Beginner needs help with quality issues

I started my voip experience with Sipgate on a recommendation, I had lots of issues with quality and the thing just stopped working after a while. So I dumped it and took a deal with Tesco internet phone, bought an adapter and got set up. It workes fairly well and their customer support is excellent.

However, people say that my voice fades out and the call quality is poor, I seem able to hear them ok. Tesco spent a long time helping me to get this resolved and in the end we ran a quality check on the line using my voipspeed. The results seem to suggest that the line is not consistent in the data it is carrying, a result of around 50%.

I've talked to Bt (my BB provider) but you just get the typical call centre mentality they run through a script and dont actually think about the issues. Does anybody have any suggestions how I can resolve this issue. I am out of contract with BT so I could move provider (was thinking of it anyway) and I'm tempted to go with somebody like Nildram or Zen who seem to offer a better standard of service. Will they have the same issues, ie could the fault lie with BT in respect of a line fault.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Thanks

Angus

USB phone or one that plugs into your router?
If it's a USB phone, look for issues on your PC - anything that may be interfering with the data (anti-virus software, etc.).
If it's a phone that plugs into the Tesco adaptor (which plugs into your router), and you're still having issues, then look to your internet provider as the cause.

Hi Ade,

Sorry should have been more clear, the kit is an adapter that plugs into the router. Tesco phone people tell me that is the most reliable way to receive the signal. Also the test we ran on the line would appear to demonstrate the issue lies outwith my kit.

My concern is, if I moved provider would I face the same issue if they are just a BT reseller. I can only receive BB on a BT line here.

Thanks
Angus

It sounds as though your upstream on your ADSL is at fault here. I use Vonage for VoIP and did find when I started to use it, my outgoing voice would break up or fade. The only way I was able to resolve this was to buy a router which could prioritise traffic (QoS).

To help with the upstream issue, make sure that you have no P2P applications running in the background on any of your computers, such as Kazaa, Skype, Joost, etc. as these can be bandwidth hungry, even when not in use.

Thanks for your advice, especially on Skype as that does run on my pc all the time. I'll try switching it off. Strangely enough I ran the same line quality / speed test today and get 99% - as opossed to 30% yesterday. Is it fair and accurate to say that this probably means the issues are to do with Traffic Shaping by my ISP rather than an issue with the line into the house.

Also, what router do you recommend that prioritises

Thanks
Angus

Hi Folks,

I've spent this morning trying various things and I went back to my old Sipgate account, just using the soft phone and the quality was great. My issues with Sipgate were with Support and the fact that it was based in Germany and you cant have a conversation.

I stupidly sold my Linksys voip adapter last month on Ebay so now I need to replace the kit. Any recommendations on what to get. I was looking at at WIFI phone at �80 but not sure if that would be any good. My other thought is to upgrade my mobile to a Nokia N95 then try and configure sipgate on that.

Thanks so much for all your help

Angus

voipspeed is [censored]. Use http://www.testyourvoip.com

My concern is, if I moved provider would I face the same issue if they are just a BT reseller. I can only receive BB on a BT line here.

It will only be the same if it's a problem with your line, or your equipment.
In which case, it will be the same with unbundled connections, also (as you'll still be using the same physical cable).
If it's a problem with the equipment in the exchange, it would carry across to any other ISP that uses BT wholesale products.
These ISPs, such as Plusnet, Virgin, Zen, Entanet, etc., are BT "resellers", they're different companies (apart from Plusnet, which is owned by BT), they just use BT equipment. They have their own backbones (albeit leased from BT, and other carriers).
If it's a problem with the BT ISP you're using, it will disappear should you migrate (providing you don't migrate to someone rubbish).

And, yes, having a VTA plugged into your router, is the most reliable way, as it removes your PC from being an issue.

Just check there's no other downloading going on at the same time (from any other PC, phone, or games console in your house, or by anybody who may have hi-jacked your wireless network).

In reply to:

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These ISPs, such as Plusnet, Virgin, Zen, Entanet, etc., are BT "resellers"

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I think you meant to say "are not resellers" ?

Thanks for all the replies, I am currently looking at 3 suppliers: Zen, NDo and Nildram. Any comments on either of them would be great. Also, this QoS seems to have something to do with it. Is this something that I can control by buying a better router or is it down to the ISp - Or Both!

Thanks again
Angus