Numbers
- 17772603465 (Callcentric)
- sip:17772603465@callcentric.com
- *011 18556829751 (SIP Broker)
The advantage of SIP is it is free. I tried to make it as easy as possible for people to reach me via SIP. Since SIP is free for anyone with a supporting account, this allows for communication from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world. Someone on the other side of the world can call any SIP address/number and ring to the person for free. To call with a SIP service, you need a compatible device, and the service provider. In my case, I am using my home phone, and Callcentric, but another option will be to download an app to your smartphone.
If you have Callcentric, you can simply dial the first number in the listing above. This is not a real telephone number, and calling it directly as if it was a phone number will not work. If the number is hyperlinked, that is because the device you are viewing this page on is thinking this is a phone number.
The second option is if you know how, and your software supports SIP address calling. I never done SIP address dialing as I don’t know anyone that has a SIP address, but I would assume that this will be simple enough with the right software.
If SIP dialing is not an option for you, and your SIP provider supports it, then you can use the SIP Broker numbering system. You would need to contact your SIP Provider to learn how to dial a SIP Broker number. If you were to examine my SIP Broker number, you would see it is the same as my home telephone number. I done this with intent. I am trying to make things as simple as possible, so whether you are calling my home phone directly, or you are using SIP Broker, the number should be nearly the same.
Carriers
First, some people maybe wondering what SIP is. SIP stands for Session Initiated Protocol. Basically, you are using a set of standards for communications changing your voice into 0s, and 1s. This is the standard for non-proprietary VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) that some companies might use. Those that support SIP will allow you to have much more flexibility in hardware. As long as the hardware supported SIP, then they can connect to the VOIP provider. This eliminates the need for you to have use special hardware to make or receive calls.
For my carrier, I use Callcentric. This company is reliable, and feature rich. They also use the standard SIP protocol to make and receive calls. If you use Callcentric, then the first option is best for you. If your carrier and software supports SIP addressing, then the second option will be your best option. If not, and your carrier supports SIP Broker calling, then dial the third number. You would need to contact your carrier, and software on how to make calls to your preferred options as noted above.
As for the SIP Broker number, I have tried to make it as easy as possible. The number that SIP Broker assigned me is the same as my home phone number (with exception of *011). SIP Broker in itself does not provide SIP servers, but designed their network to make it easier to make cross platform calls.
Devices
The Grandstream WP825 is used to make, and receive calls. This looks like a beefy cordless phone, but this cordless phone uses a Wifi network to connect for calls. This is unlike DECT phones which uses a particular base station. Since the WP825 is a Wifi phone, it would work as long as I am connected to an Internet connected network. This could be from home, a friend’s house, or even a coffee shoppe if that is a sort of thing to do. The phone supports 2.4Ghz, or 5Ghz for Wifi connections.
The phone can also support 2 accounts/line, however, I could not find a way to select which line is used to make the call. This means I will likely default to line 1 when making the call. This is fine since I only have one SIP provider.
The phone has a dual microphone system for clearer calls, and support for HD voice calls. It also has a 2000mAh battery, and Grandstream claims 8 hours of calls. There is bluetooth support, and a configurable button for various functions. In my case, I used this button to silence the microphone. There is also a 3.5mm earphone jack to make use of a wired set.
The phone has charging pins with a dedicated charger + it has a micro-USB (2.0) port for charging the phone. Either option can be used, and the micro-USB cable can come with me to charge the phone if I was to go somewhere for an extended stay.
Conclusion
If you are new to SIP, and don’t have a SIP phone, nor a supported ATA, then I would recommend setting up a Callcentric account. If you are going to use your smartphone to make SIP calls, then I would recommend Acrobits Softphone which is $10, but there are free SIP clients that would support 1 or 2 accounts. This will be sufficient for your (and most people) needs. If you wish to get a SIP account to call me, and you decide to get Callcentric, you can use the first number to call me.