Comments on: VoIP Over 3G In The UK http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/ End User Perspective On IP Telephony In The Home Office Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:16:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mobile Voice : What Comes Next ? « telcoscope http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2214 Mobile Voice : What Comes Next ? « telcoscope Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:27:01 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2214 [...] gain further revenues from voice. And there will come some new services/applications to implement VoIP3G. But Infonetics states that so far in mature markets VoIP3G could not make the cut the way VoIP did [...] [...] gain further revenues from voice. And there will come some new services/applications to implement VoIP3G. But Infonetics states that so far in mature markets VoIP3G could not make the cut the way VoIP did [...]

]]> By: Martin http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2139 Martin Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:58:54 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2139 I've been using the 3g network (3,5g actually, as my provider offers HSDPA) to make SIP calls for a while now. I live in Europe where 3g coverage is pretty decent, so taking advantage of the speedy network together with a Nokia smartphone that includes an integrated SIP client, I'm able to connect to my VOIP provider and call international numbers for up to 80% cheaper than over the wireless carrier. The call quality is best if I stay within reach of the same NodeB, but if the 3g signal is good enough, then it also works when walking or driving around town. Since parts of my family already jumped on the IP telephony bandwagon and are using IP phones (Gigaset mostly), whenever I call their home number I'm able to completely avoid using the mobile carrier's voice routes. To be able to do this, you have to have a decent monthly data transfer limit, since one minute of a SIP call uses about 1,2 MB. For me that's not a big issue, since my provider offers 1gb of 3g data for about 3 EUR a month, so after satisfying my calling needs, there's still plenty of room for email, vpn and all my other usual online business. Roaming is a completely different story, as data tends to get really expensive abroad. Until the data roaming prices get to an acceptable level, the usage of mobile internet telephony remains confined to my home country, which for now is acceptable. I’ve been using the 3g network (3,5g actually, as my provider offers HSDPA) to make SIP calls for a while now. I live in Europe where 3g coverage is pretty decent, so taking advantage of the speedy network together with a Nokia smartphone that includes an integrated SIP client, I’m able to connect to my VOIP provider and call international numbers for up to 80% cheaper than over the wireless carrier. The call quality is best if I stay within reach of the same NodeB, but if the 3g signal is good enough, then it also works when walking or driving around town.
Since parts of my family already jumped on the IP telephony bandwagon and are using IP phones (Gigaset mostly), whenever I call their home number I’m able to completely avoid using the mobile carrier’s voice routes.
To be able to do this, you have to have a decent monthly data transfer limit, since one minute of a SIP call uses about 1,2 MB. For me that’s not a big issue, since my provider offers 1gb of 3g data for about 3 EUR a month, so after satisfying my calling needs, there’s still plenty of room for email, vpn and all my other usual online business.
Roaming is a completely different story, as data tends to get really expensive abroad. Until the data roaming prices get to an acceptable level, the usage of mobile internet telephony remains confined to my home country, which for now is acceptable.

]]> By: psychoboy http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2117 psychoboy Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:10:42 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2117 Been traveling to Ireland 1-2 times per year for the last 14 years and the prepaid sim has been the way to go. One tip I would add is that if you want to keep your number, like me, as I am there, with the wife, visiting the inlaws at least once a year, so I just top up via the internet about 180 days out (I set myself a reminder at 170 days) 5 or 10 euro and we keep our same numbers active indefinitely. Been traveling to Ireland 1-2 times per year for the last 14 years and the prepaid sim has been the way to go. One tip I would add is that if you want to keep your number, like me, as I am there, with the wife, visiting the inlaws at least once a year, so I just top up via the internet about 180 days out (I set myself a reminder at 170 days) 5 or 10 euro and we keep our same numbers active indefinitely.

]]> By: mjgraves http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2109 mjgraves Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:35:43 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2109 Will, That's great info! Many thanks! Michael Will,

That’s great info! Many thanks!

