anyone done it- if so how?

I haven't done it, but i'd assume it's possible over wireless broadband via a laptop with a usb phone.
I wouldn't say reliability would be all that great though.

If you had a 3G or better yet a HSDPA enabled phone you could you that as a wireless modem if you had a data plan. However you would still have to use a laptop or carputer to connect the voip phone to for this to work. I don't think it will be as cheap as you think it will be to do because a voip call still requires a certain amount of data to be used to make a call. It will also depend on what type of codec you are using. I would sugest using G.729 codec which provides near toll vocie quailty without using as much data. That being said it will still require about 30-35mb of data to make a one hour voip call. Given that wireless broadband and 3G data plans are much more expensive than normal home internet connections for the same amount of data it may not turn out as cheap as you think even though the calls are meant to be free.

It would still probably work out cheaper than a mobile but the quality of the call and reception would be you biggest problems.

thought I would ask. it has been done by the look of it.

Yes it has been done. By Nokia..

http://networks.silicon.com/mobile/0,39024...39156406,00.htm

cool. would be a costly thing to buy though.

if a phone has Symbian s60 third ed., Voip calls "can" be made. there's a lot of aftermartket software for this phone as it is "open source". there is a skype program and a program called "fring" which i have downloaded but havent really used.

My current phone has Wi-Fi connectivity (Nokia E51) and if i was to use my home's wireless connection (or other free WiFi hotspot) to connect to the voip service then i would assume it to be a free call?? i havent looked too much into it yet as it is only a work phone.... but would be cool to do, so i can use it more without goin over the set limit. good thing this thread reminded me to look into it again...

Possible, Yes.
Cost Effective,

a wireless mobile card for the computer and any skype handset and your off.
i personnaly havent tried it in a car, but through work i get to play with that stuff all the time. the Next G wireless internet plans cost heaps, city users might have a cheaper alternative, but i know i cant afford another $60 plan for 200mb of use. voice/video streaming would kill it

3G wireless broadband $49 for 6 gig I think

ok I'll spill the beans here.

mine has been running for 3 months on Vodafone $40/mo 5GB HSDPA.

I use the card ONLY in a HSDPA/3g Router. ($990 from http://www.call-direct.com.au/ ) there are two versions I have the 882 with a 7.2 Dbi high gain antenna on the front of my van.

from there it hits a 8 port switch and a linksys PAP2T VOIP box (supplied by Faktortel.) on a 15.95 business plan. that is tied to a 5.8ghz uniden cordless with answering machine. range on the cordless is quite good so I still have a 'mobile' phone that I can walk into shops and talk. so for my outlay i have a landline phone in a mobile environment.

cost wise its 3/8ths of my usual mobile bill and the same system runs my laptop so I can access a remote server.

those that know who I am know why I did it. I had a $350/mo phone bill mostly outgoing that I needed to chop down. I did. I have -47 to -99dbi sig strength on the router and it is fairly constant when on the 2100mhz WCDMA band.

questions - ask.

Question: how good is the coverage outside of city areas?

i know vodafone mobiles arent that great up here (just my knowledge from selling them back in the day) and im assuming they arent getting any better.

but that sounds great for a plan, telstra charge heaps for that sorta stuff. got any pics of the setup or anything?

in caboolture - good in beenleigh / GC - good. ipswich - good. never really get outside the metro areas. if it falls back on 3g it still works.

as for pics - not really. whole lot is nailed neatly to a board and mounted to the cargo barrier. have pics of the van but someone will get pissed off if I post it up (its a FULLY signed van.)

Sonny are you able to email through pics to kirk_liam [at] hotmail.com

You also have to take into account the amount of fines per month you will get for using the phone while driving.

nope. I have a headset. add to that the unit will work on speakerphone (handset and base) as well so if I am sitting still I can use that too.


komodo,

I figure you know who I am and what I do. I'll take a few snaps for you when I get a sec.