Slingshot's iTalk Versus WorldxChange's Xnet VFX and others

Forums › VoIP › Slingshot's iTalk Versus WorldxChange's Xnet VFX and others - which is the best?

geek4me

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#12270 8-Mar-2007 12:25

I'm considering using Voip for telephone services. Am after a service that has local numbers (in my case Wellington) with free local calling and of course cheap toll calls within NZ and overseas. Both iTalk and VFX seem to do the job (there may be others). Which of the available services would you recommend as the best choice? Are they the same or does one stand out above the rest?

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#63169 8-Mar-2007 13:42

I'd highly recommend VFX - those who use the service say it's great and the support given on here by the VFX team is also very good.

Having said that however I've used iTalk as my primary home phone (I have no landline) for around 9 months now and have not had a single issue apart from a short outage of around 2 hours towards the end of last year. Plenty of people love slamming iTalk but I've encountered no issues at all. In terms of support though they definately seem to be lacking so you'll pretty much be on your own.

geek4me

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#63170 8-Mar-2007 13:43

I'd like to add that I'll be using TelstraClear cable rather than adsl - I presume these voip services work with any service provider i.e. adsl, cable or wireless.

Curiously TelstraClear are not interested in providing voip services. A search for "voip" on their website produced 0 documents.

sbiddle

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#63171 8-Mar-2007 14:05

geek4me: I'd like to add that I'll be using TelstraClear cable rather than adsl - I presume these voip services work with any service provider i.e. adsl, cable or wireless.

Curiously TelstraClear are not interested in providing voip services. A search for "voip" on their website produced 0 documents.

Both services will be rock solid over TCL cable and deliver an identical quality of service as a normal PSTN line.

In terms of TCL's VoIP product you will just have to wait a few months yet to see what there offering will be.

somewhat

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#63173 8-Mar-2007 14:26

I'm pretty sure that when you get a Cable connection from Telstra you need to also buy the phone (I can confirm this is the case with the TV service) although you might be able to just get the Internet connection if you use a 3rd party ISP wholesaling off Telstra like Actrix, since Telstra also have copper bundled with their coax for phone I dont think they will be looking at VOIP for residential anytime soon...

geek4me

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#63176 8-Mar-2007 14:38

somewhat: I'm pretty sure that when you get a Cable connection from Telstra you need to also buy the phone.

I already have a TelstraClear phone. I understand if I sign up for the 10GB (or larger) plan I can then ditch their landline phone and use voip. I'll start with the 1GB plan and test out iTalk or VFX (which I use depends on feedback in this forum) then upgrade to 10GB without a phone.

bigqueez

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#63178 8-Mar-2007 14:55

I use TelstraClear cable with Xnet VFX and it has been 100% rock solid. My experience with iTalk was very poor, so I would steer clear of them.

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#63179 8-Mar-2007 15:02

geek4me:
I already have a TelstraClear phone. I understand if I sign up for the 10GB (or larger) plan I can then ditch their landline phone and use voip. I'll start with the 1GB plan and test out iTalk or VFX (which I use depends on feedback in this forum) then upgrade to 10GB without a phone.

Yes that is correct. There have been a few people encounter CSR's who keep saying you can't have cable or tv without a phone but this is definately not the case. Providing you are on the 10GB plan or greater you can have a cable only connection without a phoneline or can get cable+tv again without a phoneline.

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coffeebaron

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#63188 8-Mar-2007 18:00

My 2c for italk vs VFX can by summed up by "my italk number will shortly be ported to VFX".

Although I haven't had too many issues with italk, there has been enough to cause a few niggles, particularly with their voicemail. However, after experiencing the VFX service, I now find italk is very much lacking. The sad thing about italk; it had so much potential to be a great service, but basically hasn't change since day 1.

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Glazza

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#63189 8-Mar-2007 18:19

VFX

Great support, excellent product. Mine is delivered via Wireless, and as soon as number portibility rocks around, Telecom will we out.

maverick

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WorldxChange

#63234 9-Mar-2007 07:43

Well I will be pretty biased and here

so I will just list what we can offer, I think you will also find the little things as well, all the Dial tones sound the same as your current Telecom Lines, ie Ringing / Busy Tones etc, also no PDD when dialing for local calls (don't have to wait 3 secs), as well as the ability to control your phone settings from your own Web Portal as well as a voice portal, we have tried to make the whole experience as seamless as possible but offer a lot more advanced features,

Feel free to compare the 2 services, I actually welcome it and peoples opinions on the 2 services, the good and the bad.

http://www.xnet.co.nz/vfx/features.shtml

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paulspain

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#63342 10-Mar-2007 22:38

I've been using iTalk on a couple of lines for a few years now and have been very happy with the service. I take my Linksys VOIP handset with me when I'm working in Australia (about half of the last month) and it's great having the same number and Auckland calling still being free. I also have a couple of Australian numbers (including a virtual fax service) with other providers and they generally work well too.

I'll soon be trying Xnet VFX so look forward to comparing their service with iTalk. The advantage that I understand iTalk provides is that you can have multiple handsets linked to the same 'line' or phone number at no additional cost.

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

wmoore

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#63346 10-Mar-2007 23:14

paulspain: I'll soon be trying Xnet VFX so look forward to comparing their service with iTalk. The advantage that I understand iTalk provides is that you can have multiple handsets linked to the same 'line' or phone number at no additional cost.

With VFX you can have multiple handsets (as in cordless phones) going to the same line. For example we use Oricom which came with 2 handsets..plus you can add more.

I have been very impressed with VFX. Seems to have more features than i-talk.

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paulspain

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#63347 10-Mar-2007 23:18

Interesting. I had heard that there was some limit through Xnet (as with most VOIP) providers in the number of different SIP connections linking to a single account. My understanding is that with iTalk you could even run a call centre off a single $10/month line and have something like 10 people making free outgoing local calls off it.

Paul Spain
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wmoore

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#63348 10-Mar-2007 23:49

paulspain: Interesting. I had heard that there was some limit through Xnet (as with most VOIP) providers in the number of different SIP connections linking to a single account. My understanding is that with iTalk you could even run a call centre off a single $10/month line and have something like 10 people making free outgoing local calls off it.

The handsets I am talking about are normal POTS type phones..Not VoIP phones.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

paulspain

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#63349 10-Mar-2007 23:52

Ah, okay ... that makes some sense then. Are you able to use them both at the same time to make seperate calls on the same account?

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

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