What is Blueface?
What is VoIP?
What protocol does Blueface use?
How do I make calls over my broadband connection?
How do I know if I have the right Internet connection to use Blueface?
How do I switch to Blueface?
Do I pay line rental with Blueface?
What type of call plans are available?
Can I call mobile phones?
Do I get a phone number with my call plan?
Can I keep my current phone number?
Can I send a fax?
Blueface Call Features
I'm a business customer, how will Blueface benefit my company?
Do I need to have my computer switched on to make calls?
Is Blueface the same as Skype?
Can I call emergency services on a Blueface phone?
What is Blueface?
Blueface provide a VoIP Internet phone service that allows you to make calls over your existing* broadband internet connection at a much lower cost than a traditional landline. Blueface supply thousands of people all over Ireland with a quality feature-rich Internet telephone service that works exactly the same way as your current phone. This means you can make and receive calls as you normally would but at a fraction of the price.
*Blueface does not supply broadband.
What is VoIP?
Here at Blueface we think VoIP is the future of the phone. It allows users to make phone calls over their broadband Internet connection and save money. VoIP is short for Voice over Internet Protocol, this protocol facilitates the travel of your voice calls through the Internet rather than traditional phone lines. By bypassing traditional phone lines Blueface's phone service allows you to save a lot of money on your call costs. Customers that have a broadband service independent of their phone line like wireless or cable can even stop paying line rental.
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What protocol does Blueface use?
Blueface voice over IP services are SIP* based. This means any SIP compatible device such as an ATA, IP phone and softphone can be used with Blueface. Some mobile phones (e.g. Nokia E61 and Nokia N95) will also support SIP technologies. If your 3G mobile is not SIP compatible you can use Fring. Fring is a communication service that allows you to use your handset's Internet connection to make calls. The iPhone and Fring are fully compatible, allowing you to make calls with your Blueface account over the data connection.
Learn how to use Fring with Blueface
*Session Initiation Protocol
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How do I make calls over my broadband connection?
You will need a computer with a broadband Internet connection to use Blueface's phone service. There are three different and easy ways to make and receive calls, you can decided which method suits you best.
Phone Adaptor (ATA)
You can use a special phone adaptor which connects to your regular telephone handset. This adaptor will come pre-configured with your Blueface account details so all you need to do is plug it in to your broadband connection and then connect your normal telephone handset to the adaptor. Now you can make and receive calls the same way you normally do, just dial and talk.
IP Phone
An IP phone connects directly to your broadband connection, it comes pre-configured so once it is plugged in you can make and receive calls the same way you normally do, just dial and talk.
A Softphone with a USB Phone or Headset
This method is perfect for users wanting to have a low cost set-up or who want to travel. A softphone sits on your computer desktop and it looks and operates similar to a mobile phone's key pad. Just connect a headset or a USB phone to your computer and you can make and receive calls just as you would on your normal telephone.
How do I know if I have the right Internet connection to use Blueface?
The following types of broadband work with Blueface's telephone service:
- DSL or ADSL accessed through your phone line.
- Cable uses a TV cable network to bring you broadband Internet access.
- Wireless which works over cellular towers.
Blueface will only work with a broadband connection. The speed at which information travels between your computer and the Internet is measured in kbps (kilobits per second), dial-up modems typically have a maximum speed of 56 kbps. The Blueface telephone service requires 85 kbps to make a quality phone call.
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How do I switch to Blueface?
It's very easy to start using Blueface and save money on your phone calls right away. There are three steps to making calls with Blueface...
Select a Call Plan
Blueface offer a flexible range of call plans, each one designed to provide you with the right service and pricing to meet your needs. Are you a casual user that makes the occasional long distance or international call? Or a frequent caller that likes to chat to family and friends? A business user that needs to cut cost without cutting their talk time? Blueface has a diverse range of call plans that will suit every user.
Check out Blueface's full range of call plans:
Business User
Residential User
Choose Hardware
Your broadband connection will be used to carry your phone calls so you need a special device that will translate these signals to a normal voice call. You can use a phone adaptor, an IP phone or a Softphone.
Choose what option suits you best, if you can not decide read: How do I make calls over my broadband connection? it details how each one works and can help you make an informed decision.
Add Some Call Credit
You might wonder why you need to buy extra call credit. It's important to have as it is used for calls that are not included in your call plan. For example if you are on a Ireland/UK Unlimited call plan you will need extra credit if you want to phone Canada or an Irish mobile.
Call credit has no expiry date and will stay active carrying over month to month until you use it up.
