[Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems in Earthlink DSL http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r15389703 en Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:57:24 EDT Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:57:24 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15548995 brand x : We installed Earthlink's new ADSL2+ line powered voice product earlier this week. To date, the voice/phone aspect has been perfect--including sending of faxes using a good old fashioned brother fax machine via the phone jack half of the modem filter (no #99s &tc).
The jury remains out regarding internet access--we're having some issues (upload speeds are consistently ~830kbps, but download speeds have varied between 3,300kbps and 6 (yes, 6) kbps. The point, though, is that faxing works from a ~2002 Brother MFC 8500.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15548995 Fri, 24 Feb 2006 01:39:44 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15533936 jaxdomino :
said by belawrence See Profile :

said by jaxdomino See Profile :

I was wondering why no mentioned NextAlarm as an alternative to the over priced/poor service that ADT provides. I have NextAlarm and pay $8.95 a month for monitoring via VoIP.
Because transmission of alarm signals via VOIP is not UL certified and if your homeowners insurance knew of this they may void any discounts you were getting for protection devices. I have three VOIP lines coming into my home but my alarm communicates via AlarmNet radio only. BTW, your pricing for ADT's services aren't completely accurate.
The pricing for ADT is 100% correct. My wife used to work for them, she left less than a year ago. Also, what does UL certified have to do with anything? All the devices themselves are UL certified. Also, the last time I checked with Allstate, they never specified that you HAVE to have an alarm system monitored via a POTS line, just that it has to be monitored, which is why cell backup is allowed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15533936 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:04:21 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15533921 jaxdomino :
said by jinjimbob See Profile :

said by jaxdomino See Profile :

I was wondering why no mentioned NextAlarm as an alternative to the over priced/poor service that ADT provides. I have NextAlarm and pay $8.95 a month for monitoring via VoIP. They actually send you a ATA that connects to your home network and it is a dedicated VoIP circuit. They are awesome. they test the system once a week automatically and send me a page that everything is OK, when it's not, I know about it right away via a SMS sent to me cell phone or my wife's cell. The only up front cost came from paying I think $99 for the ATA. I also paid for 3 years in advance, but unlike ADT, I can cancel at anytime and get back the remaining monies paid already. Can you say NO CONTRACT!? I have tripped our alarm several times on purpose to test them and they have never gone passed the 60 minute window in reaching me to see if everything is alright. Now add the $100 for the ADT wireless backup and the $60 a year on top of the $25/month monitoring fee = that's $460, the first year alone versus the $421.20 for 3 years. BTW I had to add another network drop to the control panel for about $50. No match. Everything is backed up by UPS in the network closet and the alarm box. I was without power last year for about 1 hour and had no problems with my VoIP using a cordless phone system. Now the fax issue is annoying. I have looked for network faxes that our cheap. You can send the docs out via the Internet, but not receive them. Although you could setup Internet Printing Protocol. I guess the issue would be that some people would still need to dial a number to fax to you. Dang, that's a good one.
60 minute window? Are you sure that isn't 60 seconds? They could empty your house in 60 minutes.

I have ADT with cell backup, mainly just for the cell backup. Never ever put all your trust in VoIP or even just a phone line, too many things can go wrong. If someone is going to break into a house, the first thing they do is cut the phone and cable lines.

A Cell backup is needed no matter what system or alarm company you use.
Ask your police office how many calls they get from ADT and if it is a priority to answer them. I know in Jacksonville, ADT is major problem for our PD and they will get by your house when they get around to it. Yes I meant 60 seconds. Also, NextAlarm guarantees the signal as long as your Net connection is up and running. Also, most thiefs are too stupid to cut your cable, they wil cut your phone phone line first, which in my case wouldn't help them in the least.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15533921 Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:01:30 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15506901 belawrence :
said by jaxdomino See Profile :

I was wondering why no mentioned NextAlarm as an alternative to the over priced/poor service that ADT provides. I have NextAlarm and pay $8.95 a month for monitoring via VoIP.
Because transmission of alarm signals via VOIP is not UL certified and if your homeowners insurance knew of this they may void any discounts you were getting for protection devices. I have three VOIP lines coming into my home but my alarm communicates via AlarmNet radio only. BTW, your pricing for ADT's services aren't completely accurate.
--
Obviously you're not a golfer - Jeffery "the dude" Lebowski]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15506901 Sat, 18 Feb 2006 16:25:34 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15506380 jinjimbob :
said by jaxdomino See Profile :

