Bell is jumping on the VoIP wagon

[Bogie]

Ma Bell, slowly, like a turtle, as usual, is jumping onto the VoIP bandwagon (http://www.bell.ca/shop/SME.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SmeSol_Telephony_Content&content=/portlets/business/telephony/telephony_voip.jsp&metaKey=Sme.Sol.Telephony.VOIP&ADV=ON_CND_EN_PDL_WIRELESS_GOOGLE_internet-voip-telephony-canada&language=en&region=ON&myurl=CSQ&mobility_upgrade=false).
(http://www.bell.ca/shop/SME.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SmeSol_Telephony_Content&content=/portlets/business/telephony/telephony_voip.jsp&metaKey=Sme.Sol.Telephony.VOIP&ADV=ON_CND_EN_PDL_WIRELESS_GOOGLE_internet-voip-telephony-canada&language=en&region=ON&myurl=CSQ&mobility_upgrade=false)
No pricing exposed, or any details to speak of, but their hat has been thrown into the ring.

Bell Business IP service (http://www.bell.ca/shop/SME.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SmeSol_Telephony_Content&content=/portlets/business/telephony/telephony_voip.jsp&metaKey=Sme.Sol.Telephony.VOIP&ADV=ON_CND_EN_PDL_WIRELESS_GOOGLE_internet-voip-telephony-canada&language=en&region=ON&myurl=CSQ&mobility_upgrade=false)
Today, your business depends on the Internet as a tool to communicate and exchange information. Business IP Voice, a new service available in summer 2005, will help you leverage the power of your high speed Internet connection to improve productivity, increase sales and lower your communications costs. You'll enjoy the flexibility and savings that come from making voice and fax calls over the Internet.

[Just Doug1]

IMO, where do you think the 1000/min. for $5 I've been paying was from.

[Swordfish]

From what I understand for residential its supposed to be in our Area in Sept I think I'll check it out as I can bundle it with my other services.

[Exmortis]

Ma Bell, slowly, like a turtle, as usual, is jumping onto the VoIP bandwagon (http://www.bell.ca/shop/SME.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SmeSol_Telephony_Content&content=/portlets/business/telephony/telephony_voip.jsp&metaKey=Sme.Sol.Telephony.VOIP&ADV=ON_CND_EN_PDL_WIRELESS_GOOGLE_internet-voip-telephony-canada&language=en&region=ON&myurl=CSQ&mobility_upgrade=false). (http://www.bell.ca/shop/SME.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=SmeSol_Telephony_Content&content=/portlets/business/telephony/telephony_voip.jsp&metaKey=Sme.Sol.Telephony.VOIP&ADV=ON_CND_EN_PDL_WIRELESS_GOOGLE_internet-voip-telephony-canada&language=en&region=ON&myurl=CSQ&mobility_upgrade=false)

That's for businesses, not consumers. Bell has had VoIP on a few test markets and so far they're getting a fail mark from me. Just look at their pricing!

http://www.digitalvoice.bell.ca/RatesAndPlans/


They're the worst of all VoIP providers.

[Tim]

I'd rather string cans together before I'd deal with Bell. That bull with their strike cost me and they couldn't care less.

[Bogie]

That's for businesses, not consumers. Bell has had VoIP on a few test markets and so far they're getting a fail mark from me. Just look at their pricing!
http://www.digitalvoice.bell.ca/RatesAndPlans/
They're the worst of all VoIP providers.

I am far from a Bell fan, but what is wrong with those prices? They are one of the lowest I've seen for "packaged" lines. $45/mo for account including unlimited North America long distance, is fair pricing compared to most. Vonage is $39.99 and with more features.

You mention "worst of all VoIP providers" .... is this because of quality/service?


I'd rather string cans together before I'd deal with Bell.
I agree, but Bell is what the others consider the one to "compete against" - so we need to sit back and take notice, as it will effect what the competition does.

The one problem I see with Bell's new Digital Service, after reading the website, is that you have to have a new number - you cannot use your existing phone number. As they do control their own lines, they could make this quite competitive if they want to. It could counter Rogers entry into the Digital phone marketplace.

[Exmortis]

You mention "worst of all VoIP providers" .... is this because of quality/service?

In terms of pricing. Compare that to Vonage at $20/month for more features or $25/month with Rogers (since I'm on a bundle). Then there's Primus and many other VoIP providers and every single one of them have packages at a cheaper price than Bell. Bell is more expensive then them all.

[Bogie]

In terms of pricing. Compare that to Vonage at $20/month for more features or $25/month with Rogers (since I'm on a bundle). Then there's Primus and many other VoIP providers and every single one of them have packages at a cheaper price than Bell. Bell is more expensive then them all.
Typically Bell will be more expensive, the "we are the best" mentallity. But those prices are competitive.

