Update 11/12/2005: Service is no longer free but requires a credit card with a monthly charge of 95 cents.
Update 11/06/2005: Callpacket still offers a free service this month with one notable change, free incoming minutes has been reduced from unlimited to only 100. This is still not a bad deal for light users but not as nice as the former offer. New on the callpacket website is an International pay as you go calling plan. Callpacket's international rates are quite low with most of Western Europe, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, NZ, Singapore, etc falling in the 2 - 3 cents per minute range. On this plan domestic minutes are priced at 1 cent per minute for incoming and 3 cents per minute outgoing. For those that signed up for the free packet service I think I figured out a way to combine the best of both plans. Sign up for the new Intl pay as you go plan and continue using the free packet plan for incoming calls. For those that are using the soft client or only have one free line on their terminal adapter you can have all who call you dial your freepacket number, set up your freepacket number to forward all calls to your new Intl pay as you go number (since all forwarded calls are "on net" they should be free outbound and inbound to your new Intl Callpacket number). Configure your sip client with with your new International Callpacket credentials. Now all calls coming in on your original Freepacket number will still be free plus you may be able to get a new local number that is in your area but remember if you pass this number out you will pay 1 cent per minute for incoming calls. You should still be able to use your 100 of free outbound minutes by using the virtual calling card feature and setting up your new Intl Callpacket number as a pinless number. Calling your Freepacket number from your new Intl number should be free as it's an "on net" call. I have not personally set this up as I'm not sure I need it, but I'm sure that some FW members will find this useful
I stumbled across this service a few weeks ago and they seem pretty decent for a free service. With the many service outages of the major VOIP companies I would think that Callpacket would be a great backup service or even a good primary service for those that don't make many outbound calls. The service includes a free DID number from either CA, OR, WA, or NV if I remember correctly. They offer phone numbers in most other states too but they are not free. If you don't already own a terminal adapter they provide a free soft client that one can use with their service. Also, if you search the forum you can find a post for a FAR Linksys terminal adapter that can be unlocked to use on the Callpacket service. The service includes a nice bundle of features as listed below plus unlimited inbound calling and 100 minutes of outbound calling monthly for free. There is no need for a credit card to sign up for this service!
Is the deal dead? I tried all area code they offer and it keep saying "Unfortunately we do not have the available # in states you have selected"!!!?????
Answer: Ignore that error. Select an area code from those states using the drop-down, then check the list of prefixes. If the list of prefixes shows something, then there are availabilities. Pick the one you want, then click Next (or what ever the button just under it is). I just picked a 971 (Oregon) number, and it worked fine, with two prefixes still available, even though the annoying none-available "error" still showed up. When you pick your prefix and hit Next, you will be allowed to continue.
What if callpacket doesn't offer a local number in my area?
Answer: I was just thinking about an inexpensive option for those that insist on having a local number but live in a state that Callpacket doesn't provide free local numbers. There is a service called Callwave mobile that offers local numbers in most states for $3.95 monthly and you can set up the callwave number to ring directly through to your callpacket number. The callwave service was designed for mobile phones but it works equally as well with VOIP. Another nice feature is if ever your VOIP line is down then you can instantly route the calls to your mobile phone or another land line. There are also a few backdoor shortcuts where one can use the callwave service for free unlimited long distance. Callwave offers a 30 day free trial and again no credit card is needed to sign up. Here is the link:
To make unlimited calls for just the $3.95 monthly fee all you need to do is:
1. install the callwave software on your computer and then add a bunch of call transfer numbers to it (it lets you add 6) but these can be changed at anytime with a click of a button.
2. Call your local or toll-free number callwave gave you.
3. On the software click a button to select which number the call should be transfered to and then it will connect your call so you can talk for free.
There are some limitations to the callwave serice as follows:
1. The toll-free number is not your own but a shared number wheras the calling party has to dial an extension, but still for an unlimited use of a toll-free number it is a steal at only $3.95 monthly.
2. I have the "callwave Mobile" service and I can confirm that they do not mention that you get to use the toll-free number but it does work.
3. There is a 60 minute rule where no single call can last for more than this 60 minutes but you can hang up and call back again.