I was wondering why no mentioned NextAlarm as an alternative to the over priced/poor service that ADT provides. I have NextAlarm and pay $8.95 a month for monitoring via VoIP. They actually send you a ATA that connects to your home network and it is a dedicated VoIP circuit. They are awesome. they test the system once a week automatically and send me a page that everything is OK, when it's not, I know about it right away via a SMS sent to me cell phone or my wife's cell. The only up front cost came from paying I think $99 for the ATA. I also paid for 3 years in advance, but unlike ADT, I can cancel at anytime and get back the remaining monies paid already. Can you say NO CONTRACT!? I have tripped our alarm several times on purpose to test them and they have never gone passed the 60 minute window in reaching me to see if everything is alright. Now add the $100 for the ADT wireless backup and the $60 a year on top of the $25/month monitoring fee = that's $460, the first year alone versus the $421.20 for 3 years. BTW I had to add another network drop to the control panel for about $50. No match. Everything is backed up by UPS in the network closet and the alarm box. I was without power last year for about 1 hour and had no problems with my VoIP using a cordless phone system. Now the fax issue is annoying. I have looked for network faxes that our cheap. You can send the docs out via the Internet, but not receive them. Although you could setup Internet Printing Protocol. I guess the issue would be that some people would still need to dial a number to fax to you. Dang, that's a good one.
60 minute window? Are you sure that isn't 60 seconds? They could empty your house in 60 minutes.

I have ADT with cell backup, mainly just for the cell backup. Never ever put all your trust in VoIP or even just a phone line, too many things can go wrong. If someone is going to break into a house, the first thing they do is cut the phone and cable lines.

A Cell backup is needed no matter what system or alarm company you use.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15506380 Sat, 18 Feb 2006 14:57:23 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15505299 jcricket : And, of course, even though I cancelled before my 30 days was up, and received assurances that I would not be charged for the next month of service, I just received an invoice for that month. So now I have to spend another 30 minutes on the phone getting this resolved. If you view time as money (as I do), I've more than spent the "savings" this package was supposed to provide.

I realize that big companies can have problems with these sorts of rollouts. As a senior project manager, I regularly coordinate rollouts as large as this at work. I've always made sure that the support people get their questions answered before launch and have direct access to the launch team for a period of time after launch. Earthlink's lack of such coordination and abysmal service (which I'm sure isn't limited to this service) does not bode well for any dealings I might require with Earthlink in the future. If Earthlink had said, "Aha, that sounds like problem with the line, which Covad manages" followed by "I'm going to escalate to them, here's a ticket # to track" or "let me transfer you to Covad line support" this would have been different.

Frankly, besides abarson, the other Covad techs mentioned that they didn't have access to the LPV testing tools, so they couldn't help out even if they wanted. Remember that the person who helped resolve this issue is a Covad representative who read a customer rant on a online forum not officially supported or promoted by either company. I don't like relying on unofficial support channels for services that are vital to my ability to keep working. If this weren't DSL, and was, instead, a problem with XBox Live or some digital camera I bought, I wouldn't have such high expectations.

Again, many thanks for abarson for getting this fixed. He really went above and beyond. I don't blame any of the other Covad techs who read these boards for what they could not do. I'm also glad that others won't go through what I did. Although perhaps there was some more testing to be done (like testing alarm systems, analog faxes, caller ID time-stamps, voicemail notification etc.) before launch to catch these kinds of problems :-)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15505299 Sat, 18 Feb 2006 11:40:07 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15505162 tquan : yes, alarm and modem were successful for me as well after I got the note from abarson. I'm following up with him to check if the other minor issues (caller id timestamp off, voice mail notification not working) are fixable as well. But those issues aren't severe enough to keep the service form being usable

I understand jcricket's frustration (he should not have had the experience he had), but I guess I have more tolerance here because I work for a company much like Earthlink. New product rollouts from personal experience are difficult things, it's often problematic to get everyone in the company on the ball right after the start. I am happy that Covad is providing the underpinnings of the service, like jcricket, I've felt that Covad always does a solid job and that makes sure there's some base quality there.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15505162 Sat, 18 Feb 2006 11:16:50 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15501383 jcricket : I can confirm that in the few hours after abarson fixed the problem that I still had LPV, my fax machine worked.

I still stand by my experience and am glad to not be an Earthlink customer. Earthlink support was abysmal (when I could even get through in a reasonable time). The only reason anything got fixed is that someone at Covad reads DSL Reports. Who knows if the next person will be as lucky with the next problem they encounter.

