rapidVoIP (TM) - the communication company  
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Support F.A.Q.
     
  General  
G1. What is rapidBox?
G2. Who is rapidVoIP?
G3. What is VoIP?
G4. Why is 'rapid' writes as 'rapid' instead of 'Rapid'?
G5. Do you have a rapidBox vs. other USB phone comparison table?
G6. Do you have a overview figure?
G7 What is the difference between rapidBox and rapidBox-R-Type?
G8 Which rapidBox is suitable for me?
   
  Sales  
S1. Do you ship to my country?
S2. Do you sell in bulks?
S3. Do you have a reseller in my country?
S4. Where can I track my order?
S5. Do you have alternative shipping method?
S6. How long does it take for my order to arrive?
S7. Do you have any Affiliate or Referral program?
S8. Do we have to pay custom tax, VAT?
   
  Technical  
T1. How do I use rapidBox with other softphone?
T2. Does rapidBox works with SkypeOut?
T3. Do you support Linux or Mac?
T4. How do I get started?
T5. Do I always need to have internet access?
T6. Can I receive phone calls if my PC is switched off?
T7. Do you keep record of my calls?
T8. Can the software be installed and run on non-English OS?
T9. How do I switch between calling using PSTN (normal call) and Skype?
T10 Can my contacts reach me if I am talking through PSTN or USB channel?
T11 Will rapidBox work for my setup?
T12 Will my phone ring when someone calls me?
   
  rapidDouble Affiliate Program (RAP)  
A1. What is rapidDouble Affiliate Program (RAP)?
A2. Why do you have this program?
A3. What is the catch?
A4. How do I join?
A5. How and When do I get paid?
A6. How much do I get paid?
A7. How do I optimize my earnings?
A8. How do I know if you are not short changing me?
A9. What is your guidelines to join RAP?
   
 
G1.
What is rapidBox?
 

rapidBox is an integrated hardware and software solution for voip users. It includes a USB device that connects between a PC and a regular telephone (cordless or not). It seamlessly integrate the use of a regular phone for sending and receiving VoIP as well as normal phone calls. There's no need to sit in front of a PC terminal to send/receive calls. By simply pressing a phone button, you would be able to call via normal phone line or via Skype. There's no need to have a separate USB phone for VoIP calls.

   
G2.
Who is rapidVoIP?
  Refer to our services and solutions
   
G3.
What is VoIP?
  You're kidding? :) OK. Just type "What is voip" (without the quotes) at the google search box, located at the top of this page and click on the Search button. Alternatively, here's one of the best place to read more about VoIP - http://www.voip-info.org
   
G4
Why is 'rapid' writes as 'rapid' instead of 'Rapid'?
  Things run so rapidly here that there's not even time to press the SHIFT key. :) Seriously. We are amazed that you even noticed it.
   
G5
Do you have a rapidBox vs. other USB phone comparison table?
 
rapidBox vs. other USB phone comparison table
   
rapidBox solution
other USB-phone solution
Crystal Clear Voice (no delay, no echo, no noise) Yes Most of them

Send/Receive wireless/cordless calls

Yes. You can reuse your current/old cordless phone
  • Must buy a new cordless USB phone for easily over US$100++.
  • If you don't think you need a cordless phone and don't mind to make calls by clicking softphone buttons, then rapidBox is able to make your normal phone function like a USB phone. (rapidBox allows you to use the mouthpiece and the earpiece of your regular phone as microphone and speaker)
Make/receive Skype calls from phone directly Yes. Again, any normal phone connected to rapidBox will do. Must buy a Skype specific phone. Not any USB phone.
Make/receive calls from ABC or XYZ (your preferred VoIP provider) Not at this moment. (But we're working on it. When release, all existing buyers will get free upgrade.)
  • Yes, Only if you buy a USB-phone recommended by your ABC/XYZ VoIP providers. If you switch provider (e.g. to get better calling rates) to OPQ, you need to buy another USB-phone that is integrated for OPQ's softphone.
  • if you are not getting a cordless USB phone, then chances are you are not far away from just clicking the softphone buttons on your PC screen. If that's the case, you won't be much worst off if you use rapidBox.
Able to switch between calling using normal phone line and VoIP Yes. No
PC must always be switched ON. No if you just want to make/receive normal calls. Yes, if you also want to make/receive VoIP calls. Yes. And, if your PC is down, your USB phone is not much of a use.
Need sound card No. Sound chip is built in. So, you have in fact also bought yourself a microphone and speaker to do other media recording using your phone, which for most consumer phones, provide better noise control than open ended microphone. Some of them need sound card
   
G6
Do you have a overview figure?
 
