how-to block ads
|
»next review in page
Review by TheKrell 
Posted: 5.3 years ago
member for 5.9 years, 1510 visits, last login: 3 days ago
 Fairfax,Fairfax,VA
 $13 per month
 about 3 days
 "Most excellent international call rates"
 "Bleeping Sipura 2000"
 "New adapter addresses all problems nearing release; go for it!"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
My monthly charges are much higher than $13 due to international calls, all of which are metered. But I'm not complaining because it's still a great deal even without using my domestic plan minutes.
Sipura 2000: I've suffered with this darn thing with VoicePulse and now 2 units with Broadvox. It's completely unusable for modem or fax calls, keeps finding DTMF tones in my wife's voice, and generally (on G729 codec) sounds marginal.
I also have experience with the Innomedia adapter from Phonom and a beta test Mediatrix adapter from Broadvox. Both of these other adapters approach perfection on call quality and non-VoIP duties such as modems, security systems, satellite receivers, personal DVRs such as the Tivo, and fax. The Mediatrix that will soon replace the Sipura for Broadvox customers even does T.38 (FoIP) perfectly. This will make a good company GREAT!
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by compulov
Posted: 5.3 years ago
member for 8.8 years, 1101 visits, last login: 12 days ago
Lakewood,Ocean,NJ
$13 per month
about 7 days
"Reliable, feature-rich, call quality is excellent"
"Website needs a bit of polishing, few technical glitches during setup, some features aren't complete"
"Overall a pleasant experience, and inexpensive to boot!"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I signed up for Broadvox during their "prelaunch" towards the end of February '04. I recall the ordering process went smoothly and I had my Sipura SPA-2000 device a few days later. When I installed it, I was able to make outgoing calls with no problem, however, incoming calls would not be completed. After issuing a trouble ticket online, it bounced around before it came to light that it was a problem with the CLEC that Broadvox uses. I was able to pick a number in a neighboring rate center and incoming calls worked fine. (and as a side note, I tried going back to the old number a little while later and it finally worked, so they fixed the routing issue)
Other than that glitch, things worked pretty smoothly, to the point where when Broadvox made LNP available on a temporary basis, I took advantage to port my number from Vonage to Broadvox (the first time a number was ported between Voip carriers, so I was told). I wrote a whole review of the experience at »[Broadvox Direct] Port from Vonage but the gist of it was that it worked well, with a call to support.
I have a few minor issues with Broadvox, primarily centered around their website. I don't feel their website feels as "polished" as it should be. The interface feels a bit clumsy, and their trouble ticket system needs some serious work (you really should be able to reply to trouble tickets!). Otherwise the website gets the job done and there isn't anything that I've found that is seriously broken.
Caller ID is about the only other issue I have with Broadvox. They don't support real caller id with name yet. You can see the number, and if that number happens to be in your contact list, it'll show the name associated with it (sort of how my cell phone works). Real caller id with name would be a bit more useful. In addition, outgoing caller id with name would be nice. I've read that they will offer configurable caller id at some point in the future.
About the only other missing feature is 911 support, which again will supposedly be available in the future. Part of that is they also intend to let users be listed in the white pages, although I think I'll keep my number unlisted anyway.
In all, I'm very happy with the level of service I've gotten from Broadvox. My calls always go through, and it sounds like any other telephone call. They have a number of interesting features, all in a reasonably priced package.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by bibbyf16
UPDATED: 5.4 years ago
member for 7.4 years, 332 visits, last login: 207 days ago
New Hyde Park,Nassau,NY
$19 per month
about 2 days
"Price, Features"
"Site is a bit flaky with services other than IE, international calls"
"minimal cost but take a look at lingo"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I used to have vonage but cancelled it after inconsistent service with sub par quality for my calls and also horrible international calls. I then decided to stick with my land line phone service but a couple of months later, i saw broadvox. it was cheap, had decent reviews and most of all, had a money back guarantee for 14 days. i decided heck, might as well try it. i got my sipura in 2 days after i signed up, i plugged it in and WHAM, i was ready to go with no other configurations. its about 3 weeks later and i still havent touched it my sipura. as for quality, people cant even tell that i'm not using a land line phone and in fact, they think i sound better. international calls go straight through and they're dirt cheap. and they havent been down at all in the time i've had service. plus they have plenty of features included in the price. their site pretty much doesnt work with browsers other than IE, but i guess that really isnt a service issue.
