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Hi everyone,
Here is our newsletter for March 2005. We hope the new school year is starting well for everybody.
Last year’s chapter has ended with broadband reaching Port Fairy homes at last. This opens up a new range of possibilities, one of them being Internet telephony.
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The Internet has changed the way we interact with the world.
Over the past ten years, emails have become a must in our lives as a fast and economical means of communication. Now, most of you are using chat programs such as MSN messenger, ICQ or Yahoo messenger to interact instantly with friends or relatives, and with the addition of a microphone, some of you are even already talking to your friends, pretty much like making a phone call.
With increasing Internet speeds, delay and distortion are less noticeable. Video streaming becomes acceptable and by plugging a webcam, you add another dimension to your conversation; this works if both parties are connected to the Internet and use the same chat program.
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Internet telephony
How does this work?
When you place a call over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a dedicated circuit opens between you and the other end and remains open for the whole phone call. This uses a method called circuit switching. When you make a call over the Internet, your voice is digitized, and broken into packets of data which flow to their destination through a network along thousands of possible paths. Then, the packets are reassembled into voice. This is called packet switching.
This is the same process used for sending emails. But, as voice communication happens in real time (unlike emails), delay and distortion can happen when packets are lost or delayed, and the quality of your call depends on the speed of your Internet connection. You definitely need broadband for a decent service.
How to make a call?
There are different ways to make a call over the Internet.
Let’s have an overview of your possibilities.
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ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) |
IP Phone |
USB Phone |
USB & Analogue Headsets |
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An Analog Telephone Adapter can be used to connect a standard phone to your computer. This device is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal of your phone and converts it into digital data to be transmitted over the Internet. These devices are used in conjunction with some compatible software. |
IP Phones look like normal phones. They have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ-11 and connect directly to your router. Wireless IP phones (like the one shown below on the right) are also available. It’s important to note that IP phones must be used in conjunction with additional hardware or software if you want to dial someone on PSTN. |
Simply plug it into your computer’s USB port. USB Phone acts like a sound card and hence you do not need to have any soundcard in your computer to use it. Essentially no different to a USB headset (see next cell) except that you have a keypad on the device. |
All you need is a stereo headset with noise-canceling microphone that filters out unwanted background noise and you’re ready to go. The disadvantage of analogue headsets over USB headsets is that they occupy the sound capabilities of your computer and you will probably need to disconnect your speakers. USB headsets are highly recommended by PF Systems. |
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Of course it is possible to make voice calls from PC to PC without purchasing any digital hardware. Many of us have been doing this for years in the form of voice chat programs like Yahoo Messenger. To make calls from PC to PC, both ends need to use the same “softphone” and both computers need to be on and connected to the internet. Skype is a good program, easy to set up and easy to use. Create an account; add your contacts (check our online help on how to set up your Skype account)… Now, it’s just a matter of being online at the same time or planning your calls. Some programs also allow you to make phone calls from your computer onto regular phones or mobile phones at a very low rate. For example, with SkypeOut, Skype offers a global rate of 1.7 Euro cent per minute (approximately 2.7 AU cents) for most popular destinations (shown in yellow on the map). Buy some credit online and you can call an ordinary phone almost everywhere in the world. |
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Currently, PF Systems is offering customers an Internet telephone solution that will cut down both the complexity of using the internet for voice and your phones bills. This solution is called engin and comprises of a small box which links your standard phone straight to engin’s broadband phone network.
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With engin you’ll be able to:
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Call Type |
Call Cost (see conditions) |
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Calls between |
10c untimed, anytime! |
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Local |
10c untimed, anytime! |
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National |
10c per minute. |
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Calls to |
30c per minute |
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engin to |
Any calls made to engin numbers will be free of any engin charges |
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International Calls |
Examples 5c per minute to 7.9c per minute to |
In the short term, however, the local call classification will not exist for Port Fairy and will be charged at national rate and so a standard phone system will be required for making local calls that go for more than a couple of minutes. This won’t be a problem for most as a standard phone line is required for having an ADSL service.
On this point, it is interesting to note that Westvic will offer a clear advantage over ADSL pricing due to it not requiring a standard phone line to operate. And so as engin increases the size and capabilities of its network, we may find that “engin + Westvic” will offer an extremely well priced option for most peoples telecommunication needs.
Sign up for Broadband
For those who are still wondering about getting broadband, here are the current deals.
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Is still offering the following
introductory plan: 256/64 500MB for $24.95 for the first 6 months + no installation
charge for Port Fairy. Westvic is also connecting Terang, Mortlake and Panmure (introductory $24.95 plan available). |
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New “Red stripe” offer! Receive at least 2 months free Broadband access plus $0 installation on any plan on a 24 month contract. Plans starting from $29.95/month. Free 1 port modem + 2 months free broadband access for ADSL (3 months free broadband access for Cable). |
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As part of the Australian Government's Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS) BigPond is able to provide eligible customers 2 new BigPond ADSL Plans, exclusively for HiBIS customers. - 256kbps 500MB for $29.95/month (12 month contract, 1-port modem $189) - 512kbps 500MB for $39.95/month (12 month contract, 1-port modem $189) |
If you need more information or want to sign up, contact us by email or phone (on 03 5568 1709 or Ben’s mobile on 0417 566 134). Alternatively, you can use our online application forms by clicking on the logos above.
Another advantage of broadband and Windows XP is that it will allow the friendly staff at PF Systems to offer you computer assistance remotely using Microsoft Messenger. This will be offered at a reduced minimum charge of $11 GST inclusive with a saving of 50% ;)
Dial Up BigPond Offer
“Half Price Dial Up” is a fantastic offer for new BigPond Dial Up customers. Customers receive half price Dial Up internet access for 6 months when they sign up to one of the eligible Dial Up Plans on a 12 month contract during the offer period (until 14th June 2005).
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Plan |
Monthly Usage Allowance |
Was |
Now for first 6 months (on 12 mth plans) |
Excess Usage |
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Internet Light |
2 hours |
$5.95 per month |
$2.95 |
$3.95 per hour |
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Internet Regular |
7 hours |
$15.95 per month |
$7.95 |
$3.95 per hour |
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Internet Ultimate |
Unlimited downloads & unlimited hours (up to 10 hours per session) |
$24.95 per month |
$12.45 |
N/a |
Please note that this offer is not available to existing BigPond customers (you must not have had a billing relationship with BigPond for past 3 months). Contact us if you’re interested to sign up.
What’s news at PF Systems?
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About communication |
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You will now find on our online catalogue a new section dedicated to “communication” items.
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Logitech Quickcam Express $53 |
Logitech Quickcam Zoom $121 |
Logitech Quickcam Orbit $190 |
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LG Flatron CMK-Q3 $20 |
Altec Lansing AHS502 $45 |
Logitech Premium USB Headset 300 $79 |
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Atcom USB Phone AU-100 $79 |
VOIP Voice USB Phone Cyberphone K $95 |
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Keep in mind that products are updated regularly on our online catalogue, so browse our other sections to find out about the latest deals.
Please email us any feedback or suggestion in regards to our newsletter.
Best regards,
Ben Druitt & Phuong-Dung Hoang – PF Systems
PS: If you want to unsubscribe from our mailing list, fill in the form in the Mailing List section on our homepage www.pfsystems.com.au and we will remove you from our list or send an email to unsubscribe@pfsystems.com.au.