BroadBand Phone IP network phones
Type: VoIP service with IP phone
Web: www.broadbandphone.com.au
Price: $199 plus monthly charges
The next step up from an ATA is to have a phone which plugs directly into your network. The IP Network Phone is a caller ID unit with built in speaker phone and plenty of onboard features. There is a noticeable delay when using the service, as with many VoIP solutions, but the biggest advantage is the phone is preconfigured with the phone number so it's truly plug and play.
Skype
Type: Soft phone
Web: www.skype.com
Free software-based service akin to MSN Messenger -- only designed from the ground up to support voice chat. Double-clicking on a friend's profile calls them. The quality isn't as good as the dedicated VoIP services with some voice garbling and compression effects. Skype also offers off-network calls and the new SkypeIn service offers DID numbers to become a viable software voice solution.
Firefly
Type: Type: Soft phone
Web: www.freshtel.net
Not as flexible or friendly as Skype, Firefly is nonetheless an easy to use program. Voice quality depends heavily on your connection as there is no option to change the voice codec. Using a broadband connection at each end we were still able to hear an echoing effect. Not bad for a free service, however.
BBP Global
Type: Soft phone service
Web: www.broadbandphone.com.au
This service uses the SJphone which has no bells and whistles - just a telephone keypad. Delay is again an issue but the voice quality was quite good. Call rates are cheap, but there is no direct in dial (DID) number, you need to call an access number and input the extension to place an ingoing call.
Chat-Cord
Type: Phone adapter
Supplier: OzVoIP (02) 9016 3844
Price: $45
No software included with this adapter, but what it does is converts your normal handset into a software phone headset. Unlike the mailVoice handset it doesn't have a mute speaker switch which means you'll need to do that manually or hear the conversation through both the speakers and your headset. Otherwise it's a handy gizmo which enables you to use a cordless phone.