VoIP

neokenzo · 11-04-2005 10:56PM

I presume they take only credit card?

jimmycrackcorm · 12-04-2005 12:19AM

Are the US versions of the linksys PAP that were purchased for use with Vonage tied to that service? i.e. is it like a mobile phone tied to the mobile operator?

some good deals on Amazon.

nava · 12-04-2005 06:37AM

Hi

No they are not linked setup for Vonage, they are about the same price if they are with Vonage or not.

Also searched in google.co.uk, Goggle.fr, google.de and google.es and they are about €70 + delivery.

Hope Aaron takes some on board and sells them to us for about €100.

Regards

MBI · 12-04-2005 08:06AM

Hi

info below from Aaron

aaronc wrote:

Hi MBI,

The Linksys PAP2 should work fine with our service if you can get an unlocked one. I'd be careful purchasing one off the web as in almost all cases they will be locked and you will only be able to use it with a single provider (normally US).

From what I understand Linksys licensed the VoIP technology in their adapters from Sipura. Part of the licensing agreement is that Linksys will not sell their adapters to end users and can only sell them to Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSP) in North America. We have tried to get hold of some Linksys VoIP units as an ITSP, due to the lower price, but short of travelling to the US with a suitcase have not found any viable supply options (please let me know if you find one!).

Unfortunately we can't provide the Sipura for €90. You may find the following link useful:

http://www.blueface.ie/support/faq.aspx#supportedhardware

Thanks,

Aaron

MBI

BigMoose · 12-04-2005 08:44AM

Only issue I have with Blueface (which I must take up with support - my fault I've not so far not, not theirs!) is that I have trouble calling other VoIP users. I get 401 errors when calling a SIP address at nildram.co.uk.

Having publicly written this, I think it only fair to comment that it only took one email to support for Aaron to sort it out. Works perfectly now

secret_squirrel · 12-04-2005 04:17PM

The only gripe I would have about Blueface is that they want to lock you into a subscription service if you want an Irish Telephone number. At 9.99 per month thats only slightly less than the amount I spend on calls a month on my analog phone service from UTV. I would expect that to at least half on VOIP.

Services like SkypeOut, Sipgate.co.uk let you have a uk number regardless of whether you subscribe - usually just with the payment of a one off fee. Any spend after that is purely on call charges. In mobile phone analogy Blueface is like having a Contract/Postpay phone - whilst a lot of uk based have gone down Ready to Go/Top up route.

Cabaal · 12-04-2005 04:46PM

secret_squirrel wrote:

The only gripe I would have about Blueface is that they want to lock you into a subscription service if you want an Irish Telephone number. At 9.99 per month thats only slightly less than the amount I spend on calls a month on my analog phone service from UTV. I would expect that to at least half on VOIP..

You are also getting 100 free minutes worth of calls that covers International, Local & National calls, so in fairness I think that makes up for it

(with the 9.99 package) I would imagine the reason for the subscribtion model is maybe eircom charge blueface for the use of the numbers?
Maybe the situation with BT in the UK is different to here.

Also you do get a fixed line number which SkypeOut don't give you,
If you want to use blueface for outgoing calls ala Skyeout why not just use Pay-as-you-go, considering you min purchase with blueface can be 2e its better value then Skypes min purchase of 10e.

While the UK have better deals you have to remember that Ireland is smaller so the customer base is smaller, frankly Blueface are offering a great deal considering how new VoIP's implementation is in Ireland.
I'm sure things will change as it becomes more wide spread and more people start using it.

causal · 12-04-2005 05:24PM

Cabaal wrote:

You are also getting 100 free minutes worth of calls that covers International, Local & National calls, so in fairness I think that makes up for it (with the 9.99 package)

The 100 free minutes (taken at €0.02 per minute) account for €2.00; that leaves €7.99 'line rent' per month.

I'm sure things will change as it becomes more wide spread and more people start using it.

