[OT] VoIP recommendations

[D. Hugh Redelmeier]

| From: bassix-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org
| 
| On 6/28/06, Sy Ali <sy1234-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> wrote:

| > So what all is out there?  The last time I checked, Skype didn't have
| > inbound numbers for Canada.  =/
| > 
| > What's particularly easy to use, requiring no computer?  Standalone
| > boxes are interesting enough that I'd like to learn about what's out
| > there.
| 
| Rogers Home Phone:
| 
| http://www.shoprogers.com/store/cable/rhp/default.asp

That service probably works well at emulating Bell service at a modest
discount.  Probably an eminently reasonable choice.

But...

You are just trading one monopoly for another.  As I understand it,
the Rogers offering does not use ordinary IP over your cable modem.
It has a dedicated datapath that no other company can access.

If you really want to play with disruptive technology (and bleed a bit
in the process), go for true VoIP, preferably one that follows
standards.  That means: SIP (or IAX).  Not Skype (proprietary
non-disclosed protocol).

Asterisk is cool.  You still need something the bridge the IP and PSTN
(telephone) worlds.  That's what Skype-out is.  That's what Vonnage is
(if you strip out the crap).  I like Unlimitel.ca.  Vbuzzer might be
OK.  One of the important things about VoIP is that you have a wide choice 
of competitive suppliers.

I still have a POTS line (Plain Old Telephone Service).  Really old:
pulse dial, not touchtone.  It is a *lot* more reliable than my
internet connections, even without considering the reliability of
the things layered on top.  It is also a lot more reliable than mobile
phones.

But I'm following VoIP and have deployed it once.

TAUG is an interesting and vibrant group.
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