“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh tell me, I may sponge away the writing on this stone!” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Merry and bright, all year round! From here we send you the best thoughts and all the Switch2VoIP team wishes you a Happy New Year 2021.
Christmas Day & New Year is coming near once again. Many thanks for your confidence and support throughout the year.
Here, we would like to extend our warm wishes for the upcoming holiday season & wish you and your family a Merry Christmas as well as a prosperous New Year.
To create a SIP account these days is very simple compared to the beginning days of VoIP.
A SIP account opens all possibilities of communications, from audio voice calls to high definition real time video calls from all kind of devices and operative systems like iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and all kinds of PBX installed on any platform, they all make use of the SIP protocol.
The many benefits that a SIP account offers when configured on a PBX are often free audio and video calls to internal extensions within the same network. However when you make calls outside of your internal network you may pay a per minute fee and the price will depend on the VoIP provider.
Option 1: Setup a SIP account on a laptop or mobile device to make calls over Wi-Fi or over mobile network
Open the App Store and download Zoiper or Xlite.
Open Zoiper or Xlite.
Tap Settings.
Tap Accounts.
Click on Add New SIP Account.
Complete the required fields with your SIP account details, username, password and server/host IP. If you still don’t have one then you must create a SIP account from your VoIP provider.
After getting the SIP account credentials from the VoIP provider you will need set them up on your SIP phones or Virtual PBX.
Login to the SIP phone or PBX console from a web browser.
Enter the SIP account credentials including the username, password and server host IP. For more security ask your VoIP provider to authenticate your SIP account with your network IP.
Confirm the SIP account is registered on the device.
Place a call from your registered SIP account
Once you have finished setting up your SIP account on a SIP phone or Virtual PBX you can place a call normally as any other phone call either you are connected to the Wi-FI or using a mobile internet connection.
In simple terms, a SIP Account is the main key needed to activate your VoIP communications. SIP means Session Initiation Protocol. SIP makes it possible to connect the software solutions also known as SIP devices with the person who will be receiving the calls, in other words connects it to the VoIP provider via SIP Trunking.
The SIP Account is the unique identification (an account number and password) on the internet that you can use on your softphone or PBX. Making calls with a SIP Account is very economical as you can call anywhere in the world using the internet.
Many SIP accounts are prepaid or pay as you go and others are based on a monthly plan, you can have unlimited number of users making calls on your SIP Account to anywhere in the world and also receive calls to your SIP Account simultaneously.
Creating a SIP Account
Create a SIP Account by looking for a VoIP provider such as Switch2VoIP will offer you competitive prices and call quality. 100% CLI White routes are very important to ensure superb call quality and service. Those are important keys points when selecting a SIP Account for your needs and the needs of your business.
Signup for a SIP Account
You can register online for the SIP Account by filling out the registration form and crediting some funds to make calls. Register using your e-mail address where you will receive your SIP Account credentials. Make an online payment for the VoIP so you can start enjoying your SIP Account. The full details and credentials that you will use to configure your SIP phone with the SIP Account will be sent to you via email.
Example of SIP account details:
SIP phone configuration
Display name: Enter your campaign name or business name, also this field can be left blank.
Username: Your SIP account username or in some softphones the phone number you wish to display in the Caller ID.
Password: Enter the SIP password given by the provider
Authorization Username: Enter your SIP account number or username.
Domain: Must enter the SIP provider’s domain or host IP to connect the calls.
The SIP Account can be registered in multiple devices at the same time. Switch2VoIP offers unlimited channels outbound and inbound. You can have the account on an app on your mobile phone, in an office, and many more simultaneously.
Simple steps to add credit balance to your VoIP SIP Trunking account is very easy and allows you to make and receive calls on your softphone or PBX, Vicidial or Goautodial.
Login or Register for a VoIP SIP Trunking account by going to the top menu My Account.
Enter the amount of credits in $ that you would like to credit on your VoIP account as shown on the picture below.
How do I see a payment on my billing history?
You can view and print your billing history from the Billing Portal.
Go to My Account on the top menu and enter your username and password.
Click on Billing History.
Right click on your browser and select Print this Page to print your entire billing history or change the dates and print for a specific date.
The meaning of the SIP acronym is Session Initiation Protocol. SIP is a signaling protocol that allows the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) by sending a command to the softphone or VoIP phone with the SIP account credentials allowing the “initiation” of the VoIP phone call “session” on the phone device.
