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Tuesday 14th Oct, 2008 |
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CURRENT CALL RATES
Q1: Do you have a list of current call rates?
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q2: What is VoIP?
Q3: What are some advantages of Chariot VoIP?ABOUT THE CHARIOT SERVICE
Q4: How can I make a Chariot Call?
Q5: Who can call me?
Q6: What about the dial tone?
Q7: Can I use my computer and talk on the phone?
Q8: Can I take my phone adapter when I travel?
Q9: Does my computer have to be turned on?
Q10: How do I know if I have a Chariot phone call?
Q11: Can I call normal landline and mobile numbers?
Q12: Can people on landlines and mobiles ring me?
Q13: What features come standard with the service?
Q14: How do I activate my Chariot service features?
Q15: Can I take the service and my number with me if I move?
Q16: Can I use the service from overseas?
Q17: Can I use a fax machine with the service?
Q18: Can I choose my own Chariot number?
Q19: Can I keep my existing phone number (Local Number Portability)?
Q20: Will I be listed in the White Pages?
Q21: Can I access Directory Assistance?
Q22: Can I have multiple numbers?
Q23: How much does Chariot cost to set up?
Q24: Will I be charged for uploads and downloads?
Q25: What is the effect on Chariot when download quotas are reached?
Q26: Do I have to keep my landline telephone line?
Q27: Can I call 000 Emergency Services using my Chariot service?
Q28: What happens if the Internet Connection goes down or the Power is out?
Q29: What is the call quality like compared to a traditional phone call?
Q30: Do I need to have a broadband to use Chariot?
Q31: Can I use Chariot with a dial-up connection?
Q32: Is Chariot secure?
Q33: Do location based 13 numbers work?
Q34: Can I dial 190X numbers?EQUIPMENT
Q35: What Equipment do I need?
Q36: Can I use my ordinary phone?
Q37: What is an ATA hardware device?
Q38: What type of phones can I connect to the Chariot Voice Gateways?
CURRENT CALL RATES
Q1: Do you have a list of current call rates?
Current VoIP Call rates including specials. Note that these are subject to variation. Full rates can be located at http://www.chariot.net.au/cgi-bin/voip_webpricing.cgi?action=voipprices
GENERAL INFORMATION
Q2: What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a method for taking analog audio signals (like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone), and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.Basically, using VOIP allows you to make calls using the internet (using additional hardware and/or software). If you are phoning another person using the same VoIP provider and the call is VoIP to VoIP then the call will be totally free. You can also make calls to non-VoIP service phone numbers at reduced cost.
Q3: What are some advantages of CHARIOT VOIP?
Potential savings off your regular phone bill – 50 to 70%
No call connection fee applies, you'll only be charged for the calls you make
Call quality comparative to that of your existing telephone service
VoIP calls to other Chariot VoIP services are free – great for family and friends.
Free basic products including call forwarding, caller ID and many more
Portable service
Optional use of existing hardware.
National customer and technical support
ABOUT THE CHARIOT VoIP SERVICE
Q4: How can I make a Chariot Voip Call?
Simply pick up your phone and dial the number in the same way as you always have. You can ring anyone, anytime, anywhere. Please read the remainder of the FAQ’s for more details.
Q5: Who can call me?
If you retain your existing telephone service you can retain your existing telephone number and receive incoming calls through your Chariot Lifeline Device. People wishing to call you simply dial your existing number from a standard telephone and your phone will ring! Or if they are calling using the Chariot VoIP service the call will be free!
Q6: What about the dial tone?
Customers using Chariot supplied and configured VoIP devices using VoIP will not hear a traditional dial tone they will hear a different tone instead. The only time you will hear a normal Australian dial tone is in the event of a network problem (if you have a PSTN line connected to your VoIP device) or power outage. In that scenario you will still be able to make calls but they will go via your PSTN provider and their charges will apply.Customers using other VoIP Devices will need to refer to the user manual to determine if their device can be configured for separate dial tones.
Softphone users can only make calls through the VoIP system and therefore outgoing calls cannot be made via their PSTN line.
Q7: Can I use my computer and talk on the phone at the same time?
Yes, you can use your computer whilst talking on Chariot VOIP. Your computer and VoIP device share your broadband internet connection. We recommend that a broadband service delivering a minimum speed of 512/128 is used for best results.
Q8: Can I take my phone adapter when I travel?
Yes – if not using the soft-phone version don’t forget the power plug and suitable adaptor! Chariot VoIP will work anywhere in the world as long as you can access a broadband internet connection. Quality of calls may vary depending upon the network you are connected to.
Q9: Does my computer have to be turned on?
Unless you are using the soft-phone option your computer does not need to be turned on when you make a call, but your internet connection needs to be active (with your modem/router turned on).
Q10: How do I know if I have a Chariot VoIP phone call?
It will ring like any other call on your existing handset or soft-phone.
Q11: Can I call normal landline and mobile numbers?
Yes. You can make calls to any phone service like you do on a fixed line telephone service.
Q12: Can people on landlines and mobiles ring me?
Yes, but only if your Chariot device is connected to your existing PSTN ( Public Switched Telephone Network) line at this time. The ability to have incoming calls without a PSTN service will be available in the future.
Q13: What features come standard with the service?
Chariot’s VoIP service will include a number of features such as call forwarding and caller id. Other features will be added in time.
Q14: How do I activate my Chariot service features?
How to activate the provided features will be advised when the services are available.
Q15: Can I take the service and my number with me if I move?
