Cable Forum - View Single Post - A Little Info For Anybody Considering Voip over NTL 1Mbps

DaggaDagga · 23-02-2006, 21:53

This is close to my heart, as I've just had an NTL phone line installed last week after becoming utterly fed up of VoIP!

I had Vonage for nearly a year, as my only home phone. This was probably 80% as clear as a proper phone line but it was 100% reliable. However, it's nearly as expensive as a phone line.

I then bought a Zyxel ATA router (with QOS and lots of features). I then subscribed to Sipgate. What utter crap! Anyone calling us got an unavailable tone most of the time. We got an engaged tone whenever trying to call out. So yes Gareth, it's not just you. I'm also glad to hear it wasn't just me.

When it did actually work, the call quality was appalling. I was told by a client that I sounded like a dalek. This was via NTL 10Mb.

I also tried VoIPstunt. This was even worse. All the above applied, except it would randomly cut me off aswell (even though I paid onto my account).

It's a good concept, but the providers are a long way from providing anything like a decent service. Well, I've given up with it anyway.

Also, some of the call costs aren't very cheap really.

It's probably only worth bothering with if it's a second line and you have friends and family abroad who have a VoIP service too. Otherwise, it's a complete waste of time and money.

23-02-2006, 21:53	#12
DaggaDagga Inactive Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hampshire Services: Royal Mail snail mail. No telly. Wind-up gramophone. Posts: 125,837.56 Posts: 385	Re: A Little Info For Anybody Considering Voip over NTL 1Mbps This is close to my heart, as I've just had an NTL phone line installed last week after becoming utterly fed up of VoIP! I had Vonage for nearly a year, as my only home phone. This was probably 80% as clear as a proper phone line but it was 100% reliable. However, it's nearly as expensive as a phone line. I then bought a Zyxel ATA router (with QOS and lots of features). I then subscribed to Sipgate. What utter crap! Anyone calling us got an unavailable tone most of the time. We got an engaged tone whenever trying to call out. So yes Gareth, it's not just you. I'm also glad to hear it wasn't just me. When it did actually work, the call quality was appalling. I was told by a client that I sounded like a dalek. This was via NTL 10Mb. I also tried VoIPstunt. This was even worse. All the above applied, except it would randomly cut me off aswell (even though I paid onto my account). It's a good concept, but the providers are a long way from providing anything like a decent service. Well, I've given up with it anyway. Also, some of the call costs aren't very cheap really. It's probably only worth bothering with if it's a second line and you have friends and family abroad who have a VoIP service too. Otherwise, it's a complete waste of time and money.