[Buck_W]

I've been considering http://www.packet8.net - Is anyone using it? How is their service? It is cheaper than Vonage, but is it as good?

Two questions about Voip...

1. How secure is your conversation? Does this technology use encryption? How does the security compare with your regular (telephone) land line?

2. I realize I am sharing my broadband connection, but Packet8 claims to only use approx. 30Kb/second of bandwidth. Has anyone used Voip while simultaneously using iChat? I definitely need access to the phone while family members are video chatting on iChat. Is it possible without a noticeable loss of quality?

Thanks

[sideus]

I used to have Packet8 for a year. Never had any major problems with it. Voice quality was no different than a POTS line. As far as encryption, I don't think any of the VOIP providers provide it. However, VOIP calls are probably harder to tap into than a POTS line because you have packets traveling all over the country instead of a a dedicated line to a central office.

Bandwidth was never a problem for me. I use earthlink cable and I could talk, play WoW, iChat and have 3 other computers on the network using the internet with no problems.

I switched back to a POTS line though because I needed reliable service for my fax machine and Tivo.

[AppleOptionFour]

Originally posted by sideus:
I switched back to a POTS line though because I needed reliable service for my fax machine and Tivo.

What made it unreliable? Does Tivo not work with VoIP?

[sideus]

Originally posted by AppleOptionFour:
What made it unreliable? Does Tivo not work with VoIP?

It does. But I had to construct a Tivo serial to modem cable and then program an old external Supra336FaxModem to connect at 4800bps. Anything faster than that would not connect over VOIP. And my fax machine was flaky at best. Most of the time faxes would not complete.,