FAQ

Connection Method FAQ

What do you mean by "connection method"?

The Global Telecom VoIP service can be connected with various connections methods. The quickest method is adownloadable piece of software, which creates a virtual telephone on your computer that allows you to make phone calls. Another option is a USB phone that plugs directly into the USB port of you computer. Alternately you can plug in a VoIP adapter (the size of a small cigarette packet) into you existing spare router port and then your standard BT Phone into the adapter. The last options is a dedicated VoIP phone that plugs directly into your router without the need of an adapter.

What is a "softphone"?

A softphone is a small downloadable program that installs an interactive phone onto your desktop. This can be used in conjunction with a headset and microphone plugged into you pc. When the 0870 VoIP number is called, the phone will flash up on you screen and you can answer the call.

How can my Broadband usage affect call quality?

A VoIP call requires constant bandwidth over the length of a call to ensure good quality. If, during a call, you upload or download large amounts of data this can affect voice quality in a number of ways, including time delays, static on the line, interrupted speech and jitter. Try to avoid large data transfers while on an active call. Generally 4 VoIP users can make calls at the same time on a standard 512k broadband line. If you wanted a stable environment the best reliable solution would be to have an dedicated broadband line used only for VoIP calls.

How many people will I be able to join in a conference call using the Global Telecom PC phone?
You can join up to five people at any one time.

Will I be able to access my Global Telecom Voicemail for free from the Global Telecom PC phone?

Yes. You can access your voicemail by calling your 0870 access number - Alternately it can be email ton you registered email address and you can play the wav file at your convenience.

Are there any minimum system requirements needed to run the Global Telecom PC Phone on my computer?
Yes there are:

Minimum hardware and operating system requirements
- 550 MHz Pentium-class or equivalent processor
- Windows*98(SE), Windows Me, Windows NT*4 4.x with SP5, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
- 28.8 Kbps modem
- Microphone and full duplex sound card
- 48 MB free RAM (This requirement is in addition to the memory requirements of the OS and other concurrent applications)
- Windows*98(SE), Windows Me, Windows NT*4 4.x with SP5, Windows 2000, or Windows XP
- 75 MB free hard disk space
- 640x480 @8bpp (256 colours) VGA graphics card
- Mouse
Recommended hardware and operating system requirements
- 1 GHz (or higher) Pentium-class or equivalent processor
- Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98(SE), or Windows NT4.x with SP5
- 56 Kbps modem or faster network connection (Cable modem, DSL, 10base-T Ethernet connection will provide a better user experience)
- Full duplex sound card with headset (microphone/headphone combination)
- 64 MB free RAM (this requirement is in addition to the memory requirements of the OS, and other concurrent applications)
- 75 MB free hard disk space
- 800x600 @16bpp (65,536 colours) VGA or better video graphics card
- Mouse