pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
 ·Comcast
| How Bad Is VOIP Loss
I think potential losses due to VOIP are overstated.
Consider the following. Most consumer phone plans have so many minutes these days that overages are not as big a problem as they used to be. Secondly, using VOIP on a wifi-enabled cell phone requires someone to be in the same general area so that they can persist a network connection. Third, someone who is crazy enough to use VOIP over a cell phone data connection usually ends up paying more for the call by way of data usage than they would if they used minutes.
As for open networks, AT&T and T-Mobile have offered customers the ability to use any number of GSM-based phones for years, so I don't see what the fuss is.
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"At the moment of conception." |
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chemaupr
join:2005-06-06
Alexandria, VA
| open and line phone "customer experience"
I can not disagree more. Ever since the landlines (and long distance) were "opened" to comeptition either by leasing,voip or cable my experience has just improved.
I'm paying 17.95 (all included) for a phone service that 20 yrs ago will have been close or above $100. |
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Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | reply to pnh102
Re: How Bad Is VOIP Loss
VOIP on a data contract or a normal calls on a voice contract, they will still make money hand over fist.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports |
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quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI | Heh...
Like they really care about reliability and usability of the service? If anything, the cell phone industry has lowered the expectation of the entire industry. When VoIP is considered reliable in comparison, you know you got problems! |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
| reply to Kearnstd
Re: How Bad Is VOIP Loss
said by Kearnstd  :VOIP on a data contract or a normal calls on a voice contract, they will still make money hand over fist. I still don't see how someone who owns a cell phone that works at home actually saves any money by using VOIP... unless they make a lot of international calls... but it seems that even using cheap calling cards can give you a good deal on those.
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"At the moment of conception." |
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Toymaster
Premium
join:2001-12-27
Flint, MI
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Webster definition?
I think there definition of open is equal to the door is "ajar". :P One can only hope that these ppl know the definition of the words they are using and not be subject to interpretation. When will the United States companies have customers concerns first, it is all about the bottom line.
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Join SETI Now! |
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Stumbles
join:2002-12-17
Port Saint Lucie, FL | Lame at best.
Their categorization of openness akin to "The Wild West" is market speak for, We can't stand one bit of competition". |
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jvanbrecht
join:2007-01-08
Bowie, MD
| reply to pnh102
Re: How Bad Is VOIP Loss
I guess it depends on the plans that people have. My wife and I for example have 500 shared min on our family plan (the rollover crap plan), we rarely use that much, and I have 1000's of rollover min so its not a big deal, we do however use alot of data (why bother with sms anymore when we just use email).
ATT does however make a crapton of money based on the unlimited data plans we both have, but I could in theory drop down to the absolute minimal voice contract with unlimited data, and use voip applications (that permit calls to landline and cell phones) and completely bypass use the carriers network.
One can take that a step further and use voip applications that support end to end encryption between users using the same application (I work in a gov sector and I am a security specialist.... )...
Lets tke it even further, at this point I am wearing my tinfoil hat, all carrier data seems to be sold and or provided freely to various 3 letter agencies to snoop on you. With voip applications (via carrier data using 3g or better networks, or wifi) that support encryption, hell even if they don't do encryption, it makes it more difficult (only slightly more difficult really) for random 3 letter agencies to get that information.
Then there is international calling, but no explanation is needed for that. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to pnh102
Exactly... Internation calling is a HUGE deal.
Also, with unlimited plans (ie Skype or Vonage), people could easily drop their POTS/house line for $25 unlimited package.
I work at home, and use Skpeout a LOT (+3000 minutes/month) for $3/month.
Calling cards are relatively inexpensive, but inconvenient as well.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD | reply to quetwo
Re: Heh...
this is like the campaign for president - it's not about reality, it's about spin.
if you can fool the people into thinking you have their best interests in mind, when you have no intention of doing what you say, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! |
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tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY | free wifi voip
get rid of your cell phones... wifi voip is the way to go..
especially if you live in wide open linksys land! |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to nasadude
Re: Heh...
Spin and distracting people from any _real_ issues are what politicians do during election season.
I have yet to hear/see any real debates on:
1. State of the economy.. and no, I don't mean 'drill here, drill now'. I mean U.S. trade deficit with places like China
2. Infrastructure (roads/schools/southern border/Internet even)
3. Getting past the Iraq/911 era and moving forward.
Spin (lipstick on a pig) was what got the attention away from the current deficit. 911 is today, Hurricane Ike is this weekend. --
Canada = Hollywood North |
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Speakeasy
| reply to pnh102
Re: How Bad Is VOIP Loss
Guess it depends if you use the Cellphone Data Plan to do the VOIP or a different net connection. I never even really thought about using a cell phone's data plan to do VOIP. That's...weird... but can see why it would be attractive if someone has lesser minutes and unlimited data.
I'd assume that 'mobile voip' means cellphone handsets that can send out calls over open hotspots. That surely sounds 'cheap' to me!
KM |
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Dr Demento
I Vant Blud
join:2002-01-02
Denville, NJ
| reply to tmc8080
Re: free wifi voip
Its statemates like this among, billing overruns, bumping up peoples' plans without consent, then pleading ignorance by stating each division is working totally separate from the other, even though the execs and marketers seem to be looking out for the content or software developing division by never accepting what comes as is with the hardware:
Is what makes me wish XOHM, Clearwire and even other ISPs once they start going into distance wireless broadband crushes these poor excuse of customer extorting companies. |
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