If you:
- are familiar with instant messaging
- want to make a call from an internet-connected mobile phone, or
- have an older computer, older operating system, limited computer memory or limited bandwidth.
then internet relay through instant messenging is probably best for you.
To make a call
1. Open the messenger application and add nrsiprelay@iprelay.com.au or nrsiprelay2@iprelay.com.au as a contact for Windows Messenger, or nrsiprelay to your buddy list for AIM.
2. Send an instant message to your new contact/buddy by typing 'call' into the conversation window and pressing Send.
3. Click on the link shown on the next page and type the area code and number you want into the top box
4. Type the letters you see in the security image into the box below, then click ‘Connect' and close the window when prompted.
5. Once connected to the relay officer you can type any instructions in the message window.
Note that if you are making a 1300 or 1800 call then you will be asked to select your state/territory from a dropdown list.
How it works
Once you are connected, the relay officer will ring the person you want to call, and you can then start typing your side of the conversation in the message window.
When you have finished the first block of text, just click 'Send'.
The relay officer becomes ‘your voice' and reads aloud to the person you are calling what you type on your computer, then listens to what the other person says and types it back for you to read.
Equipment needed
You will need to do one of these three options:
- download the Windows Essentials application if you don't already have it. Note that when you go to install the application after download you can elect to install all the components of Windows Essentials or just Messenger (click 'Choose the programs you want to install). Then open a free Messenger account
- download the AIM application if you don't have it and open a free AIM account
- use a web-based messaging site such as meebo or ebuddy to access Messenger or AIM (these are handy if you can't or don't want to download the relevant instant messaging application onto your computer).
Please note that as at February 2013 Microsoft has announced that it is merging Messenger with Skype. See more.
Making calls from work
If your employer won't allow you to download or run Windows Messenger or AIM you can get around this problem by:
- requesting access to these applications since you need them to make work-related phone calls, or
- accessing Messenger or AIM through web-based messaging sites such as meebo or ebuddy.
Your employer is welcome to contact the Helpdesk to discuss the best way to deal with your organisation's policies.
