Success story... for a change.

Posts: 336 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject:

oracle58 wrote:

DarKev;

Are you saying you are able to send data (analog modem) over your connection? I haven't been able to do that. My wife works for the govt.

Yes, I definitely can communicate through an analog modem over my Vonage line. Most importantly, the alarm system in my basement has a built-in analog modem and I have performed several tests back and forth to ADT and all tests completed successfully. They were able to determine who I was, where I lived, and the item that triggered the alarm condition.

This may not work for everyone. It really depends on the amount of bandwidth your ISP is providing you. I played with the Vonage Band Saver option. I turned it down all the way one time and my phone call sounded like I was speaking over a 2-way radio. It was quite understandable, but there was no bass in the caller's voice. It seemed to strip the bass out of the conversation. This sort of thing happens when the bandwidth is reduced. If your analog modem is communicating using sound frequencies that are being chopped due to a problem with your bandwidth, then definitely it is not going to work.

I currently have a cable modem through Videotron in Canada. The quality is consistently high. I've never had a problem with Videotron. The speeds are always there for downloading, uploading, and Voip. That company should be used as an example to some of the other companies out there providing lousy internet service.

Unfortunately, if your bandwidth is low, or if there is some bottleneck on your internet connection, you will have Voip problems and it is not Vonage's fault. Ordering a fax line won't work either because it is still running through your same internet connection which does not seem to support high speeds. I wish I could remember the website that I used to test my speed. I went up to 4.6, which was "Like Being There" quality according to the website. I used to test my connection every couple of weeks. That was last year, and I looked through my bookmarks and cannot find the website. Maybe someone else would have one, and you could test your high speed service. If it gets too low, the webpage would tell you not to even bother with Voip. I performed my testing prior to ordering Vonage. I didn't want to get stuck with problems so I made sure my connection would handle the voice traffic.

Posts: 156 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 30, 2005 Posts: 156

http://testyourvoip.com

Posts: 2251 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:51 pm Post subject: Re: Here is the link

seattlezoid wrote:

http://testyourvoip.com

or http://www.vonage-forum.com/voip-speed-test

Smile

Posts: 156 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Jan 30, 2005 Posts: 156

I agree that for the most, the happy Vonage users never come to these forums. It seems that the Vonage techs are busy with the set up process with new customers and then once the problem is solved they rarely have to call tech support again. The PAP2 adapter I got had problems but the techs and myself were finally able to get it working and it has been flawless since then. Yes there are many configurations of networks, routers, switches hubs and firewalls all of which are making some installations challenging. For the user that has a straight forward configuration I would say that the installation is very simple and works right out of the box. As Vonage grows so will the tech support and instructions provided on the Vonage site. \
So far I have been very satisfied with the service. Sure there will be some bumps here and there but it is getting smoother over time.
Just hang in there....wait that 1/2 hour....your problems will most likely be addressed and fixed. Just my 2 cents

Posts: 2251 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

5 or 10 minutes here would be great by me:

http://www.vonage-forum.com/reviews-new.html

Posts: 7 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject:

As I stated above, "Vonage speed tests typically show download around 1.22 Mbps, upload around 350-380 Mbps". Is this too slow for reliable modem operation, or could other factors be involved? The Vonage speed test tells me that my connection will support 4 or 5 voice channels at that speed. How does this relate to modem requirements?

Posts: 336 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:15 pm Post subject: Re: Here is the link

dconnor wrote:

seattlezoid wrote:

http://testyourvoip.com

or http://www.vonage-forum.com/voip-speed-test

Smile

The http://testyourvoip.com was the website I had used in the past.

Thanks for the information.

Posts: 336 · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:24 pm Post subject:

oracle58 wrote:

As I stated above, "Vonage speed tests typically show download around 1.22 Mbps, upload around 350-380 Mbps". Is this too slow for reliable modem operation, or could other factors be involved? The Vonage speed test tells me that my connection will support 4 or 5 voice channels at that speed. How does this relate to modem requirements?

I did the Vonage test and received these results:

Download 1,818,256 bps
Upload 693,160 bps
QOS 97%
RTT 73 ms
MaxPause 47 ms

Given your current Internet speeds, we estimate that your Internet connection can support a maximum of 9 simultaneous high quality Vonage® Voip connections.

With quality of service (QoS) at 97%, it would explain why a modem works on my line. I really cannot tell between this Voip line and a POTS line when it comes to sound quality. It has everything to do with your ISP. It is not Vonage that determines the quality of your connection. This is actually one of the downfalls of Vonage, they have no control over the connection. If cable companies start offering this service, they can broadcast voice on a different route so that data traffic would not interfere at all with the voice traffic, and they could therefore control the quality much better. I think that you should be able to complain to your internet provider if you feel that you are not getting the bandwidth that you are paying for. After all you do pay your bills, you should expect to get something that is working.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 02, 2005 Posts: 2

My Results
Download 4,913,848 bps
Upload 229,752 bps
QOS 98%
RTT 28 ms
MaxPause 11 ms
Vonage Voip Analysis
Given your current Internet speeds, we estimate that your Internet connection can support a maximum of 3 simultaneous high quality Vonage® Voip connections.

The Dish Network DVR is my biggest problem right now, and will mean the difference between going back to POTS. You can't record or use the guide if the voice line doesn't work.

I used this method on my 4110 HP fax machine to turn down the baud, and it helps sometimes:

Praveen Arram Nov 7, 2004 16:36:43 GMT 8 pts

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Phillip,

The following are the steps to change the parameters:

1.Press * and # at the same time, and then release both keys

2.Press 1, 2, and then 3, releasing each key before pressing the next.

3.The display window should read "Service" with a revision number.

4.Press the right arrow button until "r/w parameter" appears in the display.

5.Press Enter

6.The display should read "parameter 0"

7.From the table below, identify the parameter value you wish to modify and press the corresponding number(s) for that parameter on the keypad.

8.Press Enter

9.The current value will display.

10.Press the desired value, then press Enter.

11.Repeat steps 7-9 for any additional parameters needing modification.

12.When modifications are complete, press Cancel repeatedly until the date and time appear in the display.

The parameter for changing the sending transmission speed is 153 and for receiving it is 159. They will have the following options:

0 = V.17 14400

1 = V.17 12000

2 = V.17 9600

3 = V.17 7200

4 = V .33 14400

5 = V .33 12000

6 = V.29 9600

7 = V.29 7200

8 = V.29 4800

9 = V.27 4800

10 = V.27 2400

26 = V.34 33600

Praveen.
( Points Appreciated!!!).