The “Magic” of Internet Phone Service

The concept of using the internet to make telephone calls is hardly new. Services such as Skype and Vonage have already made their mark in the arena of easy (and inexpensive) internet phone calls. Even Google recently released a browser based plugin for gmail (a web email service) which allows users to call any phone in the United States, free of charge, right from their gmail inbox. MagicJack uses the same concept, though the MagicJack Plus is now a stand-alone device, and doesn’t require a PC in order to make calls.

Some people are even going so far as to say that internet phone will be the number one voice communication pathway of the future, making conventional landline telephones obsolete.

Integrated ARM CPU

To understand how the MagicJack Plus works, you have to understand the significance of the on-board ARM CPU. Since the MagicJack Plus has an integrated CPU, this means that it can make calls without needing to be connected to a PC. Having on-board CPU makes the MagicJack Plus more versatile, and also more efficient at making calls.

Set-Up

The creators of MagicJack Plus have claimed that this device will be able to make phone calls only minutes after being removed from the box. Simply plug the power cord into an outlet, connect it to the device, and then set up the internet connection. The MagicJack Plus includes a RJ-11 phone jack, which can be configured with wireless internet much in the same way as any other wireless device.

Making Calls

Just like the original MagicJack, the MagicJack plus is very easy to use after the initial setup. Since the MagicJack Plus doesn’t require any software installation on your PC, you can be making phone calls right after you finish connecting your MagicJack to the internet. Simply dial on your telephone the same way as you would when making any other call. However, be aware that since MagicJack Plus relies on your internet connection, you will lose your call if your internet connection becomes disconnected.

The magicJack plus comes just as the old magicJack did, with unlimited local and long distance calling for ony $19.95 per year with the initial purchase that includes the device costing consumers just a hair under $50.

Obviously the first thing that would improve would be the customer service and technology.  With the integration of the huge support teams that one of the big telecoms would have, it would probably make the service a little more efficient. However, users like myself are very happy with the service already and would hate for these added minor changes to cost two or three times more.

The website has a poll on which company would make the best fit as a possible suitor, and I obviously voted for Google. Surprisingly after I cast my vote it showed that it was clearly ahead in the online poll.  Here is a link to the page and poll so that you can cast your vote as to who would be a good suitor. (Poll Here)

The post didn’t reference any specific notion that Ebay was in talks with, or is going to sale Skype, but as a stakeholder was analyzing their situation and thought that selling Skype was the best course of action for Ebay.  I made a comment about my concerns over this notion, as well as my reluctance to see it go to a telecom company.  I also made several points in my comments about why Google would be the better fit as they could integrate those services into their new Crome browser and have yet another tool to compete with Microsoft’s core products.

Skype Wifi Issue and Tips:

1. Wifi Phone Dropped Calls: There are a lot of reasons for the dropped calls but there are some things that can be done to both the phone units, and router to make sure that the calls stay in tact.

A. Recently I’ve been looking into my router and phone settings to see if there is something that I can do to make it better.  What I noticed was that the phone has a general IP for the router and looks for the IP each time packets are exchanged.  On the router each port had a dynamic IP also, so I first went into the router and assigned the Wifi phone unit to a static IP from the router.  Then I went into the phone settings and changed it from a general IP setting to the static IP that was assigned from the router.  This was a big help in making sure that it doesn’t drop a call because it now find the IP much easier and doesn’t have to look for it each time.  Plus, there is also a setting where it show how often it refreshes the packets and this should be set at an optimal level for both the phone and router.

B. Preferrred networks within the phone unit will also make a difference in how it connects. This means that if you are trying to connect to a network that is the forth or fifth in line that the unit checks then it will take a little longer to pick up the data, and if that connection isn’t that reliable then it will be worse.  The best thing to do is make sure that the unit you want to connect to is the one that is at the top of your network list so that it’s the first one the system will check for.

C. Range is also a big deal and when you get down to one or two bars on the signal then it may or may not be reliable.  I’ve noticed that even with the other priorities taken care of that it can still drop if the signal is two bars or less (weak signal on some systems).

2. Better Wifi Phone Audio Quality: There are lots of ways to make sure you are getting the best sound, but the one big rule of thumb that I’ve noticed is not to talk over the other person.  Using a Wifi phone makes it hard to have an argument where one person wants to talk over the other because the quality gets distorted slightly when so much data is being sent at one time.  This means that it’s a good idea to practice good phone skills when using a Wifi phone and will make for a better experience on both ends.

