Anyone else here using ViaTalk?

[thehothit]

I've been using ViaTalk for a couple months. I've been extremely happy with them so far. Absolutely rock solid call quality and responsive technical support.

I was with BroadVoice for 10 months before switching to ViaTalk. Call quality was pot luck and there were always problems with dropped calls or proxy servers that were misbehaving. I switched proxy servers at least once or twice a week because of choppy call quality or one way audio. I had no problems with my internet connection as far as bandwidth, lost packets or latency were concerned.

Is anyone else using ViaTalk?

[jds7801]

I'm using ViaTalk with a ported number and a direct connection to my Asterisk System. My experience has been excellent. It appears that people like to post here with complaints about a provider but don't take the time to post when things are going well. I have a stable DSL connection and I believe that this is key to good VoIP service. My experience with ViaTalk customer service has been good. I have used both call in and trouble ticket support to get my number ported and to get my account information for Asterisk. In both cases my request was handled in a professional manner.

[VTBrendan]

Hi,

Glad to hear you guys are happy. Let me know if there is anything I can help you out with in the future.

-Brendan

[bolco]

Well, it has been three months with ViaTalk and I'm positive that I made the best decision. After switching from the VERY painful BroadVoice over to ViaTalk, my problems have disappeared. The call quality is excellent over my 6MB Comcast internet connection.

I was wishing for an option for the service to "fallback" on in a case where my network was offline, and this feature appeared out of the blue recently. Now, if my internet is out of service...or if I have an extended power failure and my UPS system dies, ViaTalk forwards my calls to my cell phone. It hasn't happened yet, but I did unplug my phone adapter one day to test it and it worked flawlessly.

My initial concerns with occasional audio drop-outs have been corrected. My E-9-1-1 location information displays correctly at my local PSAP (a feature which steered me away from VoicePulse for now). I have sent and received NUMEROUS faxes over my VT line without failure.

So, let me elaborate on VIATALK....

WEBSITE "80%" - After having BroadVoice, I have difficulty giving VT a 100% in this category. Don't get me wrong...what they have on there works great and they don't have non-existant features on there with the never ending "Coming Soon" banner ala BV. But, it lacks in appearance. I would like for them to show call activity on a month to month basis and differentiate between incoming and outgoing calls...right now, it just shows that i've placed or received 599 calls since signing up with them and must scroll through 40 pages of calls. I would also like for them to expand thier call forwarding menu. Currently, they have CallForwardON and CallForwardOFF...i would suggest that (like BV) they expanded this to include CallForwardBUSY, CallForwardNO_ANSWER, CallForwardSELECTIVE, and CallForwardALWAYS. BV also offers other features like PriorityAlert Distinctive Ring, AnonCallReject, SpeedDial8, SpeedDial100, online VoiceMail retrieval, and others. HOWEVER I MUST ADD, that I prefer VT because the service actually works. If I had to give up call quality and dial tone availability to add free features as those shown above, I would NOT want them. ViaTalks web portal capability just falls short of BroadVoices and is not as user friendly...but, I repeat, AT LEAST IT WORKS!

EASE OF INSTALLATION "100%" - What more could one ask for? Open the box, plug it in, make a call ... it just works!

CALL QUALITY "100%" - I've raised this to 100% because 98% of the time, the audio quality surpasses that of my former POTS provider. On few occasions, it shows signs of network congestion. But, overall, it works fine.

RELIABILITY "80%" - I can't give this 100% simply because of the nature of VoIP. VoIP's rely on the power companies and ISP's to function correctly. I believe that ViaTalk is as reliable as technically possible in today's world.

TECH SUPPORT "100%" - I've upped this to 100% because I have yet to find any other service provider of any type dedicate themselves to tech support and customer service the way that VT has. When I initially activated my service and had a couple of minor issues, they were quickly resolved. I like that they also frequent BBR forums. Keep this in mind VT, "Don't forget what got you where you are."

VALUE "60%" - Compare to POTS and VT is excellent...compare to BroadVoice and VT is still excellent. After all, even though BV was cheaper, they constantly provided me with failing service. How can VT improve in this area? I know that I'm getting greedy, but the UNLIMITED pack price is "as low as" $15.95 per month. However, because I pay monthly, I get a $7.00 per month "penalty" and pay $22.95 per month. **IF** I would commit to a 24 month contract, I would not have to pay the $7.00 penalty. But, after getting burned by the terrible service dished out by BroadVoice, you can understand my hesitation. Perhaps $2 or $3 would be fair, but I honestly believe that $7 additional per month is extreme. I challenge the fine folks at ViaTalk to do the right thing and lower this additional fee. I firmly believe that it would increase subscriber base AND let me put this ball in your court --> **IF** you continue to provide service as good as you have over the past few months, you will have no problem retaining your customers and you wont have to "sugar coat" your prices in an effort to guarantee a 2 year stay with your company. Sometimes, corporate heads can view the above scenario as a "threat" (for lack of a better word) to a customer to continue service...but, I look at it as a "threat" to the company resulting in fewer subscribers. Just my opinion.

BOTTOM LINE - ViaTalk ROCKS! Don't waste your time with the others.

[dnedved]

I'm interested, but have some questions about BYOD and activation fees. I don't have a phone currently. I can't call in (duh) and the support system won't post my questions without a valid phone number. Is there a simple email address I can ask some pre-sales questions to?

Thanks,

David

[fastv8]

I recently switched to ViaTalk, and everything has been great so far. They are one of the few providers that allow "bring your own device" (BYOD). I have my own Sipura SPA-3000, and configured it just how I like. My alarm system even works with ViaTalk. My number was ported from SBC in EIGHT days total!

After a lot of research, ViaTalk were the only ones who offered me:

- BYOD, and
- Local number portability in my particular area, and
- 911 availability

Plus, as can be seen by VTBrendan's post above, their people frequent the forums here and at dslreports/broadbandreports.com. Brendan personally checked my number for portability before I subscribed. How many CEOs will do that?

I've always received responses to my emailed questions in less than 24 hours - most of the time it is same day. Their telephone support staff have always been friendly and helpful too.

There are some features that I would like added, but are not "must have". Like call blocking by number and scheduled do not disturb. I am assured that these and other features are being worked on.

Oh, and one other thing - they DON'T collect the universal service fees or any other taxes. The prices quoted on their site are exactly what you pay. My phone bill is now less than 1/4 of what it was (around $9 per month vs. $42 per month).

Rock on, ViaTalk!!

Darren E in High Ridge, MO

[dnedved]

Um, so what's the email address? I couldn't find it on their website.

[fastv8]

dnedved: You can try support@viatalk.com. Surprised you don't have a telephone, by the way.

[dnedved]

I'm one of the millions of people who have a phone (several in fact) but no ability to dial US 866 numbers I'm sort of surprised that for a PHONE COMPANY the only form of support they advertise is an 866 phone number. That would be like an internet provider saying you can only get support from them by email, with an email address that you can only send email to from one particular country. What do you do when the service doesn't work or you're travelling outside the country?!?!? Anyway, it's an easy oversight to make for a new company.

Anyway, thanks for the help. They're quite good at answering emails, and I've signed up so we'll see how they are at actually providing service.

[DracoFelis]

Originally Posted by dnedved

I'm one of the millions of people who have a phone (several in fact) but no ability to dial US 866 numbers I'm sort of surprised that for a PHONE COMPANY the only form of support they advertise is an 866 phone number.

If you have a VoIP adapter, just use one of the several open VoIP proxies that allow "toll free" calls.

For example, FWD will let you make free "toll free" calls to a number of countries (including the USA), no matter which country you initiate the call from!