SIP is the protocol used to deploy a VoIP call on a particular device. It is used to connect local telephone systems like virtual PBX’s, softphones and mobile apps to the public telephone network to connect users without a traditional telephone line.
Example #1 of the SIP protocol components explained: sip:bob@114.5.41.123, in this string “sip” is the protocol we are requesting to open the device that will make the call, “bob” is the SIP account username and “114.5.41.123” is the IP of the SIP server or host of the VoIP provider.
Example #2 This example is more interactive, if you click here sip:15555555555 a message will pop up confirming that the softphone installed on this device will initiate the call to the phone number 15555555555.
Other VoIP deployment protocols are Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP), and Session Description Protocol (SDP).
SIP vs VoIP
SIP is a protocol used to deploy applications to send voice messages. VoIP is a technology used for sending and receiving voice packages over the internet.
What is a SIP trunk and how does it works?
A SIP trunk is the VoIP version of a classic wired telephone line. SIP trunking is a method of sending voice messages and other means of communications through the internet by interconnecting the server IP of the caller and the server IP of the SIP Trunking provider, with this interconnection SIP trunking allows the calls to initiate.
The term VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. It’s also called PC to Phone, SIP Telephony, IP Telephony or Internet Telephony.
It is an affordable option to make phone calls, with the difference that the calls are a lot cheaper than traditional phone lines. The telephone set is not always necessary as you can communicate from your computer.
VoIP has a lot of advantages over the traditional phone system. The reason why most of the people are turning to VoIP technology is the cost. Do you have access to a computer with a mic and speakers or a headset, and Internet connection? Then you can communicate using VoIP. You can also use your mobile phone by downloading an application, you can contact Switch2VoIP Support team for more information.
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How can i use VoIP?
You can use VoIP from your office, home or laptop on the road. It all depends on where and how you will be making the calls. Either it is from your home, work or your corporate network, during a travel and even on the beach you will always be paying less than 1 cent per minute for most of the destinations including USA, Canada, United Kingdom and many more.
1- First you will need to create your VoIP account and buy some credits:
To buy VoIP credits first you need to verify that you are buying the best VoIP rates and then go to the VoIP store and buy a test account with only $5 and you can start making calls, after you finish testing you can add more credits as you need.
2- Finally you need to download a free Softphone and start make calls:
What is a Softphone?
A Softphone is a software that allows the user to make calls from their computers or cell phones, it resembles a small telephone with the keypads, it’s an easy to use application to communicate with your friends and family or growing your business while saving money.
The term or word VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol which is a method to make calls over the internet. It is also known as: PC to Phone, IP Telephony, Internet Telephony or SIP Telephony.
It is the means of making a call using Internet as the transmission medium, rather than the traditional way via phone lines with telephone cords. VoIP is a very simple easy way of connecting voice data using IP.
What are the benefits of VoIP?
There are many advantages in using VoIP over the usual phone system. The most common beneficial reason for choosing VoIP technology is the cost. That is a great advantage for business owners to reduce the cost of calling customers.
Do you have computer access, a microphone, speakers or a headset, along with Internet connection? That is all you need, you can now start communicating using VoIP.
You can also use your cell phone by simply downloading an application and using the VoIP account at the tip of your fingers. For further questions, please contact our Switch2VoIP Support team.
How can I use VoIP?
VoIP can be used from home, office, a laptop on road, or even your mobile phone. The convenience of making calls at a low cost is simple. You can be in your home, at the office, traveling and even sitting on the beach and you will always be enjoying the low cost per minute to many destinations.
With VoIP to most destinations including USA, United Kinfdom, Canada and many more, the cost is less than 1 cent per minute. See our rates for all over the world from this link: http://www.switch2voip.us/voip-rates-for-call-center
What is a softphone or how can I make the call?
The software used in order for users to make calls from their computers or mobile phones is called a Softphone (software telephone).
It resembles a small telephone with a keypad, very easy to use and allows you to communicate with family or friends or a business can use VoIP to communicate with customers while saving money.
Softphones allows you to make low-cost telephone calls through the VoIP to anywhere in the world.
The Hosted Dialer is a virtual VICIdial which provides you with the facility to call automatically to your customers. This increases the production of the Call Center or business, making calls in a fast and efficient way.
With our Hosted Virtual Dialer you can have peace of mine with 99% uptime guaranteed.
