Vonage accomplishes this using SIP in a multivendor environment that includes
Cisco's ATA186. We were able to plug a standard analog phone into the
ATA186,which also included a jack for an optional second phone. The ATA connects to the
local network via an Ethernet port. We must admit we were skeptical that this
was a true SIP-based service, so we examined the packets using Network
Associates' Sniffer Voice. We found that Vonage was indeed using SIP for
all signaling, but we weren't couldn't do any interoperability testing
because Vonage maintains control over the ATA186. This is wise on its part, though, to
control support issues.
Vonage provides unlimited local and long distance to the United States and
Canada for about $40 per month, along with dirt-cheap international calling
rates. SIP makes it possible for Vonage to pull together a cost-effective,
functional service from the best products available, thus becoming a player in a
very difficult, competitive market.
Another easy way to get some experience with SIP is through a free IP-based
service, Free World Dialup (www.fwdnet.net). You won't be able to access
the PSTN, but you will be able to take SIP for a test run and call an increasing number of Internet-accessible members.
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