FAQ
How does this calling system work and how and where can I use it? This telecommunications system is one of a kind and has been engineered to serve the needs of crewmembers on cruise ships and yachts across the globe. Firstly, an activation code needs to be purchased. Only with this activation code will you be able to create an account. When you click on the login button on the top right of the home page, you will be able to enter the activation code. Once your account has been created you will be able to download a soft phone from your login page and register your soft phone. You will immediately be able to make phone calls all over the world to cellular phones and land lines. You will also be able to make phone calls from the ship using the soft phone from your laptop while connected to the Internet. When you purchase an activation code, you will also receive a PIN number. KEEP THIS PIN NUMBER WITH YOU AS YOU CAN RELOAD IT. You will be able to make phone calls from the ship using your pin number or by going ashore into any of our “partner locations” - just rent a phone and make phone calls as if you are using a regular calling card. (The great advantage with this pin is that you do not have to pay any connection fees.) You can use your pin (once logged into your account) as follows: click on the calling card info on the left bottom of the page, simply enter your pin number and you will be able to see your balance, call history and add money by voucher. You will also be able to register this pin to any telephone number (USA only) and this way you will be able make international calls without having to dial the pin number every time. All you need to do is to dial an access code and the system recognizes the registered number you are calling from. You can register as many numbers as you like to your pin, and delete them if needed. If you have a cellular phone, you can register your number to your pin and whenever you would like to make an international call, simply dial the local access number and you will hear this prompt “Please enter the number you wish to dial followed by the pound key”. You can now dial internationally as if you are calling with a calling card, eliminating all the fees. This will give you the most calling time at the best discounted rates through your own system.
Can I make a phone call without buying any hardware? Yes, you can make a phone call without any hand device. With a headset and microphone (or with a built in microphone and your computer speakers) you make phone calls to anywhere in the world. After you created an account, download the TipTopTalk soft phone and you are ready to call.
Where can I buy an activation code? Simply click on the loginbutton on the site and you will find more information there.
How to I add money to my account? Once you have created your account you will notice that you will have a balance. When the account balance goes low, you need to buy a voucher and use the voucher to add funds to your account. Once logged into your account, you simply click on the button on the left side of the page “Add Money to My Account.” You will notice a space where you need to enter a voucher number. Once you have done that and clicked on the "Add Money" button, your account balance will be adjusted according to the value of the voucher you have added.
Where can I buy a voucher and how much can I load my account? When you click on the login page you will be able to see where you can buy an activation code. You will be able to buy a voucher at the same location. Vouchers come in denominations of $10, $20 and $50. You can add as many vouchers to your account as you like. There is no limit.
What happens if I forget my password? Right below the login button on the home page is a recover password button, just click that and follow the instructions. A password will be emailed to you and then you can log into your account and change the password to a 7 digit number you can remember. The numbers must be continuous (no spaces or other characters) - otherwise the system will reject it.
Who do I contact in case I have any problems? We have a 24/7 customer support team and an 800 number you can call to talk to a live customer service agent. We also have online support.
Can I buy an activation code or voucher online? Yes, simply click on the product list and you will be able to purchase activation codes and vouchers online through our secure shopping cart.
Can I buy other products online such as pin numbers, USB phones and WIFI VoIP phones online? Yes, simply click on the products you want to buy, add them to your shopping cart, input your credit card information and click submit.
How long will it take to receive my purchased products? Activation codes, pin numbers and vouchers will be delivered almost instantly to your e-mail address. Physical products will need to be shipped. Please view shipping details and expected delivery time to different countries and ports of call. It is our mission to deliver your ordered products to you as quickly as we can.
