VOIP etc > Voice Over IP - VOIP > VOIP Tech Chat > Help for Newbie -- voip.ms vs. callcentric

Help for Newbie -- voip.ms vs. callcentric

I use Voip.ms myself. If you want fax support, you'll probably want to take a closer look at Callcentric. I think they have some sort of roundabout fax support, where Voip.ms has none.

I have a fax server that runs on a voip.ms account, and it's "fair to middlin'". Definitely not something I can rely on 100%. There's no rhyme or reason as to which ones work and which ones fail. I hate faxing. I wish it would go away.

You probably can't go wrong with either company.
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...because I care.

reply to pertman
Both Voip.ms and CallCentric are reliable. I would also suggest that you take a look at Anveo.

Are you planning to port your existing number to the voip provider?

BTW, the Obi is for sale on Amazon today at $38.50 with free shipping.

reply to pertman
Important difference between them is that CallCentric has "unlimited" plans (note that I used quotes, more on this later) and pay-per-minute and VOIP.MS is pay-per-minute only.

For you this "unlimited" plan from CC may be a good fit:

»www.callcentric.com/dids/personal_unlimited

The reason I used quotes is because this plan is only unlimited for incoming calls and it is never stated anywhere on that page. For all outgoing calls you will pay per each minute.

CC has another "unlimited" plan for outgoing calls only:

»www.callcentric.com/rate_plans03.php

So in order to have unlimited service both ways you need to purchase both plans.

reply to pertman
A few primary distinctions are that Voip.ms has sub accounts, multiple voicemail boxes, IVR, caller is lookups are optional, user configureable outbound caller id (number not name) and a $25 minimum funding amount.

If you have need of any of those features, go with Voip.ms otherwise i'd recommend Callcentric.
--
Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin naal ok zin los vahriin wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindro zaan Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!

reply to pertman
Am I correct that due to VOIP.MS being Canadian company they have (had?) some issues with E911 for USA customers? I recall seeing a post here that someone's 911 call was not routed correctly due to VOIP.MS using some Canadian provider for E911 (I can't find this post now, so not really sure).

PS: found this post (review) I was talking about:

»Review of voip.ms by Motofreak

reply to pertman
Also keep in mind that no VOIP provider can guarantee fax delivery 100%. It was explained in this forum by someone from CC that this is due to fundamental limitations of VOIP technology.

reply to JoeSchmoe007

reply to pertman

reply to JoeSchmoe007

reply to pertman
As mentioned, there are FAX services that can assist with this using email and this is probably the way to go. FAX also has a special voip FAX relay standard, T.38. To use T.38 for FAX both your voip adapter and the VoIP Provider must support the T.38.

Cisco/Linksys SPA2102 and SPA3102 VoIP adapters will support the T.38 protocol as will the new SPA122. The OBi adapters, while in many respects are superior to the Cisco/Linksys units and have a "Fax Pass Thru" mode, the OBi units do not yet support the T.38 FAX protocol.

CallCentric does support the T.38 Fax protocol and has a statement about FAX on their web site: »www.callcentric.com/faq/30/205

I could be mistaken, however I do not believe VoIP.ms has any special support for FAX.

reply to pertman
One other minor consideration between voip.ms and Callcentric is that CNAM (Caller ID with Name) is included with your DID from Callcentric. CNAM is an option with voip.ms, but there is an additional 0.8 cents for each call you receive on your voip.ms DID.

reply to pertman
If your needs are simple and the feature set of either will cover your requirements, then it comes down to price and reliability. Your usage patterns will help determine your typical monthly costs -- if neither is a deal breaker I'd go with Callcentric.

Search the number of threads here about issues with voip.ms' servers being down in this or that city and such. Compare that to the dearth of threads about issues with Callcentric and then decide.

reply to Adam4

reply to pertman

reply to pertman
I think that you'd do fine with either CallCentric or Voip.MS, and that Mango has given a very good summary.

My personal choice is CallCentric, as I don't think that anyone can top them for consistent quality, reliability, and customer service. I use them for my home phone service for 3 years now, and have just switched my main business phone to them.

I'd also give them the edge in billing procedures.

And CallCentric has happy customers in California and beyond, so I don't think that's an issue.

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

But this does make me feel good:

I am strongly a CallCentric user.

Mango primarily uses Voip.MS

Arne Bolen is a strong supporter of Anveo.

Yet we are all friends, we all get along, 3 people, 3 companies, 3 countries.

There's a nice moral in there somewhere.

Thanks all! It looks like I will be going with Callcentric. Still crunching the numbers

reply to pertman
CallCentric plans are delineated here:
»www.callcentric.com/products/

You are a small user, as you said.

If you were to use:

Outbound PAYG: 100 minutes at $ 0.0198
Inbound PAYG: 100 minutes at $ 0.015 (plus the phone number at $ 1.95)
911 Service: $ 1.50

The monthly total is $ 6.93 so we are not talking about big bucks here. And there is no additional tax (except in NY State) or USF or other fees....

reply to pertman
I ended up choosing voip.ms for a few reasons:
1. Sub accounts
2. Fractional billing (every 6 seconds)
3. IVR capability
4. More flexible PBX type features

I also have a Callcentric account as a backup. I'm new at these two companies as well (my number will complete it's porting to voip.ms on the 31st). I'm confident they will both be reliable, but won't really know until it passes the WAF.

Mango and PX provided me with lots of info. You're in good hands.

reply to pertman
Callcentric and VoIP.ms are currently #1 and #2 in the »/gbu. Either choice will be a good one