[TriLUG] Slightly OT:Vonage vs. TWC Phone Service

[jonc]

On Fri, 2005-10-07 at 11:14, Christopher L Merrill wrote:
> jonc wrote:
> > In these incidents the customer problems are most likely due to internet
> > connectivity problems. As we always tell our Soho customers:
> >   If the network is good, it works like magic
> >   If the network is bad, the results will be tragic...
> > 
> > I'll wager that the happy TWC customer would be just as happy with
> > Vonage - since their connectivity is good. They might even be happier
> 
> I'll pipe in here to point out that this is why TWC has the _potential_
> to provide a better customer experience - if the network is the problem,
> TWC can fix it.  Vonage (or any other provider) cannot.  Whether or not
> they realize that potential, I cannot comment on.

I can comment on that...

[My own POV]
Time Warner has moved from growth mode on their network to maintenance
mode. They are more interested in letting the current network reach its
earning potential, rather than spending large amounts of money to grow
that network and extend the network's earning potential.

That means that for some folks, the connectivity they have now with TWC
is as good as its going to be... and in some areas it is definitely NOT
Voice quality.

The initial network design was for bulk data transfer. It works
outstandingly in that capacity, but capacity doesn't equal continuity
and VoIP needs continuity (or continuous low latencies) to work well.

Time Warner will do its best to make sure your router is functioning
well and that their network is configured optimally, but in some areas
that falls way short of allow VoIP to work properly. Alas, TWC is very
reluctant to re-cable in those areas or to decrease hub loads. It's not
currently in their best business interests.
[/My Own POV}

Jon