Enjoy VoIP while you can. It seems that some user-unfriendly American software house (Narus, Mountain View, California) has created software called "IP Platform" which is designed to identify and block VoIP packets being transmitted through telephony networks. So far, phone companies in France, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have announced they intend to block VoIP calls on their networks. They're hoping this will 'encourage' users to return to paid calling.
It's not all bad news.... blocking VoIP providers might be in breach of anti-monopoly laws, in the EU at least. We must wait and see what develops.
VoIP doomed?
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VoIP is great stuff. I've heard of people using it through a dialup connection. I still grin at the irony.
We don't use VoIP in the house, but then again, we don't have a land line phone either. We're cell all the way.
We don't use VoIP in the house, but then again, we don't have a land line phone either. We're cell all the way.
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Layzie Bone
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it is anti-monopoly. Actually it is always a monopoly, how many cable companies can you get in your area, one. How may telephone companies actually provide the service in your area? one.
VoIP is a poor sound quality, at least when I used skype which was supposed to be VoIP. I couldn't understand a word my friend was saying, yahoo had better sound quality.
VoIP is a poor sound quality, at least when I used skype which was supposed to be VoIP. I couldn't understand a word my friend was saying, yahoo had better sound quality.
Three and four, respectively.wanabe wrote:it is anti-monopoly. Actually it is always a monopoly, how many cable companies can you get in your area, one. How may telephone companies actually provide the service in your area? one.
Not true. Either you were using poor hardware, a slow connection (anything above 64 kbps ought to work tho) or you've not tried in several years. Skype rocks. And it's damned cheap too! I make all my international calls (which is the majority of my phone calls) and many of my local and national calls using Skype. I have no problems whatsoever. And (he says, looking at the status bar on his Skype window) the other 3 million people currently logged in will probably agree with me.wanabe wrote:VoIP is a poor sound quality, at least when I used skype which was supposed to be VoIP. I couldn't understand a word my friend was saying, yahoo had better sound quality.
Nes... are cellphones cheap to use in the US?? In Europe it costs a fair bit more than a land-line phone. I wonder if there'd be any price advantage in VoIP thru GPRS?
We're actually paying about $100 per month, ($400 this month, but that's a different story 
) but with the amount of free long distance the little lady uses, we're getting a pretty decent deal. We've got 3 phones on the plan, 1000 peak-time minutes, free in-network calling, night, weekends, and free long distance.
If we didn't already have the cell phones, we probably would have set up a land line or VoIP.
The one thing that I'd be worried about with VoIP: When your internet goes out, you can't call the isp.
) but with the amount of free long distance the little lady uses, we're getting a pretty decent deal. We've got 3 phones on the plan, 1000 peak-time minutes, free in-network calling, night, weekends, and free long distance.If we didn't already have the cell phones, we probably would have set up a land line or VoIP.
The one thing that I'd be worried about with VoIP: When your internet goes out, you can't call the isp.
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Layzie Bone
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I got what is called a track phone, depending on how often you use it is how expensive it is. It's pre-paid, and it can be expensive...
I use lingo . Good service, great price with a lot of extras.
I used to have only cell phones. But upon moving to Austin, I had to go with landlines as well. I simply couldn't get the plan I had to move with me.
For $20 a month I get unlimited incoming on my VOIP #, unlimited LD to USA, Canada and W Europe.
However I pay $7 a month for an additional UK # for my UK friends to call me on. And $4 a month for a Washington DC #.
So for around $33 with tax I have a wide range of calling areas and 3 incoming phone numbers.
They also provide simultaneous ring, which allows all incoming calls to be forwarded to up to 7 different phone numbers. I have them forwarded to my cell phone. In the event ISP is down, I still get my calls, and can choose who to answer on cell according to caller ID.
For Cell, since I rarely use them (I have no objections to ignoring phone calls when I am occupied) I use Virgins Prepay plan. Not the cheapest plan, but it only requires additional funds every 90 days (vs most are 60). Since i rarely use a full $20 in a month, both cell phones get re-upped for $20 every 3 months while minutes continue to accumulate until a month in which I will go on a cell phone call spree.
I know this thread originated as a is this the end of voip, but I couldn't resist mentioning how much I like my voip and the freedom it allows me.
I also like the fact that I can simultaneous ring my cell phone and answer calls without people having my cell phone number. And all controls are via website, so a quick visit to lingo.com and I can disable the simultaneous ring.
The whole thing is absurd, where does it end? I guess publishers should start lobbying to block ebooks.
I used to have only cell phones. But upon moving to Austin, I had to go with landlines as well. I simply couldn't get the plan I had to move with me.
For $20 a month I get unlimited incoming on my VOIP #, unlimited LD to USA, Canada and W Europe.
However I pay $7 a month for an additional UK # for my UK friends to call me on. And $4 a month for a Washington DC #.
So for around $33 with tax I have a wide range of calling areas and 3 incoming phone numbers.
They also provide simultaneous ring, which allows all incoming calls to be forwarded to up to 7 different phone numbers. I have them forwarded to my cell phone. In the event ISP is down, I still get my calls, and can choose who to answer on cell according to caller ID.
For Cell, since I rarely use them (I have no objections to ignoring phone calls when I am occupied) I use Virgins Prepay plan. Not the cheapest plan, but it only requires additional funds every 90 days (vs most are 60). Since i rarely use a full $20 in a month, both cell phones get re-upped for $20 every 3 months while minutes continue to accumulate until a month in which I will go on a cell phone call spree.
I know this thread originated as a is this the end of voip, but I couldn't resist mentioning how much I like my voip and the freedom it allows me.
I also like the fact that I can simultaneous ring my cell phone and answer calls without people having my cell phone number. And all controls are via website, so a quick visit to lingo.com and I can disable the simultaneous ring.
The whole thing is absurd, where does it end? I guess publishers should start lobbying to block ebooks.
The avalanche has already started, it is to late for the pebbles to vote. - Kosh
I liked the sound of Lingo so I looked them up. Too expensive for my liking. For their prices I could use land lines. My first bill was going to be about 40 dollars - which amounts to more than 4 times what I pay for Skype. Next I looked up the call rates. All the destinations I looked up were more expensive than Skype. I think I'll stay where I am.... but thanks for the info! It's always nice to have options.
I think... they're already looking into it.Vladd44 wrote:The whole thing is absurd, where does it end? I guess publishers should start lobbying to block ebooks.