Your Chariot VoIP service will work from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection. If you have been assigned a 15 prefixed number, this can be retained if you move. However if your PSTN number changes you will not be able to retain it for use with your VoIP service. You are required to advise Chariot if you no longer have or change your PSTN number.
Q16: Can I use the service from overseas?
Yes, you can use your service from anywhere in the world where there is an available broadband internet connection. See Q8.
Q17: Can I use a fax machine with the service?
No, presently faxing from a Chariot VoIP enabled device will not work.
Q18: Can I choose my own Chariot VoIP number?
Yes! If you have an existing PSTN number you will be able to nominate this as your VoIP number – it will be a 10 digit number as it will include the area code.You may wish to have a new Chariot VoIP number and this will be in the format of 15XXXXXXXX.
Q19: Can I keep my existing phone number?
Yes, you can retain your existing telephone number if you retain your PSTN service.
Q20: Will I be listed in the White Pages?
If you maintain your PSTN number this will be listed as normal, however any other VoIP number provided will not be listed.
Q21: Can I access White Pages Directory Assistance?
You will be able to call Telstra’s or other service providers directory assistance as normal.
Q22: Can I have multiple numbers?
The equipment Chariot provides will support 2 numbers.
Q23: How much does Chariot cost to set up?
Chariot’s plans and rates will be extremely competitive. These will be announced shortly.
Q24: Will I be charged for uploads and downloads?
VoIP only uses small amounts of data and any charge for such will depend upon your access plan – please check with your ISP. Chariot does offer a range of Broadband plans that do not have upload / download charges associated.
Q25: What is the effect on Chariot VoIP when download quotas are reached?
This will depend on your plan and your ISP.
Q26: Do I have to keep my landline telephone line?
If your broadband service is provided through an ADSL connection, you must have a standard telephone line. Alternatively you can consider Chariot Wireless Broadband solution which does not require a landline to provide a fast Internet connection.As Chariot VoIP utilises your broadband connection any interruption to your internet connection will affect the use of your Chariot VoIP service. If a power outage is experienced and you have your existing telephone line connected to your PSTN port on your Chariot device, you can continue to make calls via your existing telephone line without having to do anything.
We recommended that you maintain another fixed line service or mobile phone with signal available as your primary line, particularly in the case of an emergency.
Q27: Can I call 000 Emergency Services using my Chariot VoIP service?
You will be able to make 000 calls using Chariot VoIP however it is important to remember the following:If your VoIP service is also connected to your PSTN service it will default to your PSTN service – thereby delivery to the 000 centre details of your location.
If it is not connected to a PSTN service (if you are using a non PSTN based broadband connection – ie wireless or cable) then you will be able to make 000 calls however details of your location will NOT be delivered to the 000 centre as it would if you made the call through a PSTN line.
If it is not connected to a PSTN service (if you are using a non PSTN based broadband connection – ie wireless or cable) then you will be unable to make 000 calls should you have any outage affecting your broadband connection.
For this reason it is recommended that this service is only used as an add-on to your existing telecommunication requirements and that you have another fixed line service or mobile phone with signal available in case you have to make an emergency call
Q28: What happens if the Internet Connection goes down or the Power is out?
If the internet connection to our services is unavailable or the power is out, you will be unable to use the Chariot VoIP service, however you will be able to continue making and receiving calls if you have your existing telephone line connected to your PSTN port on your Chariot device. Please also note that if the power drops out while you are on a call your connection will be broken.Please refer also to Q27 re 000 calls.
Q29: What is the call quality like compared to a traditional phone call?
Chariot is a PREMIUM GRADE VoIP service. Under normal circumstances the sound quality is the same as a standard (PSTN) telephone service. We can't discount the possibility that there may be problems.
Q30: Do I need to have a broadband to use Chariot?
Yes, our Chariot VoIP service is only available to customers that have a high speed broadband connection. It is recommended that you have at least an upload speed of 128Kbps.
Q31: Can I use Chariot VoIP with a dial-up connection?
We do not recommend the use of this service with other than a broadband internet connection.
Q32: Is Chariot VoIP secure?
The service offers the same level of security as making a PSTN call when making your VoIP calls through our network – however if using the service through a “wifi” hotspot you cannot be offered the same level of security.
Q33: Do location based 13 numbers work?
Our Geographic number range is not suburb based, it is based on Call Collection Areas (call collection areas are invariably larger than suburbs). Therefore if you call a location based 13 number (for example a pizza vendor or taxi company), your call will most likely not be connected to your local store/supplier.
Q34: Can I dial 190X numbers?
At this present time you can not dial 190X numbers using the Chariot VoIP service, however if you have your existing telephone line connected to your PSTN port on your Chariot device, it will automatically transfer your call to PSTN when a 190X number is dialed.
EQUIPMENT
Q35: What Equipment do I need?
In order to use Chariot VoIP service, customers must have:A broadband internet connection (we recommend a minimum speed of 512/128 for best results), a Chariot VoIP account, a VoIP enabled router or an ATA (see Q36) to connect to the router and a telephone handset (or a soft-phone and applicable headset or similar if not using a handset).
Q36: Can I use my ordinary phone?
Yes you can use your ordinary home phone by connecting it the Chariot Voice gateway
Q37: What is an ATA hardware device?
An ATA hardware device is necessary if you wish to use your existing telephone and you DO NOT have an existing VoIP enabled router. The ATA device converts the analog signals from your phone in to digital signals that can be sent over the internet.
Q38: What type of phones can I connect to the Chariot Voice Gateways?
You can connect any Touchtone Phone which is approved for use in Australia.