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Home > Archive > Voice Over IP in UK > July 2007 > Anyone using VOIP on Virgin 2mb Cable Broadband?
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| Author |
Anyone using VOIP on Virgin 2mb Cable Broadband?
|
|
|
| Anyone using VOIP on Virgin Cable Broadband?
If so how are you finding it, and how long have you been using it?
Thinking of dumping the cable phone package, BT and going over to VOIP
only, with my mobile for emergencies.
What do you think?
TIA.
| |
| homebrew 2007-07-04, 7:11 am |
| I have for some time without many problems. Are you using a USB phone or
Cordless Dect phone, or direct to a router ?. The problem I find from time
to time is the slight echo, which I do not mind but my wife refuses to use
voip because of this. I still would not relinquish my Cable fixed line
though.
| |
| bob garbutt 2007-07-04, 7:11 am |
| homebrew wrote:
> I have for some time without many problems. Are you using a USB phone or
> Cordless Dect phone, or direct to a router ?. The problem I find from time
> to time is the slight echo, which I do not mind but my wife refuses to use
> voip because of this. I still would not relinquish my Cable fixed line
> though.
>
>
>
I just use my virgin media 2 meg braodband plus Vonage, I've had no real
problems, of course when the broadband goes down I loose the phone, only
happened a couple of times for short amount of time, use the mobiles in
a emergency! Will soon be going away from Vonage and using my unlocked
ata on a cheaper providor
| |
|
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:55:24 GMT, "homebrew" <abcdefg@abcdefg.com>
wrote:
>I have for some time without many problems. Are you using a USB phone or
>Cordless Dect phone, or direct to a router ?
Nothing yet as I don't have the service, but I'd guess an adapter to
the router so that it can be used without PC being on.
>. The problem I find from time
>to time is the slight echo, which I do not mind but my wife refuses to use
>voip because of this.
I think that would wind us up as well.
> I still would not relinquish my Cable fixed line
>though.
How come? I have the virgin unlimited pack so get free 01/02 numbers
anytime, but all the others appear to be more expensive than anyone
else. The advantage is I could still use 18185/1899 so the other calls
would all be cheaper, even than VOIP, but then I'm paying around £10pm
rental for that to Virgin!
| |
| Mike Sun 2007-07-04, 7:11 am |
|
"Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:mprm83lvajveqb5s1vvg7hsghrsao6opqk@
4ax.com...
> On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:55:24 GMT, "homebrew" <abcdefg@abcdefg.com>
> wrote:
> How come? I have the virgin unlimited pack so get free 01/02 numbers
> anytime, but all the others appear to be more expensive than anyone
> else. The advantage is I could still use 18185/1899 so the other calls
> would all be cheaper, even than VOIP, but then I'm paying around £10pm
> rental for that to Virgin!
I was wondering if the best deal would be to get the "2 for £20" from
Virgin i.e. BB plus phone service (if available?), giving a stable line for
incoming calls and use a cheap VOIP provider for outgoing calls with the
Virgin phone line as backup. With standard 2Mb broadband costing £18/month
that would be an effective net line rental of £2/month - cheaper than BT
line rental.
Cheers from Mike
| |
|
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:22:01 GMT, "Mike Sun" <sun12000@mailinator.com>
wrote:
>
>"Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:mprm83lvajveqb5s1vvg7hsghrsao6opqk@
4ax.com...
>
>I was wondering if the best deal would be to get the "2 for £20" from
>Virgin i.e. BB plus phone service (if available?), giving a stable line for
>incoming calls and use a cheap VOIP provider for outgoing calls with the
>Virgin phone line as backup. With standard 2Mb broadband costing £18/month
I thought it was £10, but I just noticed that's a special deal for 12
months, then it goes back to £18!
>that would be an effective net line rental of £2/month - cheaper than BT
>line rental.
>
>Cheers from Mike
>
I have actually got great deal from Virgin, well, so it appeared. BB &
Unlimited talk for £20pm. I think they actually wanted about £20 for
the stupid phone service originally, but as I say, on inspection it's
not a lot of good unless you ring ONLY 01/02 numbers.
| |
| Brian A 2007-07-04, 1:11 pm |
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:38:04 GMT, Brian <rates11@nospam.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:22:01 GMT, "Mike Sun" <sun12000@mailinator.com>
>wrote:
>
>
>I thought it was £10, but I just noticed that's a special deal for 12
>months, then it goes back to £18!
>
>
>I have actually got great deal from Virgin, well, so it appeared. BB &
>Unlimited talk for £20pm. I think they actually wanted about £20 for
>the stupid phone service originally, but as I say, on inspection it's
>not a lot of good unless you ring ONLY 01/02 numbers.
To answer the original question.
Yes, go for it ! I did exactly the same thing as you are proposing.
The only downside was when BY were busy doing upgrades, often speech
quality was poor and sometimes other things happened. Once over, all
was, and is, perfect.
I use voxalot (registered with other providers) with an SPA-3000.
I use the SPA-3000 gateways for calling out to most numbers and voxlot
for incoming. All services such as call waiting, caller display etc.
are standard. With voxalot you can also do call diverts that are time
dependent.
I wouldn't want a cable phone anyway - the call charges are too high
for one thing. I think that the 'per call' connection charge is about
to rise from 6p to 10p - I am really glad I'm not a part of that.
