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Phone worked much better with COX in LA. Has been spotty with the Charter HSI problems but is improving as I resolve the HSI problems one at a time. Only contact with their Tech. service was at install and when I complained about the not ringing here on CHARTER they sent the BPA 410 to replace the orig. 310. Both incidents were responded to well. I have looked at other providers but am overall satisfied and don't want to muddy the water until I get satisfactory internet performance BPA 410 Adapter,Netgear WNR 3500 Router, Charter 10Mb HSI UPDATE: Still working with charter on HSI issues for ring in and dial out intermittants »/testhistory/1681265/3b9f2 Followup comments:
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One nuisance with a workaround is that the firmware for the BPG510 ATA has not been updated since 2005 and the time zone data is hopelessly out of date. Since I live on the West Coast, my workaround is to simply turn DST off and use Arizona during the Summer when we are actually GMT -7 and then in November switch back to Pacific Standard Time which is GMT -8. I noticed that their Business firmware update for their BPA410 ATA adds iLBC codec capability but the Residential firmware for the same device is not nearly as new nor adds that codec. As of now, Residential uses the g.729 codec for voice and g.711 for fax. It's unclear whether their residential devices can use any of the Fax codecs such as T.38. I switched to ooma and am in the process of porting my number over. I like the fact that ooma uses the iLBC codec with a g.711 option by dialing *99 first as well. I also like the fact that ooma uses SIP over VPN although some less than neutral isp's may be able to recognize VOIP by traffic patterns anyway. Original 2007 Post: This was almost too easy for me to set up. My fears were quickly put to rest once I saw how the system works. I was afraid that I'd need to put the Packet8 adapter on it's own subnet in a DMZ but in reality, as long as the ports are open and no, they don't need to be forwarded, it'll work fine from the local subnet. If your computers can access the internet, so can the phone bridge and you're good to go. Incoming calls have been trouble free. I recently got dry loop Verizon dsl in the west (DHCP) region and decided it was time to get a voip line. I considered many of them including Vonage and even Net2Phone. I run IPCop as my firewall/router with my RED (Wan) connection as a DHCP client to a bridged DSL modem and simply plugged the wan port of the Packet8 into my switch on the local lan and picked up my handset and followed the instructions to enter the activation code. I then went to the website to fine tune the features and my limitation in call quality is actually governed by my 7 year old 2.4ghz cordless phone system, Packet8 sounds as good as my POTS ever did but I have a low latency internet connection, a good router (IPCop and a CPU that never is used beyond 20% at full load) and 99% QOS on my connection as measured by one test I used. On a side note, there are a LOT of 2.4ghz wifi base stations in my community and my phone does have a few electronic noises as I move about my townhome, I have a DECT 1.9ghz unit coming that has three handsets and no built in answering machine. 2.4 is too crowded still and 5.8 doesn't appeal to me either. Next, I will set up traffic shaping to give the port ranges of this voip system to have priority so I can use the internet as heavy as I want to without affecting the voip quality. Using iftop in a terminal while i was on the phone, it looks like the codec used here uses about 24kbs in both directions while on a call. The udp port to the packet8 proxy uses a very negligible amount of bandwidth. To sum up, I think people should check their qos at »myspeed.visualware.com before they consider voip. In fact, VOIP quality is often used as a tool to judge network quality on metro wifi projects such as Seattlewireless here in the Puget Sound region. I know that Joe and Jane sixpack aren't going to know any different and if the voip is not very satisfactory, they will blame the VOIP provider first instead of any network issues that may exist. Followup comments:
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I have the Freedom 500 plan. I switched to it because it costs less than their unlimited plan. They have raised their prices over the years to where I no longer consider them an "amazing' deal. Now they are just a "good" deal. I still recommend them though. While I have seen others go through bankruptcies and scandals (Sunrocket anyone?) Packet8 has kept going. [update] Packet8 has discontinued their Freedom 500 plan and has bumped me up to their unlimited plan. My phone bill started out at $19.95/ month in 2003 and now $26.98/month after taxes and fees. I have been a loyal customer but as soon as I find another provider, I'm leaving them. [update] I have left Packet8 for good. They were good for a time but I no longer consider them worth it. They have a very poor and sluggish web interface, slow customer support (if any) and high prices with low call quality. Why give them any business?? Followup comments:
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P8 uses a proprietary locked ATA compared to Callcentric's bring your own device open standard SIP format. P8 is easier to install and if you do lots of calling their unlimited plan is comparable to Vonage. Check with P8 for taxes applicable to your state. I rate the P8 customer service as pathetic. It has the advantage of answering your call after a short time in call processing and then you'll be able to talk to a live tech support person based in Santa Clara/Sunnyvale, CA. Tech support did a good job as far as getting the service set up. Tech support did not respond well to problems with call quality and service outages. They would usually blame persistent problem with echo on my ISP or on my home network. Followup comments:
