Best Fast Reliable Mobile BB for Skype?

IRCA

Hi Folks,

I've previously had very bad experiences with mobile BB (3/4 years ago) now I need something in Mayo that will allow me to use Skype Video calls effectively.

Currently the 1mb (:() BB I have access to just won't cut it - drop offs, video lag etc... and I was going to consider Mobile B from VF or 3.

Q: Has anyone experience of any mobile BB package that gets anywhere near the "up to 7 Mbs" claim and realistically what could I expect in Mayo (Ballina to be precise).

Also I have heard conflicting stories that VF block Voip/Skype etc.. on Mobile BB, can anyone confirm?

Not looking for the cheapest, just something that can keep me connected to my family!

Thanks everyone.

P.s. No I can't get more than 1mb BB in the house so lets stick to the Mobile BB question.

Ricky91t

None I'd assume, the latency and packet loss of any mobile internet service would make for a poor call quaility.

I'd look into fixed wireless services, I'm on permanet, offering 3mbps to an area that can't even get ADSL, with a ping of 60ms to boards and no packet loss, voIP calls are clear and crisp.

iMuse

Mobile BB and reliable dont belong in the same sentence im afraid. Your better off looking at all other options before having to use Mobile BB. I think (not 100%) that some of the providers offer a trial so maybe try it out to see what its like in your area.

watty

Not possiblle.

may be good today. bad tommorrow, bad there good here. Whatever.
http://www.techtir.ie/comms/mobile-vs-fixed

PaulPinnacle

IRCA wrote: »

Q: Has anyone experience of any mobile BB package that gets anywhere near the "up to 7 Mbs" claim and realistically what could I expect in Mayo (Ballina to be precise).

Realistically, you could probably expect it to fluctuate wildly (to the point that it drives you nuts) and due to the ping/latency/jitter be totally unsuitable for VoIP. The inconsistent data transfers will lead to a lot of broken speech and lagging (normally, to the point where it's unusable). I have used Skype often with mobile BB, but it's very hit and miss and the connection problems are far more the 'rule' than the 'exception'.

Bandwidth (the 1Mbs or 7Mbs bit) isn't the main concern with VoIP. If you had a connection with .5Mbs upload and download but it had low latency/ping, your VoIP would be good (you need higher bandwidth for video than for voice. You can check out the minimum and recommended bandwidth for Skype calls here). It's the latency/ping that really hurts VoIP on mobile bb connections (ping times are normally >100ms, where you want it <50ms).

P.s. No I can't get more than 1mb BB in the house so lets stick to the Mobile BB question.

When you say "can't", do you mean this is all your dsl line will support (either due to the line or the local exchange)? Or does it mean you've fully investigated all of the other possible suppliers?

It might be worth having a chat with www.westnet.ie. They provide a fixed wireless product (€35p/m with a €100 setup fee) that might suit your needs. Their coverage map appears to show decent coverage up around Ballina, but it obviously depends on your exact location for a service like this.

The guys are a pleasure to deal with (only connection to them is as a happy customer) and assuming you can get a good line of sight (LoS) to a local mast, your ping times (~30ms) can/should be better than with many/most other connections.

As an example...

watty

It's possible to do Skype reliably without video on ISDN. The problem with Mobile is the speed is unstable and changes too quickly for the dynamic codecs. Also jitter and packet loss are far too high even when the speed is good. Absolute Ping also is an issue, but on Satellite you can get used to 600ms or 800ms ping because it doesn't change (though a bit strange). http://www.techtir.ie/comms/mobile-vs-fixed

IRCA

Thanks Watty

I guess my questions are answered now! Thanks to all I guess we can close out this thread now.

Cheers!