Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review

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October 10, 2005
CTO, VP, Founder of TMC Labs; B.S. Computer Engineering, 11 years telecom experience, 25 years programming, tinkering w and breaking computers. Gadge are a favorite topic on this blog
Linksys has partnered with Skype to offer a cordless DECT 1.8-1.9Ghz phone complete with a backlit color display, backlit keyboard, and other features, called the Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony Kit. The Linksys CIT200 is tightly integrated with Skype utilizing the Skype API for not Linksys CIT 200 Skype Phone just making and receiving calls but also accessing your Skype contacts and profiles. At some point today (Tuesday), Skype and Linksys will officially announce their partnership and the official launch of the Linksys CIT200. A USB base station acts as the go between communicating with both the PC (running Skype) via USB and with the CIT200 using the DECT standard. Linksys gave me an exclusive first look at the Linksys CIT200 and I have to say the Linksys CIT200 is probably one of the coolest if not the coolest product that works in conjunction with Skype. One of the coolest features is that you can scroll through your Skype contacts using the Linksys CIT200s color display and you can see their current Skype presence (online, offline, etc.). Then using the arrows on the phone you simply highlight the Skype contact and dial. The CIT200 actually supports multiple handsets, up to a maximum of four and you simply use one base station to communicate with all 4 phones. Each handset can be assigned a unique extension thus enabling handsetto-handset dialing. Also, the base station has a single button which if you press will page the CIT200 handsets perfect for when the phone slips down into the soda and you cant seem to find it anywhere. The CIT200 recharges via a stand-up cradle and sports 120 hrs standby and 10 hrs of talk time using standard rechargeable AA batteries. I should also mention that the CIT200 sports a belt clip and a 2.5mm headset jack.
http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/skype/linksys-cit200-skype-phone-. 10/17/2005

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The Linksys CIT200 currently only works with Windows (sorry Mac and Linux fans). I asked Linksys if a Mac or Linux version was in the works and they said that they dont have plans at this time to support either. Installation Installing the CIT200 was a breeze as are most USB products Linksys CIT 200 on cradle, with USB base station these days. You do and A/C adaptor need to install a bit of software which provides the integration with Skype and which runs in the background. The CIT200.exe process takes up 3296K of PC memory. The CD also includes the Skype client in case you didnt install Skype already, although it isnt the latest 1.4 version. One really nice feature is that the CIT200 comes with 60 free SkypeOut minutes using a coupon code that you enter on Skypes website to credit your Skype account. This is great for Skype users that typically only make Skype-to-Skype calls and just didnt want to be bothered to give their credit card or Paypal information to Skype in order to purchase SkypeOut minutes. This lets users test SkypeOut, get addicted, and then pay for SkypeOut minutes later on. No doubt this is why Skype, the "masters of marketing", chose to partner with Linksys and offer a coupon Linksys CIT 200 Disassembled code with every Linksys CIT200 sold. Here are some thumbnail images of the various menu screens on the Linksys CIT 200.