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I placed my order for the DTA from Amazon.com on a Friday, and it arrived Tuesday. Ordering from them gave two months free, and a $60 rebate, which will reduce the cost of my DTA to -$4.00. The DTA arrived in a well decorated box, that protected the DTA well. Once the main box is opened, there is smaller box inside, with all of the components wrapped in bubble wrap. The items in the box included the DTA, a phone cord, power cord, power adapter, ethernet cable, startup note, tips sheet, and an invoice. After I took the DTA out of the box, and plugged in the power, the Power light immediately turned on. I next plugged the ethernet cable into a free port of my router, and the Link light tuned on .I then connected a phone, and picked up, to find a dial tone. When a number was dialed, a packet8 recording telling you the URL to activate your service was heard. I went to the web address supplied, which matched the instructions on the sheet, and was told to enter my MAC address that was found on the bottom of the DTA. When I entered my MAC address, it returned an error I tried three times, and each time the same error came up. I then placed a call to packet8 support, who answered after a few rings. I had no hold time at all. They confirmed my MAC address, and changed something in their system. I then tried again, and was put through. The problem, so far as I can tell, was caused by me buying it through Amazon, and the DTA must not have been registered properly in their system. After I had filled out the required billing information, I paid an activation fee, and printed my account details. I then picked up the phone, and placed a long distance call with perfect quality. I felt that the quality was almost as good as my land line, if not better. I did not have to configure anything special on my router, the DTA was truly "plug and play". The Phone light turns on steady when the phone is in use, and flashes while it is ringing. After making several calls over a few days, I am almost satisfied with the Packet8 service. There are however some issues. One day, I placed a long distance call, and suffered horrible quality, and lost the call. When I checked the call log, I had 12% packet loss. However this was not Packet8's fault, as it was my internet connection. After a quick reboot of modem and router, everything was working perfectly again. In normal calls, I lose about .2% packets, but this may or may not have something to do with Packet8. This does not cause any quality problems though. The voicemail works reasonably well, except for the timestamp is sometimes off. I do wish we had the name on the Caller-ID, as we currently only have the number. After I was satisfied with the service, I went outside and unplugged my land line from the box, and marked it clearly. Then I connected my DTA to the wall outlet, and all phones were powered. I am able to hear people clearly with four phones up, which is all I have use for at this time. As for the quality, long distance calls sound much better, and local calls are loud and clear, people say they notice an increase in quality. My only real problems with the service, so far, is the fact that 911 will not work right, and if I lose power, or my internet breaks, I will not have phone service to call and have it fixed. For $20.00 a month, with unlimited long distance, it makes a great replacement for a land line. I recommend it! Just updating this review, Packet8 now working fine in SC with Charter. Thanks P8! 12-24-05 - Still has great uptime and reliability. No problems 11-29-06 Still going strong with little downtime, have a few price increases, but still the most bang for the buck. 8-1-07 Still working well, loaded unlocked firmware and switched to g711. Sounds even better. No real problems with downtime. 6-1-09 P8 has raised the price several times, and now the cost is over $32, so I switched to my ISPs phone service. The features, uptime, and quality were great, but the price is no longer! Followup comments:
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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- With only a 3 day notice notice given 8x8 formally Packet 8 raised its month rate from $21.99 to $24.99 with taxes and fees, it was over 30.00 a month. 8x8 also dropped its 500 minutes a month plan in favor of the more expensive $24.99 monthly plan. It seems 8x8 has no regard to its long time residential customers and is moving away from that market entirely. I am now porting my phone number away from them. Look elsewhere for a more honest VOIP company. Update June 24/07 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- I'm still with Packet 8 and after 2yrs I've experienced little down time and service, sound quality has been as reliable as POTS. They are now my primary phone service. Update 4/18/05 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ I decided to give Packet 8 another try after I had some problems with the local Telephone Co. I have to say that Packet 8 has improved since my first try with them over a year ago. I also upgraded my old router this time which seems to have improved call quality. Also, my cable provider has raised its upload and download speeds so this will improve reliability as well. Packet 8 now ships the BPA 410 adapter which you can now run two phones simultaneously. Packet 8 now offers true E911 service for an additional fee. The bad thing is that there now is a $59 cancellation fee for 12 months so I hope I do not have problems after the 30 day trial. Packet 8s website needs improvement as call features are a little hard to find. Update July 22nd After having used Packet 8 since April, I have only experienced a couple of outages. Service has been stable for the last month and a half and I'm very happy. Now if the can go to 7 digit dialing it would be just like POTS service. It's not a big issue for me as I programmed my phone to handle the 1+ Area Code. I still can recommend Packet 8 for VIOP. Followup comments:
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Update: 22 March 2006. After some techincal problems with my Wireless ISP my P8 service is running strong as usual. Update: 8 Jan 06. Still running strong with no problems  UPDATE: 19 Sep 05. Still happy UPDATE: 18 Aug 05. Ordered the Uniden Packet8 package (since I now have broadband) - it got here in 6 days and was simply "plug and play". Made several calls with no problems Will update this if things change...For me, I am glad that I purchased this. I use it on a dialup connection overseas and this enables me to call me wife and family to keep in touch with them until I get back home. I would recommend this to all (especially military deployed or stationed overseas) that have access to internet. Makes all the difference in the world I would hate to see my phone bill without Packet8.I cancelled my service after returning from the Middle-East (no longer needed it)... Update: 4 June 2009. They sent an email on Thurs night about a rate increase effective Monday morning. NOT a good way to do business. I called and canceled my service today. Followup comments:
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Update: still working good after 4 years Update: provided free upgraded DTA when 4 yr old model died! Update: New price increase without notice NOT GOOD!!!!! Followup comments:
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Packet8
(23)
(18)
Roswell,Fulton,GA
$20 per month (12 month contract)
about 10 days
"System and Features work well"
"Currently;Not all calls ring some go direct to VM (HSI issues)"
"Acceptable service at a fair price Better internet service=better phone"
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