The BuzzBox is a new and revolutionary piece of technology that reduces your phone call costs damatically. It couldn't be easier - simply plug in your existing home phone and acess these great rates!
Free 'no risk' offer
The BuzzBox would normally retail at $34.95 but it's FREE for new users who connect a BuzzBox before and use it within 30 days
NO monthly service charges.
There is no long-term contract
For those who wants to know how this works, their service is almost similar to PennyTel's ANI callback service. The only difference is that the BuzzBox (the little device that you get) initiates the first leg of the call for you transparently (i.e. call the buzzbridge or better known as their server, then answers back when the buzzbridge rings your PSTN number). Then any number you dial from your handset is directly sent to the buzzbridge, which will initiate the second leg of the call.
Actually, this is nothing new and it's just a convenience for not having to initiate the first leg of the call (in PennyTel's terms, this is calling the PennyTel number, then waiting for PennyTel to call you back). I don't think this service is as flexible as PennyTel's service for several reasons:
1) The call rates are much higher and there might be a flagfall dependent on which plan you choose. This is not cost effective at all.
2) The need to maintain yet another device for your VoIP services. More power cords, more cables, and more clutter.
3) You are restricted to using their service only from your home phone plugged into the BuzzBox. With PennyTel, you can initiate a callback from any phone you have by registering your number in their system.
4) Comparing with a traditional service through SIP registration, you don't get the option to choose multiple VSPs.
The only benefit I can see out of this as oppose to PennyTel's ANI callback feature is that it is convenient by not having to ring your VSP first everytime, and it's easier to explain to people who have no clue about VoIP services.
Thanks! Much better analysis :)
Is that how PennyTel works, you have to call them first and then they call you back to initiate the Voip call? That's ridiculous.
I thought I could join their $5 plan and type in their Voip Server settings into my Router, which supports Voip, plug in a phone at the back of my Router and away I go.
There are many ways you can setup your PennyTel account, that's why I find them flexible. Just those that are on top of my head right now:
1) Setup a SIP authentication either in your ATA/VoIP modem (i.e. like what you're trying to do) or softphone.
2) Make a call through web call-back (i.e. you put in your number and the destination number from their website, your phone rings and you're connected to the recipient — no broadband needed)
3) The ANI callback feature I've mentioned above.
I see. Well that's pretty good then, thanks.
the whitepaper on why thebuzz is better than broadband VOIP offers some good points, but fails to (perhaps intentionally?) consider those VSPs that can provide QoS on their VOIP service, though granted i don't think there are very many around who do…
as they themselves recognise, this is probably more attractive to those who aren't yet using VOIP and want to have some savings from using VOIP without having to get a (higher speed) broadband connection, sign up to a VSP, and purchase, install and configure all the associated gear to get the whole thing working.
it sounds like a good deal for those wanting a plug and play service. of course you end up "paying" for the convenience via the call rates which sit in between PSTN phone companies and VOIP companies. but it gives people the choice where the option wasn't previously available.
So long tel$tra ..
I saw a section on Today Tonight or Current Affair last night. I think what they offer is quiet pathetic considering on Engine or iinet naked dsl you get free local and std calls. I am currently on $20 engin plan which gives me free local + free std + free calls to 8 countries (england).
If I was on Buzz I would easily spend over $50 per month on their current rate. It seems to be a no brainer. See if I move to iinet naked dsl I will make even more saving.
hahaha so true!
rip people off for long enough they will find alternatives
According to OECD report, Australia only has 22.8% broadband users, which leave 70%+ population relying on old dialup + possibly Telstra "rip off line rental".
BuzzBox is definitely a non brainer choice for everyday "non-broadband" population :)
But there's a cheaper option as I've mentioned above. I don't think their pricing model makes it attractive.
Quop.
Not sure why the comment re: QOS, as this device is not connected to a
broadband service in your home.
If you had broadband then you wouldn't buy this device.
How useful is QoS for VoIP anyway? Unless you download multiple torrents ALL THE TIME, there are usually far more than enough bandwidth for a few VoIP connections on a typical ADSL/ADSL2+ link.
If you are using G.711 codec then QOS may well be important, as it uses much
more bandwidth. If you have a Billion modem you may well have to do this because
of the garbled call bug.
The uplink speed is usually then one that causes the problems.
agreed. and hence my comment that this solution sits between a normal PSTN phone, and a broadband voip setup, allowing people to get some savings from voip, without having to get broadband (assuming that getting broadband is a barrier to these people).
as for the QoS comment, the whitepaper was comparing the buzzbox against a broadband-based voip solution, saying (among other things) that quality may be an issue with typical setups due to competition for bandwidth from your own local (home) network, other users on the same dslam, other IP traffic etc. the argument for buzzbox is that it adheres to the principle of, as much/far as possible, using PSTN for the voice traffic. hence buzzbox provides better quality.
my comment in relation to this is that the argument against (the quality that can be delivered by) broadband-based voip solutions did not account for the fact that some VSPs do provide QoS, hence are able to deliver a service with better call quality.
they say: buzzbox is better than broadband voip because broadband voip suffers in quality.
Many modems and adapters have QOS as well, so theoretically there
shouldn't be a problem.
that might be fine for the first leg of the traffic, but probably not much use if your ISP doesn't actually support it.
any one using the buzzbox? how is the quality???
If you have broadbad better to use voipraider with sip box. Australia, US , Canada, UK is free. Why bother about buzzbox.
The catch I suppose is the 300min free limit per week. Then you pay.
I assume you are using it, what is the call quality like?
I signed up on behalf of my housemate who barely has the technical skills to turn on a computer, let alone set up VoIP..
Hell, I'm the "computer nerd" amongst my friends and I've never used VoIP either, not because I don't know how, more because I just haven't had the need..
With this no risk offer I can see Buzzbox being very popular for the general population who use landline phones and don't have much technical ability or knowledge.
Buzzbox received and installed.. I can really see this concept going a long way actually!!
It's so easy to set up, there's no upfront cost risk and it saves money! Sure, it doesn't save as much money as other solutions but consider it as "the people's VoIP".. even my Grandma could have installed this without looking at the instructions!
Voipraider quality is really good. I know its 300 min every week but if you using for another country as well then its not really bad deal.
Plus they give you local sydney no to call so you don't need to start your computer all the time.
I'm all for VOIP and its help save me large amounts of money but like Scubacoles mentions many just cant get into VOIP right now. Yes its a niche but it's a big niche. one day they will then move to voip when they get their heads around it.
From what I read I gave this is a rather clever but simple idea. As your home phone sends out a CLI, the Buzz system will recognise this and disconnect the call. then ring back, the buzz box then intercepts this incoming call and connects you.
You are now connected to buzz and they then ring out the number you want, bridge the two and you're underway.
For those on naked DSL and other ADSL plans, yep its not worth it, but many aren't so at least this is an alternative to telstra for them.
I'm all for trying it especially as its only gonna cost 1 call to keep the free account. - as a backup its better than my standard phone, and maybe it might be good enough for the parents and inlaws who are not even on the internet.
Why would you use BuzzBox over bettertelecom?
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=938305&r=…
From their Call Charge page, their UltimatePlan:
i.e. EXPENSIVE call costs when compare to other VoIP providers (PennyTel, MNF, etc).
The only redeeming value is that BuzzBox which is free (for a limited time), and it works with or without broadband. If you don't already have broadband you shouldn't be browsing OzBargain anyway :)