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Documentation The documentation was pretty good and includes a quick start guide. Additionally, on the CD you will find a 100 page PDF document. When I first opened it and saw it was 100 pages, I scoffed and thought to myself, How could a product so small and so simple to use require 100 pages? But actually, the documentation goes into great detail on some advanced features of the phone that users probably wouldnt be able to easily figure out on their own, such as how the private and shared phonebooks work. I decided to skip reading the manual for now and start playing with the phone. So now the good stuff testing the Linksys CIT200 After installing the software I then proceeded to make my first Skype call from the CIT200 the warning to charge the CIT200 for 14 hours before use be damned! (see yellow sticker in photo above) I tried dialing 203852-6800, TMCs corporate HQ but the call wouldnt go through. It was then that I remembered that Skype requires a + sign before a phone number followed by the country code. I was hoping the Linksys software would detect my PCs local region and area code set within the Windows XP operating system and then automatically add the + sign for me and perhaps even prepend my country code to the dial string (1 for U.S.). Alas, this was not to be. (This would be a great future feature). Skype main menu So then I looked at the phone to see if there was a + sign somewhere. Indeed, there was. You have to hold the 0 key down for about a second and a + sign will then appear on the phones color screen. So I finished my dial string (+12038526800) and clicked the handset icon to initiate dialing. Immediately, I could hear simulated dialtone on the phones handset receiver followed by a series of slow-playing DTMF digits, then a slight pause followed by a series of fastplaying DTMF digits. Im assuming the digits are getting passed to the Skype client, but I would think that it only needs to be sent one time. Perhaps the digits only gets sent the second time around but the first time is designed to simulate a real phone experience by adding simulated dialtone followed by the dialing. Just a theory.
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In any event, the call connected to our corporate PBX and I then entered in an extension of a co-worker who then answered and we proceeded to talk to test the voice quality. The voice quality was excellent and in fact when I walked around the entire office I couldnt get the sound quality to degrade. Apparently, the range on the CIT200 is so good I needed to walk outside just to reach its wireless range limit. Linksys claims a 300m outdoor range and a 50m indoor range. In other words, you probably wont have a distance issue even if you decide to lounge by your backyard pool with the CIT200. My first test SkypeOut phone call to a PSTN number via the Linksys CIT200 performed flawlessly and again, it bears repeating that the sound quality was excellent. Next, I proceeded to make a Skype-toSkype call by scrolling through my list of Skype contacts on the phone. As I previously stated, this is one of the cooler aspects of the phone, since unlike competing USBbased Skype products you do not need to be chained to your PC to make calls to your Skype Skype Contacts with Skype Presence status contacts. I made one final type of call and thats an inbound call to the Linksys CIT200. The phone rang using a high quality melody you typically find on cellphones. In fact, the phone supports up to 15 melodic ringtones to choose from. During this second test call I turned on the speakerphone, which had decent quality. I was able to press the up or down arrows to adjust the speakerphone volume while on the call. While I was on this call, I was able to make a second outgoing call by pressing the Talk & Recall button. A dial tone is heard and the first call is put on hold. You can dial either a normal phone number or a Skype contact. After the second call is connected, you can simply press the Talk & Recall button to return to the first call or to toggle between calls. Similarly, Call Waiting is supported to enable you to take an incoming call while you are on a call. A call-waiting tone is played and you can press the Talk & Recall button to take the second call, and once again you can press this button to toggle between the two calls. Update: I just tested the conferencing capabilities, and unfortunately you can only conference with another Linksys CIT200 handset from the CIT200. You can of course initiate a conference call from the Skype client (clicking the Conference button) and it will work on the CIT200, but that defeats the whole purpose of being able to be away from your PC while dialing. The CIT200 features a Call Log recording the last 10 contacts or numbers you have dialed. The most recent call is stored at the top of the list. The private phonebook can store 100 records, and the

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shared phonebook can store 20 records. The information in your private phonebook is stored in your handset; therefore, if you have more than one handset, each handset has its own phonebook. The information in your shared phonebook is stored in the USB base unit; therefore, the information can Linksys CIT200 profile compared with a Motorola be shared by all the cell phone handsets. Each record can store a name with up to 10 characters and a number with up to 20 digits and pauses are supported. Also, when a contact is highlighted, if you press DETAILS it allows you to view the contact's Skype profile including full name, home/mobile/office phone number, language, address, and online status. Additionally, you can assign a VIP melody, a unique ringtone for the record to help identify who is calling. One other notable feature is that you can convert any record in your Call Log into a Phonebook entry. On a related note you can have up to 10 speed-dials each linked to a specific contact by assigning them to the 1-9 keys. I was concerned that the phone book entries would be lost if I changed the batteries, so I took them out and left them out for 5 minutes just to test. When I re-inserted the batteries, all my phonebook entries and speed dials were still there. I asked Linksys about this and they confirmed they are using NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM). Room for Improvement If you want the device to be your default USB audio device, you cannot listen to any music, sounds, etc. that the PC plays. Of course, you can set just the Skype client to use the phone and not be the default Windows audio device. However, it would be nice if from the phone you could listen to streaming radio, MP3 files, or any sounds played by your PC from the phone. A certain unique keypress or series of keypresses could indicate that instead of making a Skype call, you want to "tap into" the USB audio class for any PC application currently playing audio. Thus, the CIT200 will only work with the Skype client and in fact, it won't even work with other VoIP clients unless someone hacks the software. The transmitter is powered via USB, but the phone itself uses an A/C adaptor for recharging on its stand-up cradle. I'd like to see the phone recharge via USB, but I suppose utilizing two USB ports for one product may be a bit too much. One other minor feature request would be if the USB base station had an analog FXO port for connecting to your home analog phone line so you could make/receive phone calls on that phone line as well. The analog phone line could even be the analog output coming from your ATA (analog telephone adaptor) which terminates with a VoIP broadband provider such as Vonage. Conclusion Overall, the Linksys CIT200 is a great wireless Skype solution that is a perfect alternative to your typical Skype headset solution. It has excellent range, very good battery life, and most importantly you can access your Skype contacts from the phone itself so you're not chained to the PC for