Get Calling
Blueface has some of the best rates in the country and no matter what call plan you choose you'll notice the savings immediately. Some Blueface rates are detailed in the 'international rates' section of the business plans. If you require more information about our rates please email us and we'll send you on details of the local, national and international rates to landline and mobile.
You can purchase your complete package online everything from mobile plans, landline plans, hardware and even some Add-ons can be purchased and added immediately online. If you need advice please email info@blueface.ie and one of our experienced staff will answer your questions.
Business customers should fill out the Business Enquiry Form it's the best way to get get advice on how Blueface can improve your business communications.
Do I pay line rental with Blueface?
If you get your Internet connection through cable or wireless broadband you have the potential to stop paying line rental. Because cable and wireless users do not require a phone line to receive their Internet service they can cancel their existing phone line when they switch to Blueface.
However if you receive your broadband through a phone line (DSL customers) you must keep that phone line as it carries your broadband which is required for Blueface's phone service.
DSL users cannot stop paying line rental but can save on phone charges and additional phone lines. If you have two phone lines in your home/office, then you can cancel the one not used for DSL and get an additional line with Blueface. Either way you'll still pay a lot less for your calls
VoIP/PSTN Duality for DSL/ADSL Broadband Users
Blueface stock hardware with a PSTN pass-through. This permits you to receive incoming calls on your current landline number but make outgoing calls through Blueface, all on the same phone allowing you to save money.
What type of call plans are available?
Blueface call plans are subscription based which means you pay for your plan either monthly or yearly. You are not locked into a contract and you can switch plans if you feel your current one does not suit your calling habits. Each new account is allocated a geographic number so maintaining your subscription keeps your number active.
Blueface has three different types of call plans...
Unlimited Minutes
Your monthly subscription pays for unlimited calls to any country included in the call plan.
Fixed Minutes
Your monthly subscription pays for a fixed amount of minutes to the countries in your call plan. This is reset each month, unused minutes are not carried over.
Pay As You Go
This is an alternative to a subscription call plan great for a casual user. You don't have to pay a subscription as you top-up your account with credit when you need to make calls.
Check out Blueface's full range of call plans:
Business User
Residential User
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Can I call mobile phones?
Yes, you can call mobile phones from your Blueface phone, in fact Blueface have some of the most competitive rates in the country.
Calling a mobile phone from your Blueface account is exactly the same as calling a regular number: just dial and talk. You must make sure you have call credit added to your account as mobile phone calls are not included in any call plans. You can top-up your account on line 24 hours a day with a debit or credit card.
Do I get a phone number with my call plan?
All Blueface subscription call plans come with a geographic, non-geographic (076) and Blueface extension number. Business customers will also receive a fax number. Potentially you can have as many phone numbers, as you require. Blueface can provide you with additional phone numbers for an extra charge. Check out the international virtual number page for additional number pricing.
Geographic Phone Number
Geographic numbers are ordinary (PSTN/ISDN) telephone numbers that are linked to a geographic location. For example Dublin would be 01 1234567 Cork would be 021 123456. You will be asked to choose your area code when you buy a subscription call plan in the Blueface shop, this features the most up-to-date list of available area codes. Geographic numbers are assigned based on your current address.
Non-geographic 076 Number
076 is the unique prefix for calling VoIP phone in Ireland, local call rates apply on 076 numbers and they can be called from any regular landline or mobile phone. The price per minute for calling an 076 number from an Eircom landline is the same as a local call. New customers will be assigned a 076 number automatically when they buy any call plan. Existing Blueface customers who do not have an 076 number can request one for no extra charge.
Blueface Extension
A Blueface extension number is a four to six digit number that enables Blueface customers to direct dial other Blueface users. All calls using your Blueface extension number are free no matter where you are in the world. So remember to always use your Blueface extension number when you call other Blueface users and get the most from your call plan.
Fax Number
Business users will automatically get a fax number with any Blueface Small Office business plan. Business customers needing a fax number can have one of their allocated numbers set as a fax or can apply to have an additional fax number added to their accounts.
International Virtual Numbers
Blueface can provide you with a geographic number from many places around the world like New York, London or even Buenos Aires for an additional charge. Choosing to add a virtual geographic number to your Blueface account means that family and friends calling you from that location will only pay the price of a local call.
Check out the virtual number page for additional number pricing.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Cable and wireless broadband customers have the opportunity to keep their current phone number and port it to Blueface. This is because their broadband connection is independent of their phone line. DSL/ADSL broadband users cannot port their numbers.
We have created a simple guide so you can learn how to port your phone number.
Can I send a fax?
Sending faxes using VoIP protocols is not reliable however Blueface have an excellent alternative to a standard fax service: Fax-to-email Email-to-fax. This is a gateway that allows faxes to be sent and received via email. It's very easy to use and you can find a complete how-to here.