Michael

]]> By: Will Collins http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2104 Will Collins Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:28:04 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2104 Sprint's $45/month is only available as part of the Sprint Referral Plan (you have to search for it). Or you can get the same rate through a corporate plan. Virgin Mobile (which just resells Sprint's service) apparently has switched to a Pay as You GO plan. However, Cricket Wireless which roams on Verizon and Sprint just launched a $40/month unlimited broadband plan. All data cards are separate from Voice plans (literally a separate contract length). However, you can bundle them with most voice plans and save $5 or $10 a month. But if you like T-Mobile for your Voice plan, keep that and just pick up a data card from one of the other providers (since they are just separate contract). If you travel outside the US, you should buy an unlocked card and then just purchase a SIM card upon arriving at the country. International data roaming is not like Voice roaming. It is insanely expensive (I have seen $5000 bills for using wireless cards and iPhones in Europe). So now I just keep an unlocked card and then just have the employee purchase a SIM card. That would be similar to what you were using on Vodafone. Sprint’s $45/month is only available as part of the Sprint Referral Plan (you have to search for it). Or you can get the same rate through a corporate plan. Virgin Mobile (which just resells Sprint’s service) apparently has switched to a Pay as You GO plan. However, Cricket Wireless which roams on Verizon and Sprint just launched a $40/month unlimited broadband plan.

All data cards are separate from Voice plans (literally a separate contract length). However, you can bundle them with most voice plans and save $5 or $10 a month. But if you like T-Mobile for your Voice plan, keep that and just pick up a data card from one of the other providers (since they are just separate contract).

If you travel outside the US, you should buy an unlocked card and then just purchase a SIM card upon arriving at the country. International data roaming is not like Voice roaming. It is insanely expensive (I have seen $5000 bills for using wireless cards and iPhones in Europe). So now I just keep an unlocked card and then just have the employee purchase a SIM card. That would be similar to what you were using on Vodafone.

]]> By: mjgraves http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2103 mjgraves Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:58:35 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2103 Is the Sprint offer $45/mo when you already have a voice contract? Or also without? I'd like to stay with T-Mobile for Voice as I need GSM for when I travel, but could get mobile internet separately through Sprint. Is the Sprint offer $45/mo when you already have a voice contract? Or also without? I’d like to stay with T-Mobile for Voice as I need GSM for when I travel, but could get mobile internet separately through Sprint.

]]> By: Will Collins http://www.mgraves.org/voip/2009/08/voip-over-3g-in-the-uk/comment-page-1/#comment-2102 Will Collins Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:51:31 +0000 http://www.mgraves.org/voip/?p=4792#comment-2102 I use one of these 3G cards on a daily basis. I switch between an AT&T, a Sprint, and a Verizon card (depending upon where I am going that day). They all work well but Sprint takes the cake for fastest connection and availability. The Verizon cards will roam on Sprint's network and vice-versa but not at full speed. AT&T is fast but not always the best coverage. Once the contracts are over I will be investigating using Virgin Mobile's card which should just be using Sprint's network. It is only $45 a month for unlimited (they don't really say if there is a 5GB limit like the others). I would avoid T-Mobile's 3G. The coverage is horrible unless you want it to slow down to dial-up like speeds which are not going to work for VOIP. T-Mobile charges the same but really can't compete for coverage. Maybe in another 3 years (the time it takes to build out a nationwide 3G network). But by that time, Verizon will have LTE coverage everywhere and for a cheap price. If budget allows, the best one is Clear's card which works in WiMax(4G) where available and then switches to Sprint's 3G network when 4G is not available. Really fast and my personal favorite. But it is pricey at $80/month before taxes. Hope this helps. I use one of these 3G cards on a daily basis. I switch between an AT&T, a Sprint, and a Verizon card (depending upon where I am going that day). They all work well but Sprint takes the cake for fastest connection and availability. The Verizon cards will roam on Sprint’s network and vice-versa but not at full speed. AT&T is fast but not always the best coverage.

Once the contracts are over I will be investigating using Virgin Mobile’s card which should just be using Sprint’s network. It is only $45 a month for unlimited (they don’t really say if there is a 5GB limit like the others).

I would avoid T-Mobile’s 3G. The coverage is horrible unless you want it to slow down to dial-up like speeds which are not going to work for VOIP. T-Mobile charges the same but really can’t compete for coverage. Maybe in another 3 years (the time it takes to build out a nationwide 3G network). But by that time, Verizon will have LTE coverage everywhere and for a cheap price.

If budget allows, the best one is Clear’s card which works in WiMax(4G) where available and then switches to Sprint’s 3G network when 4G is not available. Really fast and my personal favorite. But it is pricey at $80/month before taxes.

Hope this helps.

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