Delayed dial tone and ring

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 19, 2005 Posts: 10

1. Location: Folsom, CA
2. ISP: Comcast (Cable)
3. Upload and download speeds: 4096/384
4. Modem make and model: Motorola Surfboard SB4220
5. Type of Vonage adapter used: Linksys WRTP54G
6. Setup of Network: Modem---->Vonage Adapter-->PC
7. Issue I am experiencing: delay of 2-3 seconds between time i pick up handset and the time I hear a dial tone... also another similar delay between the time I dial the last digit in a phone number and the time the call is connected... tested this by calling my cell phone. Voice quality is fine, but timing is off... for example, if I call an automated phone line... when I dial from my Vonage line, I am only able to hear words usually after 2-3 seconds have elapsed since the call was connected. The same things happen with regular calls to regular people; I always get the "hellloooo?" from the other person, because I didn't hear them say hello the first time.... or when I get transferred over to voicemail after the person doesn't answer the call, I miss the first few seconds of the voice message. Very frustrating.
8. DETAILED results from www.testyourvoip.com with a test call to Boston.

http://www.testyourvoip.com/details.html?id=4IBL5Y

In case the above url doesn't work, here's a cut and paste of the page:

MOS Analysis From You TO Boston

Media Quality MOS 3.5 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.58 38.9%
Latency 0.07 4.9%
Packet Discards 0.83 56.1%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%

Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 195 ms
Packet Discards 2.5%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 80 ms
Burst Loss

Jitter Min: 0 ms
Avg: 8 ms
Max: 57 ms

Signaling Quality Post-Dial Delay 125 ms
Call Setup Time 125 ms
Media Delay 281 ms
MOS Analysis FROM Boston To You

Media Quality MOS 4.4 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.58 93.0%
Latency 0.04 7.0%
Packet Discards 0.00 0.0%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%

Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 195 ms
Packet Discards 0.0%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods Min: 0 ms
Avg: 0 ms
Max: 0 ms
No Loss

Jitter Min: 4 ms
Avg: 6 ms
Max: 26 ms

Signaling Quality Post-Pickup Delay 138 ms
Call Setup Time 134 ms
Media Delay 172 ms

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

First, if you haven't tried re-cycling everything and powering up in the proper order- modem, wait, WRTP, computer- then you should try it. That solves a lot of problems. If you're using a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, that can interfere with the wireless router.

That said, your problem seems to be a very high percentage of packet discards in one direction. Try plugging your computer directly into the modem and repeating the test. If you get similar results, it's time for a call to your ISP.

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 19, 2005 Posts: 10

Steve48 wrote:

First, if you haven't tried re-cycling everything and powering up in the proper order- modem, wait, WRTP, computer- then you should try it. That solves a lot of problems. If you're using a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, that can interfere with the wireless router.

That said, your problem seems to be a very high percentage of packet discards in one direction. Try plugging your computer directly into the modem and repeating the test. If you get similar results, it's time for a call to your ISP.

I power-cycled everything as described above. I have two phones (part of a set)... desk phone and a 5.8GHz cordless.

I agree, very high number of discards. I'll try plugging direct into modem next and repeat test.

Here are the results:

http://www.testmyvoip.com/details.html?id=3GV3SS

MOS Analysis From You TO Boston
MOS analysis chart
Media Quality
MOS
3.6 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.57 41.6%
Latency 0.07 5.1%
Packet Discards 0.74 53.3%
Packet Loss 0.00 0.0%
Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 225 ms
Packet Discards 2.4%
Packet Loss 0.0%
Loss Periods
Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 80 ms
Burst Loss
Jitter
Min: 0 ms
Avg: 10 ms
Max: 78 ms
Signaling Quality
Post-Dial Delay 156 ms
Call Setup Time 156 ms
Media Delay 359 ms

MOS Analysis FROM Boston To You
MOS analysis chart
Media Quality
MOS
4.2 / 5.0
(Best with G.711 is 4.4)

Degradation Sources
Codec 0.58 73.9%
Latency 0.05 6.4%
Packet Discards 0.00 0.0%
Packet Loss 0.15 19.5%
Codec G.711 (PCM at 64kbps,
20ms RTP payload,
80kbps IP BW)
Round-Trip
Latency 225 ms
Packet Discards 0.0%
Packet Loss 0.5%
Loss Periods
Min: 20 ms
Avg: 20 ms
Max: 20 ms
Random Loss
Jitter
Min: 4 ms
Avg: 6 ms
Max: 20 ms
Signaling Quality
Post-Pickup Delay 180 ms
Call Setup Time 179 ms
Media Delay 211 ms

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

I'd say it's time to make that call to your ISP. You're not going to be happy with Voip with that quality of internet service.

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 19, 2005 Posts: 10

Steve48 wrote:

I'd say it's time to make that call to your ISP. You're not going to be happy with Voip with that quality of internet service.

What exactly can/would Comcast do? They're about the most unhelpful cable company on the planet in my experience. Should I call with a specific request, or just tell them that I seem to be having trouble with Voip? I'm afraid if I tell them I'm having a problem, they'll shut me down with the predictable "We don't support that." answer.

Thanks,

Mike