Overview operation for rapidBox
G7
What is the difference between rapidBox and rapidBox-R-Type?
  rapidBox-R-Type is the exact same device as rapidBox except for the difference detailed in this page.
   
G8
Which rapidBox is suitable for me?
 

rapidBox-R-Type is suitable for individuals who always stay away from their PC. So, when your contacts call you either via Skype or normal phone line, even while you are in the backyard, but have your cordless phone with you, your phone will ring and you will be able to answer the calls promptly. The only way to distinguish between a Skype call and a normal phone call is your caller display. If you have caller display for your phone line, you would be able to see your caller ID. All skype calls have no caller display.

The other rapidBox is suitable for SOHO (small office home office). If you have a fax and a phone, you may be able to connect each of this device to the TEL1 and TEL2 ports. There is no need for any T-modular adapter and you will be able to answer calls from Skype and normal phone by simply picking up the handset. And when you are absent, your fax machine will still be functioning and able to pick up any incoming fax-calls. When your contacts call you via Skype, rapidBox will ring loud and clear; if you are in the room, you will definitely know that it is a call from your Skype friend. If it is your contact calling using normal phone, your phone will ring instead.

If you are still unsure which rapidBox is suitable for you, we recommend rapidBox-R-Type. Having the ability to ring your phone is the most attractive feature of R-Type according to the feedback we received from our users.

 
 
S1
Do you ship to my country?
  Yes. We ship to any location on this planet as long as you have an address.
   
S2
Do you sell in bulks?
  Yes. For order over 20 units, please contact bulksales@rapidvoip.com
   
S3
Do you have a reseller in my country?
  Currently, all shipment comes from Japan via EMS. We are actively looking for resellers in other countries. If you are interested, please contact reseller@rapidvoip.com
   
S4
Where can I track my order?
  http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/ems/ems.html. When entering your tracking ID, please note that it is CASE SENSTITIVE.
   
S5
Do you have alternative shipping method?
  EMS is fast, inexpensive, and provides tracking. If you prefer other shipping methods, please feel free to contact support@rapidvoip.com.
   
S6
How long does it take for my order to arrive?
  All orders upon payment are shipped the same day. It usually takes about 3 - 7 days for your order to arrive depending on the destination.
   
S7
Do you have any Affiliate or Referral program?
  Yes. Please refer to here.
   
S8
Do we have to pay custom tax, VAT?
  There are no goods and services tax or value added tax or any other consumer tax. All tax prices are included in the costs as shown when ordering. However, some countries would charge their own import tax for value greater than certain amount such as USD50.00. Customers are therefore responsible for their own import tax. If you are ordering the products for personal use, you may let us know your preferred custom declare value, e.g. USD 10.0, and we would declare the products as sample with that value.
 
 
   
T1
How do I use rapidBox with other softphone?
 
  • rapidBox's software currently only supports Skype. That is, with the software installed, you may make/receive calls to your Skype contacts without physically sitting in front of the PC.
  • For use with other softphone, you may use the microphone/speaker function of rapidBox. That is, through rapidBox, the mouthpiece of your phone will function like a normal microphone while the earpiece of your phone will function as a speaker. Therefore you will be able to still chat using your telephone like a normal phone conversation, except that you when dialing or receiving calls from your softphone, you have to be physically sitting in front of your PC. (which from our experience isn't really much of a problem for most user). For more detail instructions, refer to the accompanied manual.
 
T2
Does rapidBox works with SkypeOut?
  Yes.
   
T3
Do you support Linux or Mac?
  No. But maybe in the future.
   
T4
How do I get started?
 
