Comments on: Swapping Vonage for Skype: One man's search for VoIP that actually works

Matt Asay discovers that the eBay-owned Internet telephony technology is actually nirvana--and that Vonage is rubbish.

[jcunnCSC]

Contact Info

Hi Matt,

I actually have a question on another post you made from Sept. 11th, subject "Does open source get easier with age?". I am very interested in the chart you posted from Robin Vasan, detailing market penetration versus market stage for various open source products. In short, I would like to know if a similar chart exists for open source ERP products. If not, how would one go about reproducing such a chart?

I know this isn't the best place for ask this question, but I don't see an email address to contact you. I would be glad to redirect the question somewhere else if you'd like.

Thanks,

Jeff

[DanSchu]

I'm in the same boat, nearly...

Good article. I will investigate your handset selection, I'm thinking of buying one. I also use Vonage, and in addition Skype (for business, both heavily.) I also have 8MB/sec from Comcast. I use Skype for IM and international calling mostly (USA-Russia.) I cannot reliably call RU on a landline due to distance, cost and poor POTS on the RU-side.

Are you sure about your bandwidth? I suggest testing it using http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/. M6y actual bandwidth is about 4-5Mbit/sec down, and 1.5Mbit/sec up. I was seeing really bad bandwidth before I upgraded my cable modem. I strongly recommend getting a modern cable modem which is DOCSYS 2.0 compliant (this is in the firmware.) Mine is a linksys. Poor bandwidth would explain your poor results. I had similar results prior to fixing my bandwidth chokepoint, which turned out to be the five year old cable modem.

Cheers,
Daniel Schumacher
Owner, Abstract Engineering

[tristanbob]

Not the MB vs Mb problem again!

Matt,

Being a network engineer, I feel it is my responsibility to correct everyone who incorrectly uses the MB/Mb symbols. Most people would think they are the same, but in fact there is a large difference between the two.

Raw network speeds (like the ones that Comcast advertises) are usually rated in Mb/s. The small "b" stands for bits.

Now storage amounts and file transfers are usually specified with the large "B", which stands for bytes.

Here is the math: 1 byte = 8 bits

So if you claim your download speeds are 1.5 MB/s, that means your raw network speed is actually (1.5 x 8) = 12 Mb/s.

This common error would be like me calling old-school freeware the same thing as open source software. :)

Have a great day!

[skallu]

Broadvoice/Gizmo Project/Skype

I use Broadvoice(.com) as my primary landline. For $20(25 including taxes) unlimited calls to 21 countries(does not include India).

I use the soft client GizmoProject(.com) on my Mac and also a few Handytone ATAs (gifted to relatives) to keep in touch with my folks in India who have broadband. Since Gizmo Project is open SIP based, I can get 1 free US number from Grandcentral(.com) OR ipkall(.com). Also if you are an Active Gizmo Project user, other Gizmo Project users can call your US PSTN numbers for free from the ATA or soft client. You can also call other Gizmo Project user for free via US numbers by using sipbroker(.com). See the power of open SIP protocol!

I use Skype only for Video chat with my folks back in India.

I like Gizmo Project far better than Skype, because I do not need to keep my computer on when making a call (I use an ATA-Analog Telephone Adapter). Free calls to PSTN numbers from Gizmo Project as well as free US PSTN numbers that can be mapped to Gizmo Project/ATA are unbeatable.

Sanjay

[tomzer1]

In defense of Vonage ...

In defense of Vonage, I'd have to say that it has been the very best phone
service I've ever used in the two-and-a-half years I've had it. I get excellent
call quality. Skype, on the other hand is spotty. I'm on Time/Warner Cable's
Road Runner Broadband here in Dayton, Ohio.

One thing you have to realize is that while both Skype and Vonage offer great
VoIP services, they can be hampered by not ony the quality of your internet
connection but also by the "network neutrality" policies of your internet
service provider.

Time/Warner has been relitively well behaved in this area so far, but your
service, Comcast, has a notorious reputation for "packet shaping" third party
services using their network. It's quite possible that they have been throttling
your Vonage connection, or that your quality of service has been low for VoIP
packets.

You can have the most delicious malt to drink, but how much flavor you get
depends on the size of the straw the restaurant gives you. (grin)

One interesting thing to note is that most of the major phone companies are
trying to wipe out Vonage in the courts rather than compete in the same
space. I suspect that if they are successful in shuttering Vonage, they will go
after the next big VoIP brand, Skype,

Anyway, I have both Vonage and Skype-In and Skype-Out service. Vonage has
been excellent for both my home and business use. On the other hand, Skype
to POTS service for calling folks has not had nearly the same call quality as
my Vonage service. Perhaps I have an oposite problem with Skype being
throttled by Time/Warner? Hmmm...

Just some additional things to consider about independent ViOP services.

- Tom

[Matt Asay]

I'm not aware of a similar chart for ERP

@jcunnCSC: Unfortuntely, I don't know of a similar chart for ERP. Sorry.... If I come across something, I'll post it, though.

[ZOverLord]

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