Where will I be able to make phone calls from? You can use the soft phone from any computer if the permissions allow you to download it. You can use the USB phone together with the soft phone from any computer. The USB flash phone has the soft phone built in. This means that you can plug it into almost any computer and the driver will open the soft phone on the screen and you should be able to make calls without downloading the program onto the computer you are using (great for public computers.) With the WIFI VoIP phone you should be able to log into any open network and make phone calls. (Please see more details on the description page for the WIFI VoIP phone.) Where a network is closed, you will need a wep key from the Internet location owner. You will simply program this key into your phone, (very much the same as with a laptop accessing a secure wireless network), your phone will log into the system and you will be ready to make calls. Your WIFI VoIP phone will be able to log into our partnered “World WIFI Network” at no additional cost to you. This WIFI network will be set up in most ports of call in the region where your ship will call.
Can I have more than one account? Yes, any end user can have as many accounts as you want.
Can I register an account for a family member or friend anywhere in the world, send them the information, they can login and download the soft phone and make phone calls? Yes, you can purchase activation codes, register the account with their name, create the password and e-mail them the details. They can log into their account from wherever they are from this website, download the soft phone and make calls. They will simply need to use a headset or microphone or both if they are not built into the computer they will be making the call from.
Can you use the calling system with a computer with Windows Vista operating system or use it without a computer? Yes, our system is Vista compatible.
Can I use the system with my MAC computer or download it on my Iphone? NO, it will not work on MAC or with the Iphone yet.
What do I do if I can not hear the person I am calling or visa versa? Make sure the computer you are making the call from is properly connected to the Internet. Check that your sound on the computer is turned on and volume and microphone balances are adjusted correctly. If you are using a microphone and headset, make sure that it is plugged into the computer and also that the plugs are not reversed. Do an audio and microphone check on your computer. If you are using the USB phone, make sure that the driver was automatically installed and the system reported ready to use. If this is in order and the soft phone is open and the program is running, click on the little wrench (above the little speaker image on the soft phone) and click on Audio Devices and make sure put all settings to USB. You can do testing there as well. Make sure the green light on the USB phone is on. If it still does not work, close the soft phone unplug the USB phone, and then restart the computer. Wait until the computer is fully up and running and you have Internet. Test by clicking on internet explorer and opening a website to be sure you are connected to the Internet. Connect the USB phone and then open the soft phone. Do it is this order (do not reverse the order.) When you dial 00 and press the dial button you should hear “Please enter your password” Hang up and dial the number you wish to call.
How do I dial? You always dial as if you are dialing from the USA, it does not matter where in the world you are calling from. You will dial 011+country code+area code+number or 1+area code+number for calls to the USA and to many Caribbean countries.
Can I use the system from any country in the world? Yes, from anywhere in the world, as long as you are connected to the Internet.
How do I know what my number will be? When you purchase an activation code it will have a ten digit fictitious number such as 9994741111.
Can I get a real USA number? Yes, when you purchase an activation code, you can buy an activation code with a USA number (also called a “DID.”) This number will have a 305 area code.
Can I get an international European number? Yes you can. This will allow your family and friends to dial a local number in there country and your phone will ring. This will also save you as when you dial, you will only need to dial a local number as if you are in Europe.
Can I have a number in Mexico? Yes you can an all incomings are free for you.
Can I receive incoming calls? You can receive incoming calls once you have purchased an activation code with a real DID, meaning with a 305 area code number. You could be anywhere in the world and your friends and family can call you by dialing this number and your phone will ring should you be connected to the internet and your program is running or your WIFI VoIP phone is on and connected to the internet.
What if a call comes into my 305 number but I am not on line? Your call will be sent to voicemail, which you can receive and listen to in your email.
Is there a monthly fee to be able to use this system? Yes, there is. Upon activation of your account $3 will be deducted if you bought an activation code with a fictitious number or $5 if you have an activation code with a real DID, meaning a 305 area code. (This deduction is pro rated based on what day of the month you activate your account.) Here is an example: Should you buy an activation code with a value of $10 and you activate your code on the 20th of the month, your remaining balance will be $8.
How do I check my balance on my account? Simply log into your account and you will see your balance on your login page
Where do I see the rates to the countries I will be calling to? Simply log into your account and click on RATE.
How can I see what the cost was on the last call I made? Log into your account and click on “Call History” For more details and information about the soft phone, log into your account and download the manual or click here
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