VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD

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Brian in MD
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join:2003-05-10
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VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD

Here's a copy of Tim's post from the customer forums:

------------------------------------------

You asked...and received.

As you probably know, our policy has been to require users to use our provided device only and not permit BYOD. This decision was originally made to make sure that we keep service levels consistent, curtail abuse of residential service, and streamline support/training.

Since launch, we've had a huge number of users asking about BYOD and some have presented somewhat legitimate usage cases.

We've also had a HUGE amount of interest in service from HostGator customers overseas that want the service to call family/friends here in the US. International customers make up approximately 40% of the HostGator customer base (1.3 million sites) so that is significant, but we didn't expect such a high interest level from them in our service. Shipping devices internationally is not really a suitable option to address this.

We've shaped our service over the last 2 years from feedback and we're open to making changes if there is a valid argument and large enough demand as long as we can fit it into our existing business model and targets. Our model is not changing and our focus will remain on providing traditional VoIP service to residential users with our devices and fully managing those devices.

With that being said, we are going to relax our BYOD policy on a trial basis. Our concerns?

1) Users blaming service for 3rd party device issues. We do not support or guarantee anything will work with a device if we don't provide it, so we do not want any issues out there related to them to reflect on us.

2) Users contacting support for assistance with third-party devices or asking us to change features to work with 3rd party devices.

3) Users abusing residential plans with multi-user devices.

I'm not being negative...just honest. Everything we do has some kind of reasoning behind it and this one I'm still a little resistant to. Ultimately the reason we're even doing this is just pure demand. Again, this is a trial. If any of these issues become a problem, we'll end it (grandfathering existing in) and go back to not allowing BYOD at all.

Essentially if you choose to use BYOD, you'll be on your own. Just like if you have an iPhone, it's only supposed to be used on AT&T. With some Google skills, you can unlock it and use it on T-Mobile too, but that completely voids your warranty and Apple will not help you if you have issues.

BYOD with VOIPo is similar. Officially we do not support BYOD at all. We will, however, being permitting it.

I think everyone understands our stance on it and can understand why we don't support it.

BYOD Ground Rules:

1) We will provide no support at all when using 3rd party devices.

2) Some features are device specific or tested only with our provided device. We do not guarantee that all features will work with third-party devices and we will not tweak things to make them work.

3) Since 3rd party devices open expose us more to abuse, we will be monitoring and permit only one registration from one location at a time from any third-party device.

4) BYOD accounts will be limited to 3,000 minutes per month of total usage and will not have access to unlimited usage like our started residential accounts.

5) We're setting up a "BYOD Community" on our forums at forums.voipo.com. We have a lot of very knowledgeable customers which can help and ALL discussions about BYOD issues should be kept there and not mixed in with anything related to the standard service. Uses that do not abide by this will be subject to termination.

This new, relaxed BYOD Policy is in effect now. If you have any questions or need SIP credentials, please contact support.
__________________
Timothy Dick
Founder
VOIPo.com

permalink · 2008-12-22 21:46:09 · Print ·

PX Eliezer Premium join:2008-08-09 New Jersey 3 edits	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD This makes a lot of sense. As far as the terms, I suggest BYOD but YO-YO TAPE: This means "BYOD but You're On Your Own, Take All Problems Elsewhere"
	permalink · 2008-12-22 22:37:44 ·

slow mo join:2002-03-19 USA	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD Hey PX, you are a funny dude!!!
	permalink · 2008-12-22 22:44:08 ·

N9MD
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Wayne, NJ

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Wise move ... if VOIPo sticks to its guns about "ignoring" BYOD cries for help aimed at VOIPo CSRs.

And, the intention to allow BYOD folks to have their own section in the VOIPo webite's Forum should work out well, considering the number of well-versed "seasoned" VOIPo alpha/beta testers who have been using BYODs of various types over the last 2+ years ... many of whom are always happy to lend a hand.

permalink · 2008-12-22 22:49:34 ·

christcorp
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Cheyenne, WY

·Bresnan Online

·VOIPo

Generally speaking; there is very little reasoning behind BYOD if the provider is providing an adapter for free. Not that there aren'y ANY reasons; just very little. I myself, have so many adapters sitting around the house with no use whatsoever. However; I like knowing that if for some reason my voip isn't working or is acting weird; I can swap out adapters and see if I still have the problem. So for me, troubleshooting is the main reason. For others, there are definitely some reasons.

