The AAPHI Blog

Nowadays there are innumerable reasons why holiday-makers move around the world and when they are away from home they like to have a means of communication to keep in touch. Until relatively recently making long distance calls was difficult and really expensive and that put many off using a mobile for these calls.

However there are some really easy ways to substantially trim the cost of international calling and save yourself a real packet. Mobile VoIP is a cool application for your mobile that costs nothing to download and is very simple to install. Key points like these have helped spark a steady growth in usage of the technology for mobiles. You save cash because it allows you to route your calls by way of the internet making use of VoIP technology for mobiles.

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Did you know that mobile VoIP is a breeze to use. Essentially all you need to do is install the application then call from your phonebook as you would normally do. A tremendous benefit is that your mobile operators charges are avoided so by utilising VoIP technology you will be able to make international calls to your family without incurring huge charges.

Broadband users are familiar with the hassles of getting their problems addressed by the service provider. Probably the biggest problem is getting the Migration Authorisation Code from the service provider, which is essential for the user to switch over to another service.

To ease out matters, Ofcom has recently come to the rescue of the customers in a bid to protect consumer rights. The telecommunications watchdog has now provided a number of standard letter templates for the users to download and send to their service providers. The official letter templates cover a wide range of complaints and requests, like MAC code, delayed service etc. The benefit of these templates is that if a user uses the official letter template to request the MAC code then the service provider is bound to ensure he gets the same within five working days. If the service provider has not responded to any complaint made with the official letter template then the user can download an ‘Ignored Complaints’ draft and use it.

Earlier, Ofcom had a regulatory provision for the benefit of broadband users. This service (GC22) was an official enforcement programme to ensure that users are not subjected to undue delays by service providers in providing the MAC code. This provision was abandoned last year. The latest service of providing official letter templates is an attempt to safeguard the rights of the consumers in absence of GC 22.

Broadband Genie also has come to the rescue of broadband users by providing a complete guide to users on how to get the MAC code from the provider if, after a broadband comparison, one intends to switch over to some other service. Along with this there are other useful numbers and links to help users with technical problem.

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Not being particularly technical or a big follower of the latest technological news, I was completely didn’t know until not long ago that you can use the same ‘VoIP’ technology to make cheap calls to Pakistan from your mobile phone. VOIP is a relatively new technology which has taken by surprise the telephone companies, and not least the major mobile phone networks. Its popularity is steadily increasing with the increasing pervasiveness of broadband connections. It has proved to be an astonishing invention which has created a novel mode of telecommunication by exploiting the internet. VOIP is an abbreviated form of Voice Over Internet Protocol.

With the emergence of VOIP technology, calling your friends and family has never cost so little. You can easily make local, long distance, and overseas calls from your cell phone by tapping into a wireless internet connection or using a VoIP phone with a broadband net connection.

One of the most significant improvements of VoIP technology is the various new and improved features it allows you to enjoy, such as easy to set up conference calling. There are many much improved services offered by the various VOIP service providers. For example, there is voice mail facility, 3-way conference, speed dialling, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, call waiting, caller ID, call return, caller ID block, anonymous call rejection, an interesting feature of do not disturb, and last number dial. A great thing about VoIP is that you can often benefit from a host of additional services for no extra charge.

There’s a lot of hype these days surrounding Internet-based voice communications (VoIP) replacing traditional telephone service. Most of this revolves around companies such as Vonage who coin themselves as the ‘Broadband Phone Company’. So what about those of us who don’t have a broadband connection? Just because you don’t have high speed Internet, doesn’t mean that you can’t save a fortune by using VoIP for your long-distance calls. Whilst a broadband connection will usually result in more consistent VoIP call quality, comparable results can be achieved using a dial-up connection provided some simple guidelines are followed.

Shop Around

Not all VoIP service providers support dial-up users. Companies such as Vonage bill themselves as alternatives to traditional telephone service and shy away from the dial-up community (who are tied to those ‘traditional’ networks to access the Internet). Furthermore, some service providers only support dial-up above a certain speed (e.g., 56Kbp). Two companies whose VoIP softphone applications work well over low speed connections include Callserve and Go2Call.

‘Free-up’ your System Resources

In order to ensure the highest call quality, close programs that are running in the ‘background’. For Windows users, these applications can be seen in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. ‘Right-click’ the icons and close those programs that aren’t critical to system security (e.g., don’t close anti-virus software, firewall applications and the like).

If you’re using Windows XP with user switching enabled, log off all users except the one that will be used to make the call. This will prevent the other user identities from running software and/or using your bandwidth while you’re making calls.

‘Free Up’ your Internet Connection

Given the limited data capacity of dial-up connections, it’s important that you devote as much of your bandwidth as possible to the VoIP softphone application. To achieve maximum call quality, don’t do anything that uses your bandwidth whilst making calls. This includes instant messaging, checking email, using a webcam, browsing the internet, downloading, etc. In Windows, you can look at the two little computers in the bottom right of your taskbar to see whether your connection is being used prior to calling (the little computers illuminate when data is being uploaded and/or downloaded).

Scan your System for Viruses, Spyware, Adware and Malware

Some of these malicious programs can hijack your browser, tie up your internet connection and slow down your system (not to mention seriously invade your privacy!). I recommend AdAware for free scanning and removal of Spyware/Adware. Once you’ve checked and cleansed your system of these nasty programs, your virus definition files should be updated to minimize the chances of re-infection.

Use a Headset with an Integrated Boom Microphone

Last but not least, using a headset with a boom microphone should eliminate those annoying voice echoes often associated with PC to Phone calls. Echoes are caused by your microphone detecting the voice coming from your computer speakers and re-transmitting that voice signal back to the person you’re talking to. By using a headset, the voice signals are limited in volume (due to the headset being directly adjacent to your ears) and thus the chances of your microphone ‘re-transmitting’ those voice signals is greatly reduced.

