signal for internet operation. No new phone costs are incurred.

For my residential line, I can get a residential Ontario service at $22.95 per month that includes Local Calls, unlimited Ontario Long distance calls, local phone number, 9-1-1 service, Caller ID, Call blocking, 3 Way, Call Waiting, Voice Mail, Call Forward and so on. It also offers Long Distance caller plans based on minutes or flat-rate and even includes a long distance service internationally to selected countries at a flat-rate cost of $59.95 per month or low per minute costs. On top of that is the cost of a converter box which can be rented or purchased.

But it is the other interesting services which make the offering so special. For those that have family in other parts of Ontario who call often or for a business that has customers in a different part of Ontario, “virtual” numbers can be used (at an additional cost). If that other city is Toronto for example, you can be given a Toronto phone number for your friends, family or businesses to call. Their call is no longer long distance but a local call that comes into your phone. It can be at huge savings over the cost of 800 service as an example or having family call long distance.

A variation is “Reverse Calling.” It is a unique feature whereby a caller who is not a subscriber may place a call to a subscriber and not incur a long distance charge. The non-subscriber would call a local access number and then enter the telephone number of the subscriber. Our system then processes the call by calling the valid subscriber and connecting the two parties.

If one goes on a business trip or vacation, take the VoIP converter box along with you, plug the converter it into the broadband connection and now you are free from the outrageous telephone charges of the hotel!

Voicemail is interesting. A Voicemail email is sent to advise that a message has been left so no matter where you are, you can tell who called you if you have an internet connection and then you can call box via the converter box.

Using VoIP is simple. You must have a broadband connection, either cable of DSL. You connect:

1. One slot of the VoIP converter box to the modem,
2. Another slot of the VoIP converter box to the PC
3. Your existing phone to the VoIP converter box and presto, it’s done!
   

Porting a phone number over to your new service is relatively painless. A few forms are filled in and in about 3 weeks time, the old number is working on your VoIP serivce.

V-O-I-P are the four most desirable letters in today’s telecommunication world. Wyndham Hall and Unitz have joined to make this exciting technology available to you!

If you want to obtain more information or to become a subscriber please call my son Michael or me at (519) 972-3989

Now back to our regularly scheduled Blogging!