We have the best VOIP service you can think of. I can call every phone in North America, and with the exception of certain cell phones in Europe, every number in Europe as well for a very low price. (Actually I can call the other cell phones in Europe, but there is a charge per minute there for some reason, on some systems, so I just avoid all of them.) 

The deal we have is integrated with our DSL (lightspeed), but we use to have the evil Internet provider SHAW.  When we had shaw our monthly bill for our package was about $42 a month (it's a flat rate, free long distance, but I'm just rounding up) they have deals for lower btw. We currently pay $54 a month, which includes DSL high speed internet to ur home.

 The primary reason we went with Dolphin Tel had very little to do with the phone itself however.  I was looking for a Satelite phone at the time. Satellite phones can cost up to a dollar a minute, we wanted one in order to add it our system of 'getting off the grid', they simply cost to much.

Enter VOIP.  First, let me tell you a few things about satellite internet.

Not all systems are the same. Basically, there are three ways for satellite internet. The first way is to have only downloads from satellite, this means that you still need either dsl, or a phone line to upload data to the net, such as a packet request for that movie your stealing. In my opinion, this make the whole point of using satellite internet, ... well ... pointless.The second way is to have transmittable internet via satellite, this is commonly called "two-way", and does what it sounds like. You upload, and download to the internet via satellite, no phone line, dsl or anything required. It uses one of two methods, that break down to using a dish similar to satellite TV, or a dome like object about the size of a small ball. (The dome costs more, but is more mobile) Homesteaders should opt for the dish.

The third way, believe it or not, is the original way. HAM Radio packet transmission via satellite. It's th cheapest but requires an FCC Linsc. and training, it also costs the most to set up, it's only cheaper in the long run. (However, using HAM's can be addictive, therefore don't count on it being cheaper, since QZT'rs tend to spend a small fortune on equipment, I know I will, ATV can also mean amateur Television ) 

Ok, so enough about satellite, except to say, that dolphintel is the only voip system I know of, that reserves the use of one of their incoming ports for the voip phone system for thier clients that use satellite. That was the primary plus.

That means, a satellite phone at about $45 dolars a month for us, when we get the land (even the boat). Flat rate, wow! 

That all aside, it turns out that the system is better then we thought, we've been using them for about a year now. No complaints, none what so ever. We needed to tweek the system with the help of tech support when we first got it, because the lines coming into the house are over 30 years old (we still have the old ceramic glass insulators on original phone line).  And Telus, the ISP we had at the time, tried to block the port they use, the pricks. But other then problems with our internet provider itself, dolphintel wasn't the cause of any problem we had, and we managed to work around them.  (SIDE NOTE: OPENDNS works well with the VOIP)

Ok, some more info I want to share. The system uses a little grey box, you don't even need a computer, just some way to connect to the internet. Think about that for a second. If you happen to be on vaction in Italy, you can bring your home or business phone with you. Your friends call your home number, and your phone rings in Italy. No long distance charges. (BTW, if you do this remember to alter your 911 service while away in case you need it, tech support can tell you how)

The little grey box allows you to use any standard telephone. That means that cool skype phone you bought will work with it too. You just plug the phone you want into the little grey box. The system comes with all the bells and whistles. I still haven't memorized all the star features, except maybe the call forward certain numbers. Incoming numbers can be individually forwarded to another number, that means you can set it up to forward your mother-in-law to a telus test line, and all they get is a busy signal. (604-958-4111) 

You can also have a second phone line/number on it as well, dolphintel has 800 service numbers, and other area codes in Canada, such as Toronto, Montreal etc. If you have relatives or business there, they don't have to call long distance. AWESOME!

So, with all that being said, my phone is dead today. I rent the little gray box from dolphintel (there is an option to buy, and that $54 a month includes the rental btw, so I sent them an email yesterday, and here is thier reply, I figure you'd all get a kick out it. (This is the first time the box has had problems btw) ...

Hi Wolfe,

We are having no issues with our servers.  Bring the box in on Wednesday and we will take a look at it.  In the mean time, cut the box off from the beer because it is not of legal drinking age  :) .

Thanks,
Laurel
Customer Service Manager

Wolfe  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it wrote:

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  Internet from lights peed. internet connection is fine.
 
 
 
  VOIP is on DMZ on D-link router, getting no dial tone, no access to ip via **** on phone (110) just hear ... ummm ... burping, (hell maybe the voip box drank to much beer, lol) ... I figure this is actually a problem with the grey box I have since I can\\\'t get the box to enter the **** menu to check if it using the correct network ip for the DMZ, and not your server. If you guys are having problems on your end email me back  , and let me know. Otherwise, I'll drop by with the box on Wednesday for repair (rental).
 

 

Update: (4pm ) Turns out it wasn't the beer. One of my kids switched a few wires around I didn't notice. Therefore, no problems with the system at all not even the little grey box. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go kill someone.....