Is anyone using one of the voice on internet to land line services? I am looking at one from the UK called Skype. If you are using a service, please tell me which one and if you are happy with it? Cost of minutes from Belize to land line in US. Thanks, Indygal

Skype is definitely the best one...
VoipBuster is free for 90 seconds per call.
http://www.voipbuster.com/en/index.html

I use gizmo. Using my computer on AC, I think it's .22/minute to call a Belize number, ~.1/minute to call any number in the US, and free to talk to someone else on the software. It's a flat $5/month fee to have a VOIP number, and if my Mom calls me on that number, the call is free for me. She's in the same area code, so she doesn't pay either. The only problem is that I can't call Belize mobile phones (that may be fixed, haven't tried in awhile).

We have been using SKYPE from Belize for 3 months. It runs around 2 cents per minute to the US. A little more to Belize land line numbers, it seems to vary. It doesn't seem to work to Belize cell numbers. We pay $ 40.00 US per year to have a local number in our home town in the states. It could be in any area code you want. This allows anyone from home to call us on SKYPE without using a computer. It costs nothing for us or the caller. Any call between computers using SKPYE is also free. We love it and would advise anyone to use it.

VONAGE! I have taken it all over the world with my US area code, people can reach me not even dialing long distance or an area code and have no clue I am even away. Wonderful service.

Will Vonage work using a WiFi connection, plugging a headset into my laptop?

scubawalk, I looked at SKYPE, and thought the calls from Belize to the USA were 21 cents a minute. Was I wrong?

SKYPE shows you your account balance on your main screen and we are using a little less than 2 cents per minute to the US.

indygal---

No, Vonage will not work using WiFi--for that, you need to use Skype.

If you want a phone to walk around with then use Vonage. Use Skype with your computer and headset.

Thank you all for the help. My Sister will be so tickled to get a call tomorrow morning.

Skype is great 2cents to talk anywhere in the USA. Even called Mexico for a few cents more. Can not remember when I got such a good deal on anything. Oh and my sister was tickled to hear from me.

Has anyone else in SP/Belize been having problems with Skype the last few days?

You bet. The last week or so SKYPE and all internet connections have been all over the place. One minute good, then a long time it hasn't worked at all or the voice or uplinks are slow and/or garbled. Rumor has it the BTL has been working on a program to disrupt SKYPE. It appears that they have chosen to slow down thier uploads to the point voice transmission doesn't work but at the same they have messed up the rest of their internet traffic.

Power outages last week seem to have reset everyones computers and routers and SKYPE is working much better.

scubawalk, I've been able to connect to Skype for only 1 hour in the last 3 days.....it'll sit there trying to connect....come back it's connected....walk away for an hour and it's disconnected. Can't connect this AM so far! It has to be with the IP. All of my computers back in the US have no problem connecting whatsoever!

Having the same problem as are a number of my friends in Belize. Really frustrating,

drifter, unforunately Skype will not answer any troubleshooting emails.............Skype is free.....get what you pay for I guess!......seriously thinking about paying for a more reliable service.

I've heard good things about
www.cruystalvoicelive.com I have friends in Mexico that say it is reliable....doesn't look too pricey either.

I do not think the problem is SKYPE - rumor has it that BTL has bought a program that is blocking SKYPE by modulating - sometimes it is on, sometimes slow, and sometimes off. But not consistently on - which is bite!!

Skype still works great on Direcway internet!

Where do you get Direcway Internet?

Through a Direcway satellite connection!!! BTl has no control there.

I thought it must be satellite. Who do I contact to have Direcway installed?

I use a gentleman in Belize City, Michael Kong. He sells and installs complete systems. But the cost is high, between 3,500 and 4,000 Bze
michaelk@direcway.com is his email

What's the monthly charge & speed?

60 US per month for the` slowest speed. Check their website for details. www.direcway.com

I think Skype, after all of the troubleshooting emails they probably have received regarding our problem connecting, may have rattled someone's cage....Skype has be online for me for the last 24 hours and still operating at 100%.

Skype or any other company does not change BTL. When we first moved to Belize you could use an ATT prepaid card to make calls to the US from any phone. Call BTL operator and get an ATT operator. After the first year there BTL stopped that and has not allowed anything like that even though ATT has battled with them. Now you can only do it on the blue phones at certain places. Last year they blocked the ports that Net2pnone used and has not allowed it back.

