[ticex]

I've been working on this system the past few days and thought I'd share what I've managed to get setup.

The problem I had with using the voipfone internet trigger was that I always had to type my callkey number into the "calling from" box and it was a pain remembering it. Well, I found a workaround - I added an extra virtual PBX extension (number 202) into my account and have that set to always divert to my callkey mobile (costs 8.4p /min). I login to the Voipfone "PDA" callback page then type the number I want to call in the top box and simply the diversion extension "202" in the 2nd box. A few seconds later the mobile rings and when I answer the person I'm calling's phone rings. The smart thing is when I hang the call up the voipfone callback page immediately refreshes and has 2 fresh boxes for my next callback. Total call cost to a UK landline = 9.5 pence / min (+/- 13.7 euro cent). It's about the same cost to call landlines in most of Europe, USA and all the other "cheap" destinations. I've tested it quite extensively and it does always seem to work perfectly. 100% call quality and the caller ID sent is that of my UK landline number which if people call back will ring straight through to the mobile. To further save money on incoming calls I've completely deactivated the voicemail on the callkey line so when a diverted call rings for 30 seconds voipfone stop the diversion and instead send it to my voicemail box. This then sends the messages via email as an attachment which I can pickup directly on my internet phone.

To make this work I'm using my SPV smartphone with the Wind mega-no-limit sim inside and the callkey sim in a 2nd phone so it's a 2-handset setup. As I'd probably have both phones with me this isn't much inconvenience and allows for pan european coverage at the same low price. I think this price is hard to beat and as I said before, for me personally it's a major advantage to be able to divert my landline calls for such a low price.

There is another option where you send an SMS to voipfone from the callkey handset but I prefer the internet version as it saves the cost of an sms. As such I've not tested this sms method yet but I'll try it over the next days and report back.

Now, another interesting part in this is voipfone apparantly are planning to introduce the facility to have incoming numbers from outside the UK. Also, if you can prove you own a specific number and fax them the paperwork they will put an option in your account to send that caller ID on outgoing calls. I've put in a request for them to add my callkey number which would be handy but I guess they will also allow an international (non-uk) caller ID which could be useful for other people.