I have been using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) — or more specifically voice over broadband — services for a long time and the usual culprits on my list are the free messenger programs, such as Skype, MSN Messenger or Google Talk.
These are available online for free and they provide a great way to keep in touch with family and friends — as long as they also have an internet connection with the same service installed on their computers. To date I must have saved thousands of rands on international call charges.
These messaging services, however, are limited compared with a traditional telephone line. For example, you don’t have a standard telephone number where people can call you from a normal phone and there are quality of service issues. It’s not considered kosher in business circles to give only a Skype username in place of a standard telephone number.
But there are other alternatives, namely VoIP services from local providers, which are set to make a big splash on the local scene. These services often minimise or avert many of the traditional shortfalls of messenger programs by, for example, providing users with their own 087 telephone number, offering improved call quality and allowing users to receive calls from cellphones or Telkom lines.
I gave one of these services — namely Vox Telecom’s Vox Direct — a test drive to see how it compares with a traditional phone line. One of my big questions was how much it would save me at the end of the day, because it must be cheaper if I am to go through the inconvenience of jumping ship.
To use this service you must have an ADSL connection, but apart from this requirement the offering is available to whoever is interested. Having met that criterion I was ready to give Vox Direct a spin.
The full VoIP package — hardware and manuals included — is couriered to your doorstep by Vox Telecom.
This consists of a Vox-branded ADSL router, a wireless handset and lots of other bits and bobs to ensure that everything works. The ADSL router is WiFi enabled, which means that you will be able to connect to the internet with your laptop or other computers without cables. There are, however, two ethernet ports for people who prefer cables to wireless connections.
With all the technical mumbo jumbo thrown at you about routers, WiFi and cables you might think that you need an expert to help set up the system, but it is surprisingly easy to get it all up and running. The service comes with a step-by-step guide on how to set it up and make the first call and, after only a few minutes, I was able to pick up the handset and dial my first destination.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. It was on par or better than the voice quality I experience with my cellphone and quite close to what I am accustomed to on my Telkom landline. The same goes for receiving calls.
As with most voice-over broadband services I did experience a bit of jitter from time to time, but nothing serious enough to influence the conversation.
The only question left was: Will I save any money?
The simple answer, according to the figures provided by Vox Telecom, is “yes”. The service promises savings of 20% on calls to cellphones, 30% on national fixed-line calls and 50% on international calls. Be careful though — calls to local Telkom numbers are cheaper using a Telkom line.
The Vox offering, however, allows you to hop on to the Telkom network by dialing *9 to make calls using your Telkom service. This can be of value not only to save money on local calls, but also as a fall-back if the quality of service is not up to scratch.
The biggest savings come from Vox-to-Vox and international calls. The company has an international call rate of 50c per minute to most First World destinations, but promises specials for as low as 12c per minute. Net calls (to Vox subscribers) are free after hours and are charged at 15c per minute during peak hours.
It is likely that calls to providers other than Telkom and the cellular operators, typically companies such as MWeb or Storm, will be significantly lower than what you are used to from Telkom.
If you are an ADSL subscriber who runs up a bill of hundreds of rands through a Telkom line, you should consider investing in a VoIP service. You will quickly recoup the initial set-up and courier fee of R300 and the R49 per month rental cost.
If you are, however, making only limited calls through your Telkom line and are happily communicating with friends and family using a service like Skype, then signing up for a VoIP service of this nature might be overkill.
Rudolph Muller runs broadband activist website MyADSL