micko113
join:2004-04-15
Renton, WA
| [Other] Callcentric vs Voip.ms - Have you tried both?
Hi,
So, I've narrowed it down to those two but I'm not sure which one I should go with.
I would like to hear from you who have tried both what are pros and cos of each?
Most what I'm concerned about is call quality and reliability.
Any help is appreciated! |
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priller
join:2000-10-20
Gainesville, VA
 ·voip.ms
·Callcentric
·Vonage
·callwithus
| I'm currently using both. If you put a gun to my head to pick one, I'd go with Callcentric.
Quality
C: I can't remember ever having a bad call with them. Always clear and crisp.
V: Never a bad call either. However, often I tend to hear a very very short burst of noise when the call is first connected.
Reliability
C: I doubt you would find anybody that has higher reliability. Just search the forum and you will probably only find one outage about a year ago. Callcentric uses DNS SRV to provide SIP server redundancy, but all are in NYC. No interaction needed on your part.
V: They are fairly new on the scene, so they don't have an established track record. I personally haven't seen an outage. Apparently, they did have problems in their NYC location and ended up changing where they were hosted. voip.ms has multiple SIP servers around the country. If one goes down, you could manually configure a different one.
Sounds like you've done the feature comparison homework.
My observation is that the Callcentric user dashboard is more complete and polished. voip.ms hangs about half the time trying to pull up CDR's.
Since both are PAYG providers with no commitment, it doesn't cost much to try both and see for yourself. |
|
centric
join:2005-07-31
Ann Arbor, MI | reply to micko113
I've had callcentric setup on my asterisk box for the last year and haven't had a single problem stemming on their end. Any issue I've had has usually been a tweak in my setup. Callcentric is very reliable. |
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N9MD
Premium
join:2005-10-08
Wayne, NJ
·VOIPo
·ViaTalk
·PHONE POWER
·Callcentric
| reply to priller
said by priller  :...However, often I tend to hear a very very short burst of noise when the call is first connected. Have you tried Gas-X?  ... You knew that was coming!
Incidentally, this "grumpy old man" (of which there seem to be a few in the BBR Forums) currently favors CallCentric, VOIPo and PhonePower --- all with stellar performance and support. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Callcentric
| reply to micko113
I am currently using them both.
I use them even in combination to some extent---Voip.ms DID's feeding inbound calls to my CallCentric service, by SIP forwarding. I do that mainly because I happened to get some nice DID number combinations from Voip.MS. But I have used both services for both inbound and outbound.
Priller made excellent comments above.
One nice feature of Voip.ms is being able to select specific DID numbers. I got some nice local numbers and a nice tollfree number.
CallCentric has a somewhat longer record, but Voip.ms is up and coming, and has some exciting new features. Sort of like the decision that US voters face in a few weeks.
But fortunately, unlike the voters, you can try both.
I've posted reviews of CallCentric and Voip.ms that may give you some more info. |
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edmidor
6th Kyu
join:2008-05-19
Montreal, QC
1 edit | CC appears to be way more expensive in PAYG then voip.ms and others. Is it so much better that it justifies the cost difference? |
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mworks
join:2006-06-13
Faison, NC
| reply to micko113
I have used callcentric for about 5 months now and have not had a single issue with the service. Yes it is not the cheapest service, but I think that you get what you pay for.
They have a very easy to use site and the control panel for my account is excellent.
I can block numbers, change how caller id info shows up, and see up to the minute call list and charges, and it all works without problems.
Calls are clear and the monthly fee on the account with all taxes and 911 fees is only $4 |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Callcentric
| reply to edmidor
said by edmidor :CC appears to be way more expensive in PAYG then voip.ms and others. Is it so much better that it justifies the cost difference? Good point. Still, I believe that it is good to be dealing with more than one VoIP provider. And CallCentric does have such a consistent record.
About the costs, here's how it looks to me, assuming 200 inbound minutes, 200 outbound minutes, including monthly DID fees, but not including 911 fee or initial setup fees, and assuming the better Voip.ms route:
Voip.MS-------6.79 for the month.
CallCentric-----8.91 for the month.
So not too bad.
Keep in mind, I also have an OptimumVoice line which is great but which costs $ 35.00 a month.
And a Verizon business landline which even for the cheapest available service (including caller ID and voicemail but NOT including any calls) is about $ 53.00 a month. With unlimited national calling it would be about $ 90.00 a month.
I'd love to get rid of that Verizon landline, but porting away my main business number is something that might give me an ulcer, then I'd have to see N9MD.
Point is, Voip is so cheap overall, not going to worry about a couple of bucks a month differential between one Voip service and another. |
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gg22
join:2008-08-19
·voip.ms
| reply to micko113
From reading CC website, it looks like calls between CC clients are free? Is this correct? I don't mean direct SIP URI dialing, if one CC client dials real phone number of another CC client, will this be a free call? Why this shows only for USA? Are calls between two canadian clients not free?
