chrism
11-05-2006, 01:30 PM
Hi All
For the last 5 months, we've been playing with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with quite good success. Once you get through the minefield of VoIP providers, codecs and equipment, you can achieve some very good results.
For those who are new to this, here's a bit of 'heads up'. Whilst VoIP has been about for a while, it's only a couple of recent changes that make it convenient. We've played with a couple of adapters (the device that takes your analogue phone and allows you to dial out over the internet) and now have a unit that seems quite solid. We've also played with the codecs (the algorithm used for encrypting the voice signal into digital packets) and have the best solutions too. I have been able to take my monthly phone bill from about $115.00 to about $42.00... quite a saving!!! I've done a little trickery too, but it doesn't impact on the final savings too much (it's not included in these figures anyway).
So, here's what we have.
Firstly, you need a reasonable broadband speed... at least 512/256k (we're a little spoilt with 15M/1M)
Secondly, the VoIP adapter. We've had most success with the Billion 5402VGP which is an ADSL2+ modem with 802.11g wireless, firewall, VPN and of course VoIP all rolled into one. You can pick them up for about $270.00.
They have two ports for analogue phone connection so you can use two VoIP accounts at the same time and leave your normal phone line for incoming calls. The phone ports also accept incoming calls from the PSTN so you really only need the one phone. I use a couple of cordless phones on the two ports (great for when the kids are both on the phone at the same time). You can setup multiple accounts with different VoIP providers for even cheaper calls. You can also do a kind of punch-through dial out when you want to use the landline (I use this as I've bundled my Foxtel with my landline and get 50 free calls per month... this was the other tricky part mentioned earlier). You can setup certain calls to go on VoIP (provider selectable) and others to go on the PSTN.... very flexible.
Now, the providers. IMHO, the best one is FreeCall (www.freecall.net.au). They offer 1c/minute calls anywhere in Australia (that’s calling to landline from VoIP). I noticed our call pattern at home had an average call duration of 3 minutes. Also handy when you are calling someone and leaving a message on an answering machine. Their mobile calls are 25c per minute which is good for short calls, but not so hot for longer calls. Calls to o/seas landlines vary but the major centres line the USA and UK are 2c per minute. There is a monthly access fee of $5.00. Other providers include Astratel (www.astratel.com.au) who have a 10c untimed call anywhere in Australia and 19c (up to an hour) call to over 40 countries with no monthly access fee. Another one is Pennytel (haven’t used them yet) but they offer 7c US SMS messages anywhere in the world and good prices for untimed calls with no access fee.
The biggest advantage with VoIP is that VoIP to VoIP calls are generally free! There are also some gateway numbers that you can call (from a landline) and call into your VoIP
ie My Sister lives in Brisbane and for her to call me in Adelaide, she dials a gateway number (local call), and types in my VoIP number. We can then talk as long as we like.
To start with, the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) was low due to poor call quality, but that's changed now, so she seems quite happy. If only I could get her to appreciate the Automation too :rolleyes:
The Codec is a tricky part. We've found you need to use 711A or 711u (these will make sense when setting up) as the 729 codec seems to break up a little. I've read a lot on the 729 where everyone says it's ok, but I disagree. The 729 uses 8kb/s bandwidth whilst the 711's use 64kb/s. I don't notice it on download/upload usage or speed myself.
Another issue is the Quality of Service. This is the modem/router's ability to handle priority of service. If you are downloading or streaming, you need to make sure the VoIP takes priority. This is all taken care of for you in the Billion Modem... part of the reason we chose it and it does make a huge difference.
If you are installing structured cabling, VoIP is a big consideration for your customers and a possible add on service as well as (of course) saving you money on your phone bills. We are about to put our office on it. We are expecting considerable savings.
A couple of words of caution..
Skype is a type of VoIP but uses a proprietary codec. There are some Skype phone adapters coming through now, but you will be locked into the one provider.