I much prefer using voip to being tied to a landline provider.
If I wasn't on cable broadband I'd go for Tiscali 2Mb/s broadband with
inclusive line rental and weekend calls - all for 15GBP/month.
I would recommend voip.co.uk UK pack for your UK 01/02 calls.
Incoming number and 20GBP/year for off-peak 01/02 calls and 2p/call at
peak time (for up to an hour).
For a less reliable outgoing call service to the US and Europe go for
Vyke.co.uk (2p/call)
Make sure that you get an unlocked ATA and, personally, I'd advise
that you avoid Ebay.
Check out Linksys and AVM Fritzbox ATAs via Froogle or a site such as
broadbandstuff.co.uk
---
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
Sign the petition to get High Definition TV via Freeview.
Get your friends to sign too!
Ofcom want to auction off the spectrum needed for Hi Def.
TV.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/High-Definition/
---
| |
| News Reader 2007-07-04, 1:11 pm |
|
"Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:bjqm831s8l4gesaemd4spajvk9vaasr3i5@
4ax.com...
> Anyone using VOIP on Virgin Cable Broadband?
>
> If so how are you finding it, and how long have you been using it?
>
> Thinking of dumping the cable phone package, BT and going over to VOIP
> only, with my mobile for emergencies.
>
> What do you think?
>
>
>
> TIA.
Hi,
You might find that ideas of uptime and reliability vary a bit.
My understanding is that good DSL services and providers rarely ever suffer
downtime. Typically, issues, again with a good provider, do not affect a
whole network or network segment.
It may be that with cable you find they do a lot more "maintenance" and
issues tend to be more systemic - i.e. affect a wider area or range than may
be the case with a good DSL provider.
This probably won't be a major issue, particularly if you don't use the
phone in the prime "midnight to 6am" maintenance window.
Best wishes,
News Reader
| |
| News Reader 2007-07-04, 1:11 pm |
|
"News Reader" <no@email.invalid> wrote in message
news:ysPii.13438$_l6.9178@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
>
> "Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:bjqm831s8l4gesaemd4spajvk9vaasr3i5@
4ax.com...
>
>
> Hi,
>
>
> You might find that ideas of uptime and reliability vary a bit.
>
> My understanding is that good DSL services and providers rarely ever
> suffer downtime. Typically, issues, again with a good provider, do not
> affect a whole network or network segment.
>
> It may be that with cable you find they do a lot more "maintenance" and
> issues tend to be more systemic - i.e. affect a wider area or range than
> may be the case with a good DSL provider.
>
> This probably won't be a major issue, particularly if you don't use the
> phone in the prime "midnight to 6am" maintenance window.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
> News Reader
>
>
>
Hi,
Sorry... also meant to mention.. that echo is only a function of equipment
or operator... nothing to do with VoIP or SIP.
Thus if anyone suffers echo... they either have bad equipment, equipment
problems or faults, or misconfiguration. Otherwise, with echo, that is not
user equipment side, it will be the operator. Some operators networks are
very poorly operated, configured, load managed, etc. Some use multiple
transcoding steps, etc. that introduce more artefacts and in more than one
case, echo, and more or worse besides.
A good, well operating or functioning, correctly configured user equipment
with a good (similarly well operating, correctly configured, etc., etc.)
network service provider (VoIP provider) will not yield echo or anything
else and should, all things being equal, be better than PSTN.
Best wishes,
News Reader
| |
|
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:36:23 GMT, Brian A
<no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:38:04 GMT, Brian <rates11@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>To answer the original question.
>Yes, go for it ! I did exactly the same thing as you are proposing.
>The only downside was when BY were busy doing upgrades, often speech
>quality was poor and sometimes other things happened. Once over, all
>was, and is, perfect.
It's been a nightmare day with Virgin Cable, speed kept dropping, and
sometimes lost the line completely and nothing but a complete reboot
would cure it. Trying to get through to customer service was worse
than BT, been on the phone for ages. Complete and utter crap until I
told them I'd had enough, then nice as pie.
Just as well I kept BT and my existing virgin ADSL (which has always
been 100%)
>I use voxalot (registered with other providers) with an SPA-3000.
>I use the SPA-3000 gateways for calling out to most numbers and voxlot
>for incoming. All services such as call waiting, caller display etc.
>are standard. With voxalot you can also do call diverts that are time
>dependent.
>I wouldn't want a cable phone anyway - the call charges are too high
>for one thing. I think that the 'per call' connection charge is about
>to rise from 6p to 10p - I am really glad I'm not a part of that.
>I much prefer using voip to being tied to a landline provider.
>If I wasn't on cable broadband I'd go for Tiscali 2Mb/s broadband with
>inclusive line rental and weekend calls - all for 15GBP/month.
Lucky to get out of Tiscali alive, last year! I'd never go back.
>I would recommend voip.co.uk UK pack for your UK 01/02 calls.
>Incoming number and 20GBP/year for off-peak 01/02 calls and 2p/call at
>peak time (for up to an hour).
I spoke to the guy there, very nice and seems to know his onions, so
I'll get my ATA from them and go for the £20pa package and see how it
goes.
>For a less reliable outgoing call service to the US and Europe go for
>Vyke.co.uk (2p/call)
>Make sure that you get an unlocked ATA and, personally, I'd advise
>that you avoid Ebay.
