Replacement of Skype

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garyasta

75 posts

Master Geek
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#207711 10-Jan-2017 15:22

I have recently changed my ISP and although for the first week or so I was getting good Skype service (due possibly to my satellite connection getting a reduced lag), I now find that Skype is audio is disjointed and virtually unusable.

I have updated my audio drivers and been advised by my new ISP that their protocol doesn't support Skype and that they can enroll me for a monthly fee to their own VoIP protocol.

As I don't use the phone much, I was wondering if someone has any recommendations as to suitable free alternatives to Skype that may use different protocols to Skype. I expect to have to pay per minute for outward calls and would appreciate being able to accept incoming calls.

I do not have landline connection, nor any cellphone coverage and rely on my satellite internet for all comms.

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#1700993 10-Jan-2017 15:57

What type of cell phone do you have? If it's a smart one could you look at viber/whatsapp/facetime (ios only).

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jnimmo

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#1700995 10-Jan-2017 15:59

Depends a bit on who you are wanting to talk to of course because they'll need to be using the same product?

I understand VSee is supposed to work on high latency connections

You may also find you are able to setup port forwarding for Skype which would definitely help with the connection

(Set a random port in the Skype advanced section, forward that on your satellite modem router to your computer, verify the mapping works on canyouseeme.org)

timmmay

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#1700998 10-Jan-2017 16:01

Try whatsapp on your smart phone.

speed

296 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1701002 10-Jan-2017 16:04

My recommendation for you is 2talk Go Free and a Yealink W52P:

https://www.2talk.co.nz/voice.html

https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=415782

Or, if you're really budget conscious and willing to have a desk phone then a T19P with power adapter:

https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=433831

https://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?itemID=8505063

sbiddle

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#1701056 10-Jan-2017 17:20

If your connection is that poor I'm not sure changing to a SIP provider will make things better. Changing to 2talk wouldn't necessarily be better because they don't offer any adaptive rate codecs (such as Skype uses) that handles latency and packet loss far better than mainstream VoIP codecs such as G.711/G.729

garyasta

75 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#1702181 12-Jan-2017 17:45

As I mentioned, I don't have cellphone coverage.

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Linux

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#1702187 12-Jan-2017 18:02

Approx where are you and do you have a static IP address on your net connection?

You could look into getting a VodafoneNZ Sure Signal unit

Linux

BlinkyBill

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#1702190 12-Jan-2017 18:40

garyasta:
I do not have landline connection, nor any cellphone coverage and rely on my satellite internet for all comms.

OT, but if you don't mind, where do you live, and why?

garyasta

75 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#1702200 12-Jan-2017 19:22

Thanks Linux and BlinkyBill

I Live in the bush outside of Kaitaia with no landline connection (nearest one 2km away) or any cellphone signal. Because of Farmside ISP changing their system (and datacaps), I have had to change to Wnation ISP. They advise that they can supply a suitable VoIP connection, but this will bring everything up to a minimum of about $210 per month for a 30GB datacap.

What is a VodafoneNZ Sure Signal Unit?

Linux

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#1702207 12-Jan-2017 19:56

Google Vodafone Sure Signal

sbiddle

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#1702214 12-Jan-2017 20:08

Can you not get coverage from somebody like Uber group? Their connection will be vastly superior and significantly cheaper.

Your problem is ultimately that your satellite connection is poor. If Skype won't work well I don't see any other voice solution working well over it.

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vpsnine

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#1702352 13-Jan-2017 02:20

Try using WhatsApp on your mobile but connect via Wifi , I have had WhatsApp voice calls that are clearer than landline calls

sbiddle

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#1702395 13-Jan-2017 08:31

vpsnine:

Try using WhatsApp on your mobile but connect via Wifi , I have had WhatsApp voice calls that are clearer than landline calls

WhatsApp uses Opus, the very same codec used for Skype. It's an adaptive bitrate codec that works well over poor connections. The OP's problem is a poor internet connection, and if Skype is a problem it's likely the problems will occur over every service and would be even more noticeable using a regular SIP PSTN replacement that would use G.711 / G.729 codecs which do not cope anywhere near as well with jitter or packet loss.