Re: VOIP (was: Since we were speaking of Gmail....)

I can't speak for Vonage, but we use VoIP in the office and I've found
the sound quality to be as good as an analog POTS line. A large part of
the sound quality depends on the device you have doing the analog to
digital encoding of your voice. In our case it's $400 Cisco IP phones on
our desks, in the Vonage case it's a free adapter, perhaps it's a case
of you get what you pay for.

HOWEVER, VoIP has issues with data connections. VoIP works by encoding
and _compressing_ the analog signal before it's sent down the pipe. Data
connections (modem, faxe, TiVo, alarm, etc.) don't take kindly to that
compression. It's be extremely surprised if you could get more than a
9600 connection over Vonage (or any other VoIP provider) 

As far as the 911 issue goes, all VoIP providers had to comply w/E911
regulations (which includes the transmission of address information) by
last last year. So there should be no problem transmitting your
location. However, if you move the adapter to a different location and
don't tell your VoIP provider then your "location" won't equal "where
you are".

-Walden

------------
Walden H Leverich III
Tech Software
(516) 627-3800 x3051
WaldenL@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.TechSoftInc.com

Quiquid latine dictum sit altum viditur.
(Whatever is said in Latin seems profound.)