  • connect rapidBox to your PC using the supplied USB cable. If windows prompt for device driver setup, simply click cancel. (rapidBox has built in driver)
  • connect your phone line to the port labelled LINE on rapidBox.
  • connect your phone to port labelled TEL1 (one phone cord is supplied).
  • optionally, connect your fax or your second phone to port labelled TEL2.
  • insert the accompanied CD and run rapidSetup.exe.
  • follow the setup instructions and it will install the software called rapidSoft.
  • once setup completes, run rapidSoft.
  • you may now switch between calling/receiving calls from your Skype contacts and normal phone calls. For more details, refer to the accompanied manual file or T9.
 
T5
Do I always need to have internet access?
  No. You need internet access only if you intend to use make/receive VoIP calls.
   
T6
Can I receive phone calls if my PC is switched off?
  Yes. You only need to have your PC switched on to make/receive VoIP calls. Your regular phone line is completely functioning as per normal whether the PC is on or off. So, you can still make/receive regular calls even with the PC switched off.
   
T7
Do you keep record of my calls?
 

Absolutely Not. We have a lot other better things to do. :)

There's absolutely no hidden spyware or cheats/tricks in the hardware or the software. rapidBox and the software purely function as the way described here and in the manual.

   
T8
Can the software be installed and run on non-English OS?
 

Yes.

   
T9
How do I switch between calling using PSTN (normal call) and Skype?
 

rapidBox is a very user friendly device. All you have to remember is just 2 buttons. The * and # buttons on your phone.
To toggle between USB or PSTN line, just press *. To initiate a call using Skype press #.
E.g. To place a Skype call, assume that you have assigned your friend Ben as 12. All you need to do is

  1. pick up handset
  2. If it is in PSTN mode (you can tell from the dialtone), press * to switch to USB channel.
  3. press '12' for Skype or press '00+country code+city code+phone number' for SkypeOut
  4. then press # to start the call.

Note: Once you started your call, be it PSTN or USB Skype call, rapidBox will just leave you to your call. That is, your phone will just function like normal. So, for example, if you are in PSTN channel and have features such as call waiting, you can press whatever button on your phone to switch to your call waiting. Or if you need to press * or # or whatever buttons to interact with an automated machine over the phone, you can just do that. Essentially, your phone will just function like the way you have always used it. No surprises from rapidBox. Only when you hang up and end your conversation, then rapidBox will wake up and awaits for you or your party to call you via whichever channel comes first.

   
T10
Can my contacts reach me if I am talking through PSTN or USB channel?
  When you are on the phone, either USB (Skype) or normal phone calls (PSTN), your phone's status is effectively off-hook. That is, if your Skype friends call you while you are in PSTN channel talking, they would get a reply that you are busy. If your friends call you through regular calls while you are in USB channel talking, they would get a busy tone. It is not possible to switch channel *while* you are talking. You may switch channels only when you complete your call.
   
T11
Will rapidBox work for my setup?
 

rapidBox is CE certified. It is a very simple device and does not require any special setup. All is needed is a PC with USB port (for Skype or VoIP calls) and a phone line(for your regular calls). However, given the variety of PBX systems and phones available these days, it is inconceivable to test rapidBox under every sort of situation that may or may not apply to you. If there are reasons to believe rapidBox may not work for you, we would like to advise you to recheck before placing orders. You are also very welcome to email our support for any help.

   
T12
Will my phone ring when someone calls me?
 

For rapidBox-R-Type, Yes. For rapidBox (normal), rapidBox itself will ring instead.

 
A1
What is rapidDouble Affiliate Program (RAP)?
 

rapidDouble Affiliate Program (RAP) is unlike many other affiliate program where you worked hard to promote the affiliated website only to get paid pennies. We don't pay pennies. We pay by the dollars. Our fee structure speaks for itself.

Units sold
Earnings per unit
1 - 20
USD $1
21 - 40
USD $2
41 - 80
USD $4
81 - 160
USD $8

It reads, for first 20 units of rapidBox sold as a result of visitors referred by your website, you get paid USD $1 per unit. For no. 21 - 40 units sold, you get paid USD $2 per unit. For no. 41 - 80 units sold, you get paid USD $4 per unit. For no. 81 - 160 units sold, you get paid USD $8 per unit.

As you can see, your referral fees get DOUBLED for every passing of the sales target. In case you may not notice, the fees earned is by the unit sold, not by the order. So, if someone referred by you ordered 5 units of rapidBox in a single order, you will get your fees for 5 units and not fees for just one order. That is what our RapidDouble Affiliate Program is about.

