... This is why myself, and my parents opted for one of these phones from Tesco.
Setting the phone up was easy, although in retrospect, I'm unsure as to why Tesco provided an 'installation CD' when in fact, this CD just directs you to a website which downloads the software. A more palatable ... Read review
Advantages: Free phone calls to other users, Easy to use Disadvantages: Software is a bit buggy
...I'm unsure as to why Tesco provided an 'installation CD' when in fact, this CD just directs you to a website which downloads the software. A more palatable solution would of been to just provide a link to the download within the instructions, taking the CD out of the equation. Granted, some people may be a little technophobic, and I'm guessing this is what Tesco aimed to do, make it streamlined.
Once the phone is setup (you even get ... ...It's the same with calling Tesco phones, the call quality is excellent.
The software provides a link to your account, so you can manage how much calling credit you have (Pay as you go) and what calls you have made. Thankfully nearly all calls are priced at 2p a minute and calls to other Tesco Internet phone users are free.
The keyword there is Tesco, unfortuanatly, if you want to call other Internet phone users (not ... more
As a University student, phoning home is an important aspect life, and money is tight. This is why myself, and my parents opted for one of these phones from Tesco.
Setting the phone up was easy, although in retrospect, I'm unsure as to why Tesco provided an 'installation CD' when in fact, this CD just directs you to a website which downloads the software. A more palatable solution would of been to just provide a link to the download within the instructions, taking the CD out of the equation. Granted, some people may be a little technophobic, and I'm guessing this is what Tesco aimed to do, make it streamlined.
Once the phone is setup (you even get to choose your own number!) you can begin calling. The phone works like any other, you press numbers into the keypad and dial. Or alternatively you can do this on-screen, then just put the phone to your ear!
Calling quality is pretty good, my only gripe is the constant echo of your own voice when you speak, but other then that it's forgivable. I first called a landline number and was on the phone for roughly 5 minutes without a hitch. It's the same with calling Tesco phones, the call quality is excellent.
The software provides a link to your account, so you can manage how much calling credit you have (Pay as you go) and what calls you have made. Thankfully nearly all calls are priced at 2p a minute and calls to other Tesco Internet phone users are free.
The keyword there is Tesco, unfortuanatly, if you want to call other Internet phone users (not on Tesco), you'll have to download Skype, which leads onto you having two phone numbers!
Interestingly, my friends brought one of these when they moved to Australia, and I called them for free, without a hitch. It's a great tool to keep in contact with people, wherever they are!
One issue which really irritates me however is the software itself, say if there is a problem with the Internet, the software will disconnect you from the service. Understandable, I know, but when you do get back online, and click "login", the software doesn't register with your phone again. So the phone does nothing, the only way to get around this is to restart the software so you can begin calling again.
In conclusion, it's a great little phone, an excellent introduction to VOIP and brilliant for keeping in contact with the world. Reccomended for University students!
Advantages: Very cheap, collect clubcard points Disadvantages: Phone interferes with speakers on pc. Echo when speaking
...saw the ad for the tesco internet phone and we thought it looked ideal - which it was.
Calls to other Tesco phone users are free and to call other landlines both UK and France are only 2p a minute - ideal for me as I will be calling the UK to deal with uni admin and other little necessities.
The handset is basic but good and very easy to use. You can create an address book of people you contact regularly and this is visible both on screen on a ... ...need to go to the tesco internet phone site, login and then add cedit using your credit/debit card details - no chance of spending more than you expected and you earn clubcard points too!
The main disadvantages I've found are far outweighed by the benefits - a slight echo when youre talking, no numbers with area codes in my locality (had to choose one for a town 30 miles away) and you need to select that you want to use the phone as a microphone ...
amy_pea 11.09.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tesco Internet Phone
Advantages: Free calls to other tesco internet phone users, cheap for all other calls Disadvantages: Not cordless
...It's free to call other tesco internet phones, cheap to call landlines and even mobiles and cheap to call abroad. Incoming calls don't cost anything and there is a voicemail service, which is free.
I would like a cordless handset so that you are not tied to the computer - I've seen cordless internet phones but I'm not sure if they are compatible, I'll have to do some more research!
I would recommend this phone if you want to save money, as you ...
joanne123245 02.10.2006 (05.10.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tesco Internet Phone
Advantages: free calls to other users Disadvantages: slight echo, talk to mother in law more
Got a Tesco internet phone today, pity they don't mention it's just a VOIP phone in the adverts, maybe more people would get them then. I do have to say so far it's great, simple to set up, easier to use, the quality in the tests I have done has been acceptable, a slight echo, but no more that a satellite connection. I even got a reasonably local to me number too (it changes about 3km down the road) you get voicemail, caller id (call display) voicemail ... ...same service free, anywhere in the world.
I currently pay £20 a month for free of charge calls to anywhere in the world, (my wife is Canadian and likes to check in on her friends and family) and I would reccomend that service (Swiftcall) to anyone, but this seems better, a one off charge of around £15, includes £5 of calls to regular phones etc. and they pay as you go rates are cheap too most are 2p a minute, and from what I have read that is to ...
Steve1966NI 24.11.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Tesco Internet Phone
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Tesco Internet Phone"
Advantages: Cheap, easy to use, versatile Disadvantages: Requires ADSL (Broadband), Requires topping up
The tescointernetphone allows communication (Voice over IP) to be achieved without a landline phone connection. High Bandwidth speeds (Broadband/ADSL) is required.
This phone connects via USB to a computer through the cradle. The cradle also allows the wireless phone to be charged.
Whilst configuring the phone with the computer, it is possible to route all calls to a computer microphone and speaker (for hands free) which is good - however there is a slight echo/or repeat at times.
The wireless phone provided reception throughout the house, and part of the garden - great if your spending time outside.
An address book can be produced - accessable on both the phone and the computer - the software running in the taskbar tray constantly.
A free voicemail service is provided recording calls when away, and can be personalized ...
Advantages: no batteries required - makes skype more friendly - low price Disadvantages: wire too short
This TescoInternetPhone is a USB-wired little phone which was created to be used with Tescointernetphone service. I couldn't care less of that service but I was very interested in buying a a cheap PC phone to use on skype and I read this would work ok. The price was an absolute deal... 1p! You don't belive me? I didn't believe my eyes either but that was the price tag on it. They were practically giving them away, why not try it then? I bought two or three (I can't remember exactly), just in case one broke or for a particularly cheap gift. Total price 3p.
How does it work then? Well it's literally a plug-and-play device. You don't need to install anything if you only want to use it for skype. It is automatically recognized by Windows XP or Vista as a usb microphone and set of speakers (it will show up as USB AUDIO DEVICE). Once it ...
Advantages: Cheap to use, cheap to buy Disadvantages: A bit flimsey, software glitches
I bought my internetphone after seeing a few adverts about how cheap the calls are and how good they are to use, easy to set up etc.
After unpacking the phone I was a little disappointed to find that the phone itself is a very cheap quality plastic that doesn't feel at all nice to hold. The cord on the phone is about 1 metre long made up of coiled line (like most phones). However, when this is connected to the computer I found that it rather annoyingly got in the way. A quick fix to this was to go and buy an extension USB cable to sort the matter out.
A CD is included in the software which just directs you to Tesco's internet site to download the software which is a bit bizarre. Why not just say in the instructions to do so?
Upon installing the software I encountered numerous problems with it and in the end I had to ...