>
>Check out Linksys and AVM Fritzbox ATAs via Froogle or a site such as
>broadbandstuff.co.uk
What do you think of the VoIP.co.uk Ethernet MTA? £50 but it includes
the support, and obviously the first years subscription.
| |
|
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:58:22 GMT, "News Reader" <no@email.invalid>
wrote:
>
>"Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:bjqm831s8l4gesaemd4spajvk9vaasr3i5@
4ax.com...
>
>
>Hi,
>
>
>You might find that ideas of uptime and reliability vary a bit.
>
>My understanding is that good DSL services and providers rarely ever suffer
>downtime. Typically, issues, again with a good provider, do not affect a
>whole network or network segment.
>
>It may be that with cable you find they do a lot more "maintenance" and
>issues tend to be more systemic - i.e. affect a wider area or range than may
>be the case with a good DSL provider.
>
>This probably won't be a major issue, particularly if you don't use the
>phone in the prime "midnight to 6am" maintenance window.
>
Thanks for that. The first 48 hours was enough, I've ditched them and
am back with BT.
| |
| News Reader 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
|
"Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:7fin835t7a8dcqq4obal3g4e4ut1knifir@
4ax.com...
> On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:58:22 GMT, "News Reader" <no@email.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks for that. The first 48 hours was enough, I've ditched them and
> am back with BT.
lol.... tick... tick...
.... grind... grind....
Hmm... great minds....
I might be wondering a bit something along the same lines as yourself ;) .
Best wishes,
News Reader
P.s. Funny... I was with a "not so special" ADSL ISP, pretty average, pretty
cheap, etc. no caps or usage limits - nothing special, using a USB ADSL
modem. Must have been >99.95% uptime and throughput constant. Just very
occasional RADIUS log-on issue (always short lived - under 20 minutes and
then away again - if I wasn't so religious about disconnecting I would
probably never have known).
Then, I read and hear generally about cable reliability etc., and it seems
to have REGULAR "maintenance", etc. - causing all connectivity to go,
prevent registrations, etc. With a supposedly vastly superior Ethernet modem
(which in "essence" I would agree it as any Ethernet modem or router device
is), yet it seems to expire DNS leases, and / or some other rather weird
stuff a bit over frequently (not that high - but more anomalous than would
be expected - every day or two noticing something a bit a miss for a while
or requiring a restart, etc.).
Again, it does seem that provided your ISP isn't entirely half assed, with
ADSL you are probably "set" unless you suffer a problem specific to your own
line or a very much rarer systemic fault at the local exchange or line bunch
you are in on its way to the exchange. (And then this is probably pretty
rapidly attended to by BT).
From a user experience perspective it seems that reasonable DSL vs. cable
yields a user experience effective uptime of DSL ~ 99.7%+ and cable ~98%.
Which is a pretty noticeable effect and the duration and fix time seems not
to be quite so good (plus error reporting on the cable side seems a bit
iffy - customer service queues, the new "pay to report a fault to us
service" non-service 25p/min cable broadband support line).
Hmm.. oh well... £10 per/month I can just about justify that. But to be fair
the equivalents with Talk Talk or Tiscali look comparatively economic and
possibly better "uptime" if you are either self-managing or not unreasonably
fortunate, etc. 
Clunk... grind..., etc.
| |
| Herman 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
| "News Reader" <no@email.invalid> wrote in message
news:nQRii.3137$XR.1800@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>
> "Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:7fin835t7a8dcqq4obal3g4e4ut1knifir@
4ax.com...
>
>
> lol.... tick... tick...
>
> ... grind... grind....
>
>
> Hmm... great minds....
>
> I might be wondering a bit something along the same lines as yourself ;) .
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
>
> News Reader
>
>
> P.s. Funny... I was with a "not so special" ADSL ISP, pretty average,
> pretty
> cheap, etc. no caps or usage limits - nothing special, using a USB ADSL
> modem. Must have been >99.95% uptime and throughput constant. Just very
> occasional RADIUS log-on issue (always short lived - under 20 minutes and
> then away again - if I wasn't so religious about disconnecting I would
> probably never have known).
>
> Then, I read and hear generally about cable reliability etc., and it seems
> to have REGULAR "maintenance", etc. - causing all connectivity to go,
> prevent registrations, etc. With a supposedly vastly superior Ethernet
> modem
> (which in "essence" I would agree it as any Ethernet modem or router
> device
> is), yet it seems to expire DNS leases, and / or some other rather weird
> stuff a bit over frequently (not that high - but more anomalous than would
> be expected - every day or two noticing something a bit a miss for a while
> or requiring a restart, etc.).
>
> Again, it does seem that provided your ISP isn't entirely half assed, with
> ADSL you are probably "set" unless you suffer a problem specific to your
> own
> line or a very much rarer systemic fault at the local exchange or line
> bunch
> you are in on its way to the exchange. (And then this is probably pretty
> rapidly attended to by BT).
>
> From a user experience perspective it seems that reasonable DSL vs. cable
> yields a user experience effective uptime of DSL ~ 99.7%+ and cable ~98%.
> Which is a pretty noticeable effect and the duration and fix time seems
> not
> to be quite so good (plus error reporting on the cable side seems a bit
> iffy - customer service queues, the new "pay to report a fault to us
> service" non-service 25p/min cable broadband support line).
