Recommended Broadband Speed?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 2

Hi,

I'm planning to subscribe to Vonage. However, my current Internet connection is a dial-up.

I plan to go in for a broadband service, which is available in various speeds - 64, 128, 256 kbps, etc.

Does Vonage recommend a particular speed for running it's service?

Has anyone been successful in running Vonage on a 64 kbps connection? How has the voice clarity and service been?

Thanks very much. Rolling Eyes

Posts: 1389 · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Recommended Broadband Speed?

voiping wrote:

Hi,

I'm planning to subscribe to Vonage. However, my current Internet connection is a dial-up.

I plan to go in for a broadband service, which is available in various speeds - 64, 128, 256 kbps, etc.

Does Vonage recommend a particular speed for running it's service?

Has anyone been successful in running Vonage on a 64 kbps connection? How has the voice clarity and service been?

Thanks very much. Rolling Eyes

For me, bigger is always better. You should check to see what the Upload speeds are, as Vonage in theory can use 90 kbps on it's highest call quality setting.

Posts: 12 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 24, 2005 Posts: 12

I'm on Comcast. At the "basic" 384 kbps upload, I had regular problems with the other party hearing me (they all said I sounded like I was on a bad cell phone connection). I upgraded to the 768 kpbs upload and the problem has gone away. I use my line for a business, so call quality is very important. I also learned a long time ago that if they want 90 of anything, you had better double or triple it. In this case even that was not enough.

To be fair, I haven't tried the "broadband saver." Quality is more important to me right now.

Other than that, I like Vonage and the savings versus my other carrier more than makes up for the extra $10.month I am paying to Comcast now.

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 15, 2005 Posts: 5

I would suggest 256Kbps speed in both directions, at a minimum.
At 128Kbps, you are going to get problems with Vonage voice quality. You would then have to drop voice quality, thru Bandwidth Saver

Posts: 423 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 423

Go for the gusto, man! You won't be sorry. You will be sorry if you try running Vonage on a 64kbps connection though.

By default, a Vonage call needs 90Kbps for each call. This does not take into account other computers on the network, and the fact that if you are paying for a 256Kbps connection, you will be lucky to consistently get higher than 200 in actual, day to day speeds.

I guess what it comes down to is what is your internet usage like in your household? Do you or your family download huge files, using bittorrent or similar. Do you plan to have more than Vonage line?

Posts: 282 · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:28 pm Post subject:

chevy1596 wrote:

I'm on Comcast. At the "basic" 384 kbps upload, I had regular problems with the other party hearing me (they all said I sounded like I was on a bad cell phone connection). I upgraded to the 768 kpbs upload and the problem has gone away. I use my line for a business, so call quality is very important. I also learned a long time ago that if the want 90 of anything, you had better double or triple it. In this case even that was not enough.

To be fair, I haven't tried the "broadband saver." Quality is more important to me right now.

Other than that, I like Vonage and the savings versus my other carrier more than makes up for the extra $10.month I am paying to Comcast now.

It is interesting how variable the results people get with similar connections. I know latency can contribute to a 'fast' connection not working well for Voip. I also have a 384ish upload (usually a little less), but it works very well for Vonage calls. The call quality/clarity on both ends is not distinguishable from landline. I often have two SIP lines going at once, Vonage and a Nortel MCS i2004 SIP phone, with no issues. It really seems like you just have to try it and see what works for your particular setup and circumstances, understanding there are some basic requirements as a baseline.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks for all your replies.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 19, 2005 Posts: 3

voiping, it all depends on what else you use your bandwidth for. If NOTHING else except phones, then you should be fine with 128kbps (assuming your ISP can consistently deliver that 100%). Or if you have a good router you can prioritize the traffic properly and not worry about what else you use your bandwidth for.

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