Review by core2extreme 
UPDATED: 344 days ago
member for 1.9 years, 27 visits, last login: 28 days ago
 Laval,QC
 $10 per month
 about 2 days
 Bell Canada
 "Excellent Tech support, best value for money, decent features"
 "Network sometimes busy, call quality varies (but OK most of the time)"
 "Very good VOIP service and excellent alternative to Vonage and all the other big VOIP companies"
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I have just signed up for the Acanac VOIP service using the Softphone. Set-up and activation was extremely quick. It took less than 2 days for them to set-up and activate my account. Their email tech support is amazing. I just had to click on "Contact US" from their website, and immediately, I see a text box where I can explain the issue. Unlike Bell and all the other big companies, you don't need to go through a series of Self-help and FAQs, before finding a hidden link to contact them. The response to my query was also extremely quick (took less than a day, and it was Jan 1st).
The email containing the installation procedures was very clear and easy-to-follow, with screenshots and detailed instructions on how to install and activate the softphone. Installing the softphone was easy enough, but there seems to be some sort of problem using the softphone for the first time. There would be an error message (something like "There has been a fatal error"), and the program would just close itself. I did a quick search on Google, and immediately resolved the issue. After that, activation was really easy. Took about 30 seconds and I had a dial tone. If you don't like their proposed softphone (CounterPath X-lite), you can any other softphone, or just connect a real telephone using a ATA adapter (VOIP router).
The feature set is really impressive. The voicemail is really great and intuitive. All the advanced features are there: Personalized greeting, folders, time stamp, etc. When a voicemail is received (after 4 unanswered rings, or if offline), a "New voicemail" icon appears on the softphone. Entering the voicebox is very simple. I just have to dial *123 and enter my password. Also, everytime I receive a new voicemail, they send me an email to remind me, which is great. Other than that, I can make calls on two lines at a time, forward calls, put a person on hold, and all the other features I used to get from my Bell phone. Caller ID is also available (although I can only see the caller's number, not his name). Finally, you can use the softphone to view past calls, missed calls, duration, date, etc. They also have a website where you can listen to your voicebox messages and view call history, and access other phone features.
Call quality is OK, but sometimes the other person hears cracks from my voice. But that may be related to my upload speed. Most of the time, the call is OK for both parties and is good for talking for an extended period of time. The only thing worth noticing is that sometimes the server gives me a busy tone when the destination number is actually not busy. Usually when this happens, the second try will work.
Overall, I think the service is extremely good for its price. I mean, for $10 a month, you get unlimited calls to anywhere in Canada, plus all the great features of VOIP. Comparing with Vonage, I think Acanac provides customers with way better value for their buck. If you are looking for a cheap VOIP service with advanced features and good support, I would highly recommend Acanac's VOIP service.
Followup comments:  
tellcar
@comcast.net | Sounds like a good Voip solution I use Intelefone. A Global Voip solution, phones works on both Dial up and Broadband connections. Most people don't believe its works on dial up but it sure does!
If you want to learn more www.myintelefone.com | |
| 
Acanac Inc
Premium
join:2007-03-05
Mississauga, ON
| services Hello,
Thank you for using our services. We do offer g729 compression to work with dialup also however it is not offered in our free service. You must upgrade to our paid service and then you will be able to use the g729 codes offered on our paid servers.
Sandro H.
»www.acanac.ca | |
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