How to Use Free World Dialup VoIP

The communicator software which enables your Free World Dialup (FWD) VoIP service provides some of the basic features to use the service as a regular phone. You may not receive some of the enhanced services such as 3-way calling and call blocking, unlike other VoIP products. However, considering Free World Dialup VoIP is a free product, using the service to make calls along with a voicemail should work out well for those who do not wish to have an elaborate service. Here’s how to use Free World Dialup (FWD) VoIP.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Before Using FWD VoIP

1. Make sure you have registered yourself on the Free World Dialup Web site (see link below). Once you register, you will receive a confirmation by email that has your FWD number and other important information.

2. Download the Communicator software, configure it and set up the basic connection with your broadband Internet service.

3. Ensure that you have connected all necessary hardware and software that is required to use FWD VoIP, such as microphone, speakers, IP phone and so on.

4. Conduct the echo and sound test on your system to ensure that your system is call ready.

Use FWD VoIP

5. Run and launch the Communicator software. The interface of the software is user-friendly and you should be able to locate majority of the usage features without difficulty.

6. Learn how to call others using FreeWorldDialup (FWD) and other similar VoIP services. Visit the Web site and find a list of peer partners listed on the "‘peering"’ page. Here you will find instructions on how to dial from these networks.

7. Explore the toll free dial service of FWD. You can dial a toll free number by using the right prefix code. The FWD Web site has a detailed list of prefix codes for toll free numbers of different countries. For example, you can dial *18005558111 to call the toll free number 1-800-555-8111. You can also use *** instead of a single *. Similarly the dial prefix code for the U.K. is *44800.

8. Manage your contact list. Add buddies from other IM clients such as AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ and so on. Use the IM Network from the Tools menu. Add accounts such as MSN or Yahoo, if you do not have accounts. Then simply click next and move on. To organize the account directly in the IM network, Click on "‘File" and "Account Setting". In the open dialog box click on "IM Network Proxies" on the left side tab.

9. Activate your FWD Voicemail. On the Web site go to Extra Features in the my.FWD tab and click Activation box. Insert a password for creating your voicemail account. To retrieve your voicemail, call 8502 and enter your voicemail password. You do not need to press the # key.

10. Enhance your FWD experience by setting a personal greeting or unavailable/busy tone on your online FWD account. Ring up the FWD number 8502. Enter your password and press 0 to enter the menu. Press 1 to record an "Unavailable" message, Press 2 to record a "Busy" message and press 3 to record a "Personal welcome" greeting. Configure the settings as to when you want the callers to listen to each recording.

11. Learn how to use emails to receive new message notifications. If you have entered an email address at the time of notification, then you will receive a voicemail file as WAV attachment when someone calls you and leaves a message.

Tips & Warnings

• Identify the limitations of your FWD service. The toll free service usually works for all numbers, but occasionally you may have problems reaching some destination numbers due to routing through peer partners. Email FWD customer care if you experience such problems.
• While entering/adding contacts of other accounts such as Yahoo, MSN, or ICQ, make sure you enter the correct username. Cross-check if you have problems.
• Use the right accessories such as microphone and speaker to improve your FWD usage. If you experience bad sound quality, consider improving your network speed and network traffic.