Yep, I'd agree with you there. VoIP is in it's infancy here. New providers, services and products will come along.

causal

ac00785 · 12-04-2005 05:43PM

Looking to get a headset for my laptop. Want one that will filter out bacground noise. Maybe bluetooth. Any suggestions. Just waith on my Sipura SPA-2100 to be delivered.

cormac_byrne · 13-04-2005 11:25AM

causal wrote:

The 100 free minutes (taken at €0.02 per minute) account for €2.00; that leaves €7.99 'line rent' per month.
causal

Obviously €0 would be better than the current €7.99 or so, but you have to leave some room for blueface to make a few bob, alternative is they go bust and we're back to Eircon etc...

UK is a different market, you can get free numbers there http://www.voipuser.org
I've got an 0870 number which redirects to my blueface SIP number (parents in UK can call me for 2p/m at w/end) 0844 numbers will redirect to landlines here too

Cabaal · 13-04-2005 11:33AM

cormac_byrne wrote:

Obviously €0 would be better than the current €7.99 or so, but you have to leave some room for blueface to make a few bob, alternative is they go bust and we're back to Eircon etc...

I think we all like to get stuff for free but in fairness they have to make money and I for one have no problems paying blueface a few quid as long as the service is decent

I think when Esat provide VoIP in the summer Eircom may be in for a shock because I would imagine must people on boards wouldn't trust eircom to runa decent VoIP service, after all it would cut into their much loved landline rental

Blaster99 · 13-04-2005 11:49AM

The reality is that Eircom sets the price benchmark. If your competitor charges €25 a month for something, you're not going to charge nothing for the same thing when customers don't really have a choice. I would think most ISP's will launch their own VoIP service soon so there will be a lot more competition. NTL are planning to. IBB are planning to. What the DSL folks are doing doesn't really matter because you already have a phone line.

Cabaal · 13-04-2005 12:01PM

Blaster99 wrote:

What the DSL folks are doing doesn't really matter because you already have a phone line.

Some providers allow you to unbundle the line to make it data only thus removing the need for line rental.
Also the more people on wireless the more that will switch to a VoIP service, not to mention NTL rolling out in Galway & Waterford.
Its all good in the end

bk · 13-04-2005 12:13PM

I expect NTL and IBB will launch VoIP services.

However what the DSL ISP's will do is a good question. With the DSL ISP's you are already paying line rental anyway, so VoIP is less interesting. I expect that what they will do is implement a completely VoIP based backend that is transparent to the end user (you still use yuor normal phone line) but you benefit from cheaper calls over the VoIP network.

BT is doing this in the UK, replacing their entire existing network with a VoIP network.
I expect UTV uses something like this for it's Talktime service already.

secret_squirrel · 13-04-2005 04:48PM

ac00785 wrote:

Looking to get a headset for my laptop. Want one that will filter out bacground noise. Maybe bluetooth. Any suggestions.

One word of caution - Potential minefield with bluetooth headsets under XP sp2.

I have a jabra BT250 bluetooth head set that gives me as good call quality as a creative wired headset.

The minefield arrives if you get a bluetooth dongle for your laptop. Windows attempts to install the MS Bluetooth Drivers - whilst most dongles come with the Wadcomm drivers. The wadcomm drivers offer much more versatility with regards to what bluetooth profiles the dongle will support. However they charge huge license fee's. For example my linksys bluetooth dongle is stuck with a very old bluetooth driver because linksys cant be arsed to pay the upgrade fees. Wadcomm Bluetooth drivers are limited with a software key to the hardware you are using.

My advice google for :
1. how to disable the MS bluetooth drivers.
2. A dongle that is running the most up to date version of the wadcomm drivers. (ie not linksys)

Having said all that I have my Jabra running perfectly with both Xen Softphone (aka Sipphone lite) and Skype.

Cabaal · 13-04-2005 05:24PM

secret_squirrel wrote:

Having said all that I have my Jabra running perfectly with both Xen Softphone (aka Sipphone lite) and Skype.

I was reading the sipgate site yesterday and came across this
http://www.sipgate.co.uk/faq/index.php?aktion=anzeigen&type=devices&rubrik=560#num7

Problem with x-Lite: please do not install X-Lite and Skype on one PC!
The installation of the programs x-Lite and Skype on single computer can cause disturbances in the functionality of both programs. sipgate expressly advises against installing both programs on a computer!

