VOIPo Launch Updates

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by Keith W

Hi Tim,

I have a couple of questions if I may...

1. Can a person sign up for just the fax service?

2. Will the fax service be available for people in the UK?

Thanks in advance.

Take care, Keith

Yeah, all of these services are available independently. We'll only have US phone numbers available, but as long as that's ok for you, then using it in the UK is not a problem. Basically, when someone faxes to your number, it just generates a PDF and emails you so any e-mail is fine.

[livepublicity]

good one, wait another month. lol

Originally Posted by codesight

I know, Tim, you aren't big on timelines and we all know why, but do you have any idea when you will have pricing and how reseller packages will work?

[VOIPoTim]

Yeah, we need more developers, but finding reliable ones in always a challenge. We're almost there.

Originally Posted by livepublicity

good one, wait another month. lol

[procomtech]

when will be the launch?

[eLIANT]

Go to page 2 of this tread to find this posting dated January 31 (of this year )

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

Our developers are still wrapping up a few minor things. We've seen a huge response from HostGator customers since posting this thread and anticipate significant volume at launch. For that reason, everything is being double-checked and tested to make sure our launch will be smooth.

We'd rather be 100% sure that we're fully ready to go than to deliver a service that has problems.

We are moving the launch up to March 3rd just to be certain we're ready to go.

With that being said, there is some good news. We're going to be opening up the BETA a little more in the next week or so and will be giving you the opportunity to help us wrap up testing. More info to come.

I know some of you have mentioned that you are waiting for launch, and we appreciate your patience.

It will be worth the wait.

[atlan]

Originally Posted by procomtech

when will be the launch?

March 3rd and yes, from what I have tested it will be worth the wait.

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by atlan

March 3rd and yes, from what I have tested it will be worth the wait.

On the positive side of things, unexpected delays with developers give us more time to work more things out on the business side. Several of you have asked about Canada, and I've said it would come later.

I'm happy to let you guys know I wrapped things up today and we're now all set to begin offering limited coverage Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

Initially the following ratecenters will be available:

EDMONTON AB
VANCOUVER BC
VICTORIA BC
WINNIPEG MB
HAMILTON ON
KITCHEWTRL ON
LONDON ON
OTTAWAHULL ON
TORONTO ON
MONTREAL PQ
OTTAWAHULL PQ

We have a few minor things to address with the CRTC (just paperwork and formalities), but this should be quick and painless.

The services in the original post will be available with Canadian numbers from these areas instead of US numbers including the fax service.

Our full residential service will also be available in Canada when it launches. Full E911 service will be available in Canada as well using the same E911 transport and delivery network that we use for the US.

Good things come to those who wait

[kmaw]

....Sweet!

[procomtech]

Hello Tim, don't forget South America, Paramaribo Suriname

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by procomtech

Hello Tim, don't forget South America, Paramaribo Suriname

Yeah, you guys should be able to use even this service if you forward to a SIP address, but the sound quality would depend on you having a good connection to our servers from there.

We know there are A LOT of international customers at HostGator and definitely want to try to do as much as we can for you guys.

[bfdexp]

Know the basics of VOIP, just have some quick questions.

1. Have used residential VOIP for the past two or three years, so know the setup - however, how does the business platform work with VOIPo? What hardware is involved and do you provide it like residential?

2. Can fax transmissions be transmitted and received through the residential and business regular phones? I know some services require for you to have a separate FAX line, my current VOIP works like a regular telephone line and lets me send and receive faxes over it.

3. Sounds good and look forward to reselling another Gator Service....

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by bfdexp

Know the basics of VOIP, just have some quick questions.

1. Have used residential VOIP for the past two or three years, so know the setup - however, how does the business platform work with VOIPo? What hardware is involved and do you provide it like residential?

2. Can fax transmissions be transmitted and received through the residential and business regular phones? I know some services require for you to have a separate FAX line, my current VOIP works like a regular telephone line and lets me send and receive faxes over it.

3. Sounds good and look forward to reselling another Gator Service....

1) The business platform is pretty much completely hosted. We send out pre-provisioned Linksys IP phones. Each phone is assigned an extension, etc. They just need to be plugged into an internet connection and should be plug-and-play in most cases.

There is generally a little initial setup support required with business customers due to firewalls, etc

2) Fax over VoIP is best efffort. Anyone that tells you otherwise isn't being honest. Basically when you fax over a VoIP line, it's just like transmitting the "audio" of the fax communication. If there is a dropped packet or an "echo" or anything inconsistent, the fax could fail since it's not as forgiving as voice. With that being said, we've found most people have good success with it on our network.

We know that a "best effort" fax service isn't ideal for a lot of people and have a standalone fax service as an option. With it, users are assigned a dedicated fax number. Any faxes sent to it are converted to a PDF and e-mailed to them. This uses a different technology and actually converts the fax into packets before trasmitting it and reconstructs it on our end. So it virtually eliminates the "fax over VoIP issue" since we're dealing with packets of data vs audio.

3) We're looking forward to it too. HostGator has an incredible base of resellers and we've spent the last 18 months building something we're pretty proud of and certainly want to make available to you guys as quickly as we reliably can.

[VOIPoTim]

For those of you wondering if we are still on track to open the first set of services (fax, toll-free numbers and virtual local numbers) up to you guys next Monday, the answer is yes.

[regan]

Hi Tim, it is great to hear that you are bringing these services into Canada! One question, why isn't Calgary, Alberta one of your rate centers??? Calgary is the 5th largest city in Canada, bigger than Edmonton!

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by regan

Hi Tim, it is great to hear that you are bringing these services into Canada! One question, why isn't Calgary, Alberta one of your rate centers??? Calgary is the 5th largest city in Canada, bigger than Edmonton!

Definitely. Since we've built around the US infrastructure, we will have a few more bugs with the Canadian service, but overall we're very excited about it.

Basically all cities/ratecenters have different costs and requirements associated with them. It makes sense to enter into some, but others may have things going on behind the scenes which make them significantly more expensive or harder to work with.

[atlan]

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

For those of you wondering if we are still on track to open the first set of services (fax, toll-free numbers and virtual local numbers) up to you guys next Monday, the answer is yes.

Can't wait to start reselling this service! Beta testing has gone very well. I have used both toll free and fax service with NO problems!

[livepublicity]

looking forward to this

[esl]

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

What's one more month?

So.... another month delay?

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by esl

So.... another month delay?

Why would you suggest an idea like that?

[gtgeorge]

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

Why would you suggest an idea like that?

So March 3rd is still the launch date?

[atlan]

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

For those of you wondering if we are still on track to open the first set of services (fax, toll-free numbers and virtual local numbers) up to you guys next Monday, the answer is yes.

Does no one read anymore? This was posted on the Feb. 26th, 2008

[VOIPoTim]

Yes, we plan to open up the services outlined in this post (toll-free, fax accounts, and local numbers) on Monday in an open, public beta format.

[Rockoids]

Originally Posted by VOIPoTim

Yes, we plan to open up the services outlined in this post (toll-free, fax accounts, and local numbers) on Monday in an open, public beta format.

Tim, you want to mention a certain radio interview where they can learn more about it?

[VOIPoTim]

Originally Posted by rockoids

Tim, you want to mention a certain radio interview where they can learn more about it?

Good idea

I did a general overview with rockoids on The Tech Night Owl Live this week.

Go to http://techbroadcasting.com and listen to the Feb 28 show if interested in hearing about it.

[livepublicity]

looking forward to Monday!!!!!