What VOIP provider should I use? and what is reliablity like?

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Aaroona

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Topic # 23684 6-Jul-2008 23:25

Hi guys,
Ive been looking at a VOIP solution for a while now, and would like to know who I should really go for (a good deal, both price and reliablity)

Websites such as Slingshot are (or atleast, were) advertising their VOIP solution (Also known as iTalk. Possibly rebranded since I last looked) as a REPLACEMENT for a home line.
Is this really the case? or are they stretching the truth a little too much?
I mean, i can achieve pretty good download/upload rates. I get around 650kb/s Stable, and can get up to 1mb/s (depending on time)
and about 50kb/s stable upload, also up to about 150kb/s (also depending on time of day)

Have you guys got any kind of information that would help me?
I previously had iTalk and found it crap to say the least. I mean, there was enough lag to cause a headache.
Have things improved at all?

PS: iTalk was only used as an example. I am open to any operator anyone has tried.

Thanks in advance.

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Reply # 143572 7-Jul-2008 09:08

Aaroona: ...and about 50kb/s stable upload, also up to about 150kb/s (also depending on time of day)

This will be a problem. In theory it should be OK with a G729a codec, but my experience is that you will get dropouts during the call.

You really need a plan with FS Upload to be any good.

I have used 4 different VoIP providers now during the past 2-and-a-bit years and here is the ranking in terms of quality:

1) WorldxChange VFX -- you must use one of the Certified Hardware options from Linksys, but the quality is far better than the others. The only true contender for a Landline Replacement.

2) Supra Phone -- any SIP device will do, quality is somewhere between a mobile phone and a landline, with a bit of echo. Occasional dropouts but not too bad on the whole. The advantage for us is free calling anywhere in the 09 region

3) iTalk -- any SIP device will do, frequent dropouts, phone sometimes didn't ring on incoming calls, Voice Mail almost never worked for us. Not recommended.

4) Skype -- bottom of the pack quality-wise, horrendous amounts of lag, dropouts when your PC is sending or receiving e-mail attachments, but free calling anywhere in the world means it has benefits.

HTH,

Grant.

freitasm

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Reply # 143582 7-Jul-2008 09:26

grant_k: 1) WorldxChange VFX -- you must use one of the Certified Hardware options from Linksys, but the quality is far better than the others. The only true contender for a Landline Replacement.

I've ported my number to VFX when Number Portability came out. No problems since. I've also ported my parents-in-law to VFX - and they don't know that phone goes over the Internet. For them it is just their old phone number... Great quality, good service.

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sbiddle

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Reply # 143599 7-Jul-2008 09:54

If you are on a decent internet connection the reliability and quality of a VoIP connection will be identical to that of a regular PSTN phoneline. Statistically a PSTN line will have a greater uptime than your internet connection (as internet outages can happen) but it's not really a big issue. If you have a poor internet connection then a VoIP solution may not be for you and you may experience qulity issues.

If you do want to go down the VoIP path you also need to look at your hardware as you will obviously need to purchase an VoIP phone(s) to plug into your existing router or an ATA such as a Linksys SPA2102 or new router with built in ATA to use existing analogue phones.

In terms of quality WxC is tops and nobody will argue with this. 2talk would come in second and does offer better calling rates. If you move your internet to WxC VoIP traffic is zero rated and does offer some good bundled rates.

I haven't had a phoneline at home for well over two years now and have been 100% VoIP. I would never go back.

Aaroona

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Reply # 143607 7-Jul-2008 10:01

Thanks for your replies.

Sorry i didn't make that clear in the OP.

I am on the FS plan from slingshot.

Thanks.

freitasm

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Reply # 143614 7-Jul-2008 10:08

Aaroona: I am on the FS plan from slingshot.

This won't prevent you using VFX. I am on TelstraClear cable modem - I don't even have copper coming to the house...

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billgates

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Reply # 143658 7-Jul-2008 11:36

My vote goes for 2talk, cheap calling rates and superb voice clarity with good e-mail and calling support....

Do whatever you want to do man.

Aaroona

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Reply # 143730 7-Jul-2008 13:10

freitasm:
grant_k: 1) WorldxChange VFX -- you must use one of the Certified Hardware options from Linksys, but the quality is far better than the others. The only true contender for a Landline Replacement.

I've ported my number to VFX when Number Portability came out. No problems since. I've also ported my parents-in-law to VFX - and they don't know that phone goes over the Internet. For them it is just their old phone number... Great quality, good service.

Oh really?
I think I will sign up for it then..
Also, is it a whole "YOu're tied into it for 1 year minimum term.. blah blah, if you cancel your service you will be charge 1 arm and two toes"? type of thing? or is it no term plan?
So just do confirm, this is with xnet?

grant_k

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Reply # 143737 7-Jul-2008 13:19

Aaroona: Also, is it a whole "YOu're tied into it for 1 year minimum term.. blah blah, if you cancel your service you will be charge 1 arm and two toes"? type of thing? or is it no term plan?

No, there are no contracts, no minimum terms and no disconnection fees. WxC / Xnet are great like that, one of the few who are

Aaroona: So just do confirm, this is with xnet?

Yes, run by WorldxChange as part of their Xnet suite of products. Full details here:

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

hads

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Reply # 144029 7-Jul-2008 20:01

I'd also recommend 2Talk. Excellent quality, reliability and cheap rates. They also allow you to connect any SIP compliant device.

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rphenix

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Reply # 145149 8-Jul-2008 23:15

+1 for VFX/WxC

Aaroona

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Reply # 145152 8-Jul-2008 23:17

Seems like VFX is the way to go.. Failing that, 2talk?

Anyways guys thanks for your help, it has definitely helped me having opinions from others who has tried these other providers.

All my reports so far have been good for VFX with the exception of a couple (eg 1-2 out of about 50, quite literally)

Cheers,
Aaron

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Reply # 145391 9-Jul-2008 13:44

2talk seems to be better then italk for the call going thru the first time, but it seems that the breaking up and lag when on a call is less with italk. I have both since I signed up for 2talk when they first started and had free 09 numbers, so if I move it means paying more then I do at the moment. Reliability wise both seem about the same for incoming calls, its just italk that has more no audio on outgoing calls then 2talk on occasion.

Thats all going out from an asterisk box which is the DMZ for the adsl router, and the only host on it so it should have no problems with incoming ports in any case.

Richard rich.ms

hasole

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Reply # 146143 10-Jul-2008 15:08

I've been using 2talk for a few months and found it to be really good feeding as a trunk to my asterisk box.

There rates are really hard to beat as well. 25c to a nz mobile..

grant_k

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Reply # 146186 10-Jul-2008 16:15

hasole: I've been using 2talk for a few months and found it to be really good feeding as a trunk to my asterisk box.

There rates are really hard to beat as well. 25c to a nz mobile..

Yes, 25c to NZ Mobiles is great -- BUT -- they do charge for Local Calls once you exceed 500 minutes per month.

And monthly sub. is $15 per month vs. $11.25 for VFX (or Free if you are an Xnet customer).

VFX on the other hand has unlimited free Local Calling.

2talk is extremely good value though, especially if you call mobiles a lot. VFX will be better for other people who make a lot of local calls.

hasole

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Reply # 146305 10-Jul-2008 18:55

Yeah I understand your point. Hence my install of asterisk for multiple trunks :)

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