Many features come along with the Hosted Dialer, including free Tech support.
Hosted PBX is the most efficient way to connect via IP to the VoIP provider for voice calls and service.
The Hosted PBX or Private Branch Exchange is a cloud based system that is accessible using an IP network.
It can reduce a great amount of your monthly phone bill when compared to a traditional business phone number system.
There is no hardware, software or maintenance required, and can be managed from off-site.
For these reasons and more, the Hosted PBX is increasing in popularity with business owners to make calls easily and efficiently.
What is an IVR?
An IVR, Interactive Voice Response is an automated telephone system that communicates with callers, collects information, after routes or transfers calls automatically.
An IVR system can accept many different combinations of telephone touch-tone keypad selection or voice telephone input and then provides the correct appropriate responses in various forms of media, either voice, e-mail, callback, etc.
An IVR provides a pre-recorded voice response to a customer, and then can transfer the call to a human being to continue with the call.
What is SIP Trunking?
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Trunking is the use of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) to facilitate the connection between an Private Branch Exchange (PBX) to the Internet.
SIP is a standard for initiating multimedia sessions; a trunk is a line or link that can carry and connect many signals at a time.
For business SIP trunking provides Integrated Services for Digital Network (ISDN) line rationalization (to improve profits) and reduces the business PBX needed to maintain.
A Virtual Phone number is a telephone number also known as DID, without a telephone cable or line directly connected or associated to it.
A Virtual number can make it easy for someone in a specific location or area code to call another area code as if it were a local call.
These telephone numbers are commonly programmed to forward the incoming calls to a telephone number selected.
For example, let’s say you live in California, USA, and you purchase a Virtual phone number from Sydney, Australia. Anyone in Sydney can call your local Sydney phone number and get a hold of you in California.
The Switch2VoIP team is thankful for you! We all wish you and your loved ones an enjoyable holiday this Thanksgiving day!
If you need our help sit back and relax while our tech support takes care because our staff will be available as usual on office hours from 9am to 5pm EST providing regular support coverage.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday.
Switch2VoIP provides telephone services for business of all sizes including home offices, call centers and hotels.
The Switch2VoIP team is thankful for you! We all wish you and your loved ones an enjoyable holiday this Thanksgiving day!
If you need our help sit back and relax while our tech support takes care because our staff will be available as usual on office hours from 9am to 5pm EST providing regular support coverage.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday.
Switch2VoIP provides telephone services for business of all sizes including home offices, call centers and hotels.
Why a Call Center should comply with FCC standards
The Federal Communications Commission, also known as the FCC, is a big independent organization of the US government which was created to control and regulate the communications by satellite, radio, television, wire or cable.
The FCC was solemnly created for the purpose of safety of life and possessions through use of wire or radio communications, for all residents of the USA without any discrimination based on color, race, sex or religion.
The FCC has control and authority in all 50 states of the US to oversee the communications technologies which is transmitted by telephone.
One of the FCC programs known as the Do Not Call list is to provide all USA residents and customers with the protection against telemarketing calls. Many residents do not want these calls received at home and can be protected against it with this organization.
This control of the Do Not Call list applies to telemarketing calls which in specific is a telephone call with the design to sell or purchase a good or service.
The FCC has rules in place under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which regulate the unsolicited telephone calls which include:
– Anyone calling your home soliciting must provide you with their name, the name of the company they calling on behalf of, a telephone number or address where they can be reached.
– Telemarketing calls to your home are prohibited before 8am and after 9pm.
– Telemarketers need to comply with your do-not-call request if you do request it.
Under the FCC customer protection, customers are able to add their number to the Do Not Call list and telemarketing call centers must comply.
What is the DO NOT CALL registry or list?
The national Do Not Call list or registry is used to protect home or personal wireless phone numbers from unwanted calls.
By law it is only enforced and applies to calls that are telemarketing, which once again means for selling or purchasing a good.
Once you have added your home phone number or wireless number to this Do Not Call list, callers are prohibited from calling you. If a call is made to any number on the registry or for any reason the FCC receives a complaint of a telemarketing call, the company or call center now has 31 days to stop calling you.
If a customer continues to receive telemarketing calls and they are placed in the national Do Not Call list, a complaint can then be made to the FCC stating of the violation against telemarketing calls.
The FCC can impose fines or issue warning citations against the company violating the Do Not Call rules.
Best VoIP Providers Information for Business 