mAlfunkti0n
join:2003-12-16
Loveland, OH
 ·Cincinnati Bell
| [General] Considering VoIP in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Hello,
I live near Cincinnati, Ohio and im considering switching over to a VoIP system. I have read some reviews on it but still wanted to ask a few questions.
Which company do you like the best?
Voice quality - How is the quality? Comparable to my current landline, better, etc?
Bandwidth usage - I have a 7mbit/512kbit line from Time Warner, I play games, download quite a bit, etc, how much bandwidth am I looking at by placing phone calls.
Uptime - What can I expect?
I appriciate any help, thanks! |
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Gelroos
Mad Mage
Premium
join:2003-05-23
Wilmington, DE
| If you use your connection a lot, in both directions, I would make sure that the first thing you do is figure out how you are going to do QoS. This is just IMHO, but for people who actually USE their broadband (unlike my in-laws, they never do so they never got QoS setup for their connection), QoS makes sure that you are CONTROLLING all of the factors that you can. A good QoS configuration will make sure that your VoIP is most important (if you choose it to be that) in the "bandwidth consideration" for your router. So if you are DL'ing that PrOn movie, and using the XboX Live, and talking on the phone, at the very worst, the phone works right. I would suggest searching about the Linksys WRT54GS and the GPL forks of Sveasoft's firmware for said device. You have plenty of bandwidth to run several lines, personally I use Packet8, but others recommend and abuse as their experiences dictate. My uptime has been less than 2 days of NOTICEABLE outage at one time (in over 14 months), and that was because my DTA finally bit the dust and couldn't maintain a connection with Packet8's SIP servers. I got a new one, and been fine since. I say noticeable because I have heard from others that it was down at times when I wasn't using the phone (kinda like the tree falling in the woods idea). Hope this helps you down the research path to Telco Freedom 
--
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure.The "Tree of Liberty" letter From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH
| reply to mAlfunkti0n
Any voip provider will do. First, read up on the many listed under Voip Providers on this forum (drop down menu). Then find the ones that offer a cincy number, if needed. Then what calling area do you need. Then, what features do you need/want and which providers give you them. Then finally shop the price.
Personally, i like the $20/month providers. They usually have a great calling area (USA and Canada) and great features. I use Lingo.com and am trying out wipphone.com and surevoice.com among others.
Other providers would be SunRocket, Packet8, Broadvoice, Broadvox Direct, VoicePulse, etc etc.
Some providers like Lingo have a referral program. Be sure to get a referral from those companies - will save you some money down the road.
And remember, if one company doesnt work out, try another. Voip service is great...and saves you a bunch of money.
Hope this helps...
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mAlfunkti0n
join:2003-12-16
Loveland, OH
·Cincinnati Bell
| Re: [General] Considering VoIP in Cincinnati, Ohio
Well I talked to my wife about it today (have to get her okay, since she is ganna use it as well  ). Its a go ahead, now I just gatta do my research and check out things. So far packet8 seems good, lets me keep my number or gives me a number (513) in my area. Only thing I dislike is the dialing of 1+area code first. |
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Test99
Premium
join:2003-04-24
San Jose, CA | reply to mAlfunkti0n
Be sure to check the reviews at »/gbu
--
FWD 50775 |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH
| reply to mAlfunkti0n
said by mAlfunkti0n  : Only thing I dislike is the dialing of 1+area code first. Yup, Cincy is one of the many places dialing area codes (10 digit dialing) hasnt hit yet. If 7 digit dialing is important you and your family then check into the providers that offer 7 digit dialing - Lingo (for sure), SunRocket (been posted here) and Broadvox Direct.
Do a search on the forum to discover more.
Good luck!
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prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA
 ·VoiceStick
| reply to mAlfunkti0n
Any provider that supports Sipura SIP devices use 7 digit dialing. Sipura's pretty much come programmed for 7 digit dialing. Broadvoice, Voicepulse use Sipura's and of course you can go with independents too if you investigate them and they meet your needs. |
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Flyer00
join:2005-01-15
West Chester, OH
| reply to mAlfunkti0n
I've been using VOIP in Cincy for almost a year. I had Packet8 for about eight months with no real problems. Voice quality on P8 was about equal to a cell phone. Not quite up to landline quality, but not bad. The service was pretty solid. Hardly any dropped calls or voice break-ups. I switched to BroadVoice a couple of months ago. The voice quality on BV is excellent -- better than a landline. However, BV uses more bandwidth and voice break-ups happen more frequently, especially if someone is using significant bandwidth on your computer. P8 requires you to dial 10 digits even for local calls, BV only makes you dial 7 like you're used to. BV also has the person's name on caller ID, whereas P8 just shows the number. Feature-wise, BV blows P8 away. As far as reliability goes, BV has had many more issues than P8 ever had. Overall, for the little amount I use it and for half the price of P8, I'm sticking with BV here in Cincy. If you want to know anything else, just ask.
P.S. How are you getting 512 upload on RR here? I still get the pathetic 384. |
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mAlfunkti0n
join:2003-12-16
Loveland, OH
·Cincinnati Bell
| Just wanted to update here.
Decided to go with BroadVoice and I really like it. Im still getting the hardware together for my firewall/qos box but the call quality has been exceptional. I did have some problems with voice breakup at times, but I just toned the upload speed on my FTP to about 40KBps and the breakups went away.
Flyer00: You have to get the RR premium service for the boost in upload. Its a small boost, but its a boost.
It costs me about $65 per month (with cable), but i get around 955KBps when downloading from newsgroups (sustained) and around 60KBps up. |
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usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
·VOIPo
 ·WOW Internet and C..
·Broadvox Direct
| Re: [General] Considering VoIP in Cincinnati
I was going to let you know this morning that BroadvoxDirect was a good bet and that your consideration of Packet8 might be bad timing from recent posts.
BVX could likely port you number -- I know 513-618-5555 showed it possible.
I had checked Vonage and VoicePulse and they did not have Cincinnati numbers.
BroadVoice is a reasonable choice -- I think. I would have to refresh my opinion on that by reading, but you've decided, so I wish you well.
I recommend against porting a number until you are sure the service works for you. And that VoIP is really for you.
I have hastily typed this verses the more thoughtful rendition that got lost this morning 
Welcome to VoIP -- I hope it is a great experience!
--
Jim -- USA2K
SEE: |DCWU |FAH |PICS |BVX REVIEW |
FWD, Vonage 23mths-12/04,& BVX 07/04-now |
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