As I am training for a new work soon, my existing land-line will be dedicated to my new work. So, I had to get new phone numbers for other work and personal calls. I had thought about getting a second landline but that would have involved installation and rental expenses that I was keen to avoid. The solution was to use an Android handset and to route all calls over VOIP. I use Sipdroid's VOIP client for incoming calls and DialNow's VOIP client for outgoing calls. The numbers, 01 (for personal use) and 03 (for business use) were obtained from www.flextel.com for £3 each. Incoming calls to these numbers are routed via a SIP provider (www.freespeech.co.uk). The benefit of routing calls from Flextel to Freespeech is that the Caller ID is made available even when the caller has withheld it and FreeSpeech provides free voicemail via e-mail! When I am at home, I use WiFi to route calls over a broadband connection but, when travelling, the Talkmobile unlimited data plan (£2.50p/month, after cashback) is fantastic. My phone is now two travelling landlines that can make calls to UK landlines and mobiles for just 0.1p/min using Dialnow's VOIP client. DialNow can be configured to transmit the relevant Caller ID, or to withhold it altogether. I have also installed some call blocking software on the Android handset which means I can silence any nuisance callers! There are some issues with call blocking software as it is not tailor-made for VOIP calls. When I need FREE internet access when travelling, I just take out the SIM card from the phone and put it into the laptop! The next step is to find a way of getting a 3G signal inside the house, instead of using the WiFi connection! Total cost for this... Android handset = From £50 (assuming you don't have one) Two numbers @£3 each = £6 (one off cost from Flextel) Unlimited data plan = £2.50p/month (after cashback from TalkMobile) Call charges = 0.1p/min. to UK landlines and mobiles (DialNow) SipDroid Client = FREE (Android Market) DialNow Client = FREE (Android Market) Call Blocker = FREE (Android Market)
