Community Newsletter: Q&A: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP
- 10/26/07 9:46 AM
(NT) weatherproof case for
by jazzmanjohn - 10/12/07 10:07 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Inside info from a telephone repair tech
by savaking72 - 10/12/07 10:15 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello Maria. It seems like eveyday we have orders bringing people back from a VOIP company. Be it Comcast, or Vonage...some of the problems are the same. First it helps to know what type of broadband you are using for the VOIP service to work. If you are using a cable company's broadband there a couple of things you need to know.
How many people in your neighborhood subscribe to all three packages. If there are alot then your service might not be that great. At peak times when every one is either on the internet, or watching tv it takes up a lot of bandwith. You won't notice it while surfing the internet, but customers have told me they have had service drops outs for no reason during peak times. Some people say it is like talking in a tunnel (echo). Some people say that the line is just noisy. If there are a lot of people in your neighborhood with these services then you might have problems. On the other hand I have had people tell me the service was great, but the billing was severly messed up. People told me that their first bill was around $200 (Cable Co). Just be sure of what you are signing up for, and for how much. Get them to tell you the actual price with taxes included before you say yes, or you might be getting more than you barginned for.
As far as quality of service you really should go with a DSL package. You don't need a phone number. They can sell you just the DSL, but you have to be persistant...they don't like offer it. DSL is a more stable internet connection. You don't share your connection with the neighbothood. It is your own line, so what ever speed you sign up for is your true speed. No matter what time it is!
As for vonage. There aren't a whole lot of complaints except for broadband (cable internet) drop out problems. Some people have mentioned Vonage (& Cable VOIP) has a problem with 911. Since your phone is over the internet there really isn't a way they can trace the origin of the call. Hope this helps a little..These are just things a run into everday at work. Good luck!
VOIP
by Pete.Goswell - 10/12/07 10:19 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use Google Talk, as I have a google email address. I live most of the time way out southwest of the U.S.....a 14 hour flight, I have broadband and talk frequently to a buddy in Washington State. Its better and clearer than my landline or cell phone and its absolutley free, other than my DSL expense.
Good luck,
Gosgog
weatherproof case for DSLRs
by jazzmanjohn - 10/12/07 10:21 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi Maria M,
You have not mentioned what kind of camera you have however I have a Fuji and this is what I done. Here in Australia I went to an Auto Spare parts shop and bought an aluminium tool case it is the same as a beauty case in shape lock well and seals from weather.
I then went along to a foam rubber shop and had a thick piece cut to the size of the case plus they cut an outline of the particular camera and also I have a telephoto lens and a few accessories that were made to fit into the case now I have a case that carries everything I need and better still it is weatherproof, I hope this is a help and I am sure that you can buy the same case in the USA, believe me it is the cheapest and the safest way out because it will protect and can be place anywhere safely
Regards jazzmanjohn
VOIP SERVICE
by trevor1972 - 10/12/07 10:43 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
HI, I subscribe to verizon voicewing which is there VOIP service. I think it the best thing since sliced bread! I pay $24.95 a month and can call anywhere local or long distance for $24.95. There all great feature also like the do not disturb feature for those days you just dont want to hear the phone ringing. turn it on and all calls get forwarded to voicemail. You also get a blocked number list so those people who wont just stop calling go straight to voicemail. You can pick your own area code so you could have a family member in Texas so you could get a Texas number and talk all day free!! Theres lots more too and it is good as it sounds. Well I hope this will help you.
Trevor Davis
North Attleboro, Ma.
voip
by gabrolena - 10/12/07 10:53 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have voip through mediacom. Quite frankly, I don't know why more people don't use this service. It's great!!! I can talk to my sons who live halfway across the U.S. for hours, Keep track of my elderly father and keep in contact with some of my old high school friends. It's cheeper than having a regular phone in this area. They charge more for just basic service than I pay for voip, and then you have to pay more for long distance. The only downside that I've found is that you don't have phone service if the power goes out. That's what cell phones are for, right, lol. And, I know some of you might think this is stupid to say, but yes you can talk on the phone, play on the computer and still watch cable at the same time.
VOIP
by tgsmith - 10/12/07 10:54 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Maria M.,
I've been using VOIP for over two years now. Basically, I have found no difference in the quality of service from my cable provider, Time-Warner, and that previously offered by Bellsouth/AT&T. My package includes digital cable and broadband Internet access (Road Runner). Biggest advantage is the toll-free calling to anywhere in the US and Canada. Let's me call my granddaughter and talk as long as we like. Biggest disadvantage is that I live in a hurricane-prone area (coatal North Carolina), and when the power is out, there is no phone service. Unless phone lines are down or telephone exchanges are flooded, phone service by Bellsouth/AT&T continues to work during power outages provided, of course, that you have a regular (not cordless) telephone.
As a computer tech, I often test client's dial-up modems and fax machines. No problems using either of these on the system.
Installation was simple. Cable technician disconnected Bellsouth line at Telco box. Connected Cable Modem to cable. Connected cable modem phone line to existing jack in house. Voila!
I have read horror stories that in some areas of the US cable companies completely remove existing telephone service lines to the client's property when connecting VOIP service. This, of course, would make reverting back to regular phone company analog service a costly proposition. I see lawsuits on the horizon for this practice.
Hope this allays your fears.