Just something I guess people should be aware of....either it causes issues or sipgate don't want people moving to skype

ac00785 · 13-04-2005 05:27PM

secret_squirrel wrote:

One word of caution - Potential minefield with bluetooth headsets under XP sp2.

I have a jabra BT250 bluetooth head set that gives me as good call quality as a creative wired headset.

The minefield arrives if you get a bluetooth dongle for your laptop. Windows attempts to install the MS Bluetooth Drivers - whilst most dongles come with the Wadcomm drivers. The wadcomm drivers offer much more versatility with regards to what bluetooth profiles the dongle will support. However they charge huge license fee's. For example my linksys bluetooth dongle is stuck with a very old bluetooth driver because linksys cant be arsed to pay the upgrade fees. Wadcomm Bluetooth drivers are limited with a software key to the hardware you are using.

My advice google for :
1. how to disable the MS bluetooth drivers.
2. A dongle that is running the most up to date version of the wadcomm drivers. (ie not linksys)

Having said all that I have my Jabra running perfectly with both Xen Softphone (aka Sipphone lite) and Skype.

Thanks for the advice. Already have a Belkin Bluetooth Adapter and have also disabled windows regarding it. How much does the jabra BT250 bluetooth head set cost and where would be best place to buy?

causal · 13-04-2005 05:38PM

Cabaal/SipGate wrote:

Problem with x-Lite: please do not install X-Lite and Skype on one PC!
The installation of the programs x-Lite and Skype on single computer can cause disturbances in the functionality of both programs. sipgate expressly advises against installing both programs on a computer!

I didn't notice any difference after I installed X-Lite on my PC.
i.e. Skype sucked before I installed X-Lite, and it still sucked after I installed X-Lite

Settle down Skypeians [I'm officially coining that phrase here and now

] the second part was just for fun.
Really though I have both and no problems with simultaneous installs of Skype and X-Lite, mind you as of the last few weeks I no longer use Skype coz I used up my credit.

causal

Cabaal · 13-04-2005 06:42PM

I got some bad news today..........

For the past two weeks or so I've been looking into porting my existing PSTN line # to blueface and because I have Esat err I mean BT Business Broadband I have the option to undbundle my line.

My Plan:
1. Move my exisiting PSTN line # to VoIP, buy the hardware required to use a standard phone with VoIP
2. Get esat err I mean BT to unbundle my DSL line so I don't have to pay eircom any more money and my line becomes data ONLY!

So after many many e-mails and phone calls to BT Ireland I finally got a answer from one of the reps who I had a lengthy discussion with. I can understand why normal sales reps did'ent understand what I was on about so thats ok

The Problem:
To start with Eircom are currently in court with Comreg about the following issue.....
My current PSTN line # is used by eircom as the line identifer and because of this if I port it to a other provider Eircom (in theory but never tested according to the rep) will cease my DSL service provided by BT Business.

Apparently Comreg are demanding Eircom come up with a other system to identify lines so a user can port the PSTN line # from a line that has DSL to a other provider WITHOUT eircom removing all services from the line...ala DSL.
(Funnily enough its common for BT in the UK to remove all services including DSL from lines even if a customer changes the billing name on their BT account.)

Although in theory I might be able to port my exisiting PSTN line # to blueface because of the court case eircom are refusing flat out to even try do such a port.

If comreg win this case Eircom *should* apparently have a new system for identifing lines in place in 6 - 12 months according to the BT rep.

Results:
- I can't port my exisiting PSTN line # to another provider without first ceasing my line.

- If I wanted to port my exisiting PSTN line # to blueface I would first have to cease my dsl, then port then number. then re-order DSL...basically your talking alot of downtime and no phone service for some time.

- BT Ireland will unbundle my line which will result in the line becoming data only but however my existing PSTN line # will be in limbo because eircom use it as the line identifer so even though I won't be able to use it to make calls Its still in use.

- If I want to use blueface I will have to use the number they give as I can't use my current PSTN line number

I'm abit annoyed now..but I'll properly go with the number blueface assign me

causal · 13-04-2005 09:36PM

I'd take the pain of the 'cancel DSL - port # to blueface - reorder DSL' routine in order to keep the number, but I'd make damned sure eircom have your porting prioritised (and BTI have your DSL prioritised) so the downtime is minimised. Or arrange for it to be done when you're on holidays; if only to return to no phone, no DSL, and no explanation

They need to get a procedure in place, people in your situation will arise more and more.

causal

cormac_byrne · 14-04-2005 10:42AM

Cabaal wrote:

Results:
- I can't port my exisiting PSTN line # to another provider without first ceasing my line.

