Vonage System In Thailand?

[magpie3]

Hi

I've had false alarms before regarding cheap phone call systems so I won't be suprised if the glitch in this query is pointed out immediately by someone who already has the T shirt.

I state at the outset that I have limited knowledge of computing and telecomunication terminology and systems.

I recently looked more closely at Vonage in the UK, which has relatively small setup costs and is available on different packages one of which allows unlimited calls to any geographical number in the UK at any time for £5.99. It does require a broadband connection to plug one of their adaptors into, but we have that anyway and we would immediately avoid a telephone line rental charge of about £10.

I then found that they claimed the system would work in Thailand (without extra charge) and in fact any country with broadbad, subject to the 'voice over internet protocol' (VOIP) systems and hardware being compatible and/or properly setup. They told me to go find info from the ISP in Thailand about compatibility but after an exchange of e-mails, I finally got someone to describe what is required to achieve a successful connection in Thailand.

For the potential benefit of all members (including the technically timid) can someone translate the following and confirm that Thai ISPs do not block this procedure? - call me paranoid but after 20 years I would not be suprised at any Thai idiosyncrasies.

OR has anyone used Vonage in Thailand?

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please note that the wireless router is used only for connecting the computers in order to access Internet connection with the usage of Internet port. These ports are always open on the Vonage phone adapter and hence will not cause any issues. If the Vonage phone adapter is connected to the wireless router, the wireless router might block the VoIP ports which are used for the phone service. You will then have to open the ports on the wireless router. If you wish to connect the wireless router to the modem then please ensure that the ports are to be opened. Please note that you need to connect your computer to the Vonage phone adapter for configuring it with the Internet modem. For Vonage phones to work, the ports mentioned in the following web link have to be opened: http://www.vonage.co.uk/support.php?articl...98&topic=20 Therefore, please contact your Internet Service Provider and check if these ports are opened.

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Thanks, hopefully

[magpie3]

Right! As I was saying, always check the website before posting

However anyone qualified could tell me if they've used True Internet with Vonage and whether there were problems setting it up.

Thanks

[OriginalPoster]

Hi

I've had false alarms before regarding cheap phone call systems so I won't be suprised if the glitch in this query is pointed out immediately by someone who already has the T shirt.

I state at the outset that I have limited knowledge of computing and telecomunication terminology and systems.

I recently looked more closely at Vonage in the UK, which has relatively small setup costs and is available on different packages one of which allows unlimited calls to any geographical number in the UK at any time for £5.99. It does require a broadband connection to plug one of their adaptors into, but we have that anyway and we would immediately avoid a telephone line rental charge of about £10.

I then found that they claimed the system would work in Thailand (without extra charge) and in fact any country with broadbad, subject to the 'voice over internet protocol' (VOIP) systems and hardware being compatible and/or properly setup. They told me to go find info from the ISP in Thailand about compatibility but after an exchange of e-mails, I finally got someone to describe what is required to achieve a successful connection in Thailand.

For the potential benefit of all members (including the technically timid) can someone translate the following and confirm that Thai ISPs do not block this procedure? - call me paranoid but after 20 years I would not be suprised at any Thai idiosyncrasies.

OR has anyone used Vonage in Thailand?

----------------------

please note that the wireless router is used only for connecting the computers in order to access Internet connection with the usage of Internet port. These ports are always open on the Vonage phone adapter and hence will not cause any issues. If the Vonage phone adapter is connected to the wireless router, the wireless router might block the VoIP ports which are used for the phone service. You will then have to open the ports on the wireless router. If you wish to connect the wireless router to the modem then please ensure that the ports are to be opened. Please note that you need to connect your computer to the Vonage phone adapter for configuring it with the Internet modem. For Vonage phones to work, the ports mentioned in the following web link have to be opened: http://www.vonage.co.uk/support.php?articl...98&topic=20 Therefore, please contact your Internet Service Provider and check if these ports are opened.

-----------------

Thanks, hopefully

I'm a big fan of Vonage. I use it from Singapore and it works great as long as you have a connection speed of about 100kbs (both up and down). Much slower internet speed than that and you can get drop-outs. Most noticable thing about its sound quality is that when you make calls to the US or Europe with it there is no perceptible delay in the voice transmission, provided you have the above mentioned 100kbs internet speed the sound quality is virutally indistiguisable from that of interstate calls within the US.

