One method of trying to save on your mobile phone or landline bills is to use an alternative method to communicate with people. The internet is a great way of contacting people quickly, provided you have installed the right programs and you use broadband internet, and the other party you are trying to contact have exactly the same setup as you on their computer. VoIP phones (Voce over Internet Protocol) have been around for many years, providing a very cheap alternative to using normal telephones.

Using VoIP phones can be free if you are calling from PC to PC; as long as both parties have added you on their profile account. It is as simple as downloading it onto your PC, setting up an account and adding people onto your profile – much like using MSN messenger. Internet bandwidths have improved massively, making the connection between the calls quicker and the sound quality much clearer – this is why it is now comparable to normal telephoning methods.

In the past when more people had narrow band (dial-up internet connection) internet connectivity there were more problems in sound quality, with the connection timing out and making it near impossible to call people via the internet. Sending messages across using messenger programs were much slower and often not received by the other party. With broadband connection, you are instantly connected to the internet as soon as you turn your PC or laptop on.

VoIP phones help making calls across the globe much cheaper too. Normal telephony services charge a great deal of money to make a call outside of the local area. This becomes even more expensive when using a mobile phone, making it difficult for people to make regular calls to family or friends abroad, without having to worry about breaking the bank! VoIP phones are much more reliable, affordable and normally have good sound quality.

The VoIP software service providers are available to download from the internet, with the biggest programs being Skype, Google Talk and Babble. These are relatively new on many desktop computers; however, they are far from being a new piece of technology and have been in development since 1973 since the very early stages of the internet. Transmitting conversations over the internet have been available for end-users since the early 1980s.

In 1993, a shrink wrapped software by VoiceTec was released with features such as voice mail and caller ID, however, this did not take off as well as only VoiceTec users were able to contact other VoiceTec users. It would not be until 1997 that a softswitch was developed, opening more gateways between telephones, making it possible to call up other landline phones from the PC.

Calling up across the globe using VoIP phones is an extremely cheap way of sending information across, without having to rack up the price of your bill at the end of the month. It is important that the user has a broadband connection; otherwise, their internet telephony will not provide good sound quality.

Mobile phones have become a fashion statement. They come in different brands and catchy models for all kinds of users. The mobile phone sector has made a significant impact on the field of communication with new technologies and better connectivity.

What kind of mobile phone are you looking for?

There are many fancy models flooding the market, but you should choose a model depending on your mobile phone requirements. A mobile phone should offer exemplary service for the money you pay. These days mobile phones use sophisticated operating systems which perform most of the applications of a laptop. A businessmen or an itinerant person can go for smartphones with a good web browser, e-mail facility and other in-built applications. If you are looking for entertainment options, then choose a phone with an MP3 player, FM radio or camera. There are also some basic models for buyers who do not want to pay for sophisticated mobiles.

How are mobile phones classified?

Mobile phones are classified based on their design and service provider.

Design:

There are many designs and models available. Candybar models are the most common design. They are narrow and easily fit into a protective case. Flip phones are compact phones that open up to reveal a keypad and screen. The design prevents accidental dialing. Slider phones have a keypad that lies underneath the screen, giving it a small and chic look. There are some models with swivel keypads or screens that allow for two-handed operation when used horizontally. There are also tons of mobile phone accessories to jazz up your phones appearance.

Network:

There are two mobile phone networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Each of these technologies follows different ways of transmitting voice and data.

GSM is the most widely used worldwide mobile phone network. There are many GSM phones on the market from manufacturers of quality brands. Phones with tri-band or quad-band GSM can operate on multiple frequencies and can be used abroad.

A CDMA network enabled phone is just meant for a particular network provider. There is a small range of handset models which cannot be used with other providers. This network provides a greater coverage area but has some pitfalls, such as limited call plans.

In Australia, there are three GSM phone companies with their own networks, Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Telstra also has a CDMA network.

What features does a good mobile phone have?

Mobile phones have an expansive array of features. Some meet your basic needs while others are much more advanced and give you wider options.

Ergonomics:

Every phone comes with its unique design and look. Most mobile handsets, with the exception of 3G models, are compact. Manufacturers are trying to add more features to mobiles while retaining their small size with the help of flip phones, rotating screens and sliding keyboards. If you are a beginner, you would be better off with an easy to use intuitive interface. You can opt for more rugged phones if you will be using your mobile extensively.

Multimedia and Gaming Options:

Traveling can be fun with features such as an FM radio and MP3 player on your mobile. Consider mobile phones with memory card slots, as storage capacity becomes especially important for multimedia phones. Models that have an FM tuner will play music without the need to fill the phone with files or worry about storage capacity. Other mobile phones support streaming video and video conferencing. A Java-enabled phone can be used for downloading games as well as web browsing.

Cameras and Video Recorders:

Mobile phones can be used as a digital camera or a video recorder. You can take a picture anytime or shoot a video with most recent models. Some handsets have a very low resolution, but many newer phones have scaled up to 2 megapixels for improved picture quality.

Web Browsers:

Phones with a web browser allow you to send and receive mail through Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. You can also receive ISP mail through POP3 programs like BigPond and OptusNet, to name a few. Some phones feature Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browsers for wireless Internet access. Few higher-end consumer models are capable of providing full HTML browsers.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth technology allows you to exchange or sync files with other mobiles or devices, such as PDAs.

Infrared enabled phones can also be used for synchronizing with a computer or transferring files to a device. However, the device you are sending or receiving files with must be in your line of sight.

Speakerphone and Conference Calling:

A speakerphone is a great choice for multitask. This hands-free option lets you talk while you drive. It is also useful for making a call while in a group. A large number of mobile phones support conference calling for business users or caller groups.