No one at Earthlink seemed capable, willing or able to escalate my issue to someone who could get in touch with someone at Covad. No reason for me to give my money to a company like that.

This is the opposite of my experience with Speakeasy. who have been willing and able to get in touch with Covad when necessary (rather than giving me the runaround). They've also been good at keeping me informed of what's going on, even when Covad is doing all the work to fix whatever my problem is.

I rely on my DSL access too much to trust a company like Earthlink with it. If, down the road, Speakeasy offers DSL2+ and LPV, I might consider switching back. But no more Earthlink for me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15501383 Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:22:53 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15499075 tquan :
said by Doctor Olds See Profile :

said by abarson See Profile :

The posting by 'jcricket' has been very helpful. A codec configuration problem was found that prevented all modem-based telephony devices from operating on his line. A subsequent sweep has corrected this issue for all LPV end users. If you have experienced problems with fax, alarm system, etc. on LPV, please retry those devices now.:D
That is great news!! Anyone successful now?

Regards,

Doctor Olds
I'll be retrying it as soon as I get home.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15499075 Fri, 17 Feb 2006 13:57:25 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15492912 Doctor Olds :
said by abarson See Profile :

The posting by 'jcricket' has been very helpful. A codec configuration problem was found that prevented all modem-based telephony devices from operating on his line. A subsequent sweep has corrected this issue for all LPV end users. If you have experienced problems with fax, alarm system, etc. on LPV, please retry those devices now.:D
That is great news!! Anyone successful now?

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15492912 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 18:11:35 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15492771 abarson : The posting by 'jcricket' has been very helpful. A codec configuration problem was found that prevented all modem-based telephony devices from operating on his line. A subsequent sweep has corrected this issue for all LPV end users. If you have experienced problems with fax, alarm system, etc. on LPV, please retry those devices now.:D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15492771 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 17:55:23 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491863 tquan :
said by insomniac84 See Profile :

I would consider the DirecTivo problem a flaw with DirecTivo. Why aren't cable boxes, tivos, and satellite boxes using networks cards and the internet to communicate. Dialup is so archaic.
Standard TiVos have long been able to do this. The problem with DirecTiVos is that DirecTV is so afraid of "signal theft" that they have refused to allow TiVo to enable the functionality on the satellite boxes.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491863 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:54:50 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491171 jaxdomino : I was wondering why no mentioned NextAlarm as an alternative to the over priced/poor service that ADT provides. I have NextAlarm and pay $8.95 a month for monitoring via VoIP. They actually send you a ATA that connects to your home network and it is a dedicated VoIP circuit. They are awesome. they test the system once a week automatically and send me a page that everything is OK, when it's not, I know about it right away via a SMS sent to me cell phone or my wife's cell. The only up front cost came from paying I think $99 for the ATA. I also paid for 3 years in advance, but unlike ADT, I can cancel at anytime and get back the remaining monies paid already. Can you say NO CONTRACT!? I have tripped our alarm several times on purpose to test them and they have never gone passed the 60 minute window in reaching me to see if everything is alright. Now add the $100 for the ADT wireless backup and the $60 a year on top of the $25/month monitoring fee = that's $460, the first year alone versus the $421.20 for 3 years. BTW I had to add another network drop to the control panel for about $50. No match. Everything is backed up by UPS in the network closet and the alarm box. I was without power last year for about 1 hour and had no problems with my VoIP using a cordless phone system. Now the fax issue is annoying. I have looked for network faxes that our cheap. You can send the docs out via the Internet, but not receive them. Although you could setup Internet Printing Protocol. I guess the issue would be that some people would still need to dial a number to fax to you. Dang, that's a good one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491171 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 14:17:56 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491127 RWS : I do not believe faxing will work unless Covad can manipulate the fax data. Some device's like a mediatrix you have to change the codec on the individual port to G711/PCMU or T.38. If that's the codec Covad is using then I'm at a loss. But those codec's do use less compression and must be used in business voip model to get faxing to work. When configuring Cisco Enterprise Gateways you must also put in specific commands in the VOIP dialpeers to flag fax so unless they are specificlly using those codec for the voice traffic I do not think faxing will work.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15491127 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 14:12:08 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15490283 insomniac84 : I would consider the DirecTivo problem a flaw with DirecTivo. Why aren't cable boxes, tivos, and satellite boxes using networks cards and the internet to communicate. Dialup is so archaic.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15490283 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:15:30 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15451194 jcricket : I do actually know about what you say regarding the DirecTivo, which is why it's low on my list. Basically, no fax and no alarm system connectivity where the deal breakers. The voicemail notification lights and DirecTivo "nag warning" were secondary.