The feature of Vonage that I like a lot is that it addition to it's normal mode (where you plug it's adapter into your router and use a normal telephone handset) you can also set it up such that it will route (forward) all your incoming calls to your Thai cell phone (or any to other phone number, for that matter). In that mode, the voice quality is completely unaffected by your internet connection's speed (in fact, you don't need to have an active internet connection at all except to configure the forwarding in the first place). The cost of the of receiving the forwarded calls is an amount per minute equal to whatever Vonage charges for making calls from the UK (or US) to Thailand (which is relatively low). That routing can be configured over the internet, so if you travel from country to country you can continually update the forwarding to a new number as needed. The forwarding will work if you don't have an internet connection into which to plug you Vonage adapter (or if your internet goes out). There are tricks you can play to do the forwarding in reverse too. Aside from that, another feature that I find useful about Vonage is that it will automatically email me my voice mail messages in the event that I miss a call and someone leave a message on the "answering machine". It does cost a lot more than Skype and Gizmo but I find it to be money well spent.

[Veazer]

Using vonage will work best on a decent internet package with reliable international traffic because the vonage servers are outside thailand. Thai ISPs are doing some rather naughty traffic blocking on the cheap packages.

If you just need an outgoing number, try totnetcall prepaid or mouthmun. The servers are located within thailand so latency between you and the server will be better. Also there are no monthly fees, just pay per minute.

totnetcall has cheaper thailand rates, as low as 17 satong per minute.

mouthmun is often cheaper for international calling, but thai rates are higher at 50 satong per minute.

[sailaway2000]

Hi

I've had false alarms before regarding cheap phone call systems so I won't be suprised if the glitch in this query is pointed out immediately by someone who already has the T shirt.

I state at the outset that I have limited knowledge of computing and telecomunication terminology and systems.

I recently looked more closely at Vonage in the UK, which has relatively small setup costs and is available on different packages one of which allows unlimited calls to any geographical number in the UK at any time for £5.99. It does require a broadband connection to plug one of their adaptors into, but we have that anyway and we would immediately avoid a telephone line rental charge of about £10.

I then found that they claimed the system would work in Thailand (without extra charge) and in fact any country with broadbad, subject to the 'voice over internet protocol' (VOIP) systems and hardware being compatible and/or properly setup. They told me to go find info from the ISP in Thailand about compatibility but after an exchange of e-mails, I finally got someone to describe what is required to achieve a successful connection in Thailand.

For the potential benefit of all members (including the technically timid) can someone translate the following and confirm that Thai ISPs do not block this procedure? - call me paranoid but after 20 years I would not be suprised at any Thai idiosyncrasies.

OR has anyone used Vonage in Thailand?

----------------------

please note that the wireless router is used only for connecting the computers in order to access Internet connection with the usage of Internet port. These ports are always open on the Vonage phone adapter and hence will not cause any issues. If the Vonage phone adapter is connected to the wireless router, the wireless router might block the VoIP ports which are used for the phone service. You will then have to open the ports on the wireless router. If you wish to connect the wireless router to the modem then please ensure that the ports are to be opened. Please note that you need to connect your computer to the Vonage phone adapter for configuring it with the Internet modem. For Vonage phones to work, the ports mentioned in the following web link have to be opened: http://www.vonage.co.uk/support.php?articl...98&topic=20 Therefore, please contact your Internet Service Provider and check if these ports are opened.

-----------------

Thanks, hopefully

Hey there magpie3,

I've used the Vonage (US) system in Thailand many times over the past 7 years with TOT and MAXnet and on multiple trips. Now here permanently. I have never had a problem with the Thai side port blocking my VOIP access or anything. As long as your internet speeds are suitable you should be fine.

Don't attempt to stream too much video/audio or conduct big up/down loads at the same time as you're talking. Speed test your VIOP compatibilty at various times of the day, particularily as you will primarily be calling during the late afternoon to late evening, typically the worst times for getting the rated speed you're paying for as kids are out of school and playing internet games and the international pipeline is not very fat leaving Thailand.

I use MAXnet's cheapest service, but am very near City Hall in Chiang Mai halfway to Mae Rim and reliability may be better due to proximity to City Hall, who knows. You specific location and service provider may make a difference, so be prepared to upgrade if necessary to a premium service if necessary and reliablilty is an issue. Keep the Vonage adapter hardwired to your DSL modem, check your internal wiring, and use CAT3 cables for ALL voice connections and CAT5 or CAT5e cables for all other hardwired connections from your router and you should be OK.

Good Luck,

Mark

[lor]

I also live in Thailand and use Vonage. The adapter is pluged into the broadband and my localy bought Thai telephone is plugged into the adapter.

All works fine. I call anywhere in the UK free plus my family and friends can call me here by dialing my UK number so they get either free or very cheap calls to me in Thailand.

Chris