- If I wanted to port my exisiting PSTN line # to blueface I would first have to cease my dsl, then port then number. then re-order DSL...basically your talking alot of downtime and no phone service for some time.

- BT Ireland will unbundle my line which will result in the line becoming data only but however my existing PSTN line # will be in limbo because eircom use it as the line identifer so even though I won't be able to use it to make calls Its still in use.

- If I want to use blueface I will have to use the number they give as I can't use my current PSTN line number

I'm abit annoyed now..but I'll properly go with the number blueface assign me

Go with the blueface number, have your old number forward calls to the new one. (maybe Eircom can even do this from the exchange, they won't care as long as they get their rental)

Once the legal stuff is sorted then do the porting, alternatively if you can switch broadband to NTL or IBB (maybe when current contract is up) then do the number porting.

Final option do forwarding to blueface as above, order second Eircom line, when it arrives get broadband on it (new setup or move old service?), cancel first eircom line & port it's number. Ask BTesat to unbunde the second line so it becomes data only. It's PSTN number will be in limbo but you won't care about that.

Cabaal · 14-04-2005 12:01PM

As fun as ceasing my dsl line, porting the number etc etc sounds the number is'ent used that much and thats my number one reason for porting it over to a VoIP service (to save money)

Its mainly used for incoming calls and while my other half won't be happy about changing numbers (I suppose I can't blame her) its certainly managable to inform everybody that our number has changed.
I'll even do up Business cards to give to people if that makes her happy,

This gives me yet another reason to hate Eircom

secret_squirrel · 14-04-2005 12:28PM

ln reply to the link on the sipgate site - I too run Skype and x-Lite on the same PC with no problems.

However the reason I do that is that Skype call quality is much worse than Sipgates - given how most others seem to get ok call quality on Skype Im assuming its a local issue such as Router/Line/QOS problem. Have to say though since the 2Mbs line upgrade Sipgate sounds better than ever Skype still sounds crappy. (Skype has always sounded crappy even when it was the only VOIP app installed.)

Cabaal - If I was in your position I would take the plunge and get a new number from Blueface. I wouldnt give Eircom the satisfaction of my cash for any longer than necessary.

causal · 14-04-2005 01:31PM

secret_squirrel wrote:

... Skype call quality is much worse than Sipgates - given how most others seem to get ok call quality on Skype Im assuming its a local issue such as Router/Line/QOS problem. Have to say though since the 2Mbs line upgrade Sipgate sounds better than ever Skype still sounds crappy. (Skype has always sounded crappy even when it was the only VOIP app installed.)

You're not alone in finding Skype call quality being crappy. Anybody I rang (local or international) would comment on how bad the line is. I had to terminate several calls and use the landlline. But that hasn't happened at all with blueface, the other person doesn't realise my leg of the call is VoIP.

causal

secret_squirrel · 15-04-2005 04:32PM

just got this in my inbox :

email wrote:

Dear VoIPtalk Subscriber,

We have a number of special offers which we are making you aware of. These offers are available UNTIL SUNDAY
MIDNIGHT 17th APRIL. Each customer can buy a maximum of 10 units of each item.
1) Grandstream Handytone ATA-286 - £39.99 - 1 port FXS:

http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Analogue+VoIP+Adaptors/Handytone+ATA-286

FREE WITH EVERY ORDER: BT to RJ11 Adaptor (http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Accessories/
RJ11+Adaptor+%28With+Ring+Capacitor)
2) Grandtream Handytone ATA-486 - £44.99 - 1 port FXS / 1-port FXO and Built in router

http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Analogue+VoIP+Adaptors/Handytone+ATA-486

FREE WITH EVERY ORDER: 2 X BT to RJ11 Adaptors(http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Accessories/
RJ11+Adaptor+%28With+Ring+Capacitor)

AND 1 x RJ11 to BT Connector for connection to Telephone Line.
3) COM-ON-AIR - PCMCIA to VoIP Handset - £44.99

http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Analogue+VoIP+Adaptors/COM-ON-AIR+Notebook+Set
4) COM-ON-AIR - PCMCIA to VoIP Handset - £49.99

http://www.voiptalk.org/products/Analogue+VoIP+Adaptors/COM-ON-AIR+Desktop+Set

HURRY, as we only have limited quantity of stock at this price.