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dialing or taking calls. It's worth mentioning that most people are not using Skype as a landline replacement though many are using broadband VoIP providers such as Vonage to replace their landline. Part of the reason is that Skype requires your PC to be on all the time and you have to be at your PC to initiate dialing. However, if you take the Linksys CIT200 and add in a SkypeIn PSTN number along with pay-as-you-go SkypeOut minutes, and the ability to make outbound dialing away from the PC, then the CIT200 could be the perfect home landline replacement. The Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit has a suggested retail of $129.99 but you can probably find one for $99. Retailers carrying the product include Radio Shack, Staples, Amazon, Frys, Newegg.com, and others.
Tags: Skype, Linksys, CIT 200, VoIP, USB, wireless phone

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Posted by tkeating at October 10, 2005 11:59 PM
Mobile Phones Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review VoIP Skype Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review
Related Stories: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review | Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed - Engadget - www.engadget.com | Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed Engadget - www.engadget.com | Linksys CIT200 Skype Phone (Verdict: Loaded) Gizmodo | Linksys CIT200 - Skype VoIP Headset : MobileWhack.com | Link this | Leave comment Trackback: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review

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TrackBack URL for Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review: http://blog.tmcnet.com/cgi-bin/t.cgi/16850 Skype and Linksys Partner from VoIP Blog - VoIP News, Gadgets As I predicted, Linksys and Skype would be announcing their new partnership in conjunction with the launch of the Linksys CIT200. I already reviewed the Linksys CIT200 yesterday, but figured I'd share the release in case you missed it. I. [Read More] Tracked on October 12, 2005 11:37 AM Linksys Debuts Cordless Skype Handset from Gadget Spy A cordless Skype-based VoIP handset will hit stores next week. According to Linksys, the CIT200 handset will allow users to make VoIP phone calls as easily as todays cordless handsets make conventional land line calls. Features Comp. [Read More] Tracked on October 12, 2005 05:36 PM USRobotics Skype Phone from VoIP Blog - VoIP News, Gadgets It seems to be a busy week for Skype phones coming to market. First, was my exclusive review of the Linksys CIT200 Skype phone and now as of Monday, USRobotics is offering a Skype-compatible phone. I should point out that. [Read More] Tracked on October 16, 2005 06:30 PM Previous blog: Interesting new VoIP product VoIP Blog Home Page Next blog: LignUp FastLign Alliance to speed up VoIP deployment

Comments to Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review

Aswath :

October 11, 2005 08:34 AM
Is the SkypeOut credit for 60 minutes (meaning calls to any place for 60 mins) or approximately $1.20? The former is interesting and the latter, well.
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Rick :
October 11, 2005 09:23 AM
It's the thought that matters. :-)