Again, it's not POTS replacement. It's faster-than-usual DSL and VOIP without a TA in your house.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15451194 Sat, 11 Feb 2006 02:36:01 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15443513 tquan :
said by jcricket See Profile :

•Pay ADT another $100 up-front and $5/month to get cellular alarm monitoring
•Sign up with eFax and buy a scanner
•Buy new phones for the VoiceMail indicators to work
•Hack my DirecTivo so that it makes "calls" over the Internet

An alternate view--I guess I'm a bit more tolerant/have less stringent requirements than jcricket, because I'm happy with the service. I'll take his objections in turn:

•ADT alarm monitoring. I've decided to go with cellular monitoring. As I mentioned before, I've set myself on using VoIP (local phone service is relatively expensive for what you get in my area) and all other VoIP services would face the alarm problem. I went ahead and had the cellular based monitoring device installed yesterday.
•I don't have to deal with fax (I think fax is an anachronism, but I understand it's still important in many businesses nevertheless)
•Never used the voicemail indicators on my phones. I'm almost constantly logged into e-mail, so the e-mail notification of voicemails is more than good enough for me.
•DirecTiVo. probably jcricket doesn't know this, but DirecTiVos work absolutely fine even if they never call in on the phone line. The only thing that happens is you get a warning in the TiVo menus that the TiVo hasn't dialed in recently; there's no functional loss. The regular TiVos (standalone for services other than DirecTV) of course can be configured to connect back to TiVo via the Internet without hacks.

I'm willing to deal with the minor (to me) flaws in the service right now because it provides DSL speeds beyond anything my local phone provider can do, and with better overall internet connectivity than my local cableco (Comcast) does even with their sky high cable modem rates. I do agree though, that Earthlink should not advertise the service as a drop in replacement to POTS.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15443513 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 23:59:54 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439656 jcricket : Bingo. If it's a beta, advertise it as such. Instead it was advertised as "available in limited cities". I checked with both pre-sales and technical support, who gave affirmative answers as to my questions about full-POTS functionality before I ordered.

Then, once I get the service and find out none of these things work, they suddenly start claiming ignorance, "beta issues" or spouting inaccurate advice for their other services.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439656 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 15:04:35 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439521 Doctor Olds : Wow, I'm sorry to hear that it did not work out for you and I fully understand as you have very succinctly detailed the missing POTS functionality/shortcomings of the new LPV service. Sorry that you ended up as a test subject with these issues that, In My Opinion, should have been worked out in the Beta trials which are over as I understand it. Apparently it's still beta. :[

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439521 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 14:44:46 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439335 jcricket : My update is that I gave up. Faxing and Alarm system monitoring do not work - at all. Don't let anyone at Earthlink tell you differently. To resolve this I'd have to:

•Pay ADT another $100 up-front and $5/month to get cellular alarm monitoring
•Sign up with eFax and buy a scanner
•Buy new phones for the VoiceMail indicators to work
•Hack my DirecTivo so that it makes "calls" over the Internet

All of these issues totally dwards and DSL speed advantages or "bundled savings" from this package.

So I called Earthlink and cancelled (you only have 30 days to do this before you're signed up for a 1-year committment). Unfortunately this also meant I had to call up and port my number back to Qwest (5-10 biz. days) and my DSL back to Speakeasy (6-9 biz. days). Hopefully I won't incur much downtime during the switchover.

Working with Earthlink was a totally miserable experience. Hour-long waits and no one in support knows what they're talking about when it comes to this service. All the advice they give you is for home-ATA-based VOIP (like Earthlink's TrueVoice or Vonage) or just plain bullshit. Worse, many of the CS reps barely speak English and keep reading different answers off the scripts they have, often answering a question that sounds like (but isn't) what you asked.

My conclusion is that Earthlink and Covad's claim that LPV is "just like POTS" is a lie. It appears to have the same advantages and disadvantages of most VOIP system. Sure, your phones will work in a power outage and you don't have a TA in your house. Woot! What's worse is that since you don't have a TA there don't appear to be solutions for the fax and alarm system issues that other people have figured out for Vonage, et al.

