[lug] VoIP: T-Mobile @Home

[Dallas Masters]

I have used Sun Rocket, Inphonex and Lingo (current) over my Qwest DSL. Call 
quality varies.  Regarding 911, you need to check that the address is really 
working.  I had issues getting mine to be recognized correctly.  Since 911 
calls in my area (Nederland) are routed to Boulder County Dispatch, I called 
them and asked what they thought my address really should be.  Then I made sure 
that is what I fed to the VOIP provider.  Finally, I called 911 and immediately 
told them it was a check call to make sure I had 911 connectivity to the proper 
dispatch office (supposedly fine, but I think there needs to be a better system 
in place).  I was happy when Boulder County Dispatch answered the 911 call.

Another consideration: I believe Qwest DSL is battery backed up just like 
regular POTS.  If you have long enough battery backup to power your home VOIP, 
power outages may not be that big of a deal.  Other providers may do the same.

Dallas

On Monday 11 May 2009 07:50:50 Gary Hodges wrote:
> I was in a Longmont T-Mobile store this weekend and learned about a VoIP
> service they have.  Combined with a suitable cell plan, you can get VoIP
> for home for $10/month.  The router is a one-time $40 expense.  I did a
> little research this weekend and discovered I can disconnect the regular
> copper at the demarcation point, then just connect the VoIP router to a
> jack to make use of my home's phone wiring.  Seems simple enough.
>
> The hang ups, questions and concerns:
> 1.  Does VoIP really sound as good as POTS?
> 2.  Are the 911 issues really solved?  With T-Mobile you register your
> address on-line, and presumably that info is available to emergency
> people during 911 calls.  Can I trust this?
> 3.  Any chance of Comcast (my broadband provider) giving me one of those
> heavy usage warnings?  I see an article or two about Comcast throttling
> third party VoIP technologies.  Is this seemingly good deal from
> T-Mobile doomed to failure?
>
> Gary
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