>
> Hmm.. oh well... £10 per/month I can just about justify that. But to be
> fair
> the equivalents with Talk Talk or Tiscali look comparatively economic and
> possibly better "uptime" if you are either self-managing or not
> unreasonably
> fortunate, etc.
>
> Clunk... grind..., etc.
Right now I am in the middle of the worst technical issue I have ever had
with cable - a VM 20mbps upgrade results in a 300kbps speed. However, I
still reckon that where I am, it is more reliable than when I was on DSL.
Being 4.8km from the BT exchange, I couldn't get 2mb on DSL, only 1 mb,
which frequently lost the dsl link. Forget to reboot everything, and you
can have a lot of outage time. In 1 1/2 years with cable (mostly on 2mb -
but at various times on 1 mb, 4mb and 10mb) i have had three days where voip
was down. The only reason it was three days was because I was out of the
country and could not reboot, otherwise I'd have re-booted the morning after
the overnight maintenance, and nobody would have been any the wiser. The
recent issues have led to one person complaining about the "mobile signal"
(the voip was breaking up like a mobile). That is the first complaint I
have ever had though.
The way I compare DSL and cable (from my experience) is a car crash and a
plane crash: car crashes happen all the time and are annoying, but mostly
minor; plane crashes hardly ever happen, but when they do, it is much more
likely to be catastrophic. You are statistically safer in a plane.
DSL is more unreliable within the local loop (BT have an excellent trunk)
but with cable, the problems you get are nearly always network related.
In summary don't expect the 99.9999% reliability you get with a landline
(99% if with VM landline!) but I am happy with the reliability on VoIP
(about 98%). I only have a landline for emergency calls.
| |
|
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:36:23 GMT, Brian A
<no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>I would recommend voip.co.uk UK pack for your UK 01/02 calls.
>Incoming number and 20GBP/year for off-peak 01/02 calls and 2p/call at
>peak time (for up to an hour).
>
Looks good as a replacement service for our Daughters NTL line?
How do they charge for that please Brian? Can you pay by credit card
and 'pre pay' phone usage etc the same way (as per PAYG mobiles)?
I don't want an DD stuff if I can help it.
All the best ..
T i m
p.s. Are they an 'open' SIP network do you know?
| |
| News Reader 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
|
"Herman" <whhitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:IESii.5556$fi4.1710@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
> "News Reader" <no@email.invalid> wrote in message
> news:nQRii.3137$XR.1800@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
>
>
> Right now I am in the middle of the worst technical issue I have ever had
> with cable - a VM 20mbps upgrade results in a 300kbps speed. However, I
> still reckon that where I am, it is more reliable than when I was on DSL.
> Being 4.8km from the BT exchange, I couldn't get 2mb on DSL, only 1 mb,
> which frequently lost the dsl link. Forget to reboot everything, and you
> can have a lot of outage time. In 1 1/2 years with cable (mostly on 2mb -
> but at various times on 1 mb, 4mb and 10mb) i have had three days where
> voip was down. The only reason it was three days was because I was out of
> the country and could not reboot, otherwise I'd have re-booted the morning
> after the overnight maintenance, and nobody would have been any the wiser.
> The recent issues have led to one person complaining about the "mobile
> signal" (the voip was breaking up like a mobile). That is the first
> complaint I have ever had though.
>
> The way I compare DSL and cable (from my experience) is a car crash and a
> plane crash: car crashes happen all the time and are annoying, but mostly
> minor; plane crashes hardly ever happen, but when they do, it is much more
> likely to be catastrophic. You are statistically safer in a plane.
>
> DSL is more unreliable within the local loop (BT have an excellent trunk)
> but with cable, the problems you get are nearly always network related.
>
> In summary don't expect the 99.9999% reliability you get with a landline
> (99% if with VM landline!) but I am happy with the reliability on VoIP
> (about 98%). I only have a landline for emergency calls.
>
Hi,
Thanks for your post.
Certainly interesting... and pretty much what I had understood and expected
(the sort of uptime you report for your VoIP on cable).
I think we have to just completely ignore the 20mbps service issue that is
something different and its own issue. If we were just looking at a standard
2 or 4 mbps for performance and reliability figures I think that is more
sensible or fair. The 20mbs side will sort itself out and stabilise - I
believe their is quite a lot of equipment needing replacement (particularly
CPE - consumer side equipment).
Personally - when I talk about user experience uptime - I include
maintenance. Their certainly seems to be more of that on Virgin Media.
Perhaps and with any luck it is much more like what you have suggested - and
a freak or rare one off.
Personally, I have to say that with my DSL experiences - ROCK solid ;) . I
am many k's from the exchange. It could not have been better - ATM, or
anything, etc. .
I think CPE and internal wiring and randomness of what your "backhaul" (the
line from your house to the exchange) is like make a world of difference. It
if is 1930s .. probably going to need more luck than 1990s install.
As I say in my experience DSL was rock solid and certainly can be. If you
have a bad line, bad CPE or bad internal wiring you may be stuck. However,
if you are luckier than that (or able to work out those parts of it that you
have access to - e.g. sort your internal wiring, make sure you have good and
correctly configured CPE), it seems to be capable of being VERY good.
