Problems with my Vonage line

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 12

I switched to Vonage from Bell a few months ago, and while it was great in the beginning, I notice a lot of echo when talking. Only my voice echoes and only I can hear it. I also think that it is when I talk to someone on a landline, since when I call Vonage tech, there is no echo. This dismisses the theory that it is due to the device, but must be the lag generated between Vonage and the receiving landline, no? The Vonage tech support switched the port that I should use to try to better the situation, but it didn't work.

I am on a Cogeco 10mbit cable line, and it is always superfast. I have QoS on, and I get the echo on both wireless, and wired phones, using every volume possible. I use the DLink Vonage device.

I recently got a call from Cogeco telling me that they now have their Voip service in my area. They told me that because it is in the local (well, more local) network, that there would be no echo. Does anyone have experience with Cogeco's Voip?

If I were to switch, I know that I would have to do it after one year with Vonage, but is it easy, and would there be any additional fees?

Posts: 1327 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1327

Cogeco phone isn't available in my area, and they have no idea when it will be.

I don't use Cogeco for cable so if and when it comes available they will charge me $54.99 a month compared to $39.99 a month with Vonage.

Cogeco has unlimited calling in NA except Alaska and Hawaii, Vongage includes these 2 places, plus countries in Europe.

One good thing about Cogeco if it does come is, I would get a local number, there probably is no year commitment and they have an 8 hour back up in case the power goes off, but that is useless for me since all I have are cordless phones.

I do have some problems with the phone if I am doing some serious downloads.

Cable went off the air once since I had Vonage, forgot to have my cell phone to pick up the call in such a case.

Posts: 92 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 92

Vonage lines are generally louder than PSTN lines which causes an increased acoustic feedback. On most adapters such as the D-Link VTA / VWR, technical support agents can lower the outbound volume (tx gain) of the line to make it similar to a PSTN line.

In most cases this will reduce or eliminate the echo all together.

Echo can also be caused by a high latency in your Internet connection or phone line. If this is the case I would check the latency of your Internet connection (ping times) and see if it can be improved. The Vonage adapters have an echo canceller built in but when there is a substantial delay it can no longer recognize the echo pattern and therefore cannot remove it.

I had a similar experience with echo and was able to resolve when a tech support agent reduced the tx gain on my line. It may also be worth noting that when calling a call center (such as Vonage) the agents are using headsets which will likely experience less acoustic feedback than a regular telephone.

Most likely reducing the tx (transmit) gain on your line will do the trick. Usually when adjusting the volume on your phone your are only changing the rx (receive) gain.

- Kukk