$40/mo includes unlimited LD Canada, or $45 North America, are pretty good, although not the lowest. Rogers basic plans only include 1 extra and LD is extra. Rogers is $29.95/mo, or $24.95/bundled PLUS long distance PLUS cost for extra features. So $24.95 and $19.95 unlimited LD adds up to $44.90 - plus extra features cost - PLUS Rogers is not portable, as it is not true VoIP as the competitors are offering (off cable).

Rogers deal is good, and competitive to what we have from Bell as standard phone lines, but is hard to properly analyze against the portable VoIP competition.

As VoIP/digital phones are still relatively new, I am sure we will see massive competition and variety of price plans being offered. Will be interesting.

re: Vonage (my VoIP provider)
$19.99 month includes all the many features, but is limited to 500 mins (8.3 hrs) of long distance (North America). The "unlimited" plan is $39.99 - not far off the Bell plan. If you are a yakker, then the unlimited is the way to go.

The majority of consumers are pleased with Bell. Their phones work, Bell is established, and they thrive. Marketing efforts speak volumes, and Bell is very strong in that area. A few dollars more will not make much of a difference. Bell is top dog in the telephone marketplace, wherever they are established. They just need to retain business, not fight as much to "gain" customers. And, no matter what, in Bell territories, any VoIP provider (not cable) have to use Bell lines. Bell sits in a "control" position. Phone lines are in every home, cable is not.

[Exmortis]

Well, I don't do much LD calls so I'm really not affected by the lack of LD pricing or not. Vonage is the one I'm looking at as they will be available in Brampton in the coming days. At $30/month for Rogers' package, look at how much LD you really do and see if it still is competitive with Bell. And keep in mind that I'm talking about residential service... Not business.

And let's not get into this discussion again. Rogers' VoIP is VoIP. VoIP is not defined by portability. It's Voice over Internet Protocol. And Internet Protocol is just a protocol. It does not mean that it absolutely has to go over the Internet.

Bell's pricing isn't competitive in my view.

[Bogie]

And let's not get into this discussion again. Rogers' VoIP is VoIP. VoIP is not defined by portability. It's Voice over Internet Protocol. And Internet Protocol is just a protocol. It does not mean that it absolutely has to go over the Internet.
"Technically" speaking, correct. Rogers is VoIP. No contest, technically.

What we are looking at is 2 sectors of VoIP services - "portable" and "similar to traditional". Rogers Cable is "similar to traditional", but using VoIP technology. All others are using the "portable" version, and therefore can offer more flexibility.

Education of, and marketing to, the consumer, will decide which "choice" will succeed overall. For now, I see cable gaining a big marketshare and being the biggest threat to Ma Bell. No big learning curve for the techno-challenged consumer. Pick up the phone, use it, as you always have, lower monthly bill.

BUT, presently I use Sprint as a regular landline (I know, owned by Rogers), and the setup I have is almost the same as the Rogers "VoIP" offering. What incentive would I have to change? - minimal.

[xahax]

where on Rogers site does it say it's VoIP? I've looked there, doesn't metion that at all, says it's transmitted through cable lines, nothing to do with VoIP

[Exmortis]

where on Rogers site does it say it's VoIP? I've looked there, doesn't metion that at all, says it's transmitted through cable lines, nothing to do with VoIP

They call it Cable Telephony because they purposely want to seperate themselves from the term VoIP since it implies you need a high-speed Internet connection first. You do not need an Internet connection for Rogers' VoIP. And the type of cable is just that. Just a type of cable. Nothing else.

[andyman]

I've been looking hard and long at VOIP ...
VoIP is not defined by portability ? I have a problem with that statement.
I should be able to plug my Voip hardware into the internet from any hotel room and be using my office phone.
What Bogie said about the 2 different models is correct and because of that I'll never consider Rogers for Voip or internet.
I can roam with sympatico using dial-up .. can't do that with Rogers.
Remember Voip is coming to a Cell phone near you ...

[Exmortis]

VoIP is not defined by portability ? I have a problem with that statement.

Look at the specs. Nowhere does it say portability is part of the major functionality of it. It's simply Voice Over Internet Protocol. That's all it defines. And again, nowhere does it say that it has to be over the Internet. It's only the protocol. Read the specs.

[andyman]

I must be looking @ portability diferently than you .. the whole concept of Voip is to pick up your phne and plug it into the wall 3 floors down on the other side of the building.
or use the internet from a Hotel in Chicago.
With Rogers you will not be able to unless the Hotel in Chicago has Rogers Cable.

[Exmortis]

I must be looking @ portability diferently than you .. the whole concept of Voip is to pick up your phne and plug it into the wall 3 floors down on the other side of the building.
or use the internet from a Hotel in Chicago.

Absolutely not. The whole concept of VoIP is around ITU-T Specs H.323. Andyman, go read about it. It's all about packet switching networks. Nowhere will you see that portability is a requirement of VoIP. It's a neat resulting feature, but not a requirement. Just go read about it!

[Exmortis]

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci214148,00.html

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci516602,00.html

[Exmortis]

Here's a good read from the IEC group about VoIP and the specs/goals.

http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/vfoip/index.html