Again, on the consumer experience side - with DSL, taking the above into
consideration, it seems that basically, with a good ISP you should only have
plane crash risk (very low or zero - redundancy, etc.); and the very low
systemic risk of a local (your line only) problem; or your line bundle to
the exchange being hacked in half by a digger or the exchange burning down.
I have to be fair and say that I am pretty sure cable can reach similar
performance without some of the potential weaknesses of DSL such as you
suggest, but Virgin Media don't always seem to be to tip-top in their
operations. The way they run their servers, network maintenance, etc. is
understood to leave something to be desired (where when BT are taking care
of most or all of this for customer ISPs with an ISP that can run their side
of the operations well it seems this is less of an issue). I.e. Virgin Media
down times including maintenance definitely seem to be more frequent to me.
I don't think this is inherent to cable but perhaps currently a little more
inherent to Virgin Media. I hope that in reality it is far less marked than
I may think. With any luck things ar largely as you describe - VERY
occasional downtime over a period of years - that is good .
I just wonder a bit with VM in control, scratch head, and the green cabinets
seeming to be opened again by kids every time five minutes after they are
closed?
I think your version is more likely right .
Generally, very very good. Very infrequent downtime and then probably due to
a very occasional maintenance window.
Just wanted to indicate that actually DSL can be very good and pretty
resilient with good support (lots of well organised, structured and trained,
etc. engineers on hand [I mean for dealing with real issues - wholesale type
issues [replacing a whole 1000 line cable after the digger; fixing the
exchange racks when one burns out, upgrading network backhaul capacity,
etc.] not your consumer side - that tends to be a bit more "touch luck"
method - you have dial tone... that's ok... your DSL sort of works half the
time... that's ok ! ]).
Best wishes,
News Reader
| |
| Herman 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
|
"T i m" <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote in message
news:a30o83d4jd68tkfd5el6qrr3uq0gf3mqaa@
4ax.com...
> On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:36:23 GMT, Brian A
> <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Looks good as a replacement service for our Daughters NTL line?
Yes
> How do they charge for that please Brian? Can you pay by credit card
> and 'pre pay' phone usage etc the same way (as per PAYG mobiles)?
Yes
> I don't want an DD stuff if I can help it.
I don't use DD with them
> All the best ..
>
> T i m
>
> p.s. Are they an 'open' SIP network do you know?
No. However you could consider using a domain registration to support a sip
address. You can get one free at dyndns.org (or buy a more memorable one
through them if you want to support a website). I use this set-up with
voip.co.uk and a Fritz!Box, and I then have an address in the form
<voip.co.uk sip id>@mydomain.com. Downside of this is it doesn't work if
you are offline or the DynDNS registration is not up-to-date, and it won't
use any of the divert on unavailable or voicemail diverts on voip.co.uk
because you are not actually using their servers to receive the call. You
can configure Fritz!Box to do this for you though. Also remember to use the
DDNS update tool on your Fritz!Box to ensure that it keeps registering the
IP address.
| |
| News Reader 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
|
"Herman" <whhitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:wTTii.13543$_l6.8952@newsfe6-win.ntli.net...
>
> "T i m" <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote in message
> news:a30o83d4jd68tkfd5el6qrr3uq0gf3mqaa@
4ax.com...
>
> Yes
>
>
> Yes
>
>
> I don't use DD with them
>
>
> No. However you could consider using a domain registration to support a
> sip address. You can get one free at dyndns.org (or buy a more memorable
> one through them if you want to support a website). I use this set-up
> with voip.co.uk and a Fritz!Box, and I then have an address in the form
> <voip.co.uk sip id>@mydomain.com. Downside of this is it doesn't work if
> you are offline or the DynDNS registration is not up-to-date, and it won't
> use any of the divert on unavailable or voicemail diverts on voip.co.uk
> because you are not actually using their servers to receive the call. You
> can configure Fritz!Box to do this for you though. Also remember to use
> the DDNS update tool on your Fritz!Box to ensure that it keeps registering
> the IP address.
>
Hi,
Other thoughts with respect to being an open sip network include - that
their are lots of options.
* You can use the likes of www.voxalot.com : they will permit outbound
dialling to the greatest number of interconnected SIP / VoIP networks their
is (particularly via sipbroker - www.sipbroker.com ; they will also permit
multiple accounts to be registered through one registration entity - i.e.
any (I think it is ten - but a lot! it may actually be unlimited) number of
inbound and outbound routes and combinations.
* You can direct dial via SIPBroker - you don't have to register and they
interconnect the greatest number of VoIP / SIP networks of any one
* You can receive inbound as Herman suggested via dyndns, domains, etc. You
could use e164 in the mix.
* Depending on how you wish to use VoIP (software, hardware, etc. - I am
pretty sure you were suggesting hardware - for your daughter). Then, / etc.,
if your device supports multiple account registration that will allow you to
open your device to the world (again via sipbroker or voxalot depending on
if you want outbound open sip network, or inbound or both, etc.; or via
countless of the free open sip networks that provide interconnect - e.g.
FWD, Sipphone, etc.)
* Lots and lots of options
Best wishes,
News Reader
P.s. VoIP is fun / cool lol...
| |
| Herman 2007-07-04, 7:11 pm |
| "News Reader" <no@email.invalid> wrote in message
news:jbUii.13057$vA3.1686@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...
> Hi,
>
>
> Other thoughts with respect to being an open sip network include - that
> their are lots of options.
