VOIP/iiTalk tips and tricks
For many of us, it is hard to get used to the concept of having a second phone service. Because we've all been using the same traditional landline phone for many years, many people do not their VOIP/iiTalk service as often as they could (and should).
With that in mind, we have prepared some simple steps help you get used to the idea of using your VOIP/iiTalk phone in place of your usual landline telephone service.
- Firstly - if you have a particular telephone handset that you are used to using, plug that into your VOIP hardware to help keep you in the habit of using that particular telephone.
- If you use a cordless phone at home, plug the base station into your VOIP equipment. Using the cordless is another great way to get used to using your VOIP/iiTalk.
- Divert your landline calls to your VOIP/iiTalk number. If you use a Telstra touchtone phone this is quite simple. Lift the handset, press "Call Forward", enter your VOIP/iiTalk number including area code and then press "Call Forward" again. You will hear a long tone similar to your VOIP/iiTalk dial tone - this indicates that the call forwarding is in place.
- Alternatively, if you have a PSTN failover port (check your modem manual) you can have both your landline number and your VOIP/iiTalk number going through to the same handset. So when you dial out your using VOIP/iiTalk service, and when someone calls either your VOIP/iiTalk number or landline number, it rings on the one handset.
- Move your landline telephone handset somewhere that you won't regularly look to answer it. This is best achieved by leaving the handset plugged in as normal but storing it under a table or behind the lounge. You want it to be out of the way but still readily accessible in case of emergencies as VOIP/iiTalk relies on your broadband connection to make calls.
- If you're suddenly unable to make VOIP/iiTalk calls, check your broadband connection first. As your VOIP/iiTalk service is dependent on your broadband working, any problems with broadband may affect your VOIP/iiTalk as well.
- The Belkin 4 port routers come with a PSTN failover facility for emergencies - please ensure that it is plugged in and ready to use.
- There are several free features with iiNet VOIP or iiTalk accounts - like voicemail, call waiting, and voicemail forawrding to email - check them out and get them working and you'll find pretty quickly that it's much more convenient to use VOIP or iiTalk.
