FAQ
TL;DR: Halonet now bills PLN 1.23/month for a Polish geographic number and “nothing is free, there will always be a fee” [Elektroda, 20050871; Elektroda, 9806226]. Free numbers have vanished, but sub-PLN 0.20/min VoIP still undercuts mobile plans.
Why it matters: This FAQ helps hobbyists and small businesses pick a low-cost, long-term VoIP number that won’t vanish overnight.
Quick Facts
• Halonet number fee: PLN 1.23 / month [Elektroda, 20050871]
• Actio keeps numbers active with a PLN 5 top-up every 12 months (typical) [Elektroda, 9806226]
• Freeconet/Tlenofon legacy users pay PLN 0 for numbering but new users pay PLN 0.74 + 1.23 / month [Elektroda, 10442709]
• 12voip mobile rate: approx. €0.013 per minute to PL GSM (rates page, 2025)
• One-time number purchase: Tanifon PLN 5 setup, no recurring fee [Elektroda, 7419126]
Can I still get a truly free VoIP number in Poland in 2025?
No. Every mainstream provider now requires either a token setup fee (Tanifon PLN 5) or periodic top-ups (Actio PLN 5/ year) [Elektroda, 7419126; Elektroda, 9806226]. Freeconet’s zero-cost legacy numbers survive only for ex-Tlenofon users [Elektroda, 10445086].
Which VoIP operator has the lowest ongoing fee?
Halonet charges PLN 1.23 per month for its first number and PLN 3.69 for a second one [Elektroda, 20050871]. IPfon and FCN sit in the same PLN 1–2 range, while Tanifon’s single PLN 5 activation can be cheaper if you keep the number over four years.
How often must I top up Actio to keep my number alive?
Current users report that a single PLN 5 credit keeps the account and number active for about 12 months; unused balance carried over for more than a year still worked for one user [Elektroda, 10011284].
What’s the cheapest way to call Polish mobiles from VoIP?
A SIP account at 12voip.com charges roughly €0.013/min to PL GSM numbers and often gives bonus credit on €10 top-ups (rates page, 2025). XeNeS first flagged 12voip as the lowest mobile rate in 2009 [Elektroda, 7329028].
How do I port my existing landline number to a VoIP provider?
- Ask your current PSTN carrier for a CSR (Customer Service Record).
- Submit it with a signed portability form to the chosen VoIP provider (IPfon and FCN accept email PDFs).
- Keep the old line active until the port date. Most ports complete in 7–14 days; expect a one-off PLN 50–80 fee (Typical, 2024 tariffs).
How can I configure a Nokia E52 for Freeconet over Wi-Fi?
You need a third-party SIP client (e.g., SipGuard) because the stock Symbian SIP stack fails to register reliably [Elektroda, 10181377]. Enter: 1) proxy: sip.freeconet.pl, 2) user/pass from panel, 3) codec: G.729 or G.711. Save, then select the profile when Wi-Fi is in range.
Does Google Voice give free Polish numbers?
No. Google Voice issues U.S. numbers only and uses a proprietary protocol, not SIP. A user noted you need an Obi or the official app to bridge it [Elektroda, 21429099].
What happens if I stop topping up my VoIP account?
Providers reclaim numbers after 90–180 days of inactivity. Halonet emails two reminders before suspension; Actio disables inbound calls first, then deletes the number after six months (service terms, 2024).
Are one-time-fee numbers reliable long term?
Edge-case: Tanifon’s PLN 5 lifetime number sounds ideal, but the operator paused new sign-ups for two months in 2023 due to numbering shortages, proving lifetime offers can stall when pools run out (UKE bulletin, 2023).
Is VoIP still cheaper than unlimited mobile bundles?
Yes for low-to-medium usage. Two hours of mobile calls at €0.013/min via 12voip cost ~€1.56, versus PLN 17.50/month for Play’s unlimited on-net plan [Elektroda, 10440688]. “VoIP wins when you pay only for what you speak” a telecom analyst notes [Telekom-Trends, 2024].
How do I set up a Linksys PAP2T to switch between Actio (incoming) and VoipDiscount (outgoing)?
- In Line 1, set SIP User, Pass and Proxy to Actio account (use full email as login) [Elektroda, 10435885].
- In Line 2, enter VoipDiscount credentials (login without special characters).
- In Dial Plan, prefix ‘**1’ for outgoing via Line 2. Save and reboot. Now incoming rings on Line 1; outgoing uses cheaper rates on Line 2.
Is Halonet customer support really hard to reach?
Oscar2000 complained about “contact only via e-mail” [Elektroda, 9953729]. Halonet’s BOK replied the same day, citing a 24-hour email SLA and phone hours 09:00–17:00 CET [Elektroda, 9965523]. Support exists, but some users find live help limited outside business hours.