If all you need is really fast DSL and basic home phone service, are willing to put up with little to no support and don't need any other "POTS functionality" (fax, modem, alarm system, correct caller-ID timestamps), go ahead and sign up. Otherwise, wait until they either work out the kinks or admit that this system really doesn't offer POTS-like functionality.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15439335 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 14:15:40 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15436471 tquan : dialing *99, pausing a few seconds, then dialing the fax number in the same call dialing sequence definitely doesn't work. As jcricket reports, if you try this on LPV, all you get is dead silence/the sound of crickets on the line (ok, was kidding about the crickets!)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15436471 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 03:08:03 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15436460 Doctor Olds : Just like most all star type (*) service codes you have to add it to the same call dialing sequence. Hanging up would undo the temporary change of *99. It's similar to adding *70, to stop call waiting from interrupting a call. Comma's (,) are added to give a few seconds of pause (2 seconds per comma or 2.55 seconds each if you want exact. ;)) so the temporary service change request can register before the dialing of the actual number.

Comma Magic

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15436460 Thu, 09 Feb 2006 03:01:58 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15432553 anon : for the *99 thingy, are you dialing it and hanging up, or adding it to the beginning of your fax phone number?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15432553 Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:51:49 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15418677 tquan : jcricket--notice that you posted on the Covad Direct forum as well. Post here if you find out anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15418677 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 21:48:13 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15415467 jcricket : So did you test fax functionality on those circuits? The basic functionality (voice + dsl) work fine for me.

Or, better yet, any way for us to get in touch with people inside of Covad (through Earthlink) who do have access to the right knowledge/tools?

Edited to add: My issues are all on the voice side right now, in order of importance:

1) Analog fax machines cannot make outgoing fax calls successfully.

2) ADT Alarm systems do not connect. My alarm company reports receiving "no signals" when I perform a test.

3) Analog modems cannot successfully dial out and connect to remote modems.

4) Voicemail indicator appears not to work. It's possible that my phone relies on the "stutter tone" and not "FSK" for VM indicators. Supposedly LPV offers VM notification via FSK. I have not verified this yet.

5) Caller ID timestamp is off (no matter what you set as your timezone in Earthlink's web portal). The timestamp is correct on the voicemail messages

The DSL and regular phone service work, including caller ID and voicemail functionality.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15415467 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 15:07:17 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15415263 e_dub : I've replied to tquan's question in the Covad Forum, and I guess I'll reply here.

Many of us in the Covad Forum do not have access the LPV testing app. Only a small group within Covad have access and that's because LPV is still in it's testing phase. Sorry :huh:

I've installed at least 10 LPV circuits in Atlanta (for the ELNK execs) and they have all gone smooth. I can only remember one circuit that was installed in the ELNK's Corp building being used test alarm dial out circuits. Not sure how that went.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15415263 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 14:33:58 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414959 jcricket : Thanks tquan - Please do find out. Earthlink tech support's only suggestion was dial "*99" before using the fax. I tried that, and the result is nothing (literally). The fax dials the number and then no ringing, no connecting on the other side.

I'm definitely interested to hear what people at Covad have to say. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414959 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 13:52:24 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414757 tquan : doc olds & jcricket--I'll try asking a Covad tech directly in the Covad Direct Forum and see what I can find out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414757 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 13:25:12 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414704 Doctor Olds : There has to be something that is altering the conversion from Analog to Digital back to Analog that will work (otherwise voice wouldn't work). Maybe ask in the Covad / covad.net Forum for assistance? It may be an obscure setting on their end? ;)

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414704 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 13:17:27 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414466 tquan :
said by Doctor Olds See Profile :

Try a backwards DSL filter please. It sometimes works with other VoIP type services and there is a chance it may work with LPV.
Unfortunately, this didn't work (tried with an analog modem and the TiVo)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414466 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:41:56 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414253 Doctor Olds : Try a backwards DSL filter please. It sometimes works with other VoIP type services and there is a chance it may work with LPV.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414253 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:15:38 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414102 tquan :
said by jcricket See Profile :

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to try again with ADT when I have time this week. Did you do anything special to test? Also, what's your filtering setup?

I still can't get the analog modem or fax machine to work. The fax is far more critical.
Unfortunately it turns out I have the alarm problem as well (the alarm managed to work once, but not consistently--eventually the ADT touchscreen complained about phone line problems). I don't intend to return to a standard analog voice line if I can help it, so I'm looking at options for dealing with the alarm. According to ADT, they offer an option for most of their alarm systems which allows the system to communicate via cell phone. Hardware cost is $199 (before $75 rebate), plus an extra $5/month for monitoring. In the long haul, I can make up that cost by staying with VoIP, and this will probably be a problem no matter which VoIP solution I go with ultimately. jcricket, if you can get the fax to work (or perhaps use one of the online fax options like eFax) this might be a way to handle the alarm problem.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15414102 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 11:53:04 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15413703 jcricket : It's definitely a fax communications breakdown, as it dials the number, gets to "connecting" and then just hangs. You can even hear the first bit of the fax tone.