So there you have it. A Lack of high speed Internet needn’t mean a lack of PC to Phone VoIP capability.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is the owner of netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive directory of PC to Phone service providers as well as information on VoIP and what you need to make inexpensive long-distance telephone calls using your computer

Orange has emerged as the topmost mobile broadband provider in the recent YouGov Dangle Tracker poll, as it did in the last poll. The survey is conducted every three months to judge the mobile broadband companies on 15 criteria like the value for money, network coverage, ease of use and quality.

The survey was conducted around a month back and YouGov interviewed around four thousand mobile broadband users. Orange has raked the highest points in nine criteria including ease of use and value for money. The newly introduced software which notifies customers when they are about to reach the usage cap and the monthly bill limit that ensures that cost of extra use is not more than forty pounds are being considered as the reasons for Orange’s top scores.

Orange UK’s Director of Broadband and Home, Asif Aziz, noted that it is a great honour and an amazing victory for Orange to emerge as the topmost mobile broadband provider. He said that Orange always aims as ensuring that the experience of its users is of highest standards. Orange even offers packages beginning from monthly rates of £5 for ensuring value for money for customers.

Some time back, Orange started its four million pounds publicity campaign with “You’re Covered” as the motto. However, the assertion of the service provider that it has the most extensive UK mobile broadband network has been challenged by 3, and the latter has even approached the Advertising Standards Authority to lodge a complaint against Orange.

For a closer look at Orange Mobile Broadband, take a look at Broadband Genie for a comparison of their service and performance with the other internet providers. Their comparative table of UK broadband providers includes an analysis of the prices and products, such as free laptop deals, from all the internet service providers to help you make an informed decision.

Mobile phone enthusiasts who have
viewed the
rise of VoIP technology and seen it
transform the telephone
industry are today set to gain
as producers are discovering
ways to bring VoIP technology to the mobile
market. There can be little doubt that this will turn out to be an
exhilarating time for those who use mobiles to make calls.

If you own a VoIP mobile phone then you may already be
enjoying the major advantages such as free and low cost
international calls. The cost savings that VoIP mobile phones will give
to consumers is sure to be one of the principal
attractions, although certainly not the only one. Convenience is
another element that will be a
blessing to users.

The prospective market for a VoIP Mobile phone is certainly huge as some
observers have already
noted. At present there are billions of
mobile phone users and with the assistance of mobile VoIP they will have
the power to make international calls at a very low cost. It seems inevitable that that fact
alone will guarantee that there will
be a rapid take-up of mobile VoIP.

The start of this new
phase in the VoIP success story
seems set to herald a
seismic
shift from the past and is another
example of the
growing world of telephone communication. VoIP for mobile is a development
that seems certain to pull in plenty of existing mobile users who will find
it highly desirable both in terms of
convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Expect to see the VoIP mobile phone sector to go into
overdrive in the days running up to Christmas
and in the years to come as growing numbers of mobile phone users discover the incredible power and flexibilty that mobile VoIP offers. It is transforming the
face of the mobile phone sector and this is a
tendency that shows no sign of slackening any time soon.

The Conservative Party has used the broadband tax proposed by the Labour party as its trump card for the elections. The Labour party’s proposal has met with protests from the general public who fear the increased billing they will face if this tax is indeed imposed.

The Labour party has proposed a charge of 50p to each monthly bill for landline phone connections throughout Britain. This is part of the Digital Britain initiative and is anticipated to generate revenues that will be used to improve broadband facilities across the country.

Predictions are that a tax of £6 a year extra per landline connection can bring in a substantial £175 million into the kitty. A competitive supply market will result from the improved broadband network that will be put in place with this fund, that is expected to bring down prices which will offset the addition to the bill. However, this broadband tax has not been received well by users for the obvious reason that it will involve an additional burden on them.

Now the Conservatives have used this tax as their electoral trump card, and have vowed to do away with it if it is voted to power in Britain. Speaking for the Tories, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has confirmed in a Financial Times interview that his party will indeed discard the plan. However, it is not clear how the Tories will enable high speed broadband across the UK without this fund.

There were rumours that the Labour Party is not very keen on pushing the plan through right now as it may adversely affect their performance in the elections. However, Stephen Timms, minister for Digital Britain, has reiterated that he hopes to see the law put in place before elections.

If you need more information on the ISPs, Broadband Genie’s comparative table of UK broadband providers includes an analysis of the products and services from all the internet service providers. So take a look at their website; click on best broadband, and check out the latest on broadband UK.

Zen Internet has joined the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) as a member and has been put up on its list of members on the IWF website. This announcement is likely to come as a surprise to the many critics of the IWF.

Zen Internet was considered by IWF critics to be an inspiration, as it had not joined the IWF despite being amongst one of the best broadband providers in the UK, although it was not known why they had not. When Zen was approached to explain its recent decision to enrol, it refused to say anything, stating that the time was not right to talk about its membership. Similarly, the IWF could not be reached for any comments either.

The IWF had started out as an independent self-regulatory organization in 1996. It was founded by the internet industry to fight child pornography and other kinds of indecency on the internet. The foundation works in association with the government and the police, and has its own website and a hotline for people to contact in case they come across inappropriate content on the web. Recently, the IWF has also begun to focus on eliminating racial hatred, and was embroiled in a controversy regarding blacklisting of Wikipedia, that garnered it a lot of damaging publicity.

Although, the public has been guaranteed that the organization functions independently and that the sites for screening are chosen by a self governing panel, people believe that it is either run by the FBI or with the intent of profiting in some way from the censorships.