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Tom Keating :
October 11, 2005 09:42 AM
It is the latter - $1.20 credit. The coupon code does say "Calling to ordinary phones (and mobiles) is called SkypeOut. It's not free, but it's pretty cheap. We've included 60 minutes of SkypeOut calls to get you started." But they must go by the current U.S. per minute rate since when I logged on, I had a $1.20 credit - certainly not enough to make 60 minutes of calling to Afghanistan or Antarctica. But hey, $1.20 is better than nada, right? Let's you get your feet wet using SkypeOut and then maybe you'll become addicted and pay for the service. Everything can't be free in life. : )
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Jim Botts :
October 11, 2005 10:53 AM
Really too bad about the lack of Mac or Linux (or BSD) support. I won't be getting this phone then, despite the otherwise desirable feature set.
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Marat :
October 12, 2005 12:44 AM
Is it the new exciting VoIP product you talked about earlier?
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review steve :
October 12, 2005 12:51 PM
Why is Skype partnering with a hardware supplier that states that it has no plans to support Mac or Linux?
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review mike :
October 12, 2005 11:46 PM
Check out the Claritel-i750 instead

SpikedEffect :

October 13, 2005 05:40 AM
I would have to say that this is the best featured Skype phone, bar the fact you can't use it as a normal phone, but otherwise is great. RE: linux and mac support, linksys is known to release the code to thier software under GPL, so you may find someone programs a linux compatible

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version of the drivers and software. Would recommend this phone if your not concerned about the fact it can't be used as a normal phone.

October 13, 2005 10:50 AM
Looks like you can now purchase this prodoct from Amazon for $129.99. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect? link_code=ur2&camp=1789&tag=techstuff0120&creative=9325&path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BD88RS? v=glance%26n=172282%26n=507846%26s=electronics%26v=glance
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Thomas Neudenberger :
October 13, 2005 04:50 PM
2 Questions / suggestions: 1. Why do you have to plug the phone into a computer. Can't you make it wlan compatible so it can be used on any wlan without a computer being switched on? Other competitors do it already! 2. To sell a lot of this units you need convince skype to come up with a flat rate skype out in the US. Now it is 2 cents a minute, which is great for international but local it is too expensive. If they had a $10 or $15 /month flat rate everybody would use it and Vonage would be out of business! Hope you can make both happen! Greetings Thomas Neudenberger
October 13, 2005 05:07 PM
>>1. Why do you have to plug the phone into a computer. Answer: The Skype client has of right now never been embedded into a phone. The software requires the Windows, Macintosh or Linux operating system. Now in theory, someone COULD embed the Linux O/S into a phone and the Skype client. It just hasn't happened yet >>Can't you make it wlan compatible so it can be used on any wlan without a computer being switched on? Nope. Same answer as above. Skype is proprietary - it requires its software client to be running. Now if Skype were SIP-based, then yes, you could use a standard WiFi SIP phone - there are quite a few on the market. But alas the big dog (Skype) is proprietary for several reasons - some good, some bad. But that's a whole other debate. >>Now it is 2 cents a minute, which is great for international but local it is too expensive

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Guess it depends how much volume of calls you do. At 2 center per minute that's 1500 minutes per month before you reach $30. But you're right, a flatrate plan might be a good option for Skype to offer. I wouldn't be surprised if they offer that soon. >>Hope you can make both happen! I just report the news, I don't make the news happen! ; )

RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Peter :
October 13, 2005 07:19 PM
The Skype + Analog Cordless DualPhone has been available in Europe for about a year and is now shipping in the US: http://www.dualphone.net/
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Brent :
October 13, 2005 08:34 PM
Hi Where do you buy these phones in New Zealand and how much are they. Brent
RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review Skype Lover :
October 14, 2005 03:46 PM
i've already got one to try. Linksys's dect phone seriously downgrade the Skpye voice quality to landline voice quality and which to a existing skype user is UNACCEPTABLE!!! still don't understand why skype proved this phone!
October 14, 2005 04:14 PM
>>Linksys's dect phone seriously downgrade the Skpye voice quality to landline voice quality and which to a existing skype user is UNACCEPTABLE!!! I don't believe you. Either you are a competitor just trolling and knocking the competition or you just got a bad model. I had no problems with the quality of the phone. I suppose it's possible you are telling the truth. If so, you must be one of those people that encode their MP3s at 320kbps and swear they can hear the different between 320kbps, 160kpbs or even 128kbps. C'mon! How bout posting a picture of your phone on a website as proof you own one?