After looking around for a couple of days to find a fix to the problem, I started to tinker around with the options and discovered a fix to my problem. I’m posting my results so that others who might have the same problem can find this tool and hopefully it will help in the same way as it did for me. If you are able to get into Skype and the Skype Manager does open, but there is limited or no extras in the Manager tool, then try the following steps to see if it works for you.

Skype Extras Manager Update:

Click on the ‘Get Extras’ tab from your Skype program under the heading off ‘Tools’, then ‘Do More’. From the Manager tools at the very bottom on the left side there is an option called ‘Options’. Once clicked on a new window will open up and there will be an option there called ‘Update Now’. Go ahead and click on this option and it should repopulate the fields and reset the Manager tool. This fixed worked very well for me and I got my extras to work right away. I did have to reinstall the extras that I had on my system, but it only took a few minutes and was better than not having them at all.

Wifi is a short range signal used mostly for local uses and private networks. It’s hard to build a large base coverage area with the current Wifi technology and the way the data is sent back and forth. I had a dream once that I was going to set up my own Wifi antenna and broadcast a signal to my neighbors. Then I could go around and ask them if they want to gain access and pay a small fee to have unlimited Internet. I was thinking about this idea over 5 years ago and figuring out ways to do it. However, with Wifi and technology it just wasn’t possible to broadcast to that many people without having lots of access points and ways for the data to be sent. That is where WiMax is different.

WiMax is long range microwave signals that can travel much farther and send data differently that is allowing it to be more scalable. This technology is set up with a similar application like a cell phone tower, which can be lower cost and delivers to a higher number of people. In fact there are entire countries, Pakistan being the leading in the world in use of this technology, that are using it as a means to deliver Internet, VOIP, and other services to rural areas. WiMax also has the ability to link up current hot spots. This means it can be deployed to connect smaller Wifi networks into larger more scalable networks and deliver it to a greater area. There are a few companies that are currently working within these spectrum of microwave and each is looking to become the standard in their newly formed WiMax Alliance, which oversees the development and regulation of this technology. Sprint and a few other major communication and media companies are investing into this technology and looking at ways it can be developed and applied. You can learn more about WiMax at the Wiki page or the WiMax Forum.

I’m curious how this new technology will effect other VOIP systems and products like Skype. Will it introduce a new range of products that instead of connecting to Wifi networks, would connect to WiMax networks that would give it a better range and most likely increased connectivity? I would hope so and look forward to seeing more of what WiMax has to offer.

Belkin Skype Wifi Phone Settings:

1. Signal Strength: There are a few key factors that can help keep the call online.

A. Preferred Networks: The device works well on one or two networks, but when there is a lot of saved networks in the system it tries to connect to the other ones the minute a signal is not found in the current wifi area. This means that a person that roams should also check the settings in the preferred networks and make sure that the current signal that the phone should receive is the on the very top of the list. There are settings inside the option area to move the preferred networks up and down. I try to clear off ones that I’m not using or don’t need so that the phone only keeps the current network that I want. The other option is the set the phone to not connect automatically to networks that you don’t use and this will also help the phone receive the right amount of data to keep the signal strength. Go the the phone settings and there is an option called preferred networks, and from there you can use the option pad to move them up and down, as well as select them to change settings like the auto connect.

B. Receiving and Sending Audio: It takes a lot of data packets to move the audio back and forth and the phone is sending this data in the air to the router which is then sending info back in the air to the phone. From my experiences, I’ve noticed that when conversations are getting loud, or there is a lot of noise in the background, that is when the phone call drops. If I’m trying to talk over the other person and we are both sending a lot of data and the same time, then it starts to get weak and I can hear the phone quality dropping. If I’m patient and allow the conversation to flow easy without a lot of extra noise or audio input then the calls stays on longer. I’ve actually talked on the phone continuously for over 1 hour on the same call without one drop. However, I’ve had conversations where for whatever reason the phone call dropped several times, but there were often other audio distractions going on so there was feedback going in. The additional noise could be a loud TV, noisy room, music, or even sometimes yelling into the device makes the audio start to fade out the signal. When I noticed it and calm down the signal quality starts to return.

I’ve read that Belkin is aware of these issues and are working on ways to improve the firmware that runs it to make it more stable. I hope there is an update coming soon and that is also be available to current owners through the software update service on the phone device.

C. Router: I’ve learned that is also helps to have a good router and one that puts out a good strong signal. I noticed that when I replaced my router with a newer and stronger router with better signal stability, it also improved the connection with the phone and made the calls much clearer. It may be a no-brainer but stronger signal strength starts where the signal is coming from so make sure that the device you are connecting to isn’t the problem rather than the phone.