Blueface business customers who sign up to the SMALL OFFICE plan will automatically receive a fax number when they subscribe to the call plan, additional numbers are available to order from the blueface sales team.
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Blueface Call Features
You can do much more with your Blueface phone than simply make and receive calls. We have a full range of features that will help you make the most of your phone. All these features are free and they all come as standard for every Blueface user.
Voicemail
Access Your Voicemail Anywhere
Check your voicemail by dialing 171 from your Blueface phone or (01) 4361720 from any touch-tone phone. You will receive a 4/5-digit Voicemail PIN when you sign up to any of our calling plans, you will be asked for this every time you retrieve your messages.
Current customers can find out how to manage their voicemail options here : voicemail options.
Can't Get to a Phone?
Check your voicemails without a phone: you will receive an instant email notification and a WAV file so you can listen to your messages on your computer.
Toolbox
log in to your account to use the Toolbox, you can change all your voicemail settings online.
Call Forwarding
Never Miss an Important Call Again
Blueface's control panel will allow you to set up your own divert and forwarding preferences to give you complete control over your phone calls*. You can also choose where to divert your calls when your number is busy: divert to traditional landlines, mobiles and international numbers.
Toolbox
log in to your account to use the Toolbox, you can change all your forwarding settings online.
*Diverted calls will be billed to your account according to the terms of the plan you are on and billed to your subscription pay as you go balance as per the rates on this website.
Call Transfer
Need More Flexibility?
With Blueface you can transfer calls to other lines on your account, we also let you transfer calls to traditional phones as well as international numbers*. The caller will get forwarded to the new destination number without giving you the opportunity to talk to the person at the new destination. More advanced phones will allow you to transfer with consultation.
*Your account will be billed for the duration and cost of the transferred portion of the call as it were an outgoing call from your account.
Number Blocking
Protect your Phone
Number blocking allows you to decide what calls are made from your phone. You can block premium-rate, international, mobile or any phone numbers you choose, you'll never have to worry about inadvertent call charges on your phone bill again.
3-way Calling
Create an Instant Conference Call
This is the perfect tool for organising a meeting, planning an event or just catching up with friends and it doesn't require any special equipment. 3-way calling adds a third party to your existing call*, allowing you and the other two parties to speak together in a three-way conference. It's easy it to do on any of our hardware.
How to create a 3-way call with a normal phone (plus ATA).
- Ring the first person.
- Flash Hook them: press on the telephone hook button quickly (approx. 1 sec or less). This will place them on hold. Then you should get a dial tone.
- Call the second person.
- Repeat step 2.
- You are now conference calling.
*If you invite/call both parties into a 3-way call it will be billed as two separate calls that happen at the same time on your account.
Call Waiting
Don't Miss Any Calls Even if You're Already on the Phone
Call waiting puts your current call on hold while you answer the second. A beep tone will alert you to another incoming call. You can then put your current call on hold and take the second call. Any calls that you do not choose to take will go to your voicemail for you to retrieve later.
I'm a business customer, how will Blueface benefit my company?
VoIP really begins to shine when it comes to business customers. Lower call rates and freedom from line rental are just the beginning. You can expect...
- Flexibility: Add new numbers and extensions as you need them. Plus you can have multiple offices in multiple locations.
- Portability: You can take your phone with you when you travel.
-
Free call features:
Voicemail | Number Blocking | Call Transfer | Call Forwarding | 3-way Calling -
Tools and Services:
Go Mobile, Call Conferencing and Fax-to-email Email-to-Fax
Do I need to have my computer switched on to make calls?
No. IP phones and telephone adaptors plug directly in to you broadband router giving them direct access to your Internet connections. This means you do not have to turn your computer on to make and receive calls and you can use VoIP like a traditional landline phone.
If you are using a softphone or a USB phone you do need to have your computer switched on as the software that is used to dial and receive calls is installed on your computers hard drive.
Is Blueface the same as Skype?
Blueface differs from Skype in several ways.
Blueface allows you to use your phone in the manner you're accustomed to, similar to a traditional landline but with lots of extra services and features. You also have the option to transfer your existing number to Blueface.
Unlike Skype, who bill per minute, Blueface bill per second which means you pay exactly for the time you spend on the phone.
All Blueface to Blueface calls are free but Blueface users can also call Skype users but there is a small charge.
Can I call emergency services on a Blueface phone?
Yes, you can access the emergency services on either 999 or 112. Please remember that in the event of a power failure or loss of Internet connectivity you will be unable to make calls to the emergency services from a Blueface phone. In case of this event please have an alternative method of communication available like a mobile phone.