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RE: Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review David H. Wu :
October 17, 2005 04:37 AM
Every new technology takes time and efford to "evolve" and "commercialize" before becoming a "hot-sale" and "user friendly" product. For Linksys CIT200, I personally think it's already a good product for some Skype folks who use Skype very often at home or office within DECT reception range. (50M up to 300M) Right now, there're vendors developing Skype phones based on other technologies such as VoWLAN in order to leverage the power of Skpye applications, neverthelesss, obstacles such as voice quality over WLAN, availability of public WLAN, and licensing make such development become more difficult and hesitate to vendors as well as service providers. However, by looking at the history of commmunication industry, as long as an application hit the needs for consumers, engineers could always find ways to overcome technology hurdles. 10 yrs ago, can you image the cellphone sized like Moto V3 can play video streaming or TV broadcasting as we saw in movie? but now those are already a part of some people's life. Of course there're rooms for CIT200 to get improved, and that simply makes new technology an exciting thing; of course, with the trade-off of taking some money from our pocket.Let's see how the Skype-like(VoIP) product/service to change the ecosystem of telecom and to make our phone bills cheaper.

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Documents referring to this site within the last 48 hours (minimum 2 references): Google [1450] Share Skype [441] LinksysInfo - The No. 1 In Linksys Support and WRT54G Firmware [102] Linksys CIT200 Skype Phone (Verdict: Loaded) - Gizmodo [70] Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog [44] Core77.com / design magazine + resource [37] LinksysInfo - The No. 1 In Linksys Support and WRT54G Firmware [36] Share Skype [33] Yahoo! Search - Web Search [29] Linksys CIT200 Skype Phone (Verdict: Loaded) - Gizmodo [26] LinksysInfo - The No. 1 In Linksys Support and WRT54G Firmware [23] Schnurlos-Telefon von Linksys und Skype - Testticker.de [21] Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed - Engadget - www.engadget.com [19] MSN Search: [16] Le Skype Phone sans fil de Linksys test - PC INpact [16] Mobilecowboys: Nederlands populairste Mobile weblog [15] O'Reilly Radar > Skype Phone from Linksys [14] http://www.skyventure.co.kr/innovation2005/new_product/list.asp [12] Linksys Ships DECT Handset for Skype Users [11] Alex Barnett blog : Linksys Skype phone review [11] Le Blog Gadget: CIT200 : facilitez-vous le Skype ! [11] O'Reilly Radar > Tim O'Reilly [9] Geek Squad Forums :: Log in [9] http://www.noticias3d.com/noticia.asp [9] Bloglines | Log In [8] broadband News Linksys Skype Cordless Phone - Is it a landline replacement? [8] Techdirt Corporate Intelligence: Techdirt Wireless [7]

