A softphone is simply a phone that operates from your PC or handheld device and uses your Internet connection to make VoIP calls. You can use a softphone in conjunction with a USB Phone or a PC Headset. Softphones can also be used with the Nokia range of smartphones.
A USB Phone connects to your PC and uses a VoIP Softphone (see above) installed on your PC to communicate. The benefits of using a USB Phone are that you only need a PC and Internet connection, installation is very simple and configuration is minimal.
A VoIP Phone looks like a normal phone but connects to your Internet connection instead of your phone line. If you plan on sharing your Internet connection with your PC, you will need a router which may be provided by your ISP. If you don't have a router, you can purchase from our wide selection of Broadband Routers.
A WiFi VoIP Phone works exactly like a VoIP Phone (see above) but connects to the network via a Wireless Access Point. This is useful if you move around a lot as you are able to use VoIP on the move wherever you have access to a wireless network. However configuration may be slightly more difficult, especially if the wireless network you are using has secured access.
A Video Phone connects to your router and works exactly like a VoIP Phone except that it has a camera and screen fitted in so you can transmit video images to another user of a Video Phone. To communicate with another Video Phone user either of you can use any type of device BUT both devices must use the same video codec. The video codec used by the device can be checked in its features list. Transmitting video over the Internet does mean that you will be using up to double the bandwidth normally used for just voice.
A VoIP Phone Adaptor is used to connect your normal analogue phones to VoIP. Similar to a VoIP Phone, VoIP Adaptors use VoIP through your Internet connection. If you plan on sharing your Internet connection with your PC, you will need a router which may be provided by your ISP. If you don't have a router, you can purchase from our wide selection of Broadband Routers. Some VoIP Adaptors also have built-in router functionality and others can also plug into your phone line as well as the Internet so you don't have to split your communications.
A VoIP Gateway is used to connect your normal analogue or ISDN PBX to VoIP. Similar to a VoIP Adaptor, VoIP Gateways use VoIP through your Internet connection. With analogue gateways there are two types: FXO and FXS. An FXS gateway is used to connect an analogue PBX to VoIP so that you can use it to make and receive calls through VoIP. An FXO gateway is used to connect a VoIP Phone (usually located in another geographic location) to the analogue PBX to enable remote extensions.
A VoIP Router is used to connect your normal analogue phones to VoIP as well as providing all the functionality of normal IP routers. In addition to this, VoIP Routers also provide the router functionality so they can use your ADSL/Cable Modem connection directly and allow your PC to connect to the Internet as well. Therefore, VoIP Routers are intended to be 'all-in-one' communication devices, providing both your Internet and VoIP connections.
Check this list for other SIP-compatible devices not listed in the other categories on this page and for a guide to generic SIP settings.
VoIPtalk offers an Asterisk PBX VoIP service. To use the outbound IAX Asterisk service, you must ensure that you purchase IAX credit.
