I asked long ago for comments on VOIP services. Since then some VOIP providers have gone and variations like Magic Jack and ooma are available. So again: what VOIP service have you tried and how did it work for you? Keeping in mind that a good broadband connection is required for good service. Thanks
I have chosen the non-SIP provider, Skype. I bought a year's worth of dialing out for $29.95 (only 10,000 minutes a month allowed <chuckle>), and a NPA-NXX-XXXX number for receiving calls and voice mail (a year's worth) for $30.00) for my graduate student. All you need is a PC with audio IN and OUT running Windows XP or 2000, and this USA and Canada plan. I did this so that she would have a local number. It worked fine (audio only) on Verizon DSL 768/128Kbps, and continued as well (video too) when bumped up to 3/0.5Mbps. It turned out her apartment has low signal from our cell carrier (bedroom window sills are best). We use speakers, a uni-directional microphone, and a USB camera on both ends. It does me good to see her. I run a pre-paid account for my calls to my brother in Korea (same price dialing out as in USA and Canada, $0.021/minute and $0.04/connect charge). COtech
Thanks. I was thinknig of getting Skype with an adapter tied into a cordless or WiFi phone, perhaps. But for a true landline replacement I am also considering ooma, or one of the low fee providers (ViaTalk, JoiPhone, etc.) for 2 lines wired to my house telco jacks... I have read good and bad about all or them.
Jerro, I had excellent success with Vonage, but because of financial reasons (and wireless carrier contracts, ) I had to cancel service. I had them for almost 5 years. There were rare burps in service, but they were always fixed. Call quality was crisp and clear, just like a landline. For what you get for the price, you can't beat it. What I would avoid with them is a fax number. They've never fixed the bugs with fax numbers. I don't know why? There was a class action lawsuit against Vonage for this very issue. Otherwise, their regular phone service is top notch. I highly recommend them.
Thanks. I am also looking at JoiPhone, ViaTalk, ooma etc..... Some charge less for a 2nd line than Vonage, which I need to have. __________________
I've used Skype the last 5 years or so, but recently have been getting into VOIP/SIP. I made some comparisons between the two here: RadioRaiders Skype I still use both. Skype is great at getting past firewalls (and is easy to set up), but the VOIP/SIP quality gives a better voice and connection quality, in my experience (plus SIP has been choosen as the "next gen" for telecom voice standards by 3GPP, ITU, etc.). But SIP is terrible at getting lost in NAT translations. I have stand-alone VOIP phones at home, one works fine, but the other can only receive calls (outgoing can ring the other end, but no RTP connection...even with STUN). Oh, as for SIP providers: the 2 biggest I'd say are SIPphone and FWD. If you need help setting up the phone and accounts, this could be useful: RadioRaiders VOIP SIP Phone Configure ...I'm also looking into setting up a SIP PBX myself, but ran into some problems and don't have time right now. But hopefully I'll have a SIP service up and running by summer. I'll be sure to post it on WA when I do
Nice web site. Ever check out ooma or any of the generics like Joi etc? I am after plug and play as much as possible and want to ditch the landline for voip. I don't want to port the numbers to cell phones so thats not an option. Of course I also don't want to end up in a SunRocket situation.
Thanks. No, I don't know ooma or Joi. I'm the opposite of "plug and play", I like to roll my sleeves up and get dirty and build a PBX from scratch ...VOIPbuster lets you call in/out from regular fixed line phones, so you could use it as a landline replacement. Same like Skype in/out. FWD and SIPphone probably offer the same. It's not too hard to set up a SIP phone, and with FWD, SIPphone, VOIPbuster you have more freedom than ex: Vonage, ooma, etc. who lock you in to monthly contracts and restrict you calls to other SIP nets.
Actually ooma has no monthly fee, although the unit is expensive. ooma: Free home phone service. Unlimited US calling with no monthly fees. And Magic Jack requires a PC to be on for it to connect, so that is out for my situation.
I have the Tmobile @home of course I guess the name gave it away right...haha. But I have been happy I should clarify though as an employee it is free for me so that is probably why I have it. If it wasn't a free service I don't know that I could justify the ten dollars a month as I really have no need for a landline of any sort. I will say that I was getting annoyed for the first month due to having to reset my router about 1-2 times a week, but a recent firmware update, (01/18/09) resolved this issue and since I have reset my router once. The last reset was because of an issue with my ISP not with my @home service. Call quality and duration have not been a problem for me. I have Cable internet and I know people with qwest DSL that also have the @home from tmobile they have told me that they have some issues so I am not sure if they have accepted the firmware update or if perhaps the lines running their DSL are not the best.
Thanks, I have Comcast for internet.. It is fairly fast. So at least that should not be an issue. Fios is around here too. I want to replace 2 land lines to cheaper but still good VoIP.