Memory:

While the standard internal memory of a mobile range between 10 MB and 96 MB, a gaming or MP3 phone may have up to 500 MB of internal memory and come with a separate memory card slot. To get the best use out of your new mobile phone, go for expandable memory slots. They let you store a large number of files on the multimedia phone.

Battery:

Generally, the charge carrying capacity of a battery depends upon the features and usage of the phone. Standby times vary between 10 days and 14 days while talk times range between two hours to eight hours, approximately. The most commonly used battery type is lithium ion, as it has a low self-discharge rate and a high storage capacity.

Other Applications:

Every mobile phone has a phone book that lets you store your contacts. Some models include a voice dialing feature that lets you make calls without using the keypad. Almost all standard handsets offer organizer applications such as a calendar, alarm clock, stopwatch and calculator.

What accessories are available for mobile phones?

There are many mobile phone accessories available for your mobile. You can personalize your phone with changeable faceplates and mobile phone cases. The two most sought after accessories for a mobile are Bluetooth headsets and car chargers.

Headsets:

If you are the kind of person who needs to use a mobile phone all day long, a bluetooth headset would be a sensible option. You can conveniently have a hands free conversation using Bluetooth technology.

Car Kits:

Plug your mobile phones into car kits to utilize the cars battery power, speakers and aerial. You can enjoy music from your phone in the car with these kits. The aerial and speakers provide enhanced sound quality.

TELAUSTRALIAS TOP 10 PHONE SAVING TIPS 

Saving on your phone bill is high priority for many businesses. Business Phone costs can be expensive so here’s a few tips to get your Business Phone charges down.

1. If you are a light mobile user get a low flat rate mobile phone call plan. Ensure you get a single low call rate across all your calls regardless of destination or time of the day. Avoid half price for mobile or landline or cheaper after hours calls unless you are certain they suit your call patterns. Telaustralia Mobile phone plans have a single flat rate 24/7. If you are heavier user get a capped or unlimited mobile phone plans thats suits and is aligned to the number of calls you make. Its better to pay a little bit more get a plan that allows you to stay under your capped spend limit so you dont get charged additional call charges. Call it bill shock insurance.

2. Call charged in 30 second increments are costly as you only use on average 50% of the final 30 seconds of the call. On short calls this can increase your timed call charges by up to 50%. Ensure you get per second billing on your phone calls, in particular mobile phone calls and international calls so you only pay for what you use.

3. Flag Falls are a hidden cost. Most providers charge flag falls as a connection fee on any timed call for both mobile calls and timed calls from a landline. Many service providers don’t advertise their flag falls for very good reason – they are expensive. Make sure you have low flag fall especially if you make a lot of short calls. Telaustralia has flag falls typically 50% lower than the major Telco’s. Get more information at http://www.telaustralia.com.au/mobile

4. Line Rental is often the major portion of the phone bill. With ISDN 10/20/30 Primary rate and ISDN 2 Basic Rate Digital Phone Lines you can cut down the number of lines you have by using an In dial Number range and therefore reduce your line rental costs. An India Number range will allow up to another 100 numbers over and above the number of lines you have. Get more information at http://www.telaustralia.com.au/fixed_line/isdn_10_20_30

5.  Long Distance calls can be costly. The average Long Distance call is around 2 minutes. Many Service Providers entice you with Call Caps for 1 or more hours but charge a much higher initial per minute rate meaning most calls cost you more. Only go for an attractive capped plan if you make lots of long calls. 

6. If you are running a business make sure you have itemised bills that allow you to analyze your spend by user, department and days of the week. This way you can determine where your Telco spend is going and allow you to manage staff that may have excessive use. Online billing can also be used to view recent accounts to establish particular call patterns. Telaustralia offers over 100 itemization options and all customers get free access to online phone bill view.

7. International travel can result in very large phone bills when you get back home. International mobile phone roaming charges are expensive and can be unpredictable due to 3rd party carrier charges in the country you travel in. SMS are more expensive while roaming as well but can be much cheaper method to communicate than using your mobile phone. It is also cheaper to let all calls go to voicemail and then accessing them in one go to work out who requires a call back and who can get a SMS response. It can also be cheaper to get a local SIM card to make mobile phone calls within the country you are traveling in.

8. Mobile Phone handsets can be incredibly expensive. Everyone loves to have a handset with all the bells and whistles .. Phone cameras, Music MP3 players like Apple iPhone, web browsers, diaries all can add up to be very expensive phones. Do you need all those features and will you use them. Considering less than 70% of phones last 2 years before being damaged or lost and requiring replacement this can really add up. Most people could get by with a phone that makes phone calls and Bluetooth for connectivity and may be a basic camera. These features are available in phones that cost under $300.

9. Get a plan that suits you call patterns. Some of the major Telco’s are offering all-inclusive plans that sound like good value but will you really make all those calls? Our analysis show that going onto a standard low rate plan will be cheaper in about 90% of cases. When the major Telco’s introduced these plans, it as never with the intention of lowering their margins or profits so ask your self why would they offer it this way? Even better get your potential provider to do a bill analysis for you prior to signing up. Telaustralia has a free phone bill analysis service Fax a bill to 1300 765 182 and we will return a written analysis within 48 hrs.

10. A Business PABX Phone system can be used to access the cheapest call rates available by using Least Cost Routing (LCR). Most modern phone systems have access to LCR. Installing a GSM gateway can reduce call costs for heavier users by routing calls via the Mobile network using a Capped or Unlimited mobile phone plan. With your phone system avoid bundled deals as you will end up paying a higher cost for your phone system and probably your phone calls.To find out more information about current PABX business Phone Systems and PBX Phone systems go to http://www.telaustralia.com.au/phone_systems