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The VoIP Weblog - voip.weblogsinc.com [7] Gizmodo - Software [7] Mark Evans :: Cisco-Skype Strike a Pose; eBay Makes Another (Better) Deal [6] Engadget - www.engadget.com [6] Wireless - wireless.engadget.com [6] CIT200: La tlphonie internet par Skype et Linksys - Les Numeriques [6] www.ebusiness.info [6] Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed - Engadget - www.engadget.com [6] Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed - Wireless - wireless.engadget.com [5] Techdirt:Skype Adds To The Gadgets On Your Desk With A Cordless Skype Phone [5] Share Skype [5] Core77.com / design magazine + resource [5] VoIP para novatos [5] Yahoo!_jM [4] Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog [4] Yahoo! [4] Engadget - www.engadget.com [4] VoIP para novatos [4] Le blog Gadget [4] Share Skype [4] LinksysInfo - The No. 1 In Linksys Support and WRT54G Firmware [4] Yahoo! [3] Gadget Spy Gadgets Linksys Debuts Cordless Skype Handset [3] Techdirt Corporate Intelligence: Techdirt Wireless Skype Adds To The Gadgets On Your Desk With A Cordless Skype Phone [3] Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog [3] Techdirt:Skype Adds To The Gadgets On Your Desk With A Cordless Skype Phone [3] broadband News etc [3] Jean Michel Billaut: On est vraiment impayables ! [3] GADGET.iBisnis.com [3] tim.oreilly.com -- Various Thing I've Written: Tim O'Reilly's Archive [3] Gizmodo DE : Skype-Telefonieren: Jetzt auch bunt und beleuchtet [3] Yahoo! Mail [2] Gizmodo - CIT200 [2] Google [2] Linksys CIT200 Skype Phone (Verdict: Loaded) - Gizmodo [2] Engadget - www.engadget.com [2] Linksys CIT200 Skype phone reviewed - Wireless - wireless.engadget.com [2] Geek Squad Forums :: Log in [2] Buy Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony Kit for skype - Special Offers (UK) Ltd [2] Yahoo! Search [2] jump [2] News - Les Numeriques [2] Spurl.net 1.0 - Fresh and hot [2] Core77.com / design magazine + resource [2] broadband BBR is DSL Cable VOIP Security Satellite Fiber News Tips Reviews Community Tools [2] Movable Type Publishing Platform [2] Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog [2] R-win.com [weblog] drwxr--r-- [2] AltaVista [2] Bloglines | Log In [2]

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Numerics

3-3-4 system, 5 area code, 6 exchange prefix, 6 line number, 6 unusable numbers, services handling calls over VoIP systems, 40, 42 registering, 84 providers, 51 selecting, 67 test calls, performing, 83-84 call forwarding, 32 call logs, 32 carrier signal, 20 chat services, 52 feature ratings, 145 Google Talk contacts, adding, 137 installing, 135-136 IM, 121-122 limitations of, 126 translator programs, 125 Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit, 53 providers, 53 real-time, 121 Skype available accessories, 132-133 installing, 129-130 placing calls, 133-134 receiving calls, 134-135 choppy voice quality, factors affecting broadband network quality, 112-114 broadband speed, 111-112 circuit switching, 15-17 click to dial, 32 client-server systems, 122 CO (central office), 6 softswitches, 19 combining multiple VoIP services, 98-100 comfort noise, 37 comparing service plans, 62, 65 connecting cable VoIP service, 77-79 cordless phones to VoIP service, 87 Internet VoIP service, 79 connectivity issues, troubleshooting, 107-109 contacts, adding to Google Talk, 137 convergence impact on VoIPs future, 140-143 intrasystem cooperation, 143 converting analog waveforms to digital signals, 20 cordless phones adding to VoIP services, 87 interference with wireless network, troubleshooting, 115-117 two-line, 88-90
adding contacts to Google Talk, 137 Internet VoIP service as a second line, 95-96 people to Skype contact list, 131 affordability of broadband phone services, reasons for infrastructure costs, 25 public telephone service taxes and fees, 26-27 regulatory compliance, 26 transport costs, 26 aggregation, 34 analog waveforms, converting to digital signals, 20 area code, 6 audio diagnostic messages on terminal adapters, playing, 109 audio quality, improving, 131 availability of virtual phone numbers, 31
backup generators, 56 bandwidth, effect on voice quality, 35 Bell System breakup, 9 effect on phone system architecture, 11 broadband phone services, 1314 cable VoIP phone services, 5051 connection speed, effect on voice quality, 110112 electric powering, 22-23 network quality, effect on voice quality, 112114
cable modems, terminal adapters, 67 cable VoIP phone services, 50 connecting, 77-78 installing with existing house wiring, 93

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cost of VoIP phone servicess
cost of VoIP phone services as service selection criteria, 57-60 effect of regulations on, 139-140
gaming online using VoIP service, 56 Google Talk contacts, adding, 137 installing, 135-136
delay, effect on voice quality, 37 demarc, 91 dial tones, DTMF, 8 dialing issues, troubleshooting, 115 digital switches, 6 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), 13 DTMF (dual-tone multifrequency), 8 dual-mode phones, 132 intrasystem cooperation, 143
handling 911 calls over VoIP systems, 40-42 headsets, 132 hierarchical telephone network design, 9 regional centers, 9 toll centers, 9 home alarm systems, compability with Internet telephony, 117 Home Networking Simplified, 104 home security/alarm systems, 101 home telephone wiring, 90 grounding, 91 junction boxes, 91

