The VoIP "call" is transferred as a series of data packet packets, rather than as an analogue voice signal. The basic steps involved in the origination and termination of a VoIP call are:

a) conversion of the analog voice signal to digital format

b) then compression/translation of the signal into internet protocol (IP) packets for transmission over the Internet;

c) this process is reversed at the receiving/call termination end. The data packets are translated back into a voice signal.

The main advantage of VoIP is much cheaper call costs.

You can make a call to any landline in Australia for as low as $0.09 per call, or a call to any Australian mobile for just $0.20 per minute.

VoIP calls these days, and particularly with Exetel, are the same as traditional voice line quality. There is no longer the delays, one way voice and drop outs that in days gone by used to be the stigma of VoIP.

Exetel provides VoIP services by connecting customers via their Exetel ADSL or Mobile Broadband service to its own VoIP switches and then delivering national calls, calls to mobiles and international calls over toll quality lines from its upstream provider, Verizon.

When you order a VoIP service, you are allocated a telephone number (called a “DID”) and it is ready for use as soon as you set up your ATA/Modem. See the VoIP set up guides on the left sidebar menu to do this.

For a post paid VoIP service, calls are billed in arrears for the previous calendar month.

The invoice is due and payable on or soon after the 1st day of each calendar month.

If you have an existing Exetel ADSL or Mobile Broadband service, your VoIP calls will show on these invoices.

Pre-paid VoIP services are also available to non-Exetel users or to Exetel users who wish to use VoIP on a pre-paid basis.

Exetel provides VoIP plans which are billed one month in arrears and are provided with a DID.

A "DID" (Direct In Dial) number is a valid PSTN dial number that is in the same format as a standard wire line number and allows calls from standard telephones to be made to your VoIP number.

Current numbers prefixes/ranges are;

Capital Cities

Regional:

Click on “VoIP Pricing – Australia” on the left sidebar menu to see our plan pricing.

If you use Exetel’s Mobile Broadband service then Exetel’s VoIP is also available to you. Exetel’s Mobile Broadband service uses the Optus 3G mobile network and doesn’t require a land line of any type. This, depending on your personal circumstances, may allow you to discontinue renting your current land line and only use VoIP to make telephone calls from your desktop or laptop.

Before deciding that you can do without your land line telephone call ability Exetel advises you think through your personal circumstances very thoroughly.

Exetel can provide a Mobile Broadband service for use on your 3G mobile telephone handset via a 3G/Mobile Broadband enabled sim. You can also use the 3G/Mobile Broadband sim to make and receive ‘standard’ mobile telephone calls by selecting an Exetel mobile plan.

A better option, in many locations around Australia, is to use Exetel’s VoIP service instead of paying mobile call rates. VoIP is easy to set up on a 3G/Mobile Broadband compatible handset and the calls are about 50% to 75% cheaper than most current mobile call rates.

For full details of the Exetel VoIP plans please click here.

Exetel has prepared detailed set up guides, depending on your ATA/modem type and situation. The first course of action is to click VoIP Setup Guides on the left sidebar menu for instructions on doing this.

If you are still not configuring successfully, email voip@exetel.com.au and one of our experienced engineers will reply as soon as possible.

• 1 DID (Direct in Dial) number is included with any plan.
• Unlimited ‘lines’.
• No Contract.
• International Calls from $0.02 per minute.
• Calls to 13/1300 numbers $0.30 per call.
• Billing Increment is per second.
• There is no charge on any call from an Exetel DID to another Exetel DID (SIP to SIP).

• Charges Listed Above Include GST.
• All rates quoted here are subject to change without notice.
• There is no charge on any call to a 1800 number.
• There is no plan change fee but a plan change will take effect at the commencement of the next billing cycle.

A "DID" (Direct In Dial) number is a valid PSTN dial number that is in the same format as a standard wire line number and allows calls from standard telephones to be made to your VoIP number . Currently local numbers are available for all the major capitals as well as Newcastle, Penrith, Wollongong, Geelong and Central Coast. There are some other towns and areas available. You can email voip@exetel.com.au with your town and we can do a service area check.

To use a VoIP service you will need either a stand alone ATA or an ADSL modem with an ATA capability built in to it. If you are thinking of buying a new ADSL2 capable modem and/or a new ATA, Exetel is currently offering the Dynalink RTA1046VW at a very attractive price when you order a VoIP service from Exetel.

The advantages of the Dynalink RTA1046VW (or any other manufacturer's similarly specified product) is that it provides all the required functions in one 'box' with only one power outlet required and reduces cabling to the minimum. Its major plus is that it allows you to use your current telephone handset (and current telephone number) to receive calls while you use the same handset to make calls using VoIP. In the event that the VoIP service/ADSL service becomes unavailable for any reason you continue to use your current handset to make calls via the standard telephone service without the need to plug/unplug anything.

A schematic of how you connect your current handset(s) to use VoIP is shown here.

To allow you to use your current PSTN handset to make and receive standard PSTN calls you will need a dual port adaptor that plugs in to your ADSL modem to access your VoIP service as well as remaining connected to your standard telephone service.

The current cost of the Netcomm V210P single port ATA sourced through Exetel is $75.00 plus delivery.

Specifications of the V210P may be found by clicking here

If you would prefer to use your PC's sound card and a head set to make and receive VOIP calls you will need ´soft phone´ software from the provider of your choice.

Exetel recommends that the softphone software you select uses the G.729 codec. You may select free software that uses G.711 but be advised that you can only make outgoing calls. Incoming calls cannot be received.

The following features are supported by the Exetel VoIP service but whether or not they are usable by a customer will depend on the capabilities of the softphone or hardware selected by the customer.

Exetel's personal VoIP services may be ordered by any person. However if you aren't already an Exetel ADSL or SHDSL customer (and therefore have no Exetel credit history) you will be required to pay a $300.00 bond.

To order VoIP services please click here.