Voip the downside.

pricefighter

People are raving about VOIP as if it is the greatest thing since sliced bread,but for all the Hype their are a few things people tend to overlook.

1. If the power goes off,or your computer crashes,bang goes your dog and bone line.However on an ordinary landline it usually will still work,as the power to run them comes down the line along with your calls.

2.In an Emergency it is not possible to dial 112/999 with most existing VOIP providers.

3.You got to have Broadband to use VOIP so the cost of renting BB for that purpose should be added to the call costs.

paul_h

As a user of Voipbuster, I think it's great and has certainly saved me money - but it's certainly not currently a finished consumer product...

The problems you have pointed out are all very valid, I can only see VOIP as a useful addition to an existing PSTN service - you have to have a PSTN line to have broadband anyway, so it makes sense to keep a standard telephone connected for emergencies and power failures.

Incidentally, despite the warnings in the user manuals, I wonder how many people with cordless landline phones realise they will be useless in a power cut? - Few have battery backup.

As for the cost of broadband, I certainly couldn't recommend having broadband simply to use VOIP - but I would still need to pay for broadband if I didn't use VOIP...

charlie12

I totally agree, In the home, I see VOIP as a great tool to use in conjunction with a normal landline telephone, but I don't see it ever replacing it due to reliability issues.

I haven't bothered using VOIP yet as my current setup (Mobile minutes/1899/18866/Simply Fone) covers all bases. I don't make enough landline calls to justify the switch to VOIP. Though I can see the advantage for high end users. Once the rates start to become competitive for calls to UK mobiles and international destinations then I may start using it.

It is a little overhyped IMO but it will only make the market more competitive which is always good for us consumers.

mhendo

pricefighter wrote:

1. If the power goes off,or your computer crashes,bang goes your dog and bone line.However on an ordinary landline it usually will still work,as the power to run them comes down the line along with your calls.

2.In an Emergency it is not possible to dial 112/999 with most existing VOIP providers.

3.You got to have Broadband to use VOIP so the cost of renting BB for that purpose should be added to the call costs.

1. My PSTN line is effectively useless in a power failure anyway - My Panasonic DECT handsets do not operate the line without the base unit powered up. Was the same for my parents' BT DECT phones. - perhaps I need to get myself a UPS!!! LOL
2. Valid point RE the emergency numbers, and I guess that is so the Police can trace calls (with VoIP the person could be anywhere).
3. I doubt anyone would even consider VoIP unless they already had a broadband service, as the pricing would be way over the odds.

VoIP would be a very worthwhile product if it were possible to have ADSL without the provision of a telephone line service. I think for points 1 & 2, I'd use my mobile in such cases anyway.

Due to the large number of free minutes with my mobile now, the only thing I don't use my mobile for is:-

• calls starting 08 - use BT line as its cheaper than VoIP or 18866.
• international calls - use Voipbuster for free (or use call18866 when lazy!)