2. Power Down: Every now and then the phone just needs to be reset. None of the data is lost in a full power down, but it may ask you sign into your Skype account again. I’ve noticed this to be very handy when I don’t get a signal or the signal strength is poor. I give the phone a power down and when it comes back up it seems to be working fine. The entire power down usually takes about 5 minutes as it may take about 1 minute to go down and about 3 minutes to come back up. You may also have to sign in again which may take another minute or so.

I’ve been enjoying most of my experiences thus far and hope that the new firmware updates will make the device applications more stable so that it will continue to be a productive and efficient part of my communication. There are also a few other devices on the market that I will be reviewing soon and look forward to seeing if they can be good parts my communication chain. I’ve been hearing good thing about the Vosky Call Center Device. It hooks up to any phone and can make Skype calls. It sounds be pretty interesting but I’m already seeing some flaws with this device and I’m sure I’ll be writing about it soon.

Pros:

• It’s great to be able to pick up the phone and dial a number direct and not have to pay for it. Other products for Skype either require the user to connect to a computer, or put the caller into a contact list to be able to use the Skype service. I’ve found that it’s just as useful as a normal cordless phone would be.

• It does search wireless signals the same way a laptop does and can pick up a good range of signals. Plus, it does enable the user to put in save parameters for networks and store them for automatic connections, as well as connects to open network automatically. I keep it as my home phone and have my home network stored in the device as the primary connection. It stays on 24 hours a day and I’m almost at the point where that would be my full time home phone.
• It does have the ability to do caller id, call forwarding, and other Skype features. I like being able to dial into my voice mail and also see caller history, length of calls, etc.
• It has a cool color screen which makes it easy to read and navigate through colorful icons. It almost looks and feels like the IPhone, but without the touch screen, which would be a nice feature later on.
• It doesn’t require any additional set up or hardware to connect to most networks. Right out of the box you can begin to connect to networks and start using the Skype service, without any other fees, connection charges, or software setups in computer systems. I tried the Phillips cordless unit, which does both landline and Wifi signal, but that needed the computer to work and I wasn’t prepare to leave my computer on 24 / 7.
• It has add-on services like Boingo to provide more access points in public areas. Although it does sound good, I checked my area and the only additional places I got was McDonald’s and a couple of coffee houses. However, it does work in most airports through their Wayport partnership.
• The quality of talking is pretty good and most say they don’t even realize that I’m on a Wifi phone. There is maybe a second delay on their receiving end, but Wifi user gets the audio back almost real time. I’ve tested it with various sources.
• Ability to store contacts and numbers for fast dialing.
• Simple and easy to use and has limited functions to worry about.

Cons:

• All phone calls have to be originated with a 1+area code, similar to long distance calling. Although it’s not extremely inconvenient, it does make for an extra step in dialing.
• Although it can find most network connections, if the access requires a browser based login, similar to the ones that are found in hotels, the phone cannot connect because it doesn’t have a browser built into it to enable the password to be entered through it. I’ve taken it with me to hotels only to find out that I cannot get on to their network with the phone and had to use my computer to connect.
• The signal strength is pretty good, but I’ve noticed as well as one friend who also has the same unit, that it occasionally will drop the signal in the middle of a call. This is because of the wireless network losing it’s packets and I’ve tried to strengthen my main signal by putting as the top source, but it’s frustrating when in the middle of a call and the signal goes dead, but not unlike cell phone where bars get dropped also.
• It’s not able to run some of the Skype extras like games, media player, etc., which should be in the next generation phones.
• Because it’s simple and easy to use, it doesn’t have a lot of features that other phones have but hopefully that will work out with the next generation, as well as adding a browser to be able to sign in on secured networks.

I hope this helps anyone who is thinking about buying one of the new Wifi phones and some of the things to consider when making the purchase. I personally think the Belkin Wifi phone is a great buy and I love having mine around to be able to make free calls anytime I want. There are also a few other products on the market that do a similar function but I’ve not tested them yet. NetGear, Linksys, and Panasonic have phones on the market that are also Wifi and Skype certified.