UPDATE: 6/28/04
well, i tried cancelling and they wouldnt give my money back. note the fact that i was within the necessary time period to cancel and suddenly they have problems and have to investigate my account before they can give my $60 back. the reason i cancelled was because the call quality was great in the states, but if i called anywhere else in the world, it would go downhill pretty quickly. tread wisely
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by Frink
UPDATED: 5.4 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 3097 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Hoboken,Hudson,NJ
$13 per month
about 5 days
"Cheap, sound quality is great, and it's easy to talk to the top employee of the company!"
"An excellent service for a great price."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
BVD offered a promotion to BBR users waiving the setup fee for their launch week, and I jumped on the cheap service offering. They sent a SPA-2000, free to use while I have their service, and charge me a low $12.95 a month for 500 outgoing LD minutes Nationwide. Sound quality is great, I could not be happier.
The member web portal works very well, most features work, and the President of the company offers his advice/support in the Voice over IP forum here at BBR, which I greatly appreciate. Stop by the VOIP forum or drop me a line if you have any questions...
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
 Review by nzaman
Posted: 5.4 years ago
member for 6.1 years, 87 visits, last login: 4.5 years ago
Astoria,Queens,NY
$39 per month
about 4 days
"Great service, gives you an Sipura SPA 2000 device, great reliability"
"Not as good quality as Vonage and FWD"
"Great alternative if there is no Vonage availability around your area"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I have used Broadvox Direct for a little over a month now, and the only thing that can be improved is quality. There is a hissing noise that I get with Broadvox that I do not get with Vonage and FWD. It is not my Sipura SPA-2000 because I have tried other services with the same device with no issues. Overall, they are a good choice unlessu are not concerned about the quality of your provider.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by markhph
Posted: 5.5 years ago
member for 8.6 years, 318 visits, last login: 213 days ago
Jamison,Bucks,PA
$29 per month (month by month)
about 12 days
"Active posts by company president"
"Exceptionally poor call quality"
"Better to use your cell phone. Call quality will be better on cell."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings below consensus)
|
I was very excited to become a customer, since Broadvox Direct's president interacts so often with posters here on these forums. So when they public-launched, I signed up right away.
They provide a Sipura 2000 (great product). But when I connected up the adapter, I was very disappointed with the call quality. Most people I called complained about the connection and voice quality. Most thought I was calling from a cell phone area which was about to drop the connection. Much of the conversation had to be repeated. The best call quality I could experience was that of sounding very much underwater.
Contacting Broadvox right away, I learned they use the lower-quality G729 codec. They had no options for any better call quality codec at the time I tried the service. I found Broadvox Directs' tech supports explanation of the call quality complaint somewhat disingenous. They wrote me saying the "some users complain it sounds like a cell phone, but honestly I can't tell the difference". Really? Did you even try to use the Broadvox Direct service by calling your family and friends before stating this?
Since I cancelled the service and got a refund under their trial period, I lost nothing except UPS shipping of the Sipura 200 back to them.
But in contacting Broadvox Directs' president in the BroadbandReviews VOIP forums about the poor call quality, I was hoping for perhaps better future plans to make Broadvox Direct's call quality better in the future. Instead, I was somewhat surprised of the reply. "I can't understand the call quality issue. It is the same service which our business customers use quite successfully".
Trouble is I found this wasn't true. Broadvox's business customers actually get a higher quality codec and connection. This isn't offered to Broadvox Directs' VOIP consumer subscribers.
It seemed to me Broadvox Direct had more or less decided to dodge the call quality complaints by using an age-old misdirection techniquie, so often used by the Bell Companies in the old days - namely that no one else complains about the call quality so it must be you.
But the call quality is not me. It is Broadvox Direct. And poor call quality isn't worth a nickel to me, much less $29.95
In the end, I couldn't justify paying Broadvox Direct for VOIP service. The call quality was (at best) equal to or less than a cell phone. That being the case, it is cheaper for me to upgrade my cell phone plan for making calls. Callers and people I call don't complain about the quality of my Verizon cell phone service.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by bfbchief
Posted: 5.5 years ago
member for 6.4 years, 516 visits, last login: 224 days ago
Woodstock,Windham,CT
Contract price not specified.
"Name on Outgoing CID, Very clear calls, On-line web management, adding new features quickly"
"No name on incoming caller ID"
"Great company that is getting better by the day"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I have BVD for just about two months now. Haven't had one problem yet. The calls are very clear (never dropped a call).
