Comments on: ISP-In-A-Box: Mastering Internet Telephony – One SIP At A Time

By: Vera Sinha

Vera Sinha — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:08:35 +0000

BroadVoice shouldn't be in that business, if they can't make money by offering an "UNLIMITED CALLING PLANS". They are running a real SCHEME, going month(s) back and charging the user excessively. I honestly, wouln't recommend BroadVoice to anyone. I have stated: they are running a "SCHEME" of business. "Cheap", at the end will cost you more. [WM: You'll note that we recommended ONLY their BYOD calling plan, not an unlimited calling plan.]

By: Ned

Ned — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 16:10:17 +0000

Thanks for the informative article, which has answered many of my questions. Does anybody know if ordering BV via Hello Direct still allows the customer to get a $50 rebate after 3 months? Nobody at BV or HD seems to know how this would work — they each refer you to the other to answer this question. And can the WiFi phone really be unlocked if I decide one day to use it with SunRocket or some other service instead?

[WM: Don’t know about the rebate. If Hello Direct doesn’t know, I’d say the answer is probably no. As for the WiFi phone, once it’s configured for BroadVoice, you’re stuck. I did replace my first one (which was pure crapola). The newer ones have a much later version of the firmware which actually seems to work. People at the other end actually hear most of what you’re saying. The way the process works is that BroadVoice preconfigures an account for you, you get the phone, and then connect to BroadVoice and tell it to replace your BYOD service with the WiFi phone. At this point, you’re stuck. If you set up your BYOD account in advance, order the phone from Hello Direct, and configure it yourself when you receive it (to use Asterisk, for example), then the phone is unlocked, works, and stays that way. Once you provision it through BroadVoice, you’re stuck.]

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 05 Aug 2005 03:01:33 +0000

Anyone know if these work with fax machines? (via the term adapters?)

[WM: That’s a big maybe. Check the forums if you want to use a fax. You’ll also need to run install-pdf from the command prompt. Good luck.]

By: alexp

alexp — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 22:43:22 +0000

I would use caution when signing for BV. They have had many issues.

http://www.dslreports.com reviews is a solid place to look, as is http://www.voxilla.com

[WM: I, too, would use caution, and I wouldn’t limit it to BroadVoice. As I said in the article, VoIP is a new technology. And, as the old saying goes, "You can spot the pioneers by the arrows in their backs."]

By: Georg Fritscher

Georg Fritscher — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 18:15:04 +0000

Congratulations to your posting about VoIP / SIP! Finally someone who does understand to use and not to expect miracles of these new features.

I use X-Ten and BroadVoice + other providers since begin of this year; followed BroadVoice also with their "journey to hell and back" in May without complaining or demanding at all. It’s also my opinion that BroadVoice is one of the best services on the market, I love their hard work to get back up and running again like before the "meltdown".
Whenever there occurred any problems in their network I received best help and good manners … so, I do not understand all these complaints about BroadVoice and their lack of service; possibly lack of attitude of the complainers?