E911 services, 39 calls, handling over VoIP systems, 40-42 registering, 84 earbud-and-mic setup, 132 electric powering of broadband phone services, 22-23 electrical outages backup generators, 56 UPSs, 56 emergency number services, calls, handling over VoIP systems, 40-42 establishing, 84 exchange prefix, 6 extending VoIP service to multiple rooms, 106 with wireless bridges, 103-104 with wireless phone jacks, 104-105
IM (instant messaging), 121-122 service limitations, 126 translator programs, 125 improving audio quality, 131 indicator lights on terminal adapters, 107-108 installing cable VoIP with existing house wiring, 93-95 Google Talk, 135-136 integrated router/terminal adapters, 81-83 Internet VoIP service as a second line, 95-96 Skype, 129-130 stand-alone terminal adapters, 80-81 two-line external splitters, 92-93 integrated router/terminal adapter, 70 installing, 81-83 interference from cordless devices, avoiding, 117 intermittent broadband problems, troubleshooting, 114 Internet VoIP service adding as a second line, 95-96 connecting, 79 optimizing, 117 selecting, 73 terminal adapter, selecting, 68-72 test calls, performing, 83-84 two-line, 99-100 intrasystem cooperation, 143
fax machines, 101 FCC fact sheet website, 62 features of services as selection criteria, 61 five nines, 33 flat-rate service, 9 flexibility. See LNP, 27 Friis, Janus, 126 future of telephony, 139 government regulations, 139-140 system convergence, 140-143 VoIP intrasystem cooperation, 143 shrinking battery life and size, 144

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regulations, effect on VoIP phone service costs
jitter, 113 junction boxes, 91 Kazaa, 126
online games, utilizing VoIP service, 56 operator-based telephone system, 3-5 optimizing Internet telephone service, 117 out-of-service forwarding, 32 overloaded REN limits, troubleshooting, 96-97
last mile, 34 latency, 113 limitations of broadband phone services cost, 45 emergency number services, 37-39, 45 portability issues, 39 reliability issues, 33-34, 45 voice quality, 35-37, 45 of virtual phone numbers, 31 line numbers, 6 Linksys CIT200 cordless phones, 133 Linksys PAP2 terminal adapter LEDs, 107 LNP (Local Number Portability), 6, 27-29 local phone services, mobile telephone systems, 11 long-distance telephone companies, slamming, 10 maintaining minimal PSTN line, 57 multiple VoIP services, 99-100 separate PSTN and VoIP lines, 88 manual terminal adapter configuration, 85-86 measuring packet loss, 113 mobile phone system, 11 SSPs, 12 modems (cable), terminal adapters, 67 MSCs (mobile switching centers), 12 multiple handsets on VoIP systems effect on audio quality, 97 Ringer Equivalence Number, troubleshooting, 96-97

packet loss effect on voice quality, 37 measuring, 113 packet switching, 15-17 PC-to-PC calling, 52 Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit, 53 providers, 53 VoIP chat system feature ratings, 145 peer-to-peer systems, 122 phone number, selecting, 80 placing calls with Skype, 133-134 Plantronics headsets, 132 power outages, UPSs, 56 public telephone system, 3 3-3-4 system, 5-6 Bell System breakup, 9 effect on phone system architecture, 11 digital switches, 6 DTMF, 8 hierarchical network design, 9 home telephone wiring, 90-91 Internet access, 13 local phone services, mobile phone systems, 11 long distance companies, slamming, 10 operator-based, 3-5 reliability of, 14, 35 SSPs, 12 wireless services, 11
RBOCs (regional Bell operating centers), 9 real-time, 121 receiving calls with Skype, 134-135 regional centers, 9 registering for 911/E911 services, 84 phone services, 78 terminal adapters, 80 with do not call list, 78 regulations, effect on VoIP phone service costs, 139-140
network quality, effect on voice quality, 112-114 number portability and emergency services, 39-40
offline forwarding, 32 online call management call forwarding, 32 call logs, 32 click to dial, 32 voice mail, 31

