voip.ms discussion - Page 147 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

FunkyTown · 2012-05-12, 01:14 PM

That would be a complete lie. I've got volumes of ticket data that goes on for pages and pages with these guys over the issue of no sound, and disconnections happening within 2 seconds of answering a call. They've also told us that nobody else was having any issues. I personally know 8 people who are using VoIP.ms and there is not one of them who have not been having this problem. The issues are:

- answer the line but the called party cannot hear for 4 seconds at the start of the call
- the phone rings 3 times but once answered it disconnects after 2 seconds. The call log shows billing for 2 seconds.
- often when hanging up from a call the phone will ring again immediately with the caller id of the person you were just connected to

It's been really bad over the past week. Yesterday everyone was complaining about it. The CLEC they've got us with is Allstream. It's possible it is an issue with them. The annoying thing is that it's been going on for so long and nothing is being done about it. When 5% of all calls are met with errors that's not a good rate of success.

bentoronto · 2012-05-12, 03:58 PM

I can't recall having any problems with VOIP.ms in Toronto or Florida over my 6 months of subscription.

I use an ATA device, not a computer. In Toronto, it is plugged into my early 1980's Northern Electric "Vantage 12" KSU. Voice quality is as good as I could want and I am picky on voice quality. BTW, I am subscribed to the premium service - a quarter-penny more a minute or something like that.

Mostly by accident, I am connected through Atlanta.

Once again, compared to other such businesses, VOIP.ms has been grand.

Ben

FunkyTown · 2012-05-12, 05:46 PM

You are either not using your phone very often, or you are an extremely blessed person. I used to have no issues with VoIP.ms when I first signed up, but now the issues are constant. I know for certain others are having issues - so if you're not keep your eyes open.

The fact is, VoIP offerings right now in Canada are not that good. VoIP.ms is probably one of the best, which I'm sad to say because they are unreliable. Just yesterday we had 3 inbound calls out of 80 that failed. We are using it for our business. I also have it at home but don't notice the issues at home because I barely use the phone at home.

MichelR · 2012-05-13, 09:21 AM

The only problem I can recall (when placing a phone call) was that the person answered, but we couldn't hear anything. After waiting a few seconds to make sure it wasn't some kind of delay, I hung up and tried again and everything was fine from then on. However I do fit in the "do not use the phone very often" category. Let's just say voip.ms won't be moving into shiny offices because of the money I bring in...

I saw a couple of months ago on DSLReports one of the guys (might be the boss, not sure) at voip.ms mention that their top priority this year was improving stability and reliability, so hopefully those problems you're having will be resolved along the way - best thing I guess is to report all problems to them.

FunkyTown · 2012-05-13, 09:32 AM

LOL They are so sick of hearing from me that they don't give me any help anymore. All they do is state that it's my equipment causing the issue. A lot of money was spent upgrading and replacing everything from the modem, router, ISP, computer, version of Asterisk, and even the phones themselves but the problems still remain. We have a VoIP account at a different company now and we've had zero issues with them. However they don't permit business use. If they did we would switch completely.

I am happy to read that you mentioned VoIP.ms acknowledged that they do indeed have stability issues and that they are going to work on that. This is the most encouraging news I've heard in a long while.

MichelR · 2012-05-13, 11:53 AM

I only use a PAP2T ATA, so completely different setup here...

The guy's post wasn't explicitly acknowledging issues, but I guess since he said stability and reliability were priorities, that was kind of a backdoor acknowledgement.

FunkyTown · 2012-05-13, 12:45 PM

The issues are happening whether you are using Asterisk, PAP2T, SPA2102, SPA9000, SPA942, SPA504G, HT502, etc. I've tried using ATAs, and for our residential line we are on a SPA2102. Others I work with are using a variety of ATAs too. The issue is not with the ATA or Asterisk (by the way most ATAs are merely Linux computers running Asterisk), it's issues with VoIP.ms.

They used to be so reliable and so consistent. Over the past year that's changed.

MasterBash · 2012-05-16, 09:23 PM

nvm issue fixed

c-ditty · 2012-05-17, 11:23 AM

I have been reporting this exact same thing since January. No help from tech support other than try echo test and try softphone.

Really getting annoyed now!

bentoronto · 2012-05-18, 04:15 AM

Is there software to do surveys on this forum? Can we clarify if there're more issues with users of ATAs, computers, and I don't know what else? Funkytown's experience is that there are no differences but I'd like to see a bigger sample and try to see if there are other variables like node, DSL v cable.....

