VOIP Local and STD calls for 10 cents untimed ???
How good were the promises. Could I halve my telephone bill.
The only way to give a honest and unbiased appraisal was to try it for myself.
As I am an agent for Exetel broadband and have a 1500/256 ADSL connection with that company I chose to use the VOIP service offered by Exetel. My connection speed is above the minimum recommended connection of 512/128 for VOIP.
I purchased a Netcomm V300 ATA Router and hooked it up to my existing Billion 7202 ADSL Modem/Router.
The V300 ATA was chosen because according to the specifications it lets me use all the phones in my home as usual and lets me use the same phones as before if the Internet or VOIP is not working. ( an important consideration )
The equipment was then hooked up so that all of the phones in my house were routed through the V300 . A fax/answering machine and test line bypassed the V300.
The installation of the V300 was very easy and the provided instructions proved more than adequate. I very quickly received the " Registered Success " message.
It was now time to test the service. I immediately made 2 local calls followed by a call to Sydney and then one to Melbourne. My first reaction was that the service was clearer than standard telephone. To test further I called a friend in England. The sound was very clear but there was a definite echo that became annoying after a while. After two weeks of using VOIP for all my calls I would say that 95% are perfect. Two calls were very distorted but did not recur when redialed, all others have been at least as good as standard telephone. The call to England has not been repeated.
So what is my overall opinion.
** The system was simple to use and will save me many dollars on my next phone bill. This is easy to check - add the total number of local and STD calls you make each telephone billing period and calculate at 10 cents each. Look at total local and STD call cost on an old bill and check the difference. Further savings can be made by reducing line rental and dropping off other options . A message service is provided as part of the VOIP setup and no longer required.
** Most phone calls have very acceptable quality. This aspect is not a consideration in VOIP decision making.
** Because phone calls are routed through the Internet "Caller ID" does not appear to work in either direction. This may be of concern due to the increase in cold call advertising and the growing reluctance of people to answer phone calls when the callers ID does not appear. Most unidentified callers are " Phone Companies " trying to sell cheap deals. When you mention VOIP at 10 cents a call they soon loose interest.
** Dial tone is different and there is a delay of 5 seconds or so before the phone call starts after dialing. After this everything is as with a normal telephone. This is not a consideration.
** Incoming calls are the same as normal telephone with a slightly different ring tone. Caller ID does not appear. This is slightly annoying but not a major concern.
** Minor concerns mainly to do with Caller ID are hugely outwayed by cost savings. VOIP is a service that is still in it's infancy although rapidly gaining public acceptance. As time goes by VOIP will undoubtly replace the telephone system as we have know it. Quality and extras will only improve.
** VOIP is a service that is completely functional at the present and should be considered by everyone in these competitive times.
Combine Exetel Broadband and Exetel VOIP for the ultimate package,
ADSL - 512/128 with 8 gb limit ($3 per Gb over) for $35 month
VOIP - $15 month minimum chage includes $15 calls at 10 cents ea for local and untimed STD