VoIP (Voice over IP) is a term for calls over computer networks - in other words internet telephony.
Especially if you do international calls, VoIP is a good way to avoid high roaming costs when calling a phone number outside your network or country.
VoIP providers
Skype, Google Talk and Viber are VoIP-clients but their services are only available over a certain application (using encrypted protocols). Other VoIP-clients build up a connection using the more flexible and app-independant SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). Nokia N9 offers an inbuilt function which makes it easy to configure SIP VoIP.
The selection of available SIP VoIP providers huge. As an example for this article we take VoipDiscount which offers the possibility to make calls over their own application (available for desktop systems and some mobile devices) but also by setting up a SIP supported device.
Calling rates depend on what country you are calling from/to. To some countries landline calls are free, to the US even both - landline and mobile calls. For a complete list of calling rates please inform yourself at your preferred SIP VoIP provider or have a look at VoipDiscount calling rates.
Set up SIP VoIP service on Nokia N9
After you have set up a SIP VoIP account do following on your MeeGo device (in our example VoipDiscount, otherwise please look up specific configuration info):- Select Accounts / Add accounts / SIP
- SIP address: username@voipdiscount.com
- Password: Personal password which belongs to user name
- Select Advanced settings
- Outbound proxy: sip.voipdiscount.com
- Port 5060
- Other settings don't need to be changed
If registration is successful you are now able to log in via Availability (click status bar).
Make a SIP VoIP call
There are two ways to make a SIP call: Select Phone, tap the upper right corner to choose SIP and dial the number. Second possobility is to select Contacts and scroll down to Services where you find the option "Call with SIP". Additionally you can add a SIP username to your contacts in case they use the same service.
SIP VoIP calls use your cellular mobile connection or Wi-Fi if available. VoipDiscount won't work before you charge a minimum of € 10.00 to your account. In case your phone number (caller ID) isn't shown on the receivers phone, check settings on your VoIP account website.