I use the PAP2T ATA, low use, Atlanta, DSL, close to zero problems.

Ben

ScaryBob · 2012-05-18, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Is there software to do surveys on this forum?

OT but... Yes, there is but it's been disabled for most members. That happened a couple of years ago. Don't know why. It would be nice to be able to start surveys for things like VoIP provider experiences and reliability.

HDTV101 · 2012-05-19, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by academic.sam

I opened an account with voip.ms back in January, hoping to eventually port my home number.

I found out that I can't dial a particular number (which is listed on their call rate list) and eventually they said they don't have service to that particular local carrier and simply shrugged their responsibility. I'm quite dissappointed and will cancel the account.

So, don't trust their rate list. I won't recommend them to anyone.

.What numbers are are having a problem calling?

ryoung · 2012-05-23, 12:13 PM

I've been having similar issues to what FunkyTown is describing using a PAP2T and Toronto servers.

HDTV101 · 2012-05-25, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyTown

- answer the line but the called party cannot hear for 4 seconds at the start of the call
- the phone rings 3 times but once answered it disconnects after 2 seconds. The call log shows billing for 2 seconds.
- often when hanging up from a call the phone will ring again immediately with the caller id of the person you were just connected to

It's been really bad over the past week. Yesterday everyone was complaining about it.

I'm using SPA2100 that have built in routers and firewalls. I feel it's better this way since the ATA has control over what ports to open and close. My ATA's are then directly connected to the modems... in DMZ more... so there is no port filtering at any other layer.

The problems you're having can be cause by external routers and firewalls... not jiving correctly with the ATA's communications with the VoIP servers.

Also I'm using VoIP.ms premium service... this might help in your situation.. give that a go.

FunkyTown · 2012-05-25, 10:48 PM

Our outgoing calls are premium during the day when we are open, and value at night when we are closed as some lines are shared with our residential setup.

This week has been excellent - not one issue. I changed nothing. It's just part and parcel of the fluctuations we've been having. One week the service sucks - the next week it's excellent. Of course now that I said we aren't currently having issues - the issues will start up again.

I thought at first it was our router too, so I purchased an SPA9000 to run the phones and this ATA/PBX connected directly to the modem. We actually had even more issues. Often when putting someone on hold on one line, the other person would not be able to pick up on their phone.

Over the past year we've upgraded the router/firewall, the phones, altered settings, installed the lastest version of Asterisk as per VoIP.ms's request, and were able to prove its nothing to do with what's in our building by triggering the exact same issue of no sound and 2 second disconnect with our DIDs routed to the echo test application.

2012-05-12, 03:58 PM	#2192
bentoronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto (St. Clair/Bathurst) Posts: 398	I can't recall having any problems with VOIP.ms in Toronto or Florida over my 6 months of subscription. I use an ATA device, not a computer. In Toronto, it is plugged into my early 1980's Northern Electric "Vantage 12" KSU. Voice quality is as good as I could want and I am picky on voice quality. BTW, I am subscribed to the premium service - a quarter-penny more a minute or something like that. Mostly by accident, I am connected through Atlanta. Once again, compared to other such businesses, VOIP.ms has been grand. Ben __________________ Grand Is.(TV ant),BostonNY(FM ant),CN Tower,all in 2 deg; 4221, 60ftRG6, 8dB distr amp SonyHD-FM, Wine.6065, 40ftRG6

2012-05-16, 09:23 PM	#2198
MasterBash Rookie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4	VoIP.ms/spa2102 and faxing nvm issue fixed Last edited by MasterBash; 2012-05-17 at 07:02 AM.

2012-05-18, 04:15 AM	#2200
bentoronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto (St. Clair/Bathurst) Posts: 398	Is there software to do surveys on this forum? Can we clarify if there're more issues with users of ATAs, computers, and I don't know what else? Funkytown's experience is that there are no differences but I'd like to see a bigger sample and try to see if there are other variables like node, DSL v cable..... I use the PAP2T ATA, low use, Atlanta, DSL, close to zero problems. Ben __________________ Grand Is.(TV ant),BostonNY(FM ant),CN Tower,all in 2 deg; 4221, 60ftRG6, 8dB distr amp SonyHD-FM, Wine.6065, 40ftRG6

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2012-05-12, 01:14 PM	#2191
FunkyTown Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gatineau, QC Posts: 1,158	That would be a complete lie. I've got volumes of ticket data that goes on for pages and pages with these guys over the issue of no sound, and disconnections happening within 2 seconds of answering a call. They've also told us that nobody else was having any issues. I personally know 8 people who are using VoIP.ms and there is not one of them who have not been having this problem. The issues are: - answer the line but the called party cannot hear for 4 seconds at the start of the call - the phone rings 3 times but once answered it disconnects after 2 seconds. The call log shows billing for 2 seconds. - often when hanging up from a call the phone will ring again immediately with the caller id of the person you were just connected to It's been really bad over the past week. Yesterday everyone was complaining about it. The CLEC they've got us with is Allstream. It's possible it is an issue with them. The annoying thing is that it's been going on for so long and nothing is being done about it. When 5% of all calls are met with errors that's not a good rate of success.

