Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I tested my upload/download speeds to see if my system is fast enough for VoiP service. Only the VoiP service states the minimum in kb/s and my speed was measured in Mb/s.
Although, some providers adopt a multiplier of 1000 instead of 1024 in their advertising material. So your numbers might be slightly off compared to what they advertise.
Multiply kbps by 1000 to get Mbps. .92 Mbps = 920 kbps
Those numbers are on the low side for VoIP. Unfortunately, throughput numbers aren't the only factors in whether your connection is suitable for VoIP. Latency and jitter numbers matter too.
The best site I know of to test your connection for VoIP for throughput, latency and jitter is this one. http://www.testyourvoip.com Post your numbers from that site if you want a more definitive opinion on your connection.
Although, some providers adopt a multiplier of 1000 instead of 1024 in their advertising material. So your numbers might be slightly off compared to what they advertise.
Who is your internet provider (if in the US)?
I currently use Verizon DSL. The VoiP service I'm looking at requires 128 kb/s minimum upload. So I guess my DSL is fast enough?
Multiply kbps by 1000 to get Mbps. .92 Mbps = 920 kbps
Those numbers are on the low side for VoIP. Unfortunately, throughput numbers aren't the only factors in whether your connection is suitable for VoIP. Latency and jitter numbers matter too.
The best site I know of to test your connection for VoIP for throughput, latency and jitter is this one. http://www.testyourvoip.com Post your numbers from that site if you want a more definitive opinion on your connection.
Connection to the site times out. Will try later, thanks.
I currently use Verizon DSL. The VoiP service I'm looking at requires 128 kb/s minimum upload. So I guess my DSL is fast enough?
I think you should be fine in general. The problem comes when someone is doing something on the internet through the computer at the same time that someone is using the VOIP phone.
Depending on the VOIP provider, their hardware might have QOS capabilities to avoid any issues.... otherwise you might want to consider getting a router with QOS capability.
Ok, have my jitter: 0.0 ms, packet loss 0.0%, MOS score: 4.2
I've no idea what they mean. Are they good?
BTW, the VOIP provider hardware does have QOS capability.
Jitter score and packet loss is excellent. I'm not sure what MOS is.
QOS sets priorities for how your bandwidth is used, so it will help you if you intend to use your Internet connection for other things while you are on the phone. With so little bandwidth to spare, I'd say you'll definitely want to use QOS. (BTW, if you're a fan of peer-to-peer downloading for movies and music, using it with VoIP and so little bandwidth is going to really hurt your ability to use the VoIP. QOS and scheduling your downloads for times when you aren't on the phone will be a must for you.)
Is the provider you're thinking of using Ooma by any chance? That's the provider I use.
I'm considering Ooma or NetTalk. I'm leaning toward NetTalk because of the low start-up cost ($100) with one year of service, $30.00 a year after that. Money is VERY tight for me, so I need to get rid of my landline to free up the $50.00 a month. Can't afford the $200 - $250 to get the Ooma device.
I don't do any downloading of movies or music, so that won't be a problem, but I do want the QOS. Can I buy a router with QOS to replace the one Verizon gave me, or do I have to stick with a Verizon-issued router?
Thanks for your help! Guess I'll stick with the DSL for now, as Time Warner cable internet may not support Windows Vista (which I have). Ugh.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
