[TriLUG] asterisk meeting last saturday

[Mark Turner]

John Turner wrote:

> Just to be clear here. The Connect service from VoicePulse that one uses 
> with Asterisk includes unlimited local calling outgoing?  I know the SIP 
> service they sell has free local calling. The connect.voicepulse.com web 
> site just doesn't say that!

The Connect service VoicePulse offers is the only one that works with 
Asterisk (or SIP devices that VoicePulse doesn't provision, for that 
matter). For the Connect service, ALL outgoing calls go out at the rate 
of 2.9 cents a minute. Thus, if you want cheaper local dialing, you 
should choose another outgoing SIP provider (I've tried IConnectHere and 
don't recommend them, in spite of their 1.5 cents offering).

Another promising company is Broadvoice (www.broadvoice.com), which 
offers a "Bring Your Own Device" plan 
(http://www.broadvoice.com/rateplans_byod.html ). Seems perfect for 
Asterisk, since it's $5.95 per month for a DID and 100 minutes of 
outbound (after 100, it's 3.9 cents/min). What's best is that you can 
upgrade to the higher plans (unlimited in-state for $10/month) without 
the set-up fee that goes to purchasing the SIP device.

Broadvoice also has super-responsive support staff. If you've got a 
question, you'll get an answer right away.

Only drawback is that Broadvoice isn't available yet in North Carolina. 
They claim by the end of the summer. They even list Raleigh as a 
datacenter on their "about" page: http://www.broadvoice.com/company.html

Perhaps if enough TriLUGgers expressed their interest in polite emails 
or phone calls, Broadvoice would accelerate their presence here. Any takers?

-- 
Mark Turner
Siteseers, Inc.
919.277.0123 x3100
SIP:3100 at pbx.siteseers.com