The reason I mention this is because even though many here have mentioned wanting to use BYOD; that is mainly because; like me and others here; you are geeks. The overwhelming majority of ANY VOIP PROVIDER has no interest whatsoever in using their own adapters. Especially if a new one from their provider is free. As such; from a strictly business standpoint; it makes sense to not allow BYOD. It's been very successful that way for vonage and packet8. The 2 largest 3rd party voip providers out there. The reason it's so successful is because of their ability to control variables and maximize training and customer support. Anyway; I think it's quite generous of Tim (VoipO) to allow users to use their own adapters if they wany. I hope it works out for all of these users. And if you need; there are a lot of brainiacs like yourselves available in these forums to help. But definitely, don't call VoipO unless you are 100% positive. Matter of fact; if you can sign up with voipo and get their free adapter; then you will have a known good one to use if you run into problems. Especially with conflicting dial plans and such. later... mike...

permalink · 2008-12-22 23:18:22 · Print ·

n1zuk
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Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD

said by christcorp

:

Generally speaking; there is very little reasoning behind BYOD if the provider is providing an adapter for free. Not that there aren'y ANY reasons; just very little.

I'll give one: I use my SPA-1000 so I can use one provider for domestic calling, and another for international calling, all from a single line phone.
--
New to Forum Life? Click here and learn.

permalink · 2008-12-23 07:48:09 · Print ·

UHF All static, all day, Forever Premium,MVM join:2002-05-24 clubs: ·Qwest.net ·Callcentric ·surpasshosting ·Dish Network ·Future Nine Corpor..	No local DIDs, and I'm locked into a Qwest POTS line. So I use a ZOOM 5801 to route all long distance via VOIP, local and 911 via POTS. All incoming of course comes in on the POTS port. Works for me, but would be ugly for VOIPo or any provider to try to support such a setup.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 08:02:28 ·

prestonlewis Premium,MVM join:2003-04-13 Sacramento, CA	geeks? us? no way.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 01:39:57 ·

priller join:2000-10-20 Gainesville, VA ·voip.ms ·Callcentric ·Vonage ·callwithus	So .... If you wanted to do BYOD, you would sign up as normal ... an ATA would be shipped to you ... but, you could then call support for SIP credentials to configure your own device. Is that correct? Now that BYOD is being addressed, can we talk about PAYG?
	permalink · 2008-12-23 07:48:50 ·

ptrowski Got Helix? Premium join:2005-03-14 Putnam, CT clubs:	Good to hear. I do hope that they maintain the hard line of no-support. You are on your own. I don't say that to be a prick, but once you open the floodgates for potential issues.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 08:34:49 ·

dcurrey Premium join:2004-06-29	Well I guess that solves my concern if the main ata dies and want to use backup until replacement arrives.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 09:44:47 ·

PX Eliezer
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1 edit

As VOIPo has now explained it, it sounds like the original title of this thread might be revisited.

Rather than VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD,
it seems that the situation is more like
VOIPo - Now (unofficially) tolerating BYOD.

-------------------------------------------------

And many of the BYOD boffins could come up with useful ideas and adaptations that the company might later adopt.

Just as, for example, McDonald's "Big Mac" was not invented by the company, but rather by a franchise operator.

permalink · 2008-12-23 10:00:46 · Print ·

erikthebean join:2007-06-25 Manchester, NH	So if i wanted to sign up with BYOD how would i do that???
	permalink · 2008-12-23 12:08:43 ·

Buckethead Who? join:2001-07-30 Saint Paul, MN ·VOIPo ·Qwest.net	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD said by erikthebean : So if i wanted to sign up with BYOD how would i do that??? Since BYOD is unsupported I would assume you need to sign up through the normal process and receive the GS502 they ship out.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 12:42:42 ·

christcorp
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join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY

·Bresnan Online

·VOIPo

Yea; there's definitely some reasons to want a BYOD provider. I definitely know of some reasons. But for the vast majority of customers, it's a headache waiting to happen. I'm glad voipo is trying to appease many new customers. That's definitely customer service at it's best. I hope it works out.

