voip?

[rbig]

I'm thinking about switching my residence over to VOIP.

How functionally well does VOIP work with faxes and touch-tone phones?

I know there are rigging problems to be addressed, and it's hard to get tech support at home. Just wanted to know if it's OK on faxes and touch-tones.

[mango man]

touch tone no problem , fax is iffy

[AcesDwn]

I have had Vonage (which is VOIP) for about 8 yrs now.
(there are other providers for residential VOIP but I can only speak to my experience with Vonage.)

Both touch tone and Fax work just fine from my house.

IF you're thinking of your own VOIP server with a virtual PBX (like the software from 3CX) then you might have an issue.

Bottom line:
MOST 3rd party companies (Vonage, Magic Jack, etc..) will work just fine for both touch tone, and Fax.
If you create your own lines and extentions (via 3CX or others) then you need to configure your server to handle the appropriate signals.

In ANY event, you need to be aware that the 911 capabilities of ANY VOIP service is NOT the same as a "Land Line" through Verizon or any other "Copper" provider.

VOIP will take your address, and when you dial 911 it will route you to the nearest Police/Fire station based on your registered address.

You will NOT get to the expected "911" service.

Hope it helps.

Aces.

[mango man]

MOST 3rd party companies (Vonage, Magic Jack, etc..) will work just fine for both touch tone, and Fax.
If you create your own lines and extentions (via 3CX or others) then you need to configure your server to handle the appropriate signals.

I have to disagree that "most voip works ok with Faxes
vonage fax issues
Vonage Forum - fax problems

magic jack fax

So I ran a Google search "problem sending fax with MagicJack" or similar search. THAT'S WHEN I GOT TO SEE THE FINE PRINT. Apparently MagicJack doesn't support fax machines. Or, more accurately, the codec that their VOIP algorithm uses to transmit the data (and possibly ANY VOIP codec--but I'm not sure) does not use error correction and will likely fail. Further research showed that some people have some success some of the time transmitting their faxes to some fax machines. HOWEVER, I use fax.com, and I was completely unsuccessful, even after turning off error correction on my fax machine and reducing the speed to 2400bps.

Real Estate Blog - SERIOUS drawback to MagicJack VOIP widget

magicjack fax - Google Search

glad Vonnage fax is working for you but it doesn't for most and I certainly wouldn't count on it

experience and reading forums on line show lots of fax /modem issues with VOIP

[Furd]

As Mango states, fax over VOIP is a crap shoot. The same is true with alarm systems and VOIP. Some VOIP providers offer (semi) guaranteed fax service but most do not. At any rate, VOIP is highly dependent on a high quality Internet connection. You need a stable connection at a consistent speed for proper VOIP operation.

To check your connection you need to use a speed test that also monitors quality of service, i.e. the consistency of the speed. When I had cable Internet service I had (relatively) high speed but low quality of service, or in other words I had a connection that had quite a bit of variance in the speed rate. This gave me okay-to-poor VOIP service. Now that I have a fiber-to-the-home connection my quality of service rating is almost always 98 or 99 percent. With the cable connection it was often so low it couldn't be measured.

Use this speed test. MySpeed VoIP connection test, VoIP test, test VoIP performance, test VoIP quality

[Gunguy45]

A little off topic, but....

I can't find it now...but I found a site when my wife asked me about MagicJack that just gave me the super willies talking about their EULA. They install software on your PC, they provide no uninstall utility, they can monitor the websites you visit, they can sell that info, they will target you with ad's, you can't opt out...etc, etc.

Not what I'd consider a good way to save money.

[Furd]

That's at least partly right, Gunguy. I (stupidly) bought a magic jack after seeing one of their late night infomercials and also talking with a friend who bought one. After I got it and discovered they need to add software on your computer AND your computer needs to be up and running to use the silly thing, I sent it back. At least they were honest about not charging my credit card for however many days they stated although I did have to pay the speedy delivery charge.

From what I read on the VoIP blogs Magic Jack IS a good VoIP as far as cost and call quality is concerned. It's the "other" things that keep me from wanting it.

[mango man]

I like my magic jack , I bought it to cut down on cell minutes and so far it's worked well (I spent over a hour yesterday on it )I have it call forwarded to my business line so if a customer calls it back they get my business VM (weather the magic jack is on or not)

Its a PITA to get it going when I boot up the PC but once its running the voice quality is as good as the dialtone provided by Verizon

I wouldn't want it as my only phone but for $20 a year its worth it to me

I haven't tried faxing but my faxes are important (invoices) and I don't want to chance problems or call to be sure the fax sent through OK

[AcesDwn]

Thanks for the info Mango...
I hadn't heard issues with faxing over voip, but now I have.
I stand corrected....

Also,
Vonage has a "QOS" (Quality of service) settings I set mine to give voice packets priority over data packets so maybe that's why it works for me.

Thanks again.

Aces

[JeromeLindo]

What is the main difference between hosted pbx and skype? I know there are subtle differences, such as price and user interface, but what are the differences in technology? Thanks!