   
A2
Why do you have this program?
 

Well... because we have ears? :) Seriously, because we listen. We received many enquires from parties who like our products and are keen to bring our products to their friends in their own local regions. Yet, a reseller program is too big a step for many. So, we devise RAP to allow anyone who believes in our products to make a decent income with ZERO startup fees.

   
A3
What is the catch?
  There is no catch. Slap yourself (kidding). This is real. :)
   
A4
How do I join?
 
  1. Send an email to our support with your name and your website location. A rapidDouble ID will be sent to you.
  2. Go to your website and make a link to us with your rapidDouble ID. The exact instructions will be included with the replied email from our support.
  3. That's all! There is no software to install. No fees to pay. Only your website and the rapidDouble ID we send you.
   
A5
How and When do I get paid?
 

You will get paid at the end of each month. The payment to you will be based on the previous month's fees you earned. For example, you started on 1st March 2005. By end of March 2005, you earned, say, USD$500. However this March payment will be paid to you only on 30th April 2005. We need to allow leeway for events such as buyer return goods, etc.

The payment to you will be direct to your paypal account. Other form of payment is possible. Please indicate your preference when you request for your rapidDouble ID. Please note that you are responsible for any incurring bank/exchange rate fees. For example, if your bank or paypal charges you USD10 for receiving money, you are responsible for this fees.

   
A6
How much do I get paid?
  There is no limit on how much fees you can earn. If you easily pass the top sales target of 160 units per month, we will continue to pay you USD $8 per unit. However, we do suggest you to join our reseller program where your earnings will be higher than USD $8 per unit if you believe you can consistently outperform.
   
A7
How do I optimize my earnings?
 

Our affiliate program provides an opportunity to anyone who is committed and believe in our products to make a basic decent earnings. There are really no tricks or special ways to optimize your earnings, though a little common sense will help make your affiliate fees flow in much easily. E.g. You could help write a review from your own experience of using rapidBox and provide a link. Or you could setup a website in your local language, say, German. Allow your visitors to order through your website. At the end of the day, you could just visit our website and place the order in English. When ordering, you may be required to provide the same billing and shipping address as required by paypal. Simply enter as usual and leave a note to let us know your actual customer's address and we would take care to ship to the correct address.

   
A8
How do I know if you are not short changing me?
 

We have absolutely no interest in such activities. Our fees structure speaks of our commitment to bringing our products across all countries and regions. We value and respect each and everyone of our customer.

Our affiliate program software is 100% accurate. We do not rely on storing cookies on visitor's machine where it could be accidentally cleared or sometimes blocked by web filter. So, you can be rest assured that each sales referred by you count.

   
A9
What is your guidelines to join RAP?
 
  1. No spamming. E.g., sending millions of emails out with your referral links in hope that someone would click on the link and make a purchase. If found, you will be removed from the RAP program.
  2. A visitor referred by you will have up to 30 days to make a purchase. E.g. John clicked on your referral link to get to our website on Monday. He did not think he need a rapidBox but bookmarked us anyway. On Wednesday, after reading favorable reviews, he came back to us directly, without going through your website. He made a purchase subsequently. You will still get your referral fees even though he made the purchase without going through your website.
  3. All sales figure will reset on 1st of each month. E.g. you referred 99 visitors to us and they all bought rapidBox between March 1st to March 31 2005. On April 1, your next referred visitor who bought rapidBox will be counted as no. 1 instead of no. 100th.
 

(c) 2004 rapidVoIP Inc. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved.
rapidVoIP - Friendly Support Staff
Software download
     
  rapidBox Software  
rapidBox ships with the software CD - rapidSoft. There's no need for additional download. In the event of lost or corrupted CD, please contact support.
 
  Skype Software  
Current rapidBox's software is integrated and optimized for Skype only. To download the latest version of Skype software, please click here. To use rapidBox with other softphone, please read FAQ T1 below.

Our friendly support staff are always here to help you. If your questions are not answered in any of the F.A.Q below, please contact us at support@rapidvoip.com or fax/voicemail at (US) 707-988-0277.