IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I am want to get Broadband, so as to use VOIP to make video calls to family members, overseas.

I understand that I will be charged by my Internet Provider for the data downloaded & uploaded while making these calls.
However, I have no idea of the amount of data involved.  As such, I am finding it difficult to determine the plan size that I will need.

Could you please provide the information that I will need to take into consideration to do this?

The answer depends on what standard your Voice over IP provider users.

The most popular standard, G729, uses around 14Mb per hour of talk time each way. Some of the higher quality standards use up to 40Mb. Skype varies between 10Mb and 60Mb per hour.

Note that these data rates are each way. If you have an Internet account that counts both uploads and downloads, such as Telstra or Optus (I’m assuming you’re an Australian user) then you’ll use double these amounts.

It’s best to ask potential VoIP providers and then look at your ISP account. As a rule, we’d recommend a minimum 1500kb/s service with a 10Gb download allowance before considering using VoIP.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.