VoIP weak and breaking up
 

I currently have a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router attached to my VM Surfboard modem. I am also using Sipgate's VoIP service into a Zoom ATA and the voice quality gets really bad - for my callees - when there is up- and downloading happening.

The Router doesn't do QoS but I understand that re-flashing it with DD-WRT or Tomato will add this. But will it improve the VoIP performance? Has anyone here done this? Is there another, safer, route to crystal-clear VoIP?

Re: VoIP weak and breaking up
 

Without QoS you will find there will be issues as the bandwidth will not be prioritised to any device, so when it runs thin, instead of dealing with it, you'll suffer dropped packets and thus breaking up on the line. Tomato and DD-WRT both support QoS to an IP, MAC address or port, so you can do it any of those ways to the VOIP phone.

Re: VoIP weak and breaking up
 

Thanks for the reassurance. The DD-WRT website makes the flashing exercise look very fraught indeed. Did you (or any others here) have any problems with it?

Re: VoIP weak and breaking up
 

I've done it several times with no issues, but make sure you have all the information you need before you begin. It is possible to brick the router if you leave it in a bad state and then its a case of opening up and bridging components with wire to bring it back to life.

Re: VoIP weak and breaking up
 

Thanks again. How long does it take to fret, set up, fumble and get it done, if successful? Does anyone hire/loan cable routers for very short periods?(!) Bristol area preferably...