Virgin Media and VOIP

[davrob]

I am in area CO2 (Essex) and am interested in going to VOIP can anybody tell me what arrangements VM are carrying out to set this up or do I go to a independent VOIP provider.

As my VM contract expire in March 2024 I would be very interested from VM or anybody who has gone down this route. 

[Tudor]

VM does not offer VoIP, all they are doing is wiring users current telephone through their hubs rather than a directly wired connection. If you want true VoIP you must buy a plan from someone else.

[davrob]

It what I saw it on YouTube and the chap was fitting parts supplied by VM

The part was an adaptor to go into the router and the phone connected into that.

My present phone is fixed to a separate lead when VM installed the broadband many,many years ago

So that why I thought VM would be supplying the adaptor. 

[Roger_Gooner]

Yes, VM does provide the adapter to enable your analogue handset to connect to the hub. This system is partly VoIP and will be fully VoIP after 2025 but, if you cannot wait, there's nothing to stop you from signing up with a VoIP provider. Note that if you drop VM's landline you will lose a bundle discount.

[davrob · Accepted solution]

Thanks for that tip regarding the bundle discount thou I'm only on broadband & all time phone calls.

I shall have get quote and compare. Thanks again

[Roger_Gooner]

If I were you I'd see whether another ISP can provide something cheaper which meets your requirements, and add a VoIP provider. VM doesn't usually sell just broadband at a competitive price.

[asim18]

As mentioned, the phone service from VM is not full VoIP unfortunately. It's VoIP to the modem, where it is converted to traditional analogue line so you can plug your old phone into it.

Audio quality is horrible on a VM VoIP line. I'd have thought a "21st Century Network" (as they call it) would have been the pinnacle of modern telephony but no. VM has managed to make the sound quality of their new phone service worse than it was in 1982. It's horrible low frequency range audio you get with POTS now with added digital compression artifacts. Literally worse than the 80s 😄

If you go with a proper VoIP service such as VoxCloud or A&A the quality is amazing as they know what they are doing and support the latest HD voice codecs.

The reasons why VM don't simply provide it's customers with a modern VoIP service remain unsubstantiated.

[davrob]

That's very helpful - so looks like I shall be going to another broadband provider and I was thinking about Vonage for VOIP - will have a look at your suggestions. As gent before you suggested only. having broadband at VM will be rather expensive as I don't require high Mbps downloads.

Thanks to you all for your help

[Timwilky]

I use Sipgate for my VOIP, I have 3 trunks that terminate to a rasPBX plus 2 basic SIP liines

SIP phone in office and house, clients on smart phone and tablet.

[davrob]

Thanks for that. As I only want it for home - me personally I'd use my mobile but wife prefers landline.

I have looked into Vonage @ £9.99 all cals and mobiles