>
> * You can use the likes of www.voxalot.com : they will permit outbound
> dialling to the greatest number of interconnected SIP / VoIP networks
> their is (particularly via sipbroker - www.sipbroker.com ; they will also
> permit multiple accounts to be registered through one registration
> entity - i.e. any (I think it is ten - but a lot! it may actually be
> unlimited) number of inbound and outbound routes and combinations.
>
> * You can direct dial via SIPBroker - you don't have to register and they
> interconnect the greatest number of VoIP / SIP networks of any one
>
> * You can receive inbound as Herman suggested via dyndns, domains, etc.
> You could use e164 in the mix.
>
> * Depending on how you wish to use VoIP (software, hardware, etc. - I am
> pretty sure you were suggesting hardware - for your daughter). Then, /
> etc., if your device supports multiple account registration that will
> allow you to open your device to the world (again via sipbroker or voxalot
> depending on if you want outbound open sip network, or inbound or both,
> etc.; or via countless of the free open sip networks that provide
> interconnect - e.g. FWD, Sipphone, etc.)
>
> * Lots and lots of options
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
>
> News Reader
>
>
> P.s. VoIP is fun / cool lol...
Just to be clear, I use a domain as a second best to using an open network
ITSP. And if, as you previously suggested, you have a Fritz!Box there is no
need for a multiple SIP registration service like Voxalot. However, I *do*
use voxalot because you can modify dial strings, and any diversions are
better done on a better bandwidth connection rather than locally on a
Fritz!Box (inbound call plus diverted call can mean lower call quality). My
advice is to get the Fritz!Box working with VoIP first, spend a couple of
months seeing and trying what is out there, and work out what is best for
you. I would even suggest ditching the landline backup if I trusted
voip.co.uk's emergency dialling (they had a routing issue once when I tried
to use it - I don't want to run the risk again).
| |
| Steve in Herts 2007-07-07, 1:11 pm |
| On Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:40:07 GMT, Brian <rates11@nospam.com> wrote:
>Anyone using VOIP on Virgin Cable Broadband?
>
>If so how are you finding it, and how long have you been using it?
>
>Thinking of dumping the cable phone package, BT and going over to VOIP
>only, with my mobile for emergencies.
>
>What do you think?
>
>
>
>TIA.
I use voip.co.uk with Virgin Media broadband and it works fine. Have
been using it for the past year. I dumped my BT line due to crackling
on the line which BT would not fix.
| |
| Pete @ www.GymRatZ.co.uk 2007-07-08, 7:11 pm |
| Brian wrote:
> Anyone using VOIP on Virgin Cable Broadband?
>
> If so how are you finding it, and how long have you been using it?
>
> Thinking of dumping the cable phone package, BT and going over to VOIP
> only, with my mobile for emergencies.
>
> What do you think?
Going by the last few weeks progressive collapse of Blueyonder/virgin
media cable service I wouldn't dump my BT line just yet!
The problems seem to have been spreading nationwide, and finally hit
Bristol about Thursday.
I have the "XL" (10 Mbps) service as well as an entanet ADSL service
(for back-up) and realised that problems vere first being highlighted by
regular loss of FTP connection when uploading. Following on from that my
voipfone connection was constantly giving engaged tone yet voipcheap.com
was fine.
It transpired that during loss of cable connection the router had
registered the cheap.com account through the ADSL connection and the
voipfone was still registered through cable connection.
On shutting down cable connection voipfone was forced to re-register
through ADSL and hey presto, ALL problems resolved!
As more and more areas are being "upgraded" (read downgraded) to a
theoretical 20Mbps connection, the network seems to be grinding to a
very worrying halt.
So much so I have had to shut down the cable modem as simple
web-browsing is next to impossible!
Be very wary about dumping your BT line just yet.
I fear a big cable network collapse is imminent!!!
Pete
--
http://www.gymratz.co.uk
Your 1 stop gym & fitness equipment shop!
| |
| Herman 2007-07-09, 1:11 am |
| "Pete @ www.GymRatZ.co.uk" <gymratz@biggassmusclebuildingshop.gym> wrote in
message news:f6rif2$5qg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> Brian wrote:
>
> Going by the last few weeks progressive collapse of Blueyonder/virgin
> media cable service I wouldn't dump my BT line just yet!
>
> The problems seem to have been spreading nationwide, and finally hit
> Bristol about Thursday.
>
> I have the "XL" (10 Mbps) service as well as an entanet ADSL service (for
> back-up) and realised that problems vere first being highlighted by
> regular loss of FTP connection when uploading. Following on from that my
> voipfone connection was constantly giving engaged tone yet voipcheap.com
> was fine.
> It transpired that during loss of cable connection the router had
> registered the cheap.com account through the ADSL connection and the
> voipfone was still registered through cable connection.
> On shutting down cable connection voipfone was forced to re-register
> through ADSL and hey presto, ALL problems resolved!
>
> As more and more areas are being "upgraded" (read downgraded) to a
> theoretical 20Mbps connection, the network seems to be grinding to a very
> worrying halt.
>
> So much so I have had to shut down the cable modem as simple web-browsing
> is next to impossible!
>
> Be very wary about dumping your BT line just yet.
> I fear a big cable network collapse is imminent!!!
