Mark Carver <mark.carver@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> Under what circumstances is voip a better deal, or have I got my sums very
> wrong ?

1. When it enables you to avoid paying line rental (eg cable broadband, or
2nd/3rd/4th lines)
2. When you want fancy PBX features like auto-divert, voicemail, 'press 1
for this, 2 for that' etc
3. When you can carry calls entirely over IP, not touching the PSTN
4. When you want to make/receive calls irrespective of geographical
location
5. When it's a replacement for a mobile call (see 4)
6. When you want to make use of providers in other countries (eg pretend to
be a local number on the other side of the world)
7. When you want multiple numbers (020...1 for sales, 020...2 for
accounts, or 020...3 for Fred, 020...4 for Bill)
8. When you want integration with computers, like fax-to-email.

A lot of this doesn't apply to many domestic customers who just make and
receive calls on the phoneline they have to have because they have ADSL.
You /can/ win if you want specific features that cost extra on the PSTN
(call divert etc) or aren't possible there (a New York number).

The big advantage PSTN dialthroughs have is a micropayments system, which
isn't the case on a 'top up XX pounds' VOIP system.

Theo