On Nov 15, 2007, at 2:01 PM, Herbert Graf wrote:

>> more flexible
>> (try placing a modem call through a VoIP service or sending faxes at
>> any reasonable speed, of course you can't...), powered by someone
>
> Placing a modem call over a VOIP line seems kinda counter intuitive
> since you already HAVE an internet connection to use the VOIP!?

Some of us still have to use modems to access customer/secured  
networks.  Really.

It'd be nice if they'd install a VPN router, but they don't.

> For fax I wouldn't know since I either use one of the online fax  
> sending
> services, or just send the fax at work, which is pretty rare anyways
> these days. I send maybe 10 faxes a year...

Most large companies require faxes of expense reports.  If I feel like  
finishing up that paperwork from home instead of dragging it back and  
forth from home to office, I must fax from here.

>> else, I didn't have to maintain any equipment myself, and 911 worked.
>
> I'm not sure what country you are in (the US?), but 911 works on my  
> VOIP
> line (I'm in Canada). Although I've never tried it (that's a good  
> thing)
> AFAIK it does work. That said, I've got two cell phones in the house  
> as
> well, plus my internet connection is over DSL on a phone line with no
> voice service, but does have emergency service, so I think I'm  
> covered.

Mine gets sent first to a call-center that confirms location, etc...  
before going to the local 911 dispatch office.  Having a middle-man  
isn't a good idea in a real emergency.

>> For $5 a month more, I'd say it's worth it.
>
> Difference for me is on the order of about $25/month, and that's
> assuming I never call long distance, which I do, quite a bit, so the
> actual difference is probably much more considering the insane rates
> long distance is charged by the local POTS provider.

That's a significant difference in price.  As far as long-distance,  
that's easily handled by my cell phone, these days.

>
Everyone's needs are different, I guess.  I'm heavily involved in VoIP  
technologies at work, but find that a normal POTS line both performs  
better and makes more sense for the uses I have at home, after using a  
VoIP service for a year.

--
Nate Duehr
nate@natetech.com



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