How do I test my VOIP telephone to check if it works properly?

Many VoIP services have Test numbers to call to see if your VoIP phone is working correctly.

The best test is when they provide an “Echo Test” number.
With Echo Test, you call a number and hear an announcement; then you talk into your mike for 5-10 seconds, then what you say is repeated back to you. When you hear you own voice played back (called an echo test), then you know your system is working OK.

Skype has an Echo Test server named “echo123″ (Skype Test Call).
On Skype , call contact named “echo123″.
Add the contact to your contacts for periodic testing (I do this periodically for testing).

Other than PC audio settings, Skype voice problems are often caused by configuration issues with your Firewall and or Router port forwarding.

If you are not technically inclined for port forwarding issues, then just make sure you set Skype config settings as follows…
Goto:
Tools—Options—
Advanced—Connection…
“Enable (check box) use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections”.
And,
“Allow Skype to modify my firewall settings”.

Just doing the above will help solve many connection issues on Skype.

Other VoIP services have free “In-Network” numbers to call to test connections.
For example, with CallCentric accounts (link in my profile), I can call 17771234567 (from my VoIP phone) and I get connected to an automated voice response information service. That is a good test sometimes (if you have CallCentric). This is the equivelant to a call to the “Tell Me” service at 1-800-555-TELL.

With Vonage, try *123 or 1-800-555-8355
For Gizmo Project and SipPhone dial: 1-747-474-3246

With InPhonex (link in my profile), you can dial 600 from your VoIP phone and you will get a true Echo Test.

So, it just depends on your service provider if they provide echo test numbers for you to make test calls to…