To enter a coupon code in your post please enter the following info:
Coupon Code:
Coupon Offer:
Merchant:
Expires (optional):
Restrictions (optional):
saving...
IT'S OVER.......
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve as your broadband phone carrier. We hope that you have been satisfied with our services and that you continue to remain a loyal TelePacket customer.
As of recently, we have launched several new phone plans.Our new plans provide subscribers more flexibility and an opportunity to save more money. We invite you to visit our website at www.TelePacket.com to view the new plans.
Please note that the promotional Free Packet Plan is no longer offered and will expire on Wednesday, January 11, 2006. This plan is now being replaced by the 95 Cents Plan (plan includes 100 outbound and 100 inbound minutes per month).
If you have signed up for our Free Packet Plan in the past and would like to continue service, please Click Here to log into your online account and upgrade your plan.
Thank you again for choosing TelePacket as your broadband phone carrier and for allowing us to serve you.
Best Wishes, The TelePacket Team
TelePacket, Inc. The World's Broadband Phone Company 27455 Tierra Alta Way Suite A Temecula, CA 92590 1-888-711-6081 Support@TelePacket.com ########################### This free offer is now DEAD ################################################# No free service available as of Friday 11/11/2005 - CC now required + 0.95cents a month charge. ########################### This free offer is now DEAD #################################################
Interesting Article on CallPacket/TelePacket Company's Profile from back in Nov. 2004
Line 1 or Line 2 Proxy: voip.callpacket.com User ID: cpxxxxxxxx Password: xxxxxx
Leave all other settings at default. If you want to use *86 to check your voicemail, go to the "Regional" tab and change "Call Back Deact Code:" to another number or simply delete it.
It seems to give area-code not available message. But after submitting the form, you get the local number assigned.
per heiNey sip username (cpxxxxxxxx) and password (xxxxxx) should be used for Linksys PAP2 configuration, not the callpacket username and password.
Thank you Cptan for this tip... The password you recieve from Email is the Login password to www.callpacket.com/admin - ie dashboard only. In there you can found all your SIP parameter in the section call : MY IP PHONE CONFIG.
Besure when you sign up, choose the "USE MY OWN IP PHONE" so that our system can geenrate this. You can use softphone as well even you choose this feature.
mnsweeps added : THE "NO PHONE NO AVAILABLE IN YOUR STATE" message is misleading !!
Once you select the area code you NEED TO select the PREFIX. Then you should be fine !!
CallPacket is currently getting whollaped by The Fatwallet Effect, so it is taking a while to get the accounts created. PLEASE BE PATIENT! It may be a few hours until you get the second confirmation email, which will have your phone number.
if it worked fine, but not anymore due to DNS server problem: (like we experienced earlier today) try change proxy to 67.43.159.38
You need a working phone number to verify account!
Click on the Next Step to proceed with the account activation process. Our automated phone system will be calling you at the number you specified during the signup process. You will be given a PIN number. Please use that PIN number to submit as the Activation Code. Be sure you are able to answer this phone call before clicking Next Step.
Message edited by: wizardefc on 2006-01-11 08:18:38 CST
Nope, not to someone who votes a topic red without even having a clue. Use the Search feature!!! PatelFromIndia said:""search the forum you can find a post for a FAR Linksys terminal adapter"
Can you provide link for this FAR LinkSys Terminal?
just signed up for the free plan gave my east cost adress was offered only free west coast phone numbers with free plan and given the option to upgrade.Is this done purposely like efax? has anyone configured this with belkin everywhere.net unit?
They seem legite, expect this site to get hammered with new line requests.
I already initiated the signup process. While you don't have to give a credit card number or anything, it does appear that you need to give valid contact information. It implied that they will contact me prior to giving me my phone number.