I've tried turning off error correction and V.34, which are the only fax settings I have access too (this is a HP Laser multi-function machine).

FYI - I have a DSL/Voice splitter at the NID, so none of the phones, fax machine or alarm system inside the house should require additional filters (or at least they didn't when I had regular ADSL service). At any rate, I tried adding a filter in both directions at the fax machine, it didn't change anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15413703 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 10:37:35 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15412739 Doctor Olds : Is it a Fax communications breakdown or a 10 digit dialing issue?

Have you tried lower the fax rate to 14.4k or 9600 if it is a communications error?

Have you tried placing a DSL filter on the FAX device but placing it on backwards so the filter is at the machine and the line cord goes into it from the wall??

Regards,

Doctor Olds
--
What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15412739 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 03:57:39 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15412463 jcricket : Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to try again with ADT when I have time this week. Did you do anything special to test? Also, what's your filtering setup?

I still can't get the analog modem or fax machine to work. The fax is far more critical.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15412463 Mon, 06 Feb 2006 01:49:52 EDT Re: [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Proble http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15399740 tquan : I'm still working on my full review of the service but can confirm at least that the modem issue is real. Under LPV, my DirecTiVo (TiVo for DirecTV satellite service) cannot use its analog modem to call in. It's well known though that a DirecTiVo doesn't really need to call in except in the case of a software update (and since DirecTV is ending their relationship with TiVo, not much chance of that). So this doesn't worry me too much. I haven't had a chance to do an alarm system test yet to find out if that's affected (the alarm and TiVo are the only analog phone devices I have other than voice phones, which of course work)

Update: Did an alarm test with my alarm monitoring company (ADT) and the alarm did call in properly. So at least recent ADT alarm systems work fine with LPV. I have an ADT touchscreen system that was installed in late 2004.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15399740 Sat, 04 Feb 2006 03:36:07 EDT Re: Getting Earthlink Line Powered Voice on 2/3 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15393244 jcricket : Is there any way to tell which phones support FSK notification? I've got a VTech cordless phone system (the 5831), which worked fine with my phone company voicemail.

This isn't the most critical issue. The fax and alarm system are more disturbing to me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15393244 Fri, 03 Feb 2006 11:09:38 EDT Re: Getting Earthlink Line Powered Voice on 2/3 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15390534 Automate :
said by jcricket See Profile :

I no longer get visual voicemail notification on the phones and there is no "stutter tone". Earthlink has said they don't support the stutter tone, although perhaps it's just a "bug" right now.
There are two different ways the phone company can send a message waiting signal, stutter tone or FSK. Some phones work with either type of signals other phones only work with one or the other. You may want to try a phone that supports FSK message waiting indication. FSK is really a better method because with stutter tone the phone has periodically "pick up the phone line" to check for the stutter tone.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15390534 Thu, 02 Feb 2006 22:32:49 EDT [Split] Fax, Modem or Alarm System, LPV Problems http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15389703 jcricket : Split from this topic ---> »Getting Earthlink Line Powered Voice on 2/3

tquan - I would be curious what your experience is. I just got the service and while the basic DSL and phone functionality works, I'm having a bunch of serious issues. I've been unable to get my fax, modem or alarm system (which all use POTS) to work. The fax, for example, calls and tries to connect, but just hangs.

I'm filtering the same way I was with my regular DSL service (using a splitter at the NID, rather than in-line microfilters). The basic phone service works fine (caller ID, call waiting, voicemail), although I no longer get visual voicemail notification on the phones and there is no "stutter tone". Earthlink has said they don't support the stutter tone, although perhaps it's just a "bug" right now.

I've been working this issue with Earthlink for the past 3 days to no avail. If I can't get the fax and alarm system to work (which everyone is saying should), I'm going to cancel and go back to POTS and regular ADSL.

FYI - They also turned off my old DSL and phone service the day before they got me the equipment, which was pretty annoying. Not the end of the world, though.

Anyone else have any thoughts/suggestions for me?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15389703 Thu, 02 Feb 2006 20:54:03 EDT