To begin, I thought it would be good to give an overview of what Skype is, or more or less an overview of the benefits of why to use it. I don’t want to get to much into the back-end technology of Wifi and VOIP, but I will touch on them more in later posts. In the most simplest use, Skype is an IM (instant messenger) and like most of them it’s free! That’s right, you can go to Skype.com and download the latest version of the application and set up a free account. From there you can begin to not only IM other Skype members for free, but your able to actually call and talk to them. This does require at least speakers and a microphone, but most users will get a headset with both. (starting at $15 at most department stores, but I suggest getting the USB enabled sets that start at about $25)

This is only the beginning, as their are lots of options and add-ons that can be utilized, and some are free, while others have a charge. However, I’m going to review my experiences and what I’ve found to be the best formula for optimizing the Skype experience. I will also review some options for running businesses through Skype.

1. I start with getting Skype Pro. This is for both personal and business accounts. This is useful for several reasons and helps to get other options for discounted prices. Skype pro gives you unlimited calls going out to the US and Canda for one low cost per year (currently at $36 per year), as well as a free customizable voice mail, free call forwarding, vouchers for hardware, software, and most important a discount for getting a actual phone number setup (60% savings from the regular price). With Skype Pro you’ll be able to use your computer to call anywhere in the US and Canada for free.

2. Calling Back – I then get SkypeIn for the discounted price of $24 per year and chose a phone number with any area code that I want to have. They have a pretty good selection of phone numbers, but don’t expect to find the exact number you want. However, it’s nice to be able to chose the area code and phone number.

That’s it, you now have a phone, phone number, voice mail, call forwarding, caller id, a bunch of other features, as well as unlimited free calls to the US and Canada, and you paid only $60 a year.

Now there are a bunch of other features and benefits which I will touch on here, but will go more in depth with in later posts.

1. Free Business Control Panel – This is a great tool to set up multiple accounts under one user and be abel to assign numbers to each account, add credits to them, and assign and check voice mails.

2. Skype Extras – Lots of free goodies, like games, voice recorders, call centers, virtual pbx, application sharing, music player, and more. (some extras are free while others are free to try)

3. SEO and Marketing – Side bar widgets and other tools for promoting businesses.

However, at this time we are talking about Skype and Wifi are and the benefits of using tem. At this point, you have an unlimited phone that you can use at your disposal, but it’s on your computer and how can it be used effectively. Thankfully there area a lot of new products coming out to solve this problem and I’ve been experiencing them over the past 6 months and will review them here. Side note: I see this being a very open market for R& D over the next year or so and look forward to what’s coming.

1. Headsets and Wireless Headsets – These are devices that plug into your computer and lets you make calls from Skype and talk via one device. I’ve found this very useful and keep a headset with my laptop at all times to be able to make calls when I’m connected to the Internet. The quality is great with the wired devices and I don’t ever seem to have any problems with them, but the wireless ones I’ve not found as good of quality in sound and so I’m hesitant to rely on them.

2. Getting away from the computer – There are some new units that help to get you away from the computer but still give you the power of Skype and VOIP. Router based units are good for home use and provides you a base unit that plugs into any home router sytem and sends a signal to a standard cordless phone device. This pretty much would be the same set up as a land-based line, and in fact the products that are on the market now allow for both signals at the same time. However, you’ll be able to make free calls via the Internet and save lots of money per year. The only drawback is that you can only link up to 4 phones to one base unit so if you are use to having more than that it might not be good for you. Also, make sure the phones are able to dial Skype directly and not through your contact list. I tried the Phillips unit and was impressed with the quality, ease of use, and other features, but was disappointed when I found out that I could only call from my contact list. If I wanted to make a call to a number that was not already in my list, I had to add them via the computer before I could call with the cordless phone.

3. Wifi - Not this is the big thing right now and certainly the most impressive feature of this service by far. The benefit of having Skype using VOIP on Wifi is a true joy and the reason that Skype will be around for a long time. With the new devices on the market called Wifi phones, people are able to use their phone to connect to the Internet like a laptop and make calls via Skype. I had to buy one of these phones and purchased the Belkin unit, but there area also products from NetGear and Linksys. My Belkin is able to search for wireless signals and allow me to connect to them and use Skype. If it finds an open signal it will connect automatically and allow me to get on and start using the features. However, there are some limitation, as it cannot connect to browser based login services from some Internet services providers, such as those found at hotels and other secure places that provide a password to access. But it does connect to secured lines and allows the user to save the keys for stored networks. In example, I’ve stored the wireless network keys for all my personal locations and work so when I’m in the areas where those signals can operate I’m able to make free unlimited calls.

Right now, I’ve been estimating that it will save me about $800 per year so I’m glad to have made the investment to buy a Wifi phone and set up a Skype account so that I could take advantage of the VOIP revolution. I figure if the phone last me 3 years then I’ve saved myself thousands of dollars and with that I’ve been telling family and friends about it, and now you know as well.