My ISP is Bell Aliant and I subscribe to their high speed Ultra service, which has a download speed of around 600 kbps from the Aliant server. A recent speed check on SpeakEasy showed the following:
Last Result:
Download Speed: 5163 kbps (645.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 543 kbps (67.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
My problem over the past couple of months is that the quality of the calls on Skype is getting much worse. I thought that it was a problem with my connection, because the people I called said that there were gaps in my transmissions, making it almost impossible to understand me.
I had this problem on a call to California the other day and later on a call to Switzerland. In each case we switched to Google Talk and then we had clear, telephony-quality, calls. The cause of the problem was not my connection speed.
There seems to be either a decrease in the quality of Skype’s VoIP, or something else is affecting this service. Does Google Talk use a different transmission protocol? Is someone on the network blocking or slowing-down Skype’s service? I’d be interested in hearing about similar problems or ways to fix this.
Gee… what are the odds that the phone company is deliberately slowing down Skype connections…? Where is network neutrality when you need it?
I believe it’s called “network shaping” and it’s practised by almost all the major ISP’s.
Anyone using EastLink or Rogers in south eastern NB like to comment on this? Ideally someone who’s used more than one of these services?
From our offices in Sackville, where we use Aliant (dedicated business connection), I’ve found Skype can be quite choppy; at the same time, download speeds north of 700 KB/s aren’t uncommon.
Then again, to be fair, slight delays during a file download aren’t as easily perceived by a user as someone listening to a continuous audio stream…
My ISP is Aliant in N.S. and I routinely experience gaps or voids in the conversations at the most unopportune times. I am glad to know that I am not alone. I was previously addressing my comments to Skype, but after unsuccessfully going through the trouble-shooting, I thought to inquire about Aliant.
It is good to know that I am not alone.
I have tried both Skype as well as Gizmo Projects (using a Linksys PAP2T, hooked directly to the linksys router) using a Rogers HS/Lite/Ultra lite and the voice qualiy was very choppy, echo and delays and generally uncleared in the Toronto (east york) area. Tried with Bell’s Sympatico HS, the skype calls were much better and clearer that it was using the Rogers. Also tried both the Skype as well as the gizmo project (using a Linksys PAP2T, hooked directly to the linksys router) in the Markham area, brand new development area, Rogers Express, choppy and delays as well, so I believed it was the bandwidth throttling on the Rogers network that was affecting the quality of the VOIP calls. A friend of mine was using AEI’s DSL in the scarborough area (401/Brimley) and he was very happy with the quality of the Skype calls.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, John.
The last 4-6 weeks Skype to Skype calls on the Eastlink network have been getting progressivly worse.
The above comment is on Prince Edward Island
Thanks, Grant, that makes the options rather limited.
I have been using Skype for the past 2 months on Eastlink’s 15mb service, with little problem. Until today.
As of 5pm atlantic time (nova scotia) I have not been able to call a landline or mobile phone, and have the other person hear me. I can hear them, but all they hear is an echo of what they are saying.
I have contacted Skype support, but that usually takes a few days for reply. Not sure if this is connected with eastlink, or a problem between skype network and the landline system here.
Anyone else had this issue?
You may want to check if your speed is as advertised:
http://speedtest.eastlink.ca/