Hi

I need more help please.

I don't really understand VOIP, but I run a business from home and have 2 lines.  So whilst I am there or there abouts for call charges I was wondering if Sipgate may be of use to me.  My business line is pretty much for an occasional incoming call (most of the time i am contacted by mobile).  So I pretty much was set on making it Primus Saver Option 2 and 18185 combo.  My question is can I have a completely different voicemail using sipgate and their number, compared to normal BT freebie 1571.   If so I would get Euphony on just the 1 line and use Sipgate for incoming only.  One other important question though.  Can i route 0800 numbers through to a sipgate number because I sometimes do this when the normal landline number they are routed to is un-manned for periods of 7 days or so.  Also whilst I'm at it does anyone know of a good supply of 0800 numbers.

Have a look at http://www.call08.com/
I have no brief for them, but another client has just taken up service and is pleased.

With regard to the other part of your question, for lots more info on VOIP take a look at www.voipuser.org  A non commercial user community

I can vouch for call08.
It's a shame that since I took out a number, the inclusive minutes for new customers has decreased to 500 inclusive mins.
When you do go for a number, make sure you get one with call logging. That way you can see where your calls came from, and therefore how your advertising is working.

However, once you've given the target number for the 0800, that's it. Subsequent changes are at a further cost.
So therefore target your fixed line, and divert as usual.

It might be also worth looking at BT CallSign, which gives you two incoming numbers to the same line, a different ringtone to distinguish them, and so on. I haven't studied it enough to know if you get two voicemail facilities though

Callsign is one of their value features products.
But no info on the page about answering service.
Still, it's a free call to find out.

1 feature: £1.75 per month
2-4 features:  £3.50 per month
5 or more features:£5.00 per month

You can order online by clicking the manage calling features button below. Or call us on Freefone 0800 800 150.
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayCategory.do?categoryId=CON-VAL-FEAT-R1

I can confirm that, as of a year ago but I don't expect it's changed, call sign uses the same voicemail box for both lines, be it the free 1571 or the paid for Call Minder.

You can get boxes that plug in and split the line based on the incoming ring.  But note that CLIP on coutgoing calls is always your main number.

VOIP may be your friend though; there are plenty of suppliers who will give you a free geographic inoming number see here, with or without voicemail, including sipgate IIRC, and outgoing calls can be had from free.  (I currently use voipcheap.com for free uk calls, but there are loads of brands by the same company that may be better for your calling patters - see here for comparisons.  All you need is a proper SIP based adapter that you connect to your router, and plug your phones in.  NOT anything USB or skype based - thats a closed incompatible system, SIP is open.

Once you get a voip incoming number, point your 08* at it if you want.  You can of course connect up from anywhere to receive calls - there are even wifi cordless phones that do it all in one - just stand in a wifi hotspot anywhere in the world..