Have a great weekend.

The VoIPtalk Team

nava · 15-04-2005 05:15PM

Hi

What would anyone recommend, I would like to get 1 in the next few weeks to move to Blueface.

Sipura SPA-3000 from ebay 5767422571 from Germany including delivery €109
Sipura SPA-2100 from ebay 6760137687 from Germany including delivery €104
Grandtream Handytone ATA-486 from VoipTalk £49.99+£22.75 Deliv. = €106
Linksys PAP2 €78 including delivery in Spain (I might be going next week)
or delivered to Ireland for €85 +16% Vat = €99

Does anyone know if you can setup 2 separate providers in any of them above so I can get calls from another country on the second line using a local number on that country.

Thanks

capistrano · 15-04-2005 06:30PM

A word of warning for those who want to port their existing Eircom number when switching to Blueface: Let Blueface handle the closure of your Eircom account.

Don't do what I did - I'd closed myEircom account myself in a moment of passion when I realised I didn't need them anymore. When Blueface submitted my number port application Eircom refused saying that there was no such account.

I then phoned Eircom myself and they told me that I would have to get my account reconnected (at a charge obviously) and then request the port and close my account again. Nice and helpful of them isn't it?

Cabaal · 15-04-2005 06:32PM

nava wrote:

Sipura SPA-2100 from ebay 6760137687 from Germany including delivery €104

Does anyone know if you can setup 2 separate providers in any of them above so I can get calls from another country on the second line using a local number on that country.

Thanks

I don't know about the rest but it would appear the SPA-2100 only allows one provider, I suppose if you were really stuck you could connect two to a router and use two phones that way

Did you check out the manufacturers website?

capistrano wrote:

I then phoned Eircom myself and they told me that I would have to get my account reconnected (at a charge obviously) and then request the port and close my account again. Nice and helpful of them isn't it?

Ouch!
Well I've gone with the number blueface has assigned me so I won't have to go through that pain.
I can understand the situation with Eircom but its pretty annoying none the less....I don't envy you

I ordered my Sipura SPA-2100 yesterday from blueface, with any luck I'll have it Monday or Tuesday

capistrano · 15-04-2005 06:33PM

nava wrote:

Hi

What would anyone recommend, I would like to get 1 in the next few weeks to move to Blueface.

Sipura SPA-3000 from ebay 5767422571 from Germany including delivery €109
Sipura SPA-2100 from ebay 6760137687 from Germany including delivery €104
Grandtream Handytone ATA-486 from VoipTalk £49.99+£22.75 Deliv. = €106
Linksys PAP2 €78 including delivery in Spain (I might be going next week)
or delivered to Ireland for €85 +16% Vat = €99

Does anyone know if you can setup 2 separate providers in any of them above so I can get calls from another country on the second line using a local number on that country.

Thanks

At those prices you'd be aswell off paying Blueface the €130 for their SP-2100 - which included delivery and is pre-configured.

Also, I think you can setup two different providers on the two Lines on the SP-2100. The SIP Proxy and account details are specified separately for each line.

causal · 15-04-2005 09:21PM

nava wrote:

Grandtream Handytone ATA-486 from VoipTalk £49.99+£22.75 Deliv. = €106
...
Does anyone know if you can setup 2 separate providers in any of them above so I can get calls from another country on the second line using a local number on that country.

I bought a 486 on eBay for €85 (including P&P) in Jan or Feb this year. As far as I can tell it only allows for a single provider login.

According to the Sipura website the 2100 and 3000 have 2 service lines - I presume that means they can have 1 provider per line.

If I were buying one now I'd go with the SPA 3000.
If you're getting it from abroad - make sure the power adapter is suitable for Ireland (220V, 50Hz).

causal

VoIP

Comments