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reliability
reliability as service selection criteria, 61 five nines, 33 of public telephone system, 14 resetting broadband connection, 109 Ringer Equivalence Number, troubleshooting overloads, 96-97
SSPs (service switching points), 12 stand-alone terminal adapters, 69 installing, 80-81 static IP addresses, manual terminal adapter configuration, 85-86 system convergence impact on future of VoIP, 140-143 intrasystem cooperation, 143
sampling, 20-22 satellite receiver dishes, 101 SCPs (Service Control Points), 12 selecting headsets, 132 VoIP service, 80 cable, 67 cost, 57-60 features, 61 Internet, 68-73 reliability, 61 specialized device support, 61-62 typical phone service applications, international calling, 55 phone number, 80 service connection problems, troubleshooting, 107-109 service plans comparing, 62, 65 selecting, 80 signaling, 17-19 converting analog waveforms to digital signals, 20 sampling, 22 single-line cordless phone systems, 88 Skype, 126, 132 available accessories, 132-133 calls placing, 133-134 receiving, 134-135 installing, 129-130 SkypeIn phone numbers, 134 slamming, 10 softswitches, 19, 50 specialized phone devices fax machines, 101 home security/alarm systems, 101 satellite receiver dishes, 101 support of as service selection criteria, 61-62 TiVo, 101 speed of broadband connection effect on voice quality, 110-112 testing, 111 splitters, effect on broadband connection, 114 SS7 (Signaling System 7), 12
technical support websites, 115 telecom industry consolidation, 13 Telecommunications Act of 1996, 13 telemarketing, registering with do not call list, 78 telephone numbers, 3-3-4 system, 5-6 ten-minute miracle, 110 terminal adapters, 67 audio diagnostic messages, playing, 109 for Internet VoIP service, selecting, 68-72 indicator lights, 107-108 integrated router/terminal adapters, installing, 81-83 manual configuration, 85-86 registering, 80 stand-alone, installing, 80-81 test calls, performing, 83-84 testing broadband connection speed, 111 TiVo, 101 toll centers, 9 toll switches, 9 Trillian, 125 troubleshooting audio quality, multiple handsets, 97 dialing-related issues, 115 multiple handsets, Ringer Equivalence Number, 96-97 service connection problems, 107-109 voice quality issues, 110-114 cordless phone interference, 115 true peer-to-peer networks, 122 trunks, 9 two-line cordless phone systems, 88-90 two-line external splitters, installing, 92-93 two-line Internet VoIP services, 99-100

unusable 3-3-4 numbers, 6 uplink speed, testing, 111 UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies), 56

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Zennstrm, Niklas
virtual phone numbers, 29 voice mail, 31 voice quality issues, troubleshooting, 110-114 VoIP phone services, 2. See also VoIP chat services adding cordless phones, 87 combining, 98-100 electric powering of broadband phone services, 22-23 extending to multiple rooms with wireless bridges, 103-104 with wireless phone jacks, 104-105 multiple handsets, effect on audio quality, 97 signaling, 17-19 converting analog waveforms to digital signals, 20 sampling, 22 VoIP chat services, 52 feature ratings, 145 Google Talk contacts, adding, 137 installing, 135-136 IM, 121-122 limitations of, 126 translator programs, 125 Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit, 53 providers, 53 real-time, 121 Skype, 129-130 available accessories, 132-133 calls, placing, 133-134 calls, receiving, 134-135 VoIPReview website, 64

W-X-Y-Z

websites for technical support, 115 wireless devices, extending VoIP service to multiple rooms bridges, 103-104 handsets, Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony kit, 53 phone jacks, 104-105 wireless networks, troubleshooting cordless phone interference, 115 wireless services, 1112 Zennstrm, Niklas, 126