Recommended VOIP providers

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astina6

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#59782 12-Apr-2010 15:23

Looking at getting set up at home with probably a softphone type set up. But would be keen to the recommended voip providers (preferably in Auckland). By recommended, I mean good support all round, help desk, quality of service etc??

Have been looking at this site http://voipusers.org.nz/wiki/NZ_VoIP_Providers and there seems to be a variety.

Just would like to know which are highly regarded

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161 posts

Master Geek

#317384 12-Apr-2010 15:43

I've found at hardware based VOIP solution to be the best, as you can just plug in your standard cordless phone and forget it. Don't have to worry about having your computer up and running, or crashing etc.

I've been using VFX (WorldXChange) for about three and a half years, and it is great.

Before that I had tried Slingshots iTalk softphone/hardware option which I disconnected after the user names and passwords on their transmitted over their unprotected ports were hacked/sniffed and used to make Toll calls the the middle East. They then only agreed to go halves in the toll bill! They may have improved their security since then, but the attitude and atrocious customer service has really put me off them.

VFX doesn't offer an softphone option which may limit you a little if you are on the move, (although you can take your phone adaptor or router with you) but it this allows extra security.

WorldXChange service and support is the best of any company I've dealt with!

sbiddle

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#317403 12-Apr-2010 16:21

If you're going to use a softphone the first thing to do is to get a decent headset if you're going to be making a large number of calls. For a Plantronics this will set you back around the same price as an ATA so you have to decide what the best option is.

Your best options are either VFX or 2talk (in no particular order)

VoIPGear

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#317404 12-Apr-2010 16:24

Hi,
Yep - Italk and VFX are the biggest players really.
If you are dead set on a softphone then have a look at www.SpeedNet.co.nz - they are fine using the X-Lite free softphone. I also know that they will be willing to provide a free ddi line for the first month for a trail - you just pay for your calls that month. If it all works out and you keep you're billing up to around $25, the ddi will be free - Not sure what you volumes will be but it might be an option for you.
Cheers and good luck

astina6

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#317409 12-Apr-2010 16:30

Actually I was pretty much set to use either VFX or 2Talk. Currently with Orcon on there home plan but will have to organise afew loose ends first. Interesting comment about softphone getting cracked, on iTalk, so perhaps IP phone would be the most sensible and secure option

sbiddle

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#317418 12-Apr-2010 17:06

An IP phone or softphone would make no difference from a security perspective if the carrier is insecure. A softphone could be less secure if your PC is infected with spyware or a virus that is able to capture the details.

VFX will allow any devices if you choose their Asterisk profile. You are totally on your own however when it comes to support and accept all risks if things don't work. They will only provide official support for their own certificed devices that they will auto provision to ensure all the settings are correct.

rscole86

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#317439 12-Apr-2010 17:46

VoIPGear: Hi,
Yep - Italk and VFX are the biggest players really.
If you are dead set on a softphone then have a look at www.SpeedNet.co.nz - they are fine using the X-Lite free softphone. I also know that they will be willing to provide a free ddi line for the first month for a trail - you just pay for your calls that month. If it all works out and you keep you're billing up to around $25, the ddi will be free - Not sure what you volumes will be but it might be an option for you.
Cheers and good luck

Welcome to Geekzone Riaan, how about a little transparency in regards to your post?

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VoIPGear

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#317443 12-Apr-2010 17:59

Hi,

I understand what you are saying, we (voipgear) are affiliated with SpeedNet. I have the links in my Signature - but i understand i need 10 posts for that to be shown.

I did not want to do blatant advertising, but the softphone works fine and i wanted to point that out.
In regards to astina6 being undecided, i thought mentioning a trail for a month could help potentially in decision making moving forward

hads

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#317449 12-Apr-2010 18:23

VoIPGear: Hi,

I understand what you are saying, we (voipgear) are affiliated with SpeedNet. I have the links in my Signature - but i understand i need 10 posts for that to be shown.

I did not want to do blatant advertising, but the softphone works fine and i wanted to point that out.
In regards to astina6 being undecided, i thought mentioning a trail for a month could help potentially in decision making moving forward

Yeah it smells suspiciously of spam when someone tries to hide who they are and "recommend" their own site. You (Riaan) are listed in the whois for both companies so it would seem there is a little more than an affiliation.

nicegear.co.nz - VoIP, DVB and other Linux compatible hardware

hads

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#317451 12-Apr-2010 18:24

To the original poster, I'd also recommend 2Talk.

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VoIPGear

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#317456 12-Apr-2010 18:44

Hads,

If my signature was showing everyone would see where i work / are associated with. Again, I pointed that Italk and VFX are the big boys. I also stated that speednet supports a softphone as a few posts suggested that VFX does not and italk had some hacking issues. I personally do not recommend 2talk as their service are non existent.

I am sure Astina6 can make up their own mind on what provider to use, and i was throwing another option into the pot.
If i was really trying to hide anything my username will not be VoIPGear, but something totally irrelevant so i can try and mislead everyone.

sbiddle

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#317460 12-Apr-2010 18:51

VoIPGear: Hads,

If my signature was showing everyone would see where i work / are associated with. Again, I pointed that Italk and VFX are the big boys. I also stated that speednet supports a softphone as a few posts suggested that VFX does not and italk had some hacking issues. I personally do not recommend 2talk as their service are non existent.

I am sure Astina6 can make up their own mind on what provider to use, and i was throwing another option into the pot.
If i was really trying to hide anything my username will not be VoIPGear, but something totally irrelevant so i can try and mislead everyone.

I'd hardly consider iTalk to be a big player - 2talk is a far better product and platform even if it does have it's issues with support. The recent iTalk outage in February that lasted almost an entire day hardly makes the service a reliable PSTN replacement!

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old3eyes

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#317463 12-Apr-2010 18:58

hads: To the original poster, I'd also recommend 2Talk.

+1. I have a PAP2 with 2Talk as a second line. Seems quite reliable as long as the Internet is reliable and that seems the weakest link with Internet VOIP at present..

Regards,

Old3eyes

VoIPGear

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#317467 12-Apr-2010 19:06

Fair point made - forgot about that "little" issue
- i know all about outages as i worked with With Telecom (not on XT!!) a while back and we all know what they experienced recently!

sleepy

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Ultimate Geek
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#317475 12-Apr-2010 19:24

+1 for 2talk i use it in my shop for all outgoing calls has saved a lot of money , but no backup,service etc. but it just seems to work

kfella2000

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#317492 12-Apr-2010 19:56

Another +1 for 2talk. Been using it for about 2 years now and find it very reliable

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