I'm looking for a VoIP solution as well, preferably one with a lower startup fee than the $200 Ground Control is asking.
I've been using Net2Phone with mixed results. Months ago, it was unusable, then something changed and it was OK. Recently, however, the reliability has gone to heck - most times when I try to place a call it times out saying "No response from servers".
So, the search begins again. My requirement is simply to be able to place calls with no additional hardware (other than headset). Receiving calls would be great, but I don't think this is available with anything less than very expensive dedicated systems.
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Sterling, You only need the $99 software from Ground Control. When I tested the software, I used a cheap microphone that came with one of my comptuers and the built in speakers. The sound quality was very good in both directions. I also have a cheap headset and that would, I think, been just as good. If you want to save the $99 for the hardware, you are good to go. Personally, I would invest the other $99 for the handset.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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I think I have as much experience as anyone in this area and I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but the most reliable and usable VIOP is hardware based. It is not inexpensive but if you NEED it and need it to work always then a hardware solution is the answer.
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Scott, As you have said, you have much more experience than I do with VoIP so help me out here. With the Edge Access, don't you need hardware on both ends of the initial connection and it can then be routed from there? I asked the same question of Edge and I got an answer I could not understand. If is unfortunate that a company cannot respond to a newbie with language they can understand. Let's say I am in my coach and I want to call my Mom in FL. My only internet is the DataStorm and I have no fixed address outside of my P.O. Box. Can I still make a phone call as quickly and easily as I can with the Ground Control hardware/software? What have you found to be the problems with the GC solution? Thanks for your input!
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Bill Adams: You only need the $99 software from Ground Control.
GC's website says,
There is an activation cost of $99 per account. You will also be charged for a single Handset telephone which will be shipped to you. The handset is priced at $99. You do not need to use this handset to use our service, but we require that you have a "known" working telephone available if a technical support issues arises.
This is why I say they require $200 to activiate their VoIP service. While I may yet come to that, I am still looking for an alternative, ideally one that would allow me to receive calls as well.
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The edge access system is based on an existing phone line. Any existing line (like an added line at your moms). A box is installed on both ends (one in the coach and one at the phone line). When your dish is up and someone calls that phone # it rings in the coach. If the dish is down it can go to an answering machine wherever the phone line is. All calls go over the INTERNET (outbound and inbound) through the existing phone # and are billed to that number. I have used GC's VOIP exactly twice both times to Don just to test voice quality. It was acceptable but not great and the latency was much more apparent than with Edge access's device. The voice quality with Edge access was as good or better than a land-line. I know there were issues with what Rob (Rob Veschi pres of edge access) called "packet queuing" Hughes seems to queue packets (incoming) and deliver them when they feel like. This issue has been overcome i believe (I don't know the details) The end result is with Rob's "magic box" I have seen (with business PLUS service) 4 simultaneous phone calls and still being able to surf ! So to answer your question,Yes it is just like being at home. Pick up your phone (a normal phone) in your coach and just dial as you would were you in a house.
-------------------- Scott Velie Posts: 229 | From: Knoxville TN. | Registered: May 2003
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I as a new user just installed Net2phone and tried it out. Works for me. Made several calls and had no problems. Very short delay and the software held each relay up till the other side had finished. Calling people who had no idea about Sat delay and they said they had no problem with hearing us and how it worked. I may be easy and just happy anything works, but this was good enough, and worked BETTER than I had expected. Tell me I need to be more pickey but this works for me. Maybe after I use it a bit more, I will have problems, but for now I am happy. Using a headset.
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I as a new user just installed Net2phone and tried it out. Works for me. Made several calls and had no problems. Very short delay and the software held each relay up till the other side had finished. Calling people who had no idea about Sat delay and they said they had no problem with hearing us and how it worked.
