New VOIP user - advice on chosen setup

Locmaman

Hello all,

I've been reading over as much as possible here to educate myself a bit - but wanted to get some advice on the set up I'm planning on going for:

• Linksys VoIP PAP2T telephone network adapter

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/541731/art/linksys/voip-pap2t-telephone-netw.html

• Sagem D35T Duo - Cordless phone w caller ID

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9584054/art/sagem/d35t-duo-cordless-phone-w.html


And a vodafone broadband only package - wifi speed test results as follows:
Ping 69ms, Download speed 1.72Mbps and upload speed 0.2mbps
Out in the sticks so that's all that's available.


Vodafone broadband and phone bills are regularly around 160euro per month so need to do something about it. :mad: And I've taken the first step and have given them notice of cancelling my account. I'm currently using an eircom router but also have the most recent vodafone router still boxed.



I'm planning on going with Blueface and another service provider once I get the hang of it all.



My question is mainly about whether the above hardware setup is suitable and recommended - or if other options (better/cheaper etc) available I'd appreciate some advice.


Thanks.

fbit_colin

Your current Vodafone setup wont work with Blueface or any other VoIP provider as the uplink doesnt have enough bandwidth and also Vodafone blocks calls to any form of VoIP, ie skype unless you pay for their data add on.

If your currently spending €160 per month on calls and broadband with few options as your out in the country i would suggest looking at OnWaves satellite offering which has a phone service provided by Blueface.

http://www.onwave.ie

Blueface have launched a mobile service that can be tied in with a VoIP package so you may be able to ditch Vodafone altogether

Locmaman

Thanks for that - have looked over their site just there and it seems like an decent broadband package they have. Not sure about the phone package though - The mobile call rates are similar to current vodafone rates.

There's some comments on boards.ie about satellite broadband not being reliable for VOIP - anyone with personal experience? As it's a 24 month contract you have to sign up for, I'd like to know a bit more about it.

If it can be used with VOIP - and I take it not just blueface?? - then it's looking good.

Anyone know can saorview be DIY'd with the onwave dish? I don't fancy paying the 370euro installation fee!

Johnboy1951

How is your broadband delivered ...... via telephone wires .... other?

If via phone line then try the speed test on Blacknight ..... it gives a report about suitability for VOIP as well as other info ......

.... you *might* be OK .......

fbit_colin

The onwave solution can include TV and has all the Irish channels so you wouldnt need Saorview.

They have a partnership with Blueface so you probably wont be able to choose another VoIP provider.

Satellite is fine for VoIP as long as they are giving priority to the voice calls

Locmaman

on phone at the moment so excuse the lower case.

wouldnt be willing to pay the 370 installation fee for t.v. so thats reason for asking whether diy setup of digital channels via their satellite would be an option.

i just spoke to someone from onwave and explained what im after. she said not ideal as main phone option as theres a very slight delay on the line,similar to what you would find on an international call.

also, the limitations on download capacity per month - 4gb,or 8gb etc. - could mean a limit on amount of calls possible.

thanks for the blacknight link - i tested one thru the blueface site and when laptop not connected via wireless it reports that my broadband is suitable for voip! its through phone line, no fancy stuff here.

so,now to the vodafone shop to see what they reckon...

thanks for the replies so far - anyone have any advice on the hardware setup? in theory, would it be suitable?

Johnboy1951

Before you make the big jump you might consider testing a VOIP setup on the PC, using a client application, to make calls t& check if the quality is what you would accept.

This could be done from a free account with minimum payment to make calls to landlines and mobile phones.

If that works out well you can then, in some comfort, spend on the hardware to set up the system fully.

There are client apps that are provider specific, but there are others which will allow you to set up any provider. Linphone is one app that comes to mind.

You could then choose a temporary provider, set up the details in the app and make some calls.
For a more permanent solution you could then invest in the hardware and choose your permanent provider.

fbit_colin

Do you already have fixed line broadband?

If so what provider is it with and what package are you on?

Locmaman

Thanks Johnboy, I'll test that out. I'm trying out goldfish aswell hopefully this week.

Colin, I'm with vodafone fixed line broadband - 3mb package but obviously not getting that. Our line doesn't support any higher according to Vodafone.

Been in contact with Imagine/Wiimax today and they do operate in my area so that's another option to consider. Talking to the rep, he said VOIP fully supported.

fbit_colin

Locmaman wrote: »

Thanks Johnboy, I'll test that out. I'm trying out goldfish aswell hopefully this week.

Colin, I'm with vodafone fixed line broadband - 3mb package but obviously not getting that. Our line doesn't support any higher according to Vodafone.

Been in contact with Imagine/Wiimax today and they do operate in my area so that's another option to consider. Talking to the rep, he said VOIP fully supported.