You can have Direcway installed through Lorne Jackson from Grumpy and Happy 226 3420.

Or you can buy Starband through Ken Schumann from Satieo 226 2310 or Julian Rivero from CSM2000 226 2330 or 226 3703.

Lorne Jackson/Grumpy & Happy - good service and on time

Ken Shumann - no service if he ever gets there (do not pay him unless/until you are certain that you have been delivered what you requested)

Julian Rivero - if you can get him to arrive he will eventually give you a half(@#$!) try


************************************************************************************

*** DW7000/7700 Monthly Service Levels ***

CONSUMER PLANS

Residential Service = $59/month (35 upload, 400 download)

Professional Service = $69/month (35 upload, 400 download)

Professional Service = $89/month with 1 IP address (35 upload, 400 download)

All consumer plans are currently available on any of the following satellites > AMC3 - AMC9 - SM5 - G4R - G11 - HZN - G3C -IA8

BUSINESS PLANS

Small Office @ $130/month (80up/700down)
Business Internet @ $160/month (80up/700down)
Small Office & Professional are available on >> AMC3 - AMC9 - SM5 - G4R - G11 - HZN - G3C -IA8

Internet Access 100 = $89/month (200up/1000down) needs 1 watt TX/0.74 meter minimum
Upload Threshold (FAP) 50MB
Download Threshold (FAP) 500MB
Available on AMC9 83º >> http://dbstv.com/v2/eirp/map_AMC9.swf
Also available on both IA8 @ 89º >>http://dbstv.com/v2/eirp/map_IA8.swf

Internet Access 300 (G11)= $225/month (500up/2000down) needs 2 watt TX/0.98 meter minimum
Upload Threshold (FAP) 100MB
Download Threshold (FAP) 1250MB
Available on IA8 & G11
IA8 >> http://dbstv.com/v2/eirp/map_IA8.swf
G11 >> http://dbstv.com/v2/eirp/map_G11.swf

************************************************************************************

VoIP/Voice Solutions?

Vonage? The very best (but you need DSL)
SkyPE? Works best with DIRECWAY
InConnect? Best for WifI Services (also good for DIRECWAY)
Crystal Voice? Works better than SkyPe if using DIRECWAY

[img]http://www.webtoastmedia.com/admin/houston_media/uploads/163__[/img]

Mel Berry
Houston Media Systems

www.dbstv.com
www.dbstvforum.com

Vonage will work with WiFi if you pay extra for their Softphone service.

My most recent info is that BTL has now virtually blocked (how, I do not know) all SKYPE and Vonage signals from working. So those of us who have marketing material in the US with US phone numbers or 800 numbers are not able to get any calls.....
Check out the belizenet website synopsis of the Constitution of Belize

THE CONSTITUTION for an independent state of Belize was passed on September 20, 1981 the day before our Independence.

It affirms that the nation of Belize shall be founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in human rights and fundamental freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free people and the dignity of the human person.

It proclaims principles of social and economic justice and equal opportunity. It recognizes that the will of the people is the basis of government in a democratic society in which the government is elected in free, fair and periodic elections"
Now can someone please tell me which part of the definition of democracy subscribes to the "utilities rule" theory???????

Well, let's see......apparently they are now working....for the moment. But have not worked most of the day. I suspect that it will not work soon unless BTL gets a cut.

The latest scuttle butt is BTL is planning to put out their own VOIP. When it is ready they will finish the block of others service through them.

So far as I can tell they've already stopped VoIP using their network. I get numerous rings but I can't connect to the caller. I know of no other country where the telephone operator is so corrupt as to try this. Surely even in Belize such interference is illegal? Not that BTL would worry about such niceties. The only answer is to stop using BTL as much as possible. As I said elsewhere, if they were to spend a small fraction of what they spend blocking the opposition on actually improving their lamentable service they would perhaps earn some respect. Is Ashcroft still involved with BTL? - it gets confusing. If he is then I'm not surprised at what's going on.

Mines working on and off. Public hearings re: voip and other related isses set for April 26th at the Radisson. Ashcroft is btl, again. The old flip flop-moneys no good if its stagnant. I'll get the btl scoop tonight at dinner.

Mine is down this morning. If someone calls me it goes straight to voicemail.

All BTL has to do to block Vonage is inform them (Vonage) that Vonage systems are being used in Belize. My guess is Vonage themselves block the service to Belize at the behest of BTL. Bear in mind you need a U.S. credit card to subscribe to the service. It's only really meant for use in the U.S., Canada and a few participating European countries.

I also have been down for the last few days with "fast busy" signals. I am NOT pleased. I am being told by BTL that they are "not blocking anything in any way", but that is cleary just a "company line".

There are many difference VoIP providers each using competing technologies. There are technical ways to skirt the software that BTL is using to block us. There are alternatives to BTL. Certainly satellite internet comes to mind, but the quality of voice will suffer over a traditional DSL line. I am at an impass. I hope to gather all the relevant information and take action. I assume there are others out there who are just as dependent on these lines, so you will be making similar decisions.

Is there a lawyer who frequents this board that can explain the legal issues here? Could you explain the philosophy of the unregulated monopoly in Belize and whether any anti-trust and/or censhorship charge applies against BTL as a result of their actions? What can we do? Can we use satellite legally (with VoIP)? Somebody mentioned on another board that BTL's actions may be unconstitutional.

I honestly have lots of ideas for BTL. They are acting like a struggling old fart trying to protect the establishment. They could be embracing the technology and profiting in new services from local businesses and telecommuting residents for years to come.

Maybe somebody from BTL could enlighted us on any upcoming competitive VoIP offerings. And if you plan on any "business bundles" which may include "un-blocked" internet (hint: and mobile/PSTN), I would certainly like to know before I cancel. I was happy with the DSL service, this blocking is a show-stopper. My $400bz / month is up for grabs.

Katie, do you have more details on the public hearings? Do you know who will be there? Will there be Q&A?

Chris, I have spent at least 5 hours on the phone with Vonage in the last 2 days. Obviously I told them that I suspect the ISP may be "mitigating" my usage. I sincerely trust that Vonage is smart enough to tell me if my service was cut off.

I apologize in advance for the overly geeky nature of the following, this is a more technical discussion I have started over at Vonage-Forums:

http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic12433.html

I'm going to try and keep any Vonage-specific technical discussion over there.

In that thread, I refer to a similar situation happening in Qatar that was dealt with politically, here is that thread. Interesting read:

http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic9854.html

Please keep this discussion going, post your experiences and what you plan to do.

This is Belize and we have to play by their rules. BTL is granted a monoply by the GOB. We use Skype over Direcway and to land phones in the US there is almost no noticable delay. If I call a cell phone in the US then we noticy a delay.

I've phoned Vonage several times, and my being in Belize has been core to the conversation. No comment was made about the service not being intended for me, and why should it be? Vonage and their competitors make a point that you can take their box anywhere in the world and carry your phone number with you. It's one of the key points of the service. No, I would be very surprised if these difficulties emanate from Vonage. But given BTL's history of blocking any competition - look at the various phone cards that work all over the world and used to work here but don't any more - I am very prepared to believe it is being done by BTL, and is deliberate.

If BTL are being maligned by the tone of this and numerous other threads then why don't they state their case? I'm sure they read these boards.

It really is sick, but here are some of the companies out there that profit from this. I assume BTL is using software like this (either commercial or homegrown) to disrupt our VoIP calls.

The VoIP Backlash
By: Steven Cherry
Internet-based telephony saves consumers money by bypassing traditional carriers—but new software lets the carriers block those pennies-per-minute calls
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct05/1846


Can Narus single-handedly kill VOIP telephony?
http://www.intuitive.com/blog/can_narus_singlehandedly_kill_voip_telephony.html


ipoque Releases SkypeTM Filter and Extends Product Line
http://ipoque.com/en/pressrelease_ipoque_130106.html


Most ISPs to limit P2P traffic
By Tim Lohman, iTnews | 14 March 2006 09:56 EST
http://www.itnews.com.au/print.aspx?CIID=35821&SIID=35

Knicksnyc, very good links and very disturbing too. At least it's not just Belize that is screwed up!

It was interesting to read that ISP's in the US are blocking as well!!

