some VOIP questions

[huberm]

I just recently purchased SkypeIn and SkypeOut, along with a USB box that connects a cordless phone to Skype. Needless to say, I get a lot of dropped calls and I can hear a lot of background noise.

I want service that will be as reliable as a regular landline. Can this be accomplished with Skype? I don't like the USB box, I would much prefer something that would plug right into my router, if something exists.

Possibly another problem could be my DSL speed. I currently just have the minimum 768k down (not sure of the up speed) DSL from verizon. Is this enough bandwidth for VOIP service, or should I upgrade to the 1.5mbps?

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: huberm
I want service that will be as reliable as a regular landline. Can this be accomplished with Skype?

no, if you want POTS quality, buy a POTS line

this site can help you test, but if you expect no problems, go back to POTS

http://testmyvoip.com/

 

[huberm]

why do i always hear people raving about the quality of skype?

 

[James Bond]

Skype quality was always good for me, near perfect.

I agree, that VoIP may not be as good as POTS in some cases, but it isn't as bad as FoBoT makes it sound, IMO.

I'm not sure how the Skype USB box works, but you may consider a VoIP hardware alternative, like Vonage.

I've been working with VoIP at my current job for the last 6 months, and I'll be the first to say that it isn't perfect in some aspects, but if you are having dropped calls and terrible quality, then something isn't right.

 

[FoBoT]

i didn't make anything sound bad, i quoted huberm, he said and i quote again "I want service that will be as reliable as a regular landline."

my point is the variance in QOS with VoIP is larger than the variance in QOS of POTS, if you aren't willing to deal with the things that make that so, then don't use it

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: huberm
why do i always hear people raving about the quality of skype?

Most of those people are raving about Skype to Skype calls with headsets.

I have both SkypeIn and SkypeOut, the quality isn't perfect but it's ok for the price I'm paying.

Damn cheap!

 

[Eos]

I'm pretty sure VOIP uses the upload side of your connection. I use VOIP on a x/512k just fine. This is a commercial product, though.

fonality.com is the company we bought a phone server from. Because we did, I can work from home half the week.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: eos
I'm pretty sure VOIP uses the upload side of your connection. I use VOIP on a x/512k just fine. This is a commercial product, though.

fonality.com is the company we bought a phone server from. Because we did, I can work from home half the week.

your realize there is a difference between VOIP telephone service providers, and VOIP used to connect remote phones to an office phone system?

i'm actually a fonality reseller, and what i always recommend to my clients with fonality is, POTS lines into the phone system as primary lines, VOIP between offices and VOIP to remote phones.

not the same as using Vonage or another VOIP provider as your incoming phone service.

 

[WildHorse]

Where can I read briefing 101 on all this ?