Digital cordless phones can cause a drop in call quality. This is due to the repeated change from digital to analogue and back again
Cheers
For the last 5 months, we've been playing with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with quite good success. Once you get through the minefield of VoIP providers, codecs and equipment, you can achieve some very good results.
For those who are new to this, here's a bit of 'heads up'. Whilst VoIP has been about for a while, it's only a couple of recent changes that make it convenient. We've played with a couple of adapters (the device that takes your analogue phone and allows you to dial out over the internet) and now have a unit that seems quite solid. We've also played with the codecs (the algorithm used for encrypting the voice signal into digital packets) and have the best solutions too. I have been able to take my monthly phone bill from about $115.00 to about $42.00... quite a saving!!! I've done a little trickery too, but it doesn't impact on the final savings too much (it's not included in these figures anyway).
So, here's what we have.
Firstly, you need a reasonable broadband speed... at least 512/256k (we're a little spoilt with 15M/1M)
Secondly, the VoIP adapter. We've had most success with the Billion 5402VGP which is an ADSL2+ modem with 802.11g wireless, firewall, VPN and of course VoIP all rolled into one. You can pick them up for about $270.00.
They have two ports for analogue phone connection so you can use two VoIP accounts at the same time and leave your normal phone line for incoming calls. The phone ports also accept incoming calls from the PSTN so you really only need the one phone. I use a couple of cordless phones on the two ports (great for when the kids are both on the phone at the same time). You can setup multiple accounts with different VoIP providers for even cheaper calls. You can also do a kind of punch-through dial out when you want to use the landline (I use this as I've bundled my Foxtel with my landline and get 50 free calls per month... this was the other tricky part mentioned earlier). You can setup certain calls to go on VoIP (provider selectable) and others to go on the PSTN.... very flexible.
Now, the providers. IMHO, the best one is FreeCall (www.freecall.net.au). They offer 1c/minute calls anywhere in Australia (that’s calling to landline from VoIP). I noticed our call pattern at home had an average call duration of 3 minutes. Also handy when you are calling someone and leaving a message on an answering machine. Their mobile calls are 25c per minute which is good for short calls, but not so hot for longer calls. Calls to o/seas landlines vary but the major centres line the USA and UK are 2c per minute. There is a monthly access fee of $5.00. Other providers include Astratel (www.astratel.com.au) who have a 10c untimed call anywhere in Australia and 19c (up to an hour) call to over 40 countries with no monthly access fee. Another one is Pennytel (haven’t used them yet) but they offer 7c US SMS messages anywhere in the world and good prices for untimed calls with no access fee.
The biggest advantage with VoIP is that VoIP to VoIP calls are generally free! There are also some gateway numbers that you can call (from a landline) and call into your VoIP
ie My Sister lives in Brisbane and for her to call me in Adelaide, she dials a gateway number (local call), and types in my VoIP number. We can then talk as long as we like.
To start with, the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) was low due to poor call quality, but that's changed now, so she seems quite happy. If only I could get her to appreciate the Automation too :rolleyes:
The Codec is a tricky part. We've found you need to use 711A or 711u (these will make sense when setting up) as the 729 codec seems to break up a little. I've read a lot on the 729 where everyone says it's ok, but I disagree. The 729 uses 8kb/s bandwidth whilst the 711's use 64kb/s. I don't notice it on download/upload usage or speed myself.
Another issue is the Quality of Service. This is the modem/router's ability to handle priority of service. If you are downloading or streaming, you need to make sure the VoIP takes priority. This is all taken care of for you in the Billion Modem... part of the reason we chose it and it does make a huge difference.
If you are installing structured cabling, VoIP is a big consideration for your customers and a possible add on service as well as (of course) saving you money on your phone bills. We are about to put our office on it. We are expecting considerable savings.
A couple of words of caution..
Skype is a type of VoIP but uses a proprietary codec. There are some Skype phone adapters coming through now, but you will be locked into the one provider.
Digital cordless phones can cause a drop in call quality. This is due to the repeated change from digital to analogue and back again
Cheers