Rate to destination: Callcentric
IP Freedom Pay Per Call North America Unlimited World Select
$0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 $0.0000 |
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edmidor
6th Kyu
join:2008-05-19
Montreal, QC
1 edit | I suppose it's still going to be SIP URI call - they probably just prepare ENUM records for all their clients, and system forced to check enum prior going to termination trunk. |
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priller
join:2000-10-20
Gainesville, VA
·voip.ms
·Callcentric
·Vonage
·callwithus
2 edits | reply to gg22
Last I looked, Canada was part of North America. 
"With Callcentric North America Unlimited you get UNLIMITED calling to the United States and Canada for only $19.95 per month, plus you still get our low international rates. North America Unlimited is billed once a month and you can cancel at any time. Forget about the old days when you frequently paid more than $19.95 per month just to get a dial tone. Don't forget that you still get FREE UNLIMITED calling to all Callcentric members no matter where they are in the world."
... that applies to any plan. |
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gg22
join:2008-08-19 | Well, then even if Callcentric per minute rate is higher, if calls between clients are free - that's a big +. |
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edmidor
6th Kyu
join:2008-05-19
Montreal, QC
| C'mon, free calls...
How to make “free call between members of your circle”
1. Make all you’re your members to register with any engine supporting ENUM e164.org and such: Voxalot, PBXes, some providers
2. In e164.org create entries for each member, prefixed by some weird number – so outsiders won’t be able to take advantage of your “free unlimited calling”
3. In every member’s dialing plan make a rule: prefix dialed number with the aforementioned prefix, and test against ENUM
4. if positive you’ll be connected free, with SIP URI call
5. if negative go to your regular VoIP provider to make a paid call
As simple as that. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Callcentric
| reply to gg22
Of course CallCentric like most other providers offers free calling between SIP addresses, regardless of who the providers are.
But in addition, they are sponsors of SipBroker and they host many of the access numbers.
For CallCentric members, you get assigned a ten digit number starting with 777. That's basically like the account number, BUT you can use that number to call any other CallCentric member's 777 number, at no charge. Is the end result any different from using an ENUM engine and such? No. But it's another pathway, and it may just be easier.
Keep in mind, CallCentric offers the IP Freedom plan at no charge. Yes, others have something similar. But with this plan, you get good quality, no hassles, free direct SIP calling, free SipBroker peering, easy free calls to other CallCentric members using the 777 numbers, free voicemail.
Is CallCentric perfect? No. Nobody's perfect except that Olympic swimmer guy. But this afternoon I noticed a billing error, I e-mailed them, and they fixed it in a couple of minutes.
And again, CallCentric IP Freedom costs zero. So it should please everyone.
There are some VoIP providers that have lots of problems. We all know who they are.
But CallCentric and Voip.ms are both pretty darn good!!
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VTT
@comcast.net
| reply to micko113
Does these provider have network unavailable forward feature?
I'm with viatalk and my contract is up next month. I'm not happy with vt and like to move to some reliable provider.
here is the more detail about feature. I found this feature very cool, you never miss the call if provider or your ISP is down.
ViaTalk Network Unavailable Forward- ViaTalk network unavailable forward allows you to forward calls to your cell phone or any other number in case of a ISP or power outage at your home or office. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey | said by VTT :
Does these provider have network unavailable forward feature?
CallCentric does, by setting up a Call Treatment (forward if unregistered).
Voip.ms also does (Failover). |
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ATTT
@comcast.net
| Awesome!!
Just a quick qns.. I was just looking at the rate plan for both provider.
Does CC Personal Unlimited Phone Number allows for outbound call?
What plan do you suggest with both provider for US/CA inbound and outbound calling? I also see that they charge fee for LNP. I need to port my number from VT.
Thanks |
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micko113
join:2004-04-15
Renton, WA | reply to micko113
Thank you all for the replies!
I know I can test each one on my own but I prefer hearing/reading other people opinions. |
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micko113
join:2004-04-15
Renton, WA
| reply to ATTT
said by ATTT :
Does CC Personal Unlimited Phone Number allows for outbound call?
From what I've figured out while researching both providers.
Personal Unlimited $5.95 is unlimited incoming plan if want make outbound calls you can @ $0.0198 per minute. If you want unlimited outbound you'll need North America Unlimited $19.95 plan. |
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PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
·Callcentric
1 edit | Unless you make a LOT of outbound calls, the PAYG is better than the North America Unlimited $19.95 outbound plan.
For example:
If someone makes 500 minutes per month of outgoing US domestic calls, the pay-per-minute cost (at $ 0.0198 per minute) would be $ 9.90, which is half the cost of the unlimited North America outgoing plan.
It all depends on your call volume, in each direction.
Keep in mind you can do a PAYG in one direction and choose a flat rate plan in the other. And you can CHANGE your choices as you see how they work out with the numbers.
And Micko 113, since you list a Washington State location, remember that you can get a free ipKall Washington State phone number and use THAT as your DID pointed to CallCentric. Thus you would not pay ANYTHING for incoming. |
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