On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:32:17 +0100 (CET), in alt.internet.wireless ,
erpardonmy <erpardonmy@ignorance.org> wrote:

>Ah, pardon my ignorance, but...
>
>Can I use a 802.11b 11mbs connection with any program or software to
>make local phone and/or long distance phone calls?
>
>I have heard about VOIP and Vonage. Can either of these be used and does
>it require special software and or equipment on both ends?

Voip works over any IP network.
Vonage is a proprietary version of Voip which has some
interconnectivity.

As for using Voip with a wireless router, you have several choices

- a softphone (ie software) installed on a wireless laptop which you
use with a headset

- a wireless Voip phone - a websearch for that exact term will give
you some ideas. They're quite pricey.

- a "normal" cordless phone plugged into a Voip ATA which in turn
plugs into your router. This isn't actually using the wireless at all,
but if you already have a cordless phone it works well.

I do the latter with a Grandstream Handytone 386. I have my cordless
phone plugged into the ATA, which is connected (via normal ethernet)
to my router. The cordless base unit is close to my router, the
satellite handsets can be scattered round the house as normal.

>What wifi connection factors determine if a reliable connection can be
>made and how do I check for these.

Voip requires a fairly high quality of service (QoS) to give good
quality calls. Some routers can guarantee QoS to specific ports/IP
addresses. Other than that I've no idea what you would need to check.
--
Mark McIntyre