Why So Many “Free” SIP Networks?
I don’t understand why there are so many ‘free’ SIP networks out there. It’s almost like the various Instant Messaging networks out there. Too many accounts to remember, too many buddy lists, too many “programs” to have to run. Oh sure, things like Gaim and Asterisk help simplify this for IM and SIP respectively, but I still hate the idea of having multiple accounts. Everyone’s gotta have their own fifedom, I guess.
Today, something was calling my SIPphone account, causing it to leave voicemail and spam my cell phone with text messages telling me “I had new Voicemail.” Since I don’t think I’ve ever talked to anyone on SIPphone, I think it’s time for that account to be taken offline.
At the moment, the only “free” SIP network I am actively registered on is Free World Dialup. I’ve only talked with a couple of people over FWD, but at least I’ve used it more than once. It’s still useful as a testing tool if nothing else due to the wide interconnects that the FWD team has established.
I look forward to the day when I don’t have to think about what network someone’s on, including the PSTN. I can just dial their number and connect via IP. If the call needs to touch the PSTN, so be it, otherwise keep it all IP. ENUM and/or DUNDi are supposed to help make this a reality, though getting everyone to agree on some method for peering and exchanging number information is going to be tough.