>
> Pete
> --
> http://www.gymratz.co.uk
> Your 1 stop gym & fitness equipment shop!
I am not too far from Bristol, and ours was "upgraded" about 3 weeks ago. I
have to say that ever since, although the service has barely managed 3-600
kbps, it has been more than sufficient for voip. My issues have been with
video streaming.
As you say though, the jury's out on how quickly Virgin will resolve the
issues. I note the ticket on their server status page points to "slow" 20mb
speeds (classic British understatement!). I think it is something to do
with the firmware updates they pushed through to the modems, as I went to
4mbps and it is still an issue, yet it is apparently not an issue for other
4mbps customers.
| |
| Bob Geddes 2007-07-09, 7:11 am |
| In article <9sjki.7446$fi4.1318@newsfe7-win.ntli.net>, Herman
<whhitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> writes[vbcol=seagreen]
>"Pete @ www.GymRatZ.co.uk" <gymratz@biggassmusclebuildingshop.gym> wrote in
>message news:f6rif2$5qg$1@registered.motzarella.org...
I have 10Mbps and most of the day it works fine with VoIP.
However during the evening incoming speech quality collapses, outgoing
speech is always fine. I note from speed testing that my line is always
< 1Mbps around 22:00 and has been down to 300k.
So not that good for evening use in SW London.
--
Bob Geddes
| |
|
| On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:25:46 GMT, Bob Geddes <bobg@bobg.demon.co.uk>
wrote:
>In article <9sjki.7446$fi4.1318@newsfe7-win.ntli.net>, Herman
><whhitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> writes
>
>I have 10Mbps and most of the day it works fine with VoIP.
>However during the evening incoming speech quality collapses, outgoing
>speech is always fine. I note from speed testing that my line is always
>< 1Mbps around 22:00 and has been down to 300k.
>So not that good for evening use in SW London.
the cable service was appalling and within 48 hours I'd dumped it.
Dealing with Virgin was a nightmare, dancing around various
departments who didn't have a clue. In fact the only customer service
I got was when I got to cancellations!!
Lucky I had not ditched the BT or the ADSL service (also Virgin), but
the ADSL service of 2mb drops each night now, to about 5 to 10% of
what it should be, so that's going now as well. Having a terrible time
getting a MAC from them, but they have finally replied saying I should
have it within ten days!
I wont be going back!
| |
| Herman 2007-07-09, 1:11 pm |
| "Rob" <nobody@this.place.invalid> wrote in message
news:4692183c$0$8746$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>
> "Brian" <rates11@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:jju393thslhv26sghusvrbh191giehf02h@
4ax.com...
>
> Perhaps it would be worth your while moving to an ISP who has the ability
> to
> prioritise certain types of traffic over their network at busy times of
> the
> day. My ISP, PlusNet, do this, and VoIP is one of the items in their top
> priority category, and I must say I haven't really noticed any VoIP
> problems
> at any time of the day due to bandwidth problems.
>
> Rob
Yes I've looked at them too and I would love to give them a whirl. My
problem is that when I was last on ADSL, I was only given a 1mbps speed
(apparently that's all my line could handle). Even with QoS, I do not feel
confident that it would be reliable enough to give me a good service.
300kbps either way (which is the worst I have had at with VM) does not give
me an issue with voip.
What is the upload speed on a 1mbps ADSL connection?
| |
| Gordon Henderson 2007-07-09, 1:11 pm |
| In article <Shuki.14400$vA3.11523@newsfe2-win.ntli.net>,
Herman <whhitehousemadhouse-2005@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>"Rob" <nobody@this.place.invalid> wrote in message
>news:4692183c$0$8746$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>
>Yes I've looked at them too and I would love to give them a whirl. My
>problem is that when I was last on ADSL, I was only given a 1mbps speed
>(apparently that's all my line could handle). Even with QoS, I do not feel
>confident that it would be reliable enough to give me a good service.
>300kbps either way (which is the worst I have had at with VM) does not give
>me an issue with voip.
>
>What is the upload speed on a 1mbps ADSL connection?
It depends on the technology. It will be 256Kbps or "up to" 448Kbps.
(may even be "up to" 833Kbps if you pay more) Put your telephone number
and post code into http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php
to check.
I have a customer on an older 2Mb/256Kbps ADSL service and they're doing
OK and making 2, sometimes 3 simultaneous calls without any issues
(we're using the G726 codec though)
Gordon
| |
|
| On 09 Jul 2007 18:02:35 GMT, Gordon Henderson
<gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>It depends on the technology. It will be 256Kbps or "up to" 448Kbps.
>(may even be "up to" 833Kbps if you pay more) Put your telephone number
>and post code into http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php
>to check.
>
"You are approximately 515 meters from the exchange (straight line
distance)."
Is that good (ready if/when *I* get fed-up with VM)?
All the best.
T i m
| |
| Gordon Henderson 2007-07-10, 7:11 am |
| In article <opf593l4j5ke9ci666v13hnpb33tighuka@4ax.com>,
T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>On 09 Jul 2007 18:02:35 GMT, Gordon Henderson
><gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>
>"You are approximately 515 meters from the exchange (straight line
>distance)."
>
>Is that good (ready if/when *I* get fed-up with VM)?
That's closer than me and I can get the full 8Mb downstream (and currently
448 upstream)
So unless the telephone exchange is on the other side of a canal,
railway or motorway, you should be just fine.
