A simple tip for Vonage users - Static IPs!

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 11, 2007 Posts: 5

Just to update,
i tried an online Voip (http://www.bandwidth.com/tools/voipTest)

Bandwidth

Voip Test Results

Thank you for taking our Voip Test. Your results are below.

Test Type Results
Bidirectional Transfer Rate 88.69 kbps
Voip Phone Capacity 1 Concurrent Calls** (G711 Compression)
Latency 81.0 milliseconds ( Good )
SIP Port Test Blocked
MGCP Port Test Blocked

Ok, how the hell do i unblock these ports?

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 26, 2007 Posts: 4

bg4 wrote:

Seems that OP is trying to get people to click on his link and/or get people to use his port forwarding service.

PORT FORWARDING IS NOT NECESSARY WITH Vonage

and whats up with von_db saying he is Vonage Tech Support.?

I do not believe it at all.

FWIW, the information in his post is also listed on Vonage's site and directs users to the same website as his post.

http://vonage.com/help.php?article=89

Posts: 233 · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

Quote:

Test Type Results
Bidirectional Transfer Rate 88.69 kbps
Voip Phone Capacity 1 Concurrent Calls** (G711 Compression)
Latency 81.0 milliseconds ( Good )
SIP Port Test Blocked
MGCP Port Test Blocked

Ok, how the hell do i unblock these ports?

Just for fun and knowing you are frustrated at this point, I went looking around on Comcast's website and I even looked at Motorola's website. Vonage is using a version of the generic Motorola VT2100. Comcast has a place on their website where they list the ports that should be open. I guess they are assuming you are using Voip through your computer and have a firewall, which is not your case. From everything I can see the problem lies within Comcast if you are using their cable modem and not your own. If true, this whole situation makes me wonder because Comcast offers their own Voip and you would think their tech support would know what they were doing. I hate to say it, but it sounds like you have a Comcast problem. However, if you are using your own cable modem you may have some tweaking to do. But I don't think that is the case based on what you are saying.

I know you didn't want to hear that response so I have a couple of suggestions based on my experience with TimeWarner (I haven't had Comcast). Take the cable modem down to the local Comcast office, tell them the problem, and exchange it for a new one. You can print out the test results and show them what you found. They should exchange it and then you may have the fun of tech support again when they reinitiate your modem. If that doesn't work, then you have to get them to escalate the problem. Please don't give in to them and get their Voip which they may suggest. While the state utility commissions don't regulate Voip they do regulate cable and cable modems. A matter of ports not being open is an issue of your usability. You can make a call to get help.

I hate to see this problem and I would like to think you can solve it by just getting their attention. But, I don't know the company. I have one I dealt with in Alabama that just doesn't seem to know the word "customer service."

I hope my 2 cents helps. Smile

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 11, 2007 Posts: 5

Well,
Here is what i did. I bought a pay as you go mobile phone and i am going to use Skype. I cancelled my Vonage account.
Even if i get a new modem and everything is restored to normal, sooner or later Comcast will pull the same crap. I need something that is more reliable. They have the ability to close any ports they want under the guise of security. Until Vonage gets around this problem, i can't use them.
Vonage customer service were very good, however they did make it very difficult to cancel my account. They offered to send someone to re-install everything. But like i said, things would probably work for a while and then some bugger at Comcast will push a few buttons and i will be back where i started.
On principle, i will switch over to Verizon Fios as soon as they reach this area because i think Comcasts behavior has been disgraceful and in my view illegal.