Can you give a general area of where you are based?

If your getting fixed line broadband other options maybe possible

Locmaman

I'm in east Galway, nearest town would be Tuam. From emailing or ringing around myself, the following are available:

• Wiimax - allegedly up to 10mb.
• Eircom - only up to 3mb, had it previously and was worse than current Vodafone 3mb.
• Vodafone - again, only to to 3mb available.
• Onwave - but from talking to sales rep today it's not an option.

Can't think of any others that might be available?

Mr. G

Locmaman wrote: »

I'm in east Galway, nearest town would be Tuam. From emailing or ringing around myself, the following are available:

• Wiimax - allegedly up to 10mb.
• Eircom - only up to 3mb, had it previously and was worse than current Vodafone 3mb.
• Vodafone - again, only to to 3mb available.
• Onwave - but from talking to sales rep today it's not an option.

Can't think of any others that might be available?

Glad to hear your getting somewhere! Have you tried contacting Digiweb (1800941000) and Ripplecom?

Ripplecom bought Ice Broadband a few years ago.

I have a DSL connection, there is obviously no problem using VoIP with DSL, and there shouldn't be an issue with regard using a wireless service such as Ripplecom or Digiweb Metro.

Also try Lighthouse networks.

Good luck.

Locmaman

Hi Grumpy - I hadn't heard of digiweb in years! You pay for line rental with them though, so brings up the cost.

Lighthouse charge 200euro installation, way too much.

Ripplecom not available in my area.

...so Imagine Wiimax still least expensive and most suitable option. That's if they live up to their promise of being able to supply actual 3, 7 or 10mb broadband. Sales rep did say that VOIP is possible though, no blocks.

That is one thing I need to check with Vodafone - whether they block VOIP or not.

Mr. G

Locmaman wrote: »

Hi Grumpy - I hadn't heard of digiweb in years! You pay for line rental with them though, so brings up the cost.

Lighthouse charge 200euro installation, way too much.

Ripplecom not available in my area.

...so Imagine Wiimax still least expensive and most suitable option. That's if they live up to their promise of being able to supply actual 3, 7 or 10mb broadband. Sales rep did say that VOIP is possible though, no blocks.

That is one thing I need to check with Vodafone - whether they block VOIP or not.

I have used my ATA remotely on a relatives Vodafone at Home broadband and it work perfectly. Mind you she gets speeds of 5mb down constantly! Wouldn't surprise me, she's practically beside the exchange, well 200 meters.

Locmaman wrote: »

Thanks Johnboy, I'll test that out. I'm trying out goldfish aswell hopefully this week.

Colin, I'm with vodafone fixed line broadband - 3mb package but obviously not getting that. Our line doesn't support any higher according to Vodafone.

Been in contact with Imagine/Wiimax today and they do operate in my area so that's another option to consider. Talking to the rep, he said VOIP fully supported.

I just want to clear things up here:

Vodafone at Home do not block voip services, Vodafone Mobile Broadband do.

If your upload is .1 MB than the call won't be very clear. It is said that a standard call will use 100kbit/s. If the broadband drops very low upload speeds, your in danger zone and you can get disconnected.

But when your on a 3mb package you SHOULD be fine. Vodafone at Home has a lot of complaints here on boards so don't blame your phone line, more to vodafone.

Digiweb provide a Metro service which is wireless broadband.

Re lighthouse networks, they had an offer of €100 installation (half price) not sure if its still there.

What you could do is move to eircom :eek: or another DSL provider and see how it is. You shouldn't be getting those terrible speeds.

I have gotten voip setup on an eircom 1mb download, working clear, with QoS enabled. I found it not very good to use 2 voip lines on the 1mb and very patchy. Speeds did vary and your very low and close to hitting a brick wall at those speeds. Technically speaking to run free and have no problems, you should have about 2mb download minimum. Varys upon how near you are to the exchange, latency, ping etc

I will be honest with you. I have an eircom broadband 3mb connection with QoS enabled. It works fantastically and I have never had one jitter or disconnection!

Could you try using a different codec? Eg G729 to G711? This may help you.

Satellite should be your last resort.

How about the National Broadband Scheme? Are you in that region.

I reckon imagine wimax would be fairly promising as they provide a phone line service also.

Hope this goes somewhere to help you

Mr. G

Could you do a speed test connected to the modem via a wire possibly? And tell us your latency ping, upload and download speed?

Wifi isn't accurate if your going to use an ata to connect to the ethernet, only where you want a softfone. And can be affected by signal strength etc

Locmaman

Thanks for all that Grumpy and for clearing up the vodafone mixup.