Gordon
Ps. And I forgot to mention that if you don't currently have a BT line,
use the number of the closest shop/pub/neighbour. Not always 100% as it's
possible they're on a different exchange, but highly unlikely given your
closeness to the exchange.
| |
|
| On 10 Jul 2007 07:50:04 GMT, Gordon Henderson
<gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>That's closer than me and I can get the full 8Mb downstream (and currently
>448 upstream)
>
>So unless the telephone exchange is on the other side of a canal,
>railway or motorway, you should be just fine.
Nope, I could walk the cable and not get wet nor hit by a train (and
if I look both ways) or a car. ;-)
The only 'problem' as I see it might be that most of the underground
stuff is ally and when they open a junction up to fix a fault or re-
route a pair they normally put another 20 faults on. :-(
>
>Ps. And I forgot to mention that if you don't currently have a BT line,
>use the number of the closest shop/pub/neighbour. Not always 100% as it's
>possible they're on a different exchange, but highly unlikely given your
>closeness to the exchange.
Good idea, but we have had a BT line for ~30 years now so are ok on
that front.
A mate has just gone with BT BB and has ~3Mbps down and is just the
other side of the road from the exchange. I guess he has just taken
the base service?
All the best ..
T i m
p.s. I was hoping to put him on SIP VoIP so we could 'play' be he
ordered the 'Non Wireless' router from BT (not realising that the
'Wireless routers' would also work with cables) and because he (now)
has 2 PC's I had to get him something else to tide him over (a Zoom
from PCW).
Then we found in spite of a discussion as to whether he should have
the BB on his voice or fax line and deciding to go for 'fax' .. guess
where it appeared <sigh>.
He offered me the Voyager 220V (as a spare) but I see it would need
re-flashing to unlock it from BT (no probs there as such) but I
believe SIP won't work outside BT's VoIP solution?
So I thought maybe a ZyXEL might be worth a go .. or a Fritz!Box like
mine .. ?
All the best ..
T i m
| |
| Gordon Henderson 2007-07-10, 7:11 pm |
| In article <mvj7935i394255845312pdlagjkl07vn5k@4ax.com>,
T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>On 10 Jul 2007 07:50:04 GMT, Gordon Henderson
><gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>
>Nope, I could walk the cable and not get wet nor hit by a train (and
>if I look both ways) or a car. ;-)
>
>The only 'problem' as I see it might be that most of the underground
>stuff is ally and when they open a junction up to fix a fault or re-
>route a pair they normally put another 20 faults on. :-(
>...
>A mate has just gone with BT BB and has ~3Mbps down and is just the
>other side of the road from the exchange. I guess he has just taken
>the base service?
Hm. You mentioned aluminium... That might be a stumbling block for the
full rate...
>
>All the best ..
>
>T i m
>
>p.s. I was hoping to put him on SIP VoIP so we could 'play' be he
>ordered the 'Non Wireless' router from BT (not realising that the
>'Wireless routers' would also work with cables) and because he (now)
>has 2 PC's I had to get him something else to tide him over (a Zoom
>from PCW).
>
>Then we found in spite of a discussion as to whether he should have
>the BB on his voice or fax line and deciding to go for 'fax' .. guess
>where it appeared <sigh>.
>
>He offered me the Voyager 220V (as a spare) but I see it would need
>re-flashing to unlock it from BT (no probs there as such) but I
>believe SIP won't work outside BT's VoIP solution?
SIP should work over any UK ISP. If they deliberately port block or
otherwise render it imoperable, vote with your feet and make a posing
here so everyone else can avoid that ISP and hopefully they'll go out
of business.
And there are plenty of places to test it out on - Sipgate give out
free accounts for example.
Gordon
| |
|
| On 10 Jul 2007 21:18:24 GMT, Gordon Henderson
<gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>Hm. You mentioned aluminium... That might be a stumbling block for the
>full rate...
Yeah, I thought it wasn't a good thing :-(
>
>
>SIP should work over any UK ISP.
Understood. In this case I think it's BT's 'fixed' VoIP router that
won't allow it to work with any open SIP service.
> If they deliberately port block or
>otherwise render it imoperable, vote with your feet and make a posing
>here so everyone else can avoid that ISP and hopefully they'll go out
>of business.
Not sure about that .. being as they own all the cables etc?
>
>And there are plenty of places to test it out on - Sipgate give out
>free accounts for example.
Yeah, I've got one ready (and a couple more) and looking forward to
some more tests.
All the best ..
T i m
| |
| Gordon Henderson 2007-07-11, 7:11 am |
| In article <l61893163g93uapqjqv7dc9g0fc1v3qmi9@4ax.com>,
T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>On 10 Jul 2007 21:18:24 GMT, Gordon Henderson
><gordon+usenet@drogon.net> wrote:
>
>Not sure about that .. being as they own all the cables etc?
BT own the cables, but you have a choice of over 100 ISPs to use to
carry your Internet data through those cables and out to the big bad
Internet. BT is just one of those ISPs... (Although they seem to be on
a buying spree at present; eg PlusNet, the Brightview group)
I'd suggest Zen or an Entanet reseller like www.ukfsn.org
>
>Yeah, I've got one ready (and a couple more) and looking forward to
>some more tests.
Good luck!
Gordon
|
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