Trade-Offs Happen
by raudawg - 10/12/07 11:28 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
VoIP makes sense from a cost and technology standpoint, and it IS darned cheap. I have used both Vonage and AT&T Callvantage, and found both to be satisfactory. They have some technical flexibility advantages over land line phone service. For example, with AT&T Callvantage, I could listen to a voice mail message and then return the call without ever logging off voice mail. I simply pressed one key after listening to the message to return the call! I found the service to be as reliable as my broadband Internet connection. The sound quality usually seemed equal to my land line, but occasionally a little the sound quality was a bit "hollow"-sounding.
Ultimately, I got a land line again, though, because I felt vulnerable to power outages and failed Internet connections. Other VoIP users I've talked to don't seem to worry about these issues--but it seems like these people are not big land-line phone users in the first place. One of them has since gone completely wireless. That's not for me at this point. I want the secure feeling of standard 911 service and the reliability of service that does not depend on my Internet service--or even my electricity. Remember, your land phone line works regardless of power outages, provided you keep a regular corded phone around.
Now, if these things are of no concern, I'd say, "Go for it." By the way, I would not be encouraging VoIP if you were using DSL rather than a cable modem. That's because you can't keep DSL and disconnect your land phone line. For DSL users, that typically defeats the purpose of having VoIP, unless they want it rather than a secondary land line.
It works for me
by porlockgirl - 10/12/07 11:55 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't have a lot of technical knowledge on the subject of VOIP but - I love it!
3 years ago my ISP - Speakeasy.net - started the service and as I make a lot of calls to the UK I decided to give it a try. I pay around $70 a month for broadband/VOIP service. This also includes two static IP addresses, as I run a couple of websites. I used to pay over $150.00 a month to the phone company in addition to my internet service.
I have nothing but praise for Speakeasy and their VOIP package. The line is crystal clear, no outages, no need for tech support and ALL my phone calls are free.
Checkout www.speakeasy.net and get more information on their OneVoice package. It's definately worth 30 minutes of your time.
VOIP
by cart - 10/13/07 12:02 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
About 4 years ago, we became snowbirds....6 mo. north & 6 mo. south. At the time we investigated different phone systems and finally settled on Vonage. With Vonage we pay only one bill whether we are up north or down south. We can take the Vonage box with us, keep the north phone number, and for $5 extra can add a south phone number. That way, no matter where they live, our friends can call us without paying long distance.
We love it. They have always been great with tech support and, since we are seniors and not as tech-savvy as some, they led us step by step setting up north and south. Service is terrific.
Comcast Phone
by micker377 - 10/13/07 12:12 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've had Comcast phone for 4 months now. (California). A lot will depend on your local Comcast technicians. Once it works, it's faboulous! The problem is that it is new, and the sub-contracted technician may not be up-to-date. You get a regular phone (I just patched into my 7 phone network), with no special phone needed. On the up-side, is that in order to have enough packet speed for good phone service - your cable speed is increased! You get a new cable modem (my old router works fine). Basically, what they do is unplug your telco and plug in the output of the new modem. You can even set up your new online answering machine to alert you by e-mail when you have a voice message!
Don't switch but use it.
by Mendieta - 10/13/07 12:36 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Look Maria, I still have my Phone line, my celular Phone & I've downloaded and installed Skype in my computer, Why 3 different services?, because as you said, not everybody has a Voip service, if you use your computer to Voip PC to PC, notice that providers are not compatible among each other, "only" if you contract a full service you will be able to call static phones and celular phones no matter what provider and computers PC to PC "with the same provider" for "FREE", yes, I said FREE between computers but notice i also said "with the same provider", i've been using Skype to call a cousin from Pachuca Mexico to Barcelona Spain for free (PC to PC & both computers with Skype).
Think what will happen when your computer gets a virus, Windows don't start, or just when your Internet provider fails, use it but please "don't depend on it".
My advice is: First download a Voip program (i Like Skype), use it from PC to PC (your friend, partner or relative "MUST" have the same program in his computer, try it and if you like what you get, then contract the service, but i will say it again, please "don't depend on it".
VOIP
by Phil - H - 10/13/07 12:56 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am in the UK and have been using Skype VOIP for sometime, it is totally free to call between fellow Skype users video as well. You can use it as an alternative to your regular landline provider, the cost is much cheaper, so much in fact that we have also installed this at my place of work, just connect a small add on to your PC and phone line, we just use the normal phone system throughout the building but also make and receive calls through VOIP. It does have some down sides though, calls/video can drop out on occasions but the cost saving can be great. Just go online download Skype and enjoy.
VOIP is an OLD Technology. The bugs have been worked out.
by atpcliff - 10/13/07 1:00 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi!
VOIP was on the front page of USA Today 5 or more years ago. We have used VOIP for so long I can't remember when we didn't have it.
Cell phones are great, but if you call a foreign country, like Canada, there is no plan that works well for us.
We used to spend $140/month on our phone bill. Now we spend $25, and have a lot more features, and my CEO talks to her F&F in Canada a LOT more.
Good luck!
cliff
ABQ
Re VOIP
by curtisdean2 - 10/13/07 2:32 AM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi,
I am not at all technical ie I know how to turn tyhe computer on....Also I'm in Australia where it may be a little different. I connected to an Australian VOIP provider about 4 months ago. My regular landline bills were around $80 - 100 per month, but I have kept the land line as an incoming call number only. Using the VOIP for outgoing calls at 12 cents per call Australia wide, my monthly phone bill is around $13.00. Of course I still have the landline rental of around $29.00 per month but that's it.
The quality of the calls is not quite as good as landline, but I can live with that. The long distance calls are not time limited which is great when the wife gets on to talk to the folks 2000kms away.
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