They have many features and seem to be adding more almost weekly. The president of the company takes time to come on this board and listen to the people (good or bad) and does his best to help out whenever possible (not sure if he can keep this up as the company grows, but its nice to know someone listens)
I see only good things from this company. As far as I know they are the first VOIP company to offer outgoing name with their calls. True E-911 is important to them and from my understanding will happen. That alone should make them #1 in the VOIP world.
I also have Vonage and I will admit they have been pretty good, calls are pretty good (I have from time to time dropped a call or what not) but they don't seem to be as egar to roll out new features such as BVD is.
I believe that in the months to come you will hear a lot more about BVD. They are a company on the up there is no doubt about it.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by sprucelands
Posted: 5.5 years ago
member for 5.5 years, 126 visits, last login: 3.7 years ago
Brampton,ON
$29 per month
about 3 days
"Easy Setup, Good Voice Quality, Excellent Portal, Good Features"
"Out of Stock Canadian Numbers"
"A good service to replace your local service"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
I just got Broadvox direct service here in Canada (Toronto Area). Within minutes of ordering the portal with my login was active. The staff was extremely accomodating when I insisted that I was not ready to pay the high 2 day shipping price to Canada. They agreed to use UPS Ground and shipped the Sipura 2000 device at the same regular price. Amazingly the device reached me within two day!!
So far the quality of calls has been outstanding. I tried packet8 earlier and was experiencing some poor audio. Lets hope that BVD continues to perform this way.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by wilsonck
Posted: 5.6 years ago
member for 6.7 years, 1093 visits, last login: 11 days ago
Orange Park,Clay,FL
$19 per month (month by month)
about 4 days
"Price and great service"
"none at all"
"You must give them a try"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I've had Broadvox for about 4 months now and I am still 100 % happy with their product and their great service. They just released their new DTA and it works great. The voice quality is great and you can even use it with dial up modems, which is great for satellite tv viewers who need the land line connection. I've had quick resolutions with any problems that I have encountered, even one I submitted late on a Saturday night and it was followed up the next day, a Sunday. I always get call back from their staff asking me if the problem was fixed to my satisfaction. You can not go wrong with their service. I'd recommend anyone who is interested in getting VoIP, or if you are un-happy with your current provider, you must give them a try. They are always adding new features. They are true innovators in the VoIP industry.
Still going strong after 18 months now
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
| »next page (previous review)
 Review by PhoneBoy
Posted: 5.6 years ago
member for 7.8 years, 1486 visits, last login: 1.2 years ago
Port Orchard,Kitsap,WA
$29 per month (month by month)
about 9 days
"Good set of features, sound quality/bandwidth tradeoff is reasonable"
"Web site doesn't play well with non Internet Explorer browsers, lousy ticketing system, no ability to change codec used"
"If they offer service in your area, worth investigating"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
From a basic voice service standpoint, the service has been very good. Calls have been generally clear, when not exposing my cable connection to bittorrent. The call forwarding (especially find me, follow me) worked very well. Their Customer Case has been generally helpful. The fact you can change your assigned numbers online essentially at-will in an automated fashion is cool. 
Probably one of the biggest plusses of this service, at least to me, is the fact that a high-level executive at Broadvox Direct participates in the forums. They get first-hand knowledge of experiences of customers and potential customers -- something that is invaluable given the number of players in the market today. Granted the Broadband Reports audience is a small, technically savvy subset of the customer base, and some of the BBR audience doesn't welcome his presence.
Probably my two biggest complaints with the service are: Their portal website basically doesn't work in anything but IE. As a Linux user primarily, any website that requires IE is painful to use. Granted, I have a copy of Internet Explorer that runs under Linux thanks to Crossover Office and Win4Lin, but I'd rather have a website that just worked under Mozilla.
The second issue I have with their service is their ticketing system. It does not allow you to update an existing ticket. The only way to do that is to open "another" ticket. Sometimes, it's possible to have several tickets open regarding the exact same issue.
A less annoying (to me) thing they need to do is offer more CODECs than G.729. It should be possible to choose the codec that best suits your bandwidth or your particular desires. Some people don't like the compressed sound quality of G.729, though I personally don't have a problem with it. G.711 has the best sound quality.
There were some issues with call routing they ran into a while back routing to some international locations. Outgoing Caller ID was broken until very recently. I personally had some issues related to my provisioning, but these have since been corrected.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Broadvox Direct |
|
|
Broadvox Direct
·