I connected to a line and got healthier results - especially when I changed to G711 Codec

jitter was 0.1ms, ping .47ms, download speed up around 1.7mb while upload 0.2mb.

Those results taken as an average across a few different site - pingtest.net, speedtest.net and myspeed.visualware.com.

Been speaking with a friend who'd be more up on this than me this morning his general advice is that while they may seem healthy, the ultimate test is to do some actual calls...

Pity my Goldfish softphone won't actually work now this morning! Did last night, but was over wireless so wasn't great connection.

Johnboy1951

Download speed is not going to be an issue ...... it is the upload speed, which is small to start with, that you have to keep an eye on.
You appear to be OK in this regard.
A 3MB connection has the same upload speed (or used to have IIRC) as a 1MB connection on ADSL.

So, the question is whether your other stats show suitability for VOIP or not (delays etc), and they appear to.
Real life trials are required, IMO.

As I mentioned earlier you should be able to use a generic client app rather than the providers app, which should allow you to set up any provider you wish, in the one application. Makes it much easier to do tests.

Do you know anyone who is using SIP VOIP?
If so you can make tests calls to their SIP number without cost, and do long term tests to check quality etc.

One thing I must warn about though .... you need to ensure that NOTHING else is attempting to use the internet at the same time. If it does it is very likely that your connection will deteriorate to such an extent that you will not be able to hear each other.
Later with QOS operational, this should be eliminated.

Locmaman

I've made a few skype calls since last posting - over laptop speakers/mike. Sound was more than acceptable my end, and the people I called all said I was crystal clear to them. I've been told if Skype works ok, then VOIP calls with ATA and phone would be the same if not better.

I installed the linphone app you mentioned earlier and set up an account. Need to spend more time on it and figure out how to use properly. Friend abroad is going to set one up also to run some tests. I'm hoping to test Goldfish softphone later if I get it working.

Thanks for all the input so far - I'm getting there anyway.

At the moment I'm thinking of holding on to current vodafone broadband to avoid new providers installation costs.

Mr. G

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

A 3MB connection has the same upload speed (or used to have IIRC) as a 1MB connection on ADSL.

Johnboy, are you sure about this? I have see a massive different in voip in a 3mb DSL compared to a 1mb DSL. I haven't done speed tests on the 1mb so it may be the provider..

I'm happy with your speeds but as long as they stay at the same rate. I agree with johnboy that QoS is very important and improves your call quality.

Since you changed the codec everything should be OK. I would like to advise you though that Vodafone are known for very poor speeds on DSL.

I hope we haven't put you off using VoIP but I hope the advice here will stop any call quality issues down the line.

Good luck.

Edit: If you made the Skype calls on your laptop by Wifi and they were clear, then you won't have any issues with an ATA, especially as its connected via ethernet, and is therefore faster.

Johnboy1951

Johnboy, are you sure about this? I have see a massive different in voip in a 3mb DSL compared to a 1mb DSL. I haven't done speed tests on the 1mb so it may be the provider.

I am glad now that I put that little piece in brackets ....... just visited Eircom's pages and according to those - see below.
I now think I was wrong in my recollections .... thanks for picking up on it ...

According to Eircom ... ADSL connections ...

1Mb/s down has 128Kb/s up
3Mb/s down has 348Kb/s up
http://www.getbroadband.ie/provider_package_details.php?packageID=144
http://www.getbroadband.ie/provider_package_details.php?packageID=211

I was on 3Mb/s from Eircom up until quite recently, and I can assure you the upload rate was not 348Kb/s
I think I had up to 256Kb/s

Now that I am on NGB the upload rate went up to 384Kb/s allegedly (not the 348Kb/s on the web page).
Of course Eircom makes a liar of me again -- I did a speed test linked from one of those pages which showed me
5.07Mb/s down and 414Kb/s up

*****

128Kb/s upload does mean that practically nothing else can use the connection while a call is in progress.
Once this is known everything should be OK.

stephendevlin

Locmaman wrote: »

Thanks Johnboy, I'll test that out. I'm trying out goldfish aswell hopefully this week.

Colin, I'm with vodafone fixed line broadband - 3mb package but obviously not getting that. Our line doesn't support any higher according to Vodafone.

Been in contact with Imagine/Wiimax today and they do operate in my area so that's another option to consider. Talking to the rep, he said VOIP fully supported.

Voip is fully supported with Wimax because its all they supply lol they dont do any other type of calls.
I have the linksys ATA setup at home with a normal phone. I like it when the internet speeds are good but after that the line gets very broken.

If anyone else is using broadband at the same time it can affect the call quality. Try skype on your computer it will give you a good indication of what the call quality will be like.

PS I wouldnt read to much into the WIMAX reps tell you.