Travelling with VoIP, Hotel internet access

[guest]

Hi...
I'm interested in initiating a VoIP broadband phone service (probably SunRocket), primarily for keeping in touch with my family in the US when I travel (mainly in Europe). My understanding is that I plug the phone adapter into the high speed ethernet cable and I should be pretty much good to go. My question is this... many more hotels are migrating to wireless high-speed internet access rather than wired. Do I have any options for setting up the VoIP phone adapter when my only access is wireless (WiFi)? Many thanks!

Pete

[Mike]

Hello Pete,
SunRocket is a great choice for a VoIP broadband phone service provider within the US and one that we do recommend. However, for your situation you may want to consider other VoIP solutions. SunRocket does not provide clear information on whether you can take their ATA abroad (to Europe), so that would be one thing we would suggest to double check with them before making your decision. In our database of information we have them marked as not providing "travel globally", as it is not clear and they have not confirmed with us.

However, your understanding is correct. One of the great advantages of VoIP internet phone service is its portability. You should be able to plug your ATA device into any broadband internet connection and have access to your VoIP phone service. Not all VoIP Service Providers make the statement that you can 'travel globally' though with their ATA device and VoIP solution. It is always good to check this.

With regards to WiFi connections rather than the traditional 'plug-in' connection, this is where we suggest considering other options. The market currently does not provide an easy answer for connecting an ATA to a Wi-Fi
connection. Some providers do provide an option for a Wi-Fi VoIP phone for these types of scenarios, however these are still in their infancy with respect to interoperability testing and support. A better VoIP solution in the interim is to use a 'softphone' (software phone that you download onto your laptop) and use a WiFi modem on your laptop to connect to the Wi-Fi service. With the addition of a microphone and a speaker, your laptop is now a IP phone (assuming you take a laptop on business with you). It may be possible to plug your ATA into a Wi-Fi wireless modem, but not sure this will work in a hotel Wi-Fi network, and it would mean taking extra hardware with you when you travel, not always ideal especially if you have a laptop anyway.

If you are specifically looking for a VoIP service provider that allows you to 'travel globally' and gives the option of a 'PC to Phone Ability' (Softphone) then please consider using our Advanced Search engine to find the right plan for you, at:
http://www.whichvoip.com/voip/voip_p...s_feat_all.htm

You can always use a Softphone from a IP phone provider that deals only with softphones (like Skype for example) and then have SunRocket service for your family phone service at home. If you are interested in SunRocket check out our special VoIP deals at:
http://www.whichvoip.com/cgi-bin/sea...b=1&t=10&s=156

Check out our VoIP review and ratings for the main VoIP service providers also, to help make your decision:
http://www.whichvoip.com/voip/voip_reviews.htm

Also, we have an interesting article on VoIP and travel at the following location:
http://www.whichvoip.com/voip/articles/voip_travel.htm

Hope this helps provide some useful information for your concerns. Anyone else out there had much experience with travelling globally with their VoIP broadband phone service?

Mike