In order for Voicent software to make or answer phone calls, you must tell it which phone service to use.

The easiest setup is through a SIP-based VoIP phone service (such as SkypeConnect or Callcentric), or through a SIP Trunking service (such as Broadvox or Bandwidth.com).

There are other relatively easy ways to setup and use Voicent software (such as through a corporate PBX). They just aren't quite as easy as a VoIP phone service or a SIP Trunk service.

When you use a SIP-based VoIP service or SIP Trunking service, you'll get:

Easy installation and setup - No hardware installation; just download the software and setup in minutes

No need for physical phone lines

No need for telephony hardware - no voice modem, no dialogic board

Support for the latest Windows OS - Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7

Unlimited scalability - supports simultaneous calls up to as many as your computer allows

Almost all VoIP services are based on the same SIP standard so you have many choices and can easily switch among them.

Note: Although SkypeConnect is SIP-based, the free version of Skype is not. You can use Voicent software with the free version of Skype service, but you will lose some important features. (Learn more here).

If you already have phone service, you can follow the screen prompts in the Voicent Gateway Phone Call Setup Wizard to configure the Gateway for your service.

If you don't already have a phone service, let's explain the choices available:

• VoIP Phone Service. There are many providers, such as CallCentric, Skype, RingCentral, Packet 8, Vonage, Nextiva, ViaTalk, Gradwell, FreshTel, i2Telecom, Rapidvox, Broadvoice, DiamondCard, CallWithUs, and many others.
  
  Voicent strongly recommends the use of a SIP-based, business-quality VoIP service. Although many providers, such as Skype and CallCentric, offer free services, you will find more professional features, fewer limitations and better connection quality if you choose business-oriented servce levels such as Skype's SkypeConnect or CallCentric's Pay Per Call service or one of its monthly subscription plans.
  
  
• SIP Trunk Service. SIP-based business phone services such as Broadvox, Bandwidth.com, and many others provide large-scale, specialized VoIP phone connections for enterprise users.
  
  
• PBX System that supports IP phone. Almost all major PBX systems, such as Cisco, Avaya, Asterisk, Mitel, Shoretel, Ipitomy, Talkswitch and many more, now support IP phones.
  

I want to use a VoIP service but I don't have one:

Click here for more info

 

I already have a VoIP/SIP service or compatible PBX:

Setup Voicent to use a VoIP service

Setup Voicent to use a SIP trunk service

Setup Voicent to use a PBX system

The new IP phone technology is exciting and incredibly useful, but it can also be confusing.

Let's define some terms:

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocal. VoIP allows you to use your computer to make telephone calls over the internet. With VoIP you don't need a physical phone line or a physical telephone. All you need is a computer headset and an internet connection.

A softphone is a software program that acts as a phone, providing a telephone-like interface you can use to make or receive phone calls. Softphones are typically used with a headset (combination earphone and microphone) or with a USB phone.

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. It is a software application standard for VoIP. A SIP phone is one of the most common types of softphones.

SIP Termination is a VoIP service feature that allows you to call both local, long distance and international phones and cell phones directly from a SIP softphone. SIP Origination is a feature that allows softphones to receive such calls.

DID stands for Direct Inward Dialing Number. The number looks exactly the same as a regular phone number and it allows anyone to call your SIP softphone from a landline or mobile phone.