[qsxd]

I want to try BV and I'm not sure what adapter should I use.

I don't see much price advantage if I use BYOD option.

The cheapest equipment for BYOD program seems SPA-1001 and it doesn't look any cheaper than ordering SPA-1000 from BV website. If I order SPA-1000 from BV site, i would receive the equipment by the next day but if I order SPA1001, I don't know how soon I can receive it.

Is SPA-1001 so much better than SPA-1000? Why would one choose BYOD if price is not any cheaper? Simply because better equipment? Would better adapter make huge phone quality difference?

What would be a recommanded adapter if I use BYOD program?

Thanks

[burgerwars]

I bought a two-port Sipura 2100 and use it on a Broadvoice BYOD plan, and the other line on Free World Dialup.
I bought it so I can have more control and configure it myself on any service that's compatible with it. I also like to futz around with stuff like this.
But if you just want a VOIP plan, don't want to be bothered with configuring it yourself, and want Broadvoice (or any other provider), to provide one and have it locked to their service, then just use their provided adapter. But if you're like me, buying your own adapter right here on Voxilla, or somewhere else, might be best.

[deavod]

Originally Posted by qsxd

Is SPA-1001 so much better than SPA-1000? Why would one choose BYOD if price is not any cheaper? Simply because better equipment? Would better adapter make huge phone quality difference?

What would be a recommended adapter if I use BYOD program?

I have BV and I started by getting the equipment from them because I really didn't know enough about it. They shipped me a SPA-1001 which was locked. So I can't change anything in the configuration of the device. Also BV charged me a $49.99 device fee, but credited me for the same amount. Upon termination of the contract if I don't return the SPA-1001 they'll charge $49.99 to my credit card.

I purchased my own SPA-1001 because I wanted to set up a 2nd provider. The SPA-1001 has the ability to be provisioned to have 2 separate VIOP providers with just 1 physical phone and I wanted to play around with this option. So now I have BV on line 1 and Free World Dialup on Line 2. (FYI, BroadVoice does not have a way to switch you to a "BYOD" account so I'm stuck holding on to their SPA-1001.)

Finally the way it costs less is that BV charges only $9.99 for the initial setup instead of the usual activation fee of $39.99, and you don't have to pay their $14.99 shipping & handling fee either. So you save $44.99 in the initial setup. Also you have the freedom to take your device and play somewhere else if you decide you don't like BV.

If I had it to do over I would probably purchase the SP-1001 and do BV again.

[jpeisen]

Originally Posted by qsxd

I don't see much price advantage if I use BYOD option.

I don't think there is a significant price difference. It is more a matter of who controls the device. If you are happy with letting BroadVoice manage the device completely, then getting an SPA-1001 from them is fine. Just understand that it will be locked & you will not be able to change the settings. Also they will want the device back, should you terminate the contract.

Since mine is a BYOD device, I have 2 lines configured - one for BroadVoice and one for FreeWorldDialup. I also got a certificate for a month of BV free & free activation (& one for $5 of iConnectHere time), so cost-wise I saved something like $5 over signing up directly w/BroadVoice. But I get to play with the device and try different things, even if I cancel BV someday. I also have a box here just begging for an Asterisk install, and I could use my ATA w/it should I ever decide to give that a try...

I really do not fiddle with my ATA a lot, though I have made a tweak here or there. The point is that I can.

Originally Posted by qsxd

The cheapest equipment for BYOD program seems SPA-1001 and it doesn't look any cheaper than ordering SPA-1000 from BV website. If I order SPA-1000 from BV site, i would receive the equipment by the next day but if I order SPA1001, I don't know how soon I can receive it.

FWIW I received mine within a week.

Originally Posted by qsxd

Is SPA-1001 so much better than SPA-1000? Why would one choose BYOD if price is not any cheaper? Simply because better equipment? Would better adapter make huge phone quality difference?

The SPA-1001 allows you to have two lines (2 different VoIP services) for your one attached telephone, so yeah, it's better than the SPA-1000 if that is something you'd like to have. However your question is moot since I think BroadVoice currently uses the SPA-1001.

Originally Posted by qsxd

What would be a recommanded adapter if I use BYOD program?

Well, it depends, and I'm not an expert. From my reading of the unit descriptions...

If you have no cable/dsl router at the moment, then you should look at the SPA-2100, because it includes router functionality. If you want to keep your legacy phone line for lifeline service, or want to be able to call home & dial out via BV for international calls, then you should look at an SPA-3000 or some other ATA & an FX-200. If all you need is a basic ATA or, (like me) price is your main concern, then the SPA-1001 is a nice little unit.

[teardropglass]

I think one primary advantage if you BYOD is that you can downgrade your plan to the BYOD-Lite for 6 bucks a month, and just transfer your phone calls to your hard line number. For people that are moving around, and are not sure if in a few months you will have access to broadband it's a nice option. Tip: Never use anything but Sipura, I used a Zyxel ATA box and it was a nightmare. Cheers

[cayman]

Note on BYOD, you can purchase the Sipura 1001 (best for most folks IMO) and let BV "provision" it so that they set up all the controls etc for line#1. Then, you can get (if you can ever get thru to support that is) the locking code for your device and cofngiure the second line as you like. As I understand it all, line# 1 remains under their control and line# 2 under yours. For myself, both lines are under my control but that's just me I guess. Of course, you can always change over to that at any time as you *own* the device rather than just "borrowing" it from BV. If you do the math, for a new customer it makes $$ sense to buy rather than borrow.

Also, if/when BV self-implodes you can take your device to other providers and still have your line#2 setup for FWD/Stanaphone/SipPhone/IPKall etc etc.

HTH,
- Don

[qsxd]

Thanks for your comments. I just ordered from BV website instead of buying my own device mainly because I need to make international calls asap.
I currently have Packet8 and international call quality is extremely poor.

[deavod]

I got my SPA-1001 the next day when I ordered from BV, so hopefully you'll be making international calls soon!

I have been very pleased with the voice quality for international calls. I swear it's better using BV than a calling card. And seeing the bill ($0.00) is even better

[dwarflord]

Also read the fine print on the warranty of the device when BV provides. They only warranty it for 30 days and after that its on your dime for replacement. If you order one yourself, you get a full 1 yr. warranty. And of course all the pros and cons previously stated.

[JustAnotherPoorSlob]

Originally Posted by teardropglass

I think one primary advantage if you BYOD is that you can downgrade your plan to the BYOD-Lite for 6 bucks a month, and just transfer your phone calls to your hard line number. For people that are moving around, and are not sure if in a few months you will have access to broadband it's a nice option. Tip: Never use anything but Sipura, I used a Zyxel ATA box and it was a nightmare. Cheers

That's an interesting idea, but since the plan is limited to 100 minutes, I have to wonder if the 100 minutes would get eaten up by forwarded calls.