IP Telephony and VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), allows you to make voice calls using a Broadband Internet connection instead of the usual (analogue) phone line

As VoIP has become increasingly more widespread, there are a variety of different VoIP services available in an up-and-coming market.

Historically VoIP services would only allow you to call other people using the same service, but now you can call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers.

Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services now allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.

Typically VoIP services have been lauded as offering cheap or even free calls, in reality VoIP calls can work out a little cheaper but there’s also some great functionality now available.

In order to benefit from VoIP services, you will need to have Broadband service with at least 20:1 contention ratio.

Class currently has one VoIP service available to customers:

FeaturePlus OfficeBox

A VoIP adapter that is simply plugged into your broadband router and your computer, which you use with your traditional analogue handset.

FeaturePlus OfficeBox gives you VoIP telephony along with the functionality of a small telephone system*.

Great for small offices and homeworkers, you can benefit from cheaper calls, free calls between sites and call management facilities.

Totally portable, you can even unplug your OfficeBox and take it with you and connect up, even abroad, people will still be able to reach you on the VoIP number you are allocated with your service - not even realising you're not in your office!

You have access to a special on-line portal www.featureplus.com which allows you to manage your calls, download call reports and even set up shared phone-books and short dial codes. An all round useful tool for smaller office set-ups.

*It is important to understand that some VoIP services are different from a traditional PSTN service when considering calls 999/112 calls to the Emergency Services. There are certain circumstances where 999/112 calls cannot be made relating to service outages.
All potential users of the service must be aware of the above limitations and always have an alternative means of accessing 999/112 emergency services.
It may or may not be possible for Emergency Operators and Authorities to identify the location of the call and the phone number when you dial 999/112 using VoIP service. You will need to state your location and phone number promptly and clearly. Emergency operators and authorities may also not be able to hold your line open in the event you hang up and may not be able to call you back if your line becomes disconnected during the call.