Scumbag ISP's Filtering VoIP providers

bloodthirster

Senior member
Feb 12, 2001
941
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Well I received Vonage yesterday went to hook it up today and nothing... Dead phone line. After waiting on hold I thought to myself I wonder if Speednetllc (mid michigan) is filtering the VoIP. So I hang up and call Speednet. Guess what? filthy scumbag money mongers are filtering VoIP ports and for $9.95 a month they can turn the filter off.... Anyone else think this is a sleezy move?
 

mordantmonkey

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2004
3,075
5
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definitely sleazy, possibly illegal. Change providers. oh and make sure to bad mouth them on DSLreports. also review your contract with them to see if they actual mentioned they would do this.
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
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I think there was a legal dispute about something similar recently, if anyone can find it?
Call or write a nice letter to your state attorney general.

I found it. Let them know about the $15,000 fine from the FCC. And don't just switch providers, contact the FCC too.
 

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
25,394
9,965
136
DSL = we want you to pay Ma Bell for your phone service, thank you very much.

I wouldn't be surprised if cable cos jump on the filtering bandwagon too, though, now that they offer their own digital phone service.
 

mordantmonkey

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2004
3,075
5
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Originally posted by: everman
I think there was a legal dispute about something similar recently, if anyone can find it?
Call or write a nice letter to your state attorney general.

I found it. Let them know about the $15,000 fine from the FCC. And don't just switch providers, contact the FCC too.

:thumbsup:

might want to contact your VoIP provider about this as well. i'm sure they'll find it in their interest to complain about it too.

 

labgeek

Platinum Member
Jan 20, 2002
2,163
0
0
Yep - remind them about the FCC fines... And I'd let Vonage know too. Vonage has been complaining to the FCC about this.
 

bloodthirster

Senior member
Feb 12, 2001
941
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OK... I e-mailed FCC and Vonage. We will see if anyone responds. A $15,000 fine would hurt a small ISP like Speednetllc.
 

Turkish

Lifer
May 26, 2003
15,547
1
81
Is it me or every fvckin ISP in this country full of sh!t? We pay high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth and then get raped on bullsh!t filters like these. Ridiculous.
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Originally posted by: bloodthirster
OK... I e-mailed FCC and Vonage. We will see if anyone responds. A $15,000 fine would hurt a small ISP like Speednetllc.

cool, let us know what you get back from them. It irrates the hell out of me that they would try to exort money from their customers.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: The Boss
Is it me or every fvckin ISP in this country full of sh!t? We pay high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth and then get raped on bullsh!t filters like these. Ridiculous.

yeap they want you to buy service but not to use it.
 

randal

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2001
1,890
0
71
Originally posted by: The Boss
Is it me or every fvckin ISP in this country full of sh!t? We pay high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth and then get raped on bullsh!t filters like these. Ridiculous.

I think the filtering is also horrible, but "high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth" is -NOT- the fault of the ISPs. It is the fault of the carriers. Consider that a T1 costs ~$500 almost anywhere in the US. Consider that your cable modem costs ~$50. Then consider that your cable modem is TWICE AS FAST as the T1, for 1/10th the cost.

If you think that -You're- getting screwed on bandwidth, talk to your ISP. I'm sure that they pay upwards of $3000 for a full DS3 (loop + bandwidth) -- which provides for a whopping 15 customers. $3000 in costs for an awesome $750 in revenue ... hence oversubscription, bandwidth caps, dare I say filters. The real problem is that the residential user bitches and complains while being ignorant of the real problem -- that the ISP is getting shafted by the Bells.
 

frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
keep land line for 911

or just make sure you register your address for 911 service.


What if your broadband signal goes out and your house is being burglarized? How would you make a 911 call?
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: randal
Originally posted by: The Boss
Is it me or every fvckin ISP in this country full of sh!t? We pay high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth and then get raped on bullsh!t filters like these. Ridiculous.

I think the filtering is also horrible, but "high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth" is -NOT- the fault of the ISPs. It is the fault of the carriers. Consider that a T1 costs ~$500 almost anywhere in the US. Consider that your cable modem costs ~$50. Then consider that your cable modem is TWICE AS FAST as the T1, for 1/10th the cost.

If you think that -You're- getting screwed on bandwidth, talk to your ISP. I'm sure that they pay upwards of $3000 for a full DS3 (loop + bandwidth) -- which provides for a whopping 15 customers. $3000 in costs for an awesome $750 in revenue ... hence oversubscription, bandwidth caps, dare I say filters. The real problem is that the residential user bitches and complains while being ignorant of the real problem -- that the ISP is getting shafted by the Bells.
Interesting......
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
keep land line for 911

or just make sure you register your address for 911 service.


What if your broadband signal goes out and your house is being burglarized? How would you make a 911 call?

What if the burglar cut the phone line, how would you make a 911 call. Get a damn cell phone, that's how. A land line sucks just as bad as cable can.
 

Aves

Lifer
Feb 7, 2001
12,232
30
101
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
What if your broadband signal goes out and your house is being burglarized? How would you make a 911 call?

What happens if your house is being burglarized and you home phone isn't working?
 

Turkish

Lifer
May 26, 2003
15,547
1
81
Originally posted by: randal
Originally posted by: The Boss
Is it me or every fvckin ISP in this country full of sh!t? We pay high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth and then get raped on bullsh!t filters like these. Ridiculous.

I think the filtering is also horrible, but "high-ass prices for minimum bandwidth" is -NOT- the fault of the ISPs. It is the fault of the carriers. Consider that a T1 costs ~$500 almost anywhere in the US. Consider that your cable modem costs ~$50. Then consider that your cable modem is TWICE AS FAST as the T1, for 1/10th the cost.

If you think that -You're- getting screwed on bandwidth, talk to your ISP. I'm sure that they pay upwards of $3000 for a full DS3 (loop + bandwidth) -- which provides for a whopping 15 customers. $3000 in costs for an awesome $750 in revenue ... hence oversubscription, bandwidth caps, dare I say filters. The real problem is that the residential user bitches and complains while being ignorant of the real problem -- that the ISP is getting shafted by the Bells.

interesting...

oh heck, why do i care... i am moving to turkey on july 3rd, and germany on october 3rd so i don't really care... :p
 

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
OMG!!! WHAT IF FLYING PIGS FLEW OUT OF THE BURGLAR'S BUTT WHILE CUTTING YOUR PHONE LINE AND STEALING THE SIM CARD FROM YOUR CELL PHONE?!?!?!?!
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Originally posted by: DurocShark
OMG!!! WHAT IF FLYING PIGS FLEW OUT OF THE BURGLAR'S BUTT WHILE CUTTING YOUR PHONE LINE AND STEALING THE SIM CARD FROM YOUR CELL PHONE?!?!?!?!

Bacon, hmmm....yummm.......:)
 

frankgomez75

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2004
2,215
1
81
Originally posted by: KK
Originally posted by: frankgomez75
Originally posted by: mordantmonkey
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
keep land line for 911

or just make sure you register your address for 911 service.


What if your broadband signal goes out and your house is being burglarized? How would you make a 911 call?

What if the burglar cut the phone line, how would you make a 911 call. Get a damn cell phone, that's how. A land line sucks just as bad as cable can.


I was asking a simple question as to what steps does a VOIP company take in the event that their is an outage. I guess you should have a backup phone like a cell, but then why bother have both a cell phone and VOIP?

I guess I'm used to only using my cell phone as I don't have a landline or VOIP. I live by myself. Guess VOIP is not something I would need or even see as a need. I'll stick to my cell phone only plan.