Voice Over IP (VOIP) lets you make phone calls over the internet. Using your Hornet connection and your computer you can call other people using VoIP software for free wherever they are in the world or even just down the corridor! All you need to be able to use VoIP software is the following:

• A Computer with an Internet connection
• FREE – Plug and play service
• Instant connection
• No monthly line rental or minimum contract
• Discounted call rates
• Flexible system – works with your laptop mic and speakers or usb phone
• O844 number to accept normal phone calls
• Pay-as-you-go service – add credit using the on-line system

That’s it! No expensive equipment is needed. Once you start using VoIP you can save huge amounts on phone bills.

Hornet Recommendations

What else do I need to know?

Many computer experts were concerned about the use of a free VoIP called Skype. This VoIP software may use the host PCs as repeater or super node and the high bandwidth availability and number of hosts within the Hornet network make it an ideal home for supernodes. This has led The Joint Academic Network and many other Internet providers to prohibit or limit Skype network traffic. Hornet does not ban, limit or restrict Skype usage, but we do prevent supernodes forming on the Network. From an end user perspective Skype should work normally.

Benefits of Freewire Phone

Find out how to get free calls when on and off campus

Introduction

When working away from the University, students are now able to make free calls to any University extension number from anywhere in the world via broadband, completely free of charge using Freewire Phone application.

Freewire phone is a Voice over Internet Protocol system where your calls go via a broadband connection through the internet.

Softphone

Softphone is software that turns your PC into a phone. It allows you to make telephone calls while connected to the internet anywhere, rather than using a normal telephone handset. As you are using the internet to make calls rather than traditional landlines or mobiles, the calls are vastly cheaper, or even free. The quality of the calls is just as good as on a conventional landline.

Install Softphone

1. Sign up for a Freewire account at www.freewiretv.com Once you sign up, you get your own account and number/ID. This is the ID number that others outside the University phone system can also call you on, if ever required.
2. Download the free Softphone software from www.freewiretv.com/download.html
3. Once installed, you can make conference and video calls with anyone else who has Freewire Softphone.
4. Enjoy free University calls.

Note: If your computer has a built-in microphone and speakers you are ready to make calls. Alternatively, a USB telephone handset that plugs into your PC can be used, providing superior sound and speech quality over a standard microphone and speaker set-up.

Useful pointers before you start using the Softphone software

Calling University Extension Numbers

You can call University internal extension numbers directly from the Softphone by adding 2187 in front of the 5 digit extension number for FREE.

Call another Softphone user

Enter the Freewire ID or the Freewire phone number of the person you wish to call for FREE.

Receiving university calls

Anyone wishing to call your softphone from a university extension can use this free service by calling 838 + Freewire number.

Making chargeable calls

You have the option of calling numbers outside the University telephone system using either the Softphone. These are offered at a very low rate, which is much cheaper than a landline. If you wish to do this you will need to sign up for up for your own Freewire account and add some credit. Your department may even purchase top-cards for you to do this.

Call rates, including all international tariffs are listed on the Freewiretv.com website.

Receiving external non University or non Freewire calls (UK) Anyone wishing to call your Softphone from a UK landline or mobile (not a University extension), can use this low- rate (5p pm) landline number +44 207 983 9388 internationally or 0844 546 0000 from within the UK. You will then be prompted to enter the Freewire ID or phone number of the person you wish to call.

Freewire support number

Call 150 for support or Freewire account issues, directly from your Softphone. Or if calling from a normal phone: 0845 606 0051 (chargeable number).

Accessing Freewire voicemail

Call 1571 to access ‘Comm Pilot Voice Portal’, which includes your Freewire voicemail from either the IP desktop phone or the Softphone. Before this will work on the IP desktop phone, you will need to associate your Freewire ID to the phone. Once associated, you can also use the message button to access your Freewire voicemail directly and when you have any waiting messages the red light will flash on the front of the phone.

Video icon

If you are calling another Freewire ID using the Softphone and you both have a web cam, you can see the person you are calling. Click on the video button during the calls and you will be able to see each other.

Conference calls

You can talk to more than one person at the same time using the conference call facility on the Softphone. During a call you can click on the conference call button, then enter the phone number of the third party you wish join the conversation.

Learn More about VoIP!

All users are strongly advised to read up on using Internet Telephone VoIP before installing any software or starting to use the service. There are many articles out there on the Internet, but Wikipedia is a good place to start learning more.