Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dsl and VoIP

What's the downside to VOIP?

middleclasstool — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:07:11 -0800

What is the current state of VOIP? VOIP was never an option for us in the past, as it requires an internet connection, and we're on DSL, which until recently required a phone line.

But now AT&T is selling DSL without requiring phone service. Looking at it, I can get our current level of DSL service plus unlimited Vonage phone service (including call waiting/forwarding/id and voicemail) for what we're paying now for just basic phone service (no long distance, we've been using cards since getting burned by a crooked long distance company) + DSL.

But I'm thinking there's a catch. Like bittorrent will kill my phone service (or vice versa), for instance. What are the ugly trade-off realities of going to VOIP for your home phone line?

Is magicjack VoIP worth getting?

exlotuseater — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:42:56 -0800

Anyone familiar with MagicJack? I've just recently seen ads for Magicjack, another new VoIP service. It's ~$40 USD to purchase the jack which includes a year of free local and long-distance, and then $20 USD/ year for continuing service. The "jack" plugs into pc usb on one end and has an analog phone jack on the other end. The reviews have been generally positive, but I'm skeptical.

Anyone have any experience with this particular service? Will it work over DSL, or does VoIP only work with cable?

Thanks for your help.

How do I switch to VOIP in Ottawa?

valleys — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:58:38 -0800

I need help understanding how to switch to a VOIP service, with bonus points for recommendations about an ISP in Ottawa that can provide dry loop DSL. My ISP (Primus) keeps pushing their VOIP service, so I assumed that they now had dry loop DSL available. They don't - the customer service agent recommended that I switch to a different ISP to get dry loop DSL, then come back to them for VOIP!! Not gonna happen.

But, I still want to VOIP somehow, and realise I will have to switch ISPs and give up the email address I've had for 8 years. I can live with that. So, which ISPs can you recommend for me to get dry loop DSL in Ottawa? I think Sympatico can, but the whole reason for getting VOIP is to get away from Bell. I also don't want to go to Rogers for cable internet. (Primary motivation is to save money over my existing Bell bill.)

Next, I need help understanding how this would all work, as I've not found any clear guides despite a lot of looking. Important: I want to keep my existing phone number.

Is the process:
- apply for dry loop DSL on my existing phone line/number from a new ISP (would this kill my regular Bell phone service? that would be ok - I have a cell phone I could live with for the time there was no access on the main home number)
THEN WHEN IT'S ACTIVE
- apply for VOIP through Vonage or whoever, using the existing phone number?

Am I missing something? How long should all this take? How long would I be without phone service? What other information should I know?

Earthlink trueVoice VoIP, anyone?

QuietDesperation — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 15:39:00 -0800

Anyone used Earthlink's trueVoice VoIP service? They called with an offer today. I'm suspicious of VoIP, but I'm tired of paying $53 per month for DSL plus $100 for phones plus long distance, etc. They're offering $69 for 8mbps DSL plus phone line and unlimited local and US/Canada LD, $14 for additional line, and no extra taxes or charges, (they say). My worst fear is that it's usable but rinky-dink like Skype.

Best VOIP?

marcschil — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 17:44:39 -0800

In September, my wife and I will be moving to a new apartment in downtown Manhattan. We're viewing the move as an opportunity to upgrade the technologies we use every day in the house. So my question(s) are: Should we go with Voice over IP for our home phone? If so, which is the better service, Vonage or AT&T CallVantage? Along the same lines, for our highspeed network, should we go with TimeWarner Roadrunner or keep our Verizon DSL service? Any thoughts?

Shared DSL and Vonage

subpixel — Tue, 19 Oct 2004 15:31:48 -0800

I'm thinking of getting Vonage voip but I share my dsl with another business. Is that an issue? Any advice based on experience?