Data Plan + Google Voice Only?

vikingisson said:

That's why you get a data plan. WiFI is free, data over 3G you pay for.

For me however I'll stick with standards based SIP accounts. i.e. 'asterisk friendly' systems. Nice if you can bounce around free accounts but the pennies it costs for a normal SIP account is worth it to me. We'll see how VoIP works on the data plans, I have no trouble in Canada but I haven't ventured beyond the fast 3G networks yet. Speed isn't the issue but latency is. For now it works great.

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Which SIP and voip provider you use? We are in same location. Im trