VoIP over cellular (which Phone, which Carrier, which Software)?

[Astronomy_Domine]

Hello, everyone!
This is my first post here.
Right now I have a regular phone.
I'm thinking about buying a pda-phone.

Major reason - to use it for VoIP (my cellphone-to-someone's computer VoIP calls (Skype for example), international VoIP phone-to-phone calls).

Minor use - emails, some browsing, youtube perhaps.

My questions are:

1. Which cellular carrier in US has fast internet, capable of working with VoIP?
Which carriers (if any) do NOT block VoIP?
I've heard AT&T blocks VoIP, Is it true? How about Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and others?

2. Which Windows Mobile software is the best for VoIP? Are there any VoIP options for iPhone? I need something that can make free phone-to-computer calls as well as paid phone-to-phone (like Skype).

3. Which software has lowest requirements on the internet connection speed?

4. Is it possible to make VoIP phone calls over GPRS, EDGE. They are faster then dial-up and I used to have good experience with Skype over dial-up during 50+ kbit/s connections. Or is 3G a must-have requirement for VoIP?

5. And finally which Phone is the best for VoIP? Which works flawlessly, able to use same regular speaker that you use for regular phone calls (instead of loud speaker or headset , though headset is ok too), has less issues? Whould be nice if that phone had a large 800x480 screen (but 640x480 is ok too especially if it's more reliable and works with VoIP better without issues).



I would appreciate any help to shed some light on the above questions. I did some research online , but info is controversial.

Thanks

[Astronomy_Domine]

there are over 70 votes in the poll, why there is no a single comment yet? People don't be shy.

[toviaheli]

i have found that windows mobile is very versitile. i prefer touch screens. i have used this kind of smart phone since the very first one, the Hitachi g1000. sprint has the cheapest data plans..

the simplest voip solution for windows mobile, the most idiot-proof for people like me, is yeigo. check out yeigo.com

The great thing about Yeigo is that it works the same as using your cell phone. It does not send the sound out the speaker on the back of your phone.

they do offer software for other operating systems than windows mobile.

it has a built in phone application, and incorporates most of the popular Instant Messenging platforms..

[JackSchitt28]

i use skype with my Fuze on at&t's network. i am in a 3G coverage area and it works flawlessly. it uses the external speaker when listening to the callers voice, but a headset will eliminate that. i dont use it all the time, but i have been told it works best with 3G, EVDO, or WiFi. Edge and 1X are slow as crap and if you live in that type of coverage area, dont expect to use any type of Voip often unless of course your near WiFi. and on another note, the reason you see alot of Sprint votes is because PPCGeeks has a gazillion Sprint customers, not a bad thing by any means, i used to have Sprint for several years and their data is good, but i had reception problems and had to move on. Go with a device and carrier that works best in your area. if you have any questions just pop me a message, will be glad to help.

[Astronomy_Domine]

nice to hear someone has luck with it.
I'm surprized you can use skype for voice calls over AT&T, because I read a lot of complaints from people on internet that AT&T blocks VoIP data traffic.
I do have 3G ATT in my area. Which phone would work with Skype over ATT? Do they have any VoIP software for iPhone?
Thanks in advance

[k_semler]

Originally Posted by Astronomy_Domine

nice to hear someone has luck with it.
I'm surprized you can use skype for voice calls over AT&T, because I read a lot of complaints from people on internet that AT&T blocks VoIP data traffic.
I do have 3G ATT in my area. Which phone would work with Skype over ATT? Do they have any VoIP software for iPhone?
Thanks in advance

ATT does not block VoIP ports on their network. I have successfully pulled the SIP credentials off of my MagicJack, and set up the included VoIP client that comes built into WM 6.1. Swithing over to my VoIP line is as simple as touching my homescreen to activate my MagicJack line.

<wap-provisioningdoc>
<characteristic type="VoIP">
<parm name="SIPSettings" 
   value="&lt;provision key='1232ab01' name=_provider_'&gt;
             &lt;provider name='_provider_' /&gt; 
             &lt;user account='_username_' password='_password_'
                 uri='_sipserver_:xxxx'
                 allowedauth='digest'/&gt; 
             &lt;sipsrv addr='_sip_' protocol='UDP' role='proxy'&gt;
                &lt;session party='First' type='pc2pc' /&gt; 
                &lt;session party='First' type='pc2ph' /&gt; 
             &lt;/sipsrv&gt; 
             &lt;sipsrv addr='_registrar_' protocol='UDP' role='registrar'/&gt; 
          &lt;/provision&gt;" />
</characteristic>
</wap-provisioningdoc>

Change the following information:
_provider_ : Name of your provider, (you can call it whatever you want)
_username_ : Your SIP username (usually your phone number)
_password_ : Your user password for your VoIP account
_sipserver_: xxx : The server you need to login to with your VoIP account, (usually your phone number @wherever.com)
: xxx : Specific port you need to access on the server, (such as 5070)
_sip_ : The specific SIP server you need to access once logged in, (usually the same as the primary server you log into)
_registrar_ : The server you need to register on once logged on, but not communicating over, (usually the same as the primary server you log into).

Save the above file as _setup.xml with the appropriate values entered in the appropriate place, and use cabarc to create a *cab, and push it out to your phone via activesync. (MS cab SDK has been attached to this message). If you do not have the Windows default VoIP client installed on your phone, you will need to download and install it prior to installing your custom CAB which contains your VoIP settings. (SleuthKaiserVoIP.cab has been attached to this message, [built in WM 6.1 VoIP client])

[completetech]

i have tried this as well as some other suggestions on other forums and no luck.

i have a treo 800w with wm 6.1

can someone tell me what i can do.

everything "installs" fine. however i do not get the extra tab in the phone settings for internet calling

[Mattheyu]

I actually just installed Skype on my Touch Pro with Sprint today. I've used it a ton, and besides the battery drain, it works wonderfully. I have the SERO 500 F&F, so unlimited data.

[ebmorgan]

T-Mobile has phones that will call via VoIP if your at home with bad coverage. Kind of like Sprint's AiRave router, but you don't need extra gear. It's all in the phone.

But I freaking hate T-Mo. Sprint ALL DAY! For me in Seattle, we get 4G starting next month....

Go Sprint & ClearWire!