I also have a question for anyone who tried them already, they insist (although not required) on allowing their TFTP server to provision my hardware. Does this lock or negatively affect my hardware in any way? I plan on manually configuring my devices, but just wondering if anyone tried their autoprovision feature yet.
gatzdon said:They insist (although not required) on allowing their TFTP server to provision my hardware. Does this lock or negatively affect my hardware in any way? I plan on manually configuring my devices, but just wondering if anyone tried their autoprovision feature yet. They most likely want to provision the adapter because so many people are clueless. Look at the PAP2 thread in deal dicussions. I laid out an easy to follow, step by step explanation of how to unlock the adapter and how to configure it for Stanaphone & Voipbuster and even with those instructions hundreds of ding dongs still couldn't do it. I got dozens of PM's and each and every time the failure to get it working was directly correlated to failure to follow the directions.
I didn't sign up for Callpacket because they don't offer a local number for me, but I doubt they will lock your hardware.
They never called me when I signed up for the service. I only received two emails, the second included my account details.
I never allowed Callpacket to configure my device. I would assume that with a factory unlocked device that they could lock it to only their service when they upload the credentials via TFTP; however even if they did this, a full factory reset would restore your adapter to it's unlocked state. I remember when I signed up with Broadvoice a few years ago, they would lock my 2 line Sipura to their service by default. All that I needed to do was perform a factory reset and configure it manually and I was able to have Broadvoice on one line and another service on line 2.
gatzdon said:They seem legite, expect this site to get hammered with new line requests.
I already initiated the signup process. While you don't have to give a credit card number or anything, it does appear that you need to give valid contact information. It implied that they will contact me prior to giving me my phone number.
I also have a question for anyone who tried them already, they insist (although not required) on allowing their TFTP server to provision my hardware. Does this lock or negatively affect my hardware in any way? I plan on manually configuring my devices, but just wondering if anyone tried their autoprovision feature yet.
This sounds like a good backup for voipbuster or any voip providers. Can we manually configure PAP2 instead of letting them provision? If so, what are the parameters?
titewad said:gatzdon said:They insist (although not required) on allowing their TFTP server to provision my hardware. Does this lock or negatively affect my hardware in any way? I plan on manually configuring my devices, but just wondering if anyone tried their autoprovision feature yet. They most likely want to provision the adapter because so many people are clueless. Look at the PAP2 thread in deal dicussions. I laid out an easy to follow, step by step explanation of how to unlock the adapter and how to configure it for Stanaphone & Voipbuster and even with those instructions hundreds of ding dongs still couldn't do it. I got dozens of PM's and each and every time the failure to get it working was directly correlated to failure to follow the directions.
I didn't sign up for Callpacket because they don't offer a local number for me, but I doubt they will lock your hardware.
I concur with your assumption, but it wouldn't hurt to learn from someone elses experience first. When they send me the credentials, I'm going to try setting up a 8x8 DTA310 (w/ AR160 Firmware) first since it doesn't play well with FWD (doesn't transmit leading * correctly when using NAT). I will post feedback after I do. I was thinking that it would be nice to have the extra line for the few occassions when two people want to use the phone at the same time.
Guyz go ahead with this call packet,I'm using it in virginia,but only thing is I'm using LA area code number,it can be as second line ,last week cc were offering free pap2 adapter,hope the offer comes again,so that we can link up that adapter to call packet.
Since you stumbled across this weeks ago, perhaps you can answer my question from yesterday in the PAP2 thread - how is the service? I thought about signing up, but the website seems very amateurish, and I am still perplexed as to why nobody has posted in the forum section as of yet.
Craig said:I never allowed Callpacket to configure my device. I would assume that with a factory unlocked device that they could lock it to only their service when they upload the credentials via TFTP; however even if they did this, a full factory reset would restore your adapter to it's unlocked state. Caveat: If you're using one of the unlocked Vonage-branded PAP2 adapters, remember that doing a factory reset will NOT unlock your device! Quite the opposite, it will keep it locked (and, if it's not locked, it will be once you do the reset), now with Vonage's settings.
Just thought I'd put that out, before we get a bunch of people doing factory resets on their PAP2's from reading this, and wondering why they can't connect to anything but Vonage any more.
Signed up a free account with a unlocked PAP2 from CC, works perfectly, and their customer support is excellent,even for the free account user, got the support call 2 hours after a case was opened.You guys should give a try, it's free, cost you nothing!
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