I have spoken with Vonage and they moved me to a different port - which lasted 4 calls. It's not Vonage, it's BTL and someone told me Skype has had them in court over this previosly - anyone with links to that decision/presedence please post it ASAP. A class action suit seems appropriate with backing from from the Chamber of Commerce, Skype, Vonage and all the affected individuals. Plase post so we can move this ito legal action ASAP!

If nothing is done quick, personally I'm selling out and leaving this country - decision by end of month!

BTL is clearly interested in a quick buck, not long term growth in a healthy economy!

You need to understand that BTL does not care, you or anyone else is not going to change what they are doing. There are no laws on the books in Belize that they are violating, they have the right to do it. If they do not care when the crapped all over ATT that Skype or anyone is is going to change them? The only way change would come if they lost revenue (profits) and that is not happening. The quick buck has been BTL's operating principle since day one, and it is not going to change any time soon. If you read some of the posted links ISP's in the US are blocking Skype as well and it is legal for them to do so.

I've just realised that I can no longer connect to the BBC radio service over BTL DSL, though it does work over a satellite connection. Is this likely to be a coincidence, or will whatever they've done affect BBC radio as well?

Peter, I'm still able to listen to BBC radio over BTL DSL.

What I just received.......

"With dependable testing it confirms what has been suspected that BTL is blocking access to ort 5060 at their routers. The test also attempts to connect via port 6000, this test also failed. This is worrisome as it could indicate that rather than simply applying filters on their routers they might be using some sort of stateful inspection to specifically target SIP and or H.323 packets. This would give credence to the statement made on the Belize
forum that they (BTL) bought some big bucks software (China) to prevent VoIP usage.”



“It is also notable that BTL claims to that they are not 'blocking' communication. This could be true based upon the definition of “blocking”. Some Vonage calls are going through. What they are doing is lowering the quality of service (QOS) which will cause users to become frustrated and leave the service.”



"While BTL is maintaining that VoIP services are not licensed in Belize it is interesting that they want to provide the connection but limit the incoming content. They are not complaining about Yahoo, Excite, Google and other content related services and these are not licensed."



"The April PUC meeting is most important and must have substantial attendance. BTL is so used to operating in a vacuum and getting their way without the people knowing in advance. Having a well prepared plan with supportable data is critical. And having hundreds if not thousands of people attending the meeting from every part of the Belize economy, every district and disciplines is paramount. And, the media must be on top of it all"

I've investigated and found that Realplayer had somehow ceased working properly on my computer. With a fresh download I can again listen to BBC. So no link there after all.

Katie - please post updates on the forrthcoming meeting. Lots of us will be there.

I've spent the last few days determining what BTL is doing and I've posted my complete findings on this thread:

http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic12433.html

Essentially BTL is intercepting Vonage call setup messages and impersonating Vonage as they try to complete a connection to your VoIP adapter/software. BTL adds a fast busy message to the "handshake" and this prevents the calls from being connected.

Apparently BTL has the "right" to do whatever they want, at least that is what everyone seems to think. As visitors/residents/citizens, we should really be concerned with this type of communications "hijacking".

How long will it be before BTL does similar things to instant messages, emails and even basic web surfing? What happens when even more sinister technology is installed that monitors phone calls for voice signatures (on PSTN or VoIP calls)? What they are doing RIGHT NOW is considered hacking in the US and EU.

What is the line? When will they cross it?

It is important we establish clear privacy boundaries at they pertain to telecommincations.

Please make an effort to come to the PUC meeting in the city. This may not directly impact you today, but the negative momentum is plenty cause for concern.

http://www.sanpedrosun.net/06-132.html

Bad Press...

What about voip on sattelite?

&nbsp &nbspHi all,
have any of you used a service like Skype on a sattelite service like Starband? I'm sure it can be done, but I'd like to hear more about it from somebody who's used it.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbspDan

Search the boards, we have been talking about it for weeks. Yes it works and works well, but sat systems are expensive up front and they are legal now in Belize, but have heard that BTL wants a crackdown on sat systems as well.

Wouldn't the delay on sattelite be unbearable?

When we used Net2phone it was but on Sat with Skype to a landline in the US there is almost no noticeable delay.

What was the delay when going Skype to Skype?

Love FM Story

http://www.lovefm.com/story04.shtml

We only Skype to Skype one person and no delay at all, crystal clear. The only time we get delay is Skype to cell in the US.