On the other hand, while I've used PAPs and RT31P2 and way too many others; I actually really like the Grandstream 502 that voipo provides. Main reason; as stupid as it sounds; is that it's the only adapter I've used that allows my ROTARY DIAL phones to work. Don't ask how. I don't know if it's the adapter; voipo; or a combination of both. But my 1957 Chrome Pay phone in my Bar downstairs and my 1910 Country Junction Candlestick phone on the wall as you enter the house; can now DIAL OUT. They aren't phones I normally use, but the novelty of them are great. It was cool to show people they actually worked answering a call. The fact that it can dial out makes the novelty that much better. later... mike....

permalink · 2008-12-23 13:04:17 · Print ·

RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, CO	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD said by christcorp : I don't know if it's the adapter; voipo; or a combination of both. It's got to be the adapter, interpreting the pulses and creating packets with the appropriate numerical equivalent contents. IP takes packets, not pulses. You knew that!
	permalink · 2008-12-23 13:12:19 ·

christcorp
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Cheyenne, WY

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Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD

said by RockyBB

said by christcorp

:

I don't know if it's the adapter; voipo; or a combination of both.

It's got to be the adapter, interpreting the pulses and creating packets with the appropriate numerical equivalent contents. IP takes packets, not pulses. You knew that!

I'm sure it's the adapter. Prior to this 502 model; I had the 286 modem. I don't believe it ever worked with rotary. That adapter had some other issues. So I started testing the 502. It's been fine. Oh well. Either way, I like it. later... mike...

permalink · 2008-12-23 14:22:21 · Print ·

B Premium,MVM join:2000-10-28	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD Sunrocket was so far ahead of its time. The great underrated Innomedia supports pulse dialing just fine. I'm glad to hear that another pulse-capable adapter (and a company willing to spend that extra 3 cents for the relay circuit) exists. -- B -- In a realm outside causality and function
	permalink · 2008-12-23 23:07:02 ·

slow mo

join:2002-03-19
USA

1 edit

Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD

said by B

:

Sunrocket was so far ahead of its time.

The great underrated Innomedia supports pulse dialing just fine.

I'm glad to hear that another pulse-capable adapter (and a company willing to spend that extra 3 cents for the relay circuit) exists.

-- B

I agree.

My 1920's Northern Electric (Bell Canada) telephone was happy with SR's Innomedia. Now it's happy again with VO's HT502.

permalink · 2008-12-24 09:29:41 · Print ·

dcurrey Premium join:2004-06-29	Pulse dialing never would figure that would have made any adapters that could handle that.
	permalink · 2008-12-23 13:15:19 ·

PX Eliezer
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said by christcorp

:

I actually really like the Grandstream 502 that voipo provides. Main reason; as stupid as it sounds; is that it's the only adapter I've used that allows my ROTARY DIAL phones to work. Don't ask how. I don't know if it's the adapter; voipo; or a combination of both.

This converter device may be of interest for some setups:
»www.oldphoneworks.com/pulse-to-t···ter.html

They say it works on many VoIP systems, but not on MagicJock.

permalink · 2008-12-24 00:12:24 · Print ·

erikthebean join:2007-06-25 Manchester, NH	Ok after reading what Tim wrote i have been so inspired i signed up for a year of VoipO...
	permalink · 2008-12-23 13:49:46 ·

VOIPoTim VOIPo.com Premium,VIP join:2006-06-06 Houston, TX	Re: VOIPo - Now (unofficially) supporting BYOD said by erikthebean : Ok after reading what Tim wrote i have been so inspired i signed up for a year of VoipO... You and 1/2 the forum it looks like. Welcome to VOIPo!
	permalink · 2008-12-23 13:58:12 ·

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