BajaNomad

New VOIP Service On the Scene

jeans - 3-23-2009 at 08:58 PM

I know that phone communications is an ongoing topic of discussion. I thought I would let you know of something I’ve come across.

The company is AcionTalk. They are just getting started and are based in San Diego. They haven’t yet had their full launch. They hired a friend of mine to be their CFO. He gave me “the box” to use for a couple of weeks – gratis.

I want to try it out in Tijuana/Rosarito this weekend to see how well it works to call back to the US. I need to find a non-WIFI hookup to use…any volunteers? (And you can make any calls you want in the US/Canada to “test”).

I am just learning this whole VOIP thing. It had never appealed to me before because I am so picky about sound quality (I hate talking on/to a cell); it seemed like too much of a risk.

But since I had the chance to try it for free…why not? The verdict is: I am happy with it. Sound quality on my side and for those I call ranges from No Difference to “Yes, I can tell it’s not a Landline but it’s WAY better than cell.”

This is what I know about it:

The Box (4” square & 1” thick)
* Needs electricity & uses an RJ45 ethernet port/cord
* Does not need a computer (That means no software to slow down your computer and computer functions will not interfere with phone reception
* They say it will work in the lower range of internet signals that other VOIP services reject (but not dial-up).

Service
* $14.95/mo unlimited calls to US & Canada. $69.99 activation charge. No contract/cancel anytime, keep the box. Their technology is in the controlling server/software…not in the box, which is made by Cisco - Linksys.
* $24.99/mo unlimited calls to/from US, Canada & Mexico. (at this time they can not bill a Mexican account - only American (not sure about Canadian)
* No issues with calling 800 numbers or tele-conference lines (As a trainer who uses conference lines, other VOIP services have caused problems on my calls)
* Their service is being developed first for the Asian & Mexican markets... (largest number of immigrants wanting to call home) European/So. American market to come soon.
*No issue in calling Cell phones
*All the usual features…call forwarding, 3-way, caller ID, call waiting, etc.
*Box can be taken to Mexico to call US on just the $14.95/mo plan with no extra charge.

Since my average phone bill is over $100/mo…I’m saving money, even with the upfront cost.

I suggested AcionTalk to http://tech.spotcoolstuff.com that rob had referred to in another thread…maybe they can look at it as well (the company may be too new).

So...anyone want to help me try out this new service? (I'm trying to do my "Due Dilligence" before I cut the landline)

[Edited on 3-24-2009 by jeans]

VOIP

tehag - 3-23-2009 at 10:23 PM

Magic Jack — $20 a year.

jeans - 3-24-2009 at 12:25 AM

After reading these reviews, MJ is not a suitable option for a full-time, full-featured home business line...that has the added bonus of being portable to Mexico. That's what I am looking for.

http://www.voipreview.org/review/magicjack?page=1

http://tech.spotcoolstuff.com/internet-telephone/magicjack-skype-vonage

Magic

MrBillM - 3-25-2009 at 10:44 AM

Last week, a friend of mine from Gonzaga asked me about Magic-Jack because a neighbor of his who has Hughesnet had gone over to it and was very happy.

Since my only experience was watching the TV commercials, I had no input other than to say "Try it". At 20 bucks, what have you got to lose ? So far, I've spent more than that trying (4) different VOIPs, the only one of which that I was happy with (Crystal Voice) ceased service.

k-rico - 3-25-2009 at 10:53 AM

I use VOIP (Vonage) her in TJ with a TELNOR 1 mbit/sec DSL Internet connection. I kept my San Diego 619 number which I've had forever and forever will.

It works fine. I pay a year in advance so I get a rate reduction. It costs $20/month. Free long distance to US and Canada. The only drawback is at the 1 mbit/sec bandwidth voice communication can get garbled if you are downloading large files while talking.

You can take your phone and modem to an Internet cafe and ask one of the geeks running the place if you can plug into their ethernet. If you plan to travel, take a phone and the modem along, in addition to your laptop. It is good to also take a small ethernet hub and some short network cables.

Woooosh - 3-25-2009 at 01:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
I use VOIP (Vonage) her in TJ with a TELNOR 1 mbit/sec DSL Internet connection. I kept my San Diego 619 number which I've had forever and forever will.

It works fine. I pay a year in advance so I get a rate reduction. It costs $20/month. Free long distance to US and Canada. The only drawback is at the 1 mbit/sec bandwidth voice communication can get garbled if you are downloading large files while talking.

You can take your phone and modem to an Internet cafe and ask one of the geeks running the place if you can plug into their ethernet. If you plan to travel, take a phone and the modem along, in addition to your laptop. It is good to also take a small ethernet hub and some short network cables.


vonage has a new travel device that connects to your laptops USB- no need to carry a hub, phones or cables. They also have a portable wifi phone (looks like a cell) so you can send/take calls on your own number from any hotspot.

I think TelNor manipulates you rupload/download sppeds if you are a heavy bandwidth user. Why would Snr. Slim allow VOIP to be high quality?

k-rico - 3-25-2009 at 06:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
I use VOIP (Vonage) her in TJ with a TELNOR 1 mbit/sec DSL Internet connection. I kept my San Diego 619 number which I've had forever and forever will.

It works fine. I pay a year in advance so I get a rate reduction. It costs $20/month. Free long distance to US and Canada. The only drawback is at the 1 mbit/sec bandwidth voice communication can get garbled if you are downloading large files while talking.

You can take your phone and modem to an Internet cafe and ask one of the geeks running the place if you can plug into their ethernet. If you plan to travel, take a phone and the modem along, in addition to your laptop. It is good to also take a small ethernet hub and some short network cables.


vonage has a new travel device that connects to your laptops USB- no need to carry a hub, phones or cables. They also have a portable wifi phone (looks like a cell) so you can send/take calls on your own number from any hotspot.

I think TelNor manipulates you rupload/download sppeds if you are a heavy bandwidth user. Why would Snr. Slim allow VOIP to be high quality?


Since I work over the Internet I monitor my upload/download speeds occasionally and because I'm always uploading and downloading I can tell when things are slow. I've seen no sign of my bandwidth deviating from what I bought. In fact, I think the TELNOR service is excellent.

The VONAGE voice quality is as a regular land line. It's fine, but I don't have the bandwidth to transfer files and talk at the same time. So I don't do that. I really like having my voice messages emailed to me as a .wav file.

Thanks for the tips about the gadgets that are available.

jeans - 3-25-2009 at 11:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaeng
What part of Baja are you in?


I wanted to try it out in Rosarito on a less-than-stellar connection to see how it worked. Feature-wise its only real competion is Vonage, which many people are happy with. But if it truly does work on a lower connection as they claim, it may have some value in addition to having a lower price point than Vonage.

I'm a little wary because they are a start-up. I called tech support with a question and I got the owner/inventor/chief technician.