2012-05-12, 05:46 PM	#2193
FunkyTown Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gatineau, QC Posts: 1,158	You are either not using your phone very often, or you are an extremely blessed person. I used to have no issues with VoIP.ms when I first signed up, but now the issues are constant. I know for certain others are having issues - so if you're not keep your eyes open. The fact is, VoIP offerings right now in Canada are not that good. VoIP.ms is probably one of the best, which I'm sad to say because they are unreliable. Just yesterday we had 3 inbound calls out of 80 that failed. We are using it for our business. I also have it at home but don't notice the issues at home because I barely use the phone at home.

2012-05-13, 09:21 AM	#2194
MichelR Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 98	The only problem I can recall (when placing a phone call) was that the person answered, but we couldn't hear anything. After waiting a few seconds to make sure it wasn't some kind of delay, I hung up and tried again and everything was fine from then on. However I do fit in the "do not use the phone very often" category. Let's just say voip.ms won't be moving into shiny offices because of the money I bring in... I saw a couple of months ago on DSLReports one of the guys (might be the boss, not sure) at voip.ms mention that their top priority this year was improving stability and reliability, so hopefully those problems you're having will be resolved along the way - best thing I guess is to report all problems to them.

2012-05-13, 09:32 AM	#2195
FunkyTown Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gatineau, QC Posts: 1,158	LOL They are so sick of hearing from me that they don't give me any help anymore. All they do is state that it's my equipment causing the issue. A lot of money was spent upgrading and replacing everything from the modem, router, ISP, computer, version of Asterisk, and even the phones themselves but the problems still remain. We have a VoIP account at a different company now and we've had zero issues with them. However they don't permit business use. If they did we would switch completely. I am happy to read that you mentioned VoIP.ms acknowledged that they do indeed have stability issues and that they are going to work on that. This is the most encouraging news I've heard in a long while.

2012-05-13, 11:53 AM	#2196
MichelR Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 98	I only use a PAP2T ATA, so completely different setup here... The guy's post wasn't explicitly acknowledging issues, but I guess since he said stability and reliability were priorities, that was kind of a backdoor acknowledgement.

2012-05-13, 12:45 PM	#2197
FunkyTown Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gatineau, QC Posts: 1,158	The issues are happening whether you are using Asterisk, PAP2T, SPA2102, SPA9000, SPA942, SPA504G, HT502, etc. I've tried using ATAs, and for our residential line we are on a SPA2102. Others I work with are using a variety of ATAs too. The issue is not with the ATA or Asterisk (by the way most ATAs are merely Linux computers running Asterisk), it's issues with VoIP.ms. They used to be so reliable and so consistent. Over the past year that's changed.

2012-05-17, 11:23 AM	#2199
c-ditty Rookie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1	I have been reporting this exact same thing since January. No help from tech support other than try echo test and try softphone. Really getting annoyed now!

2012-05-23, 12:13 PM	#2203
ryoung Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Burlington Posts: 648	I've been having similar issues to what FunkyTown is describing using a PAP2T and Toronto servers.

2012-05-25, 10:48 PM	#2205
FunkyTown Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gatineau, QC Posts: 1,158	Our outgoing calls are premium during the day when we are open, and value at night when we are closed as some lines are shared with our residential setup. This week has been excellent - not one issue. I changed nothing. It's just part and parcel of the fluctuations we've been having. One week the service sucks - the next week it's excellent. Of course now that I said we aren't currently having issues - the issues will start up again. I thought at first it was our router too, so I purchased an SPA9000 to run the phones and this ATA/PBX connected directly to the modem. We actually had even more issues. Often when putting someone on hold on one line, the other person would not be able to pick up on their phone. Over the past year we've upgraded the router/firewall, the phones, altered settings, installed the lastest version of Asterisk as per VoIP.ms's request, and were able to prove its nothing to do with what's in our building by triggering the exact same issue of no sound and 2 second disconnect with our DIDs routed to the echo test application.