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grohgreg
Dunno. Ask The Chief
join:2001-07-05
Dawson Springs, KY

grohgreg to Woodlane

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to Woodlane

Re: Latency increases when Skype video turned on

The point I was trying to make is that there's no relationship between latency and bandwidth. What you're experiencing is related to gateway loading. Each gateway has X amount of bandwidth available to all those assigned to it. If one one person is connected, he gets everything (up to his rate plan max). If 100 are connected, each gets 1% of the gateway bandwidth, 1000 get 0.1%. So when the gateway is congested, what you're allocated may not equal what you pay for. In those cases, what's available has to be split between Skype audio and Skype video. Because it's more bandwidth intensive, the video will suffer first. Naturally, turning off the video will devote all available bandwidth to the audio. Latency does not enter the equation.

That said, you still need to check with Xplornet, to see if Skype receives the same acceleration as does VoIP.

//greg//
funny_one
Previously known as 'Deadpool'
join:2010-11-01

funny_one

Member

There's no voip acceleration on the HTV service.

grohgreg
Dunno. Ask The Chief
join:2001-07-05
Dawson Springs, KY

grohgreg

Member

said by funny_one:

There's no voip acceleration on the HTV service.

I don't have a clue what that means. Perhaps you missed the fact that the OP is an Xplornet customer. If you were unaware, Xplornet is a Canadian provider. They sell broadband service via some of the same satellites Hughes either leases or owns. Canada's phone grid isn't as extensive as is ours in the lower 48, so folks in under served areas rely on VoIP over satellite. Realizing the effects of latency of voice over satellite, Xplornet has taken steps to reduce the effects. The process involves the use of specialized software on dedicated servers, software that detects and prioritizes (accelerates) VoIP packets.

My point was that perhaps Skype packets transit the same servers

//greg//

Woodlane
join:2012-06-02
K7G-2V6
·Xplornet

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xPlornet has confirmed that Skype data does not receive any acceleration ..."The Skype connections are not handled differently that any other type of traffic. They are not put through any sort of prioritization. The only time that would occur is if a customer is using a Digital Phone service provided by Xplornet (This was offered at one time on some older platforms) and they would have a piece of equipment provided that would facilitate this prioritization." I will therefore ensure that when I use Skype I avoid peak hours if I see any evidence of congestion, and will disconnect any other wifi devices in my home that might consume bandwidth. Thanks for your detailed explanation, grohgreg. Skype continues to be useable for me over HTS 70% of the time.
Woodlane

Woodlane to funny_one

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to funny_one
I think that you might be referring to HTS service (High Throughput Satellite) '4g" service. eg: Viasat-1 and the newer Echostar. They are a huge improvement over the older satellites used for remote rural internet access.

grohgreg
Dunno. Ask The Chief
join:2001-07-05
Dawson Springs, KY

grohgreg to Woodlane

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to Woodlane
said by Woodlane:

xPlornet has confirmed that Skype data does not receive any acceleration ...

Good. Without that confirmation, troubleshooting would be incomplete. I agree with your congestion conclusion.

//greg//
funny_one
Previously known as 'Deadpool'
join:2010-11-01

funny_one to grohgreg

Member

to grohgreg
said by grohgreg:

said by funny_one:

There's no voip acceleration on the HTV service.

I don't have a clue what that means. Perhaps you missed the fact that the OP is an Xplornet customer. If you were unaware, Xplornet is a Canadian provider. They sell broadband service via some of the same satellites Hughes either leases or owns. Canada's phone grid isn't as extensive as is ours in the lower 48, so folks in under served areas rely on VoIP over satellite. Realizing the effects of latency of voice over satellite, Xplornet has taken steps to reduce the effects. The process involves the use of specialized software on dedicated servers, software that detects and prioritizes (accelerates) VoIP packets.

My point was that perhaps Skype packets transit the same servers

//greg//

I'm aware that is was Xplornet (I can read after all).

And Xplornet does have some voip acceleration/QoS on their legacy satellites, but not on ViaSat-1. Instead they ensure through their traffic management systems that traffic never dips below 100 kbps. Presumably to ensure voip calls (voice), work at all times.

Woodlane
join:2012-06-02
K7G-2V6
·Xplornet

Woodlane

Member

Re: 100 kbps.... Yes...that has been my experience on HTS over the last year...voice always works.....but it would be nice if ISP's could some day get video to also work all the time....just dreaming I guess..:-(
Thanks for all the great feedback! My questions are answered and now I understand this topic better. I also found this nice link regarding Sandvine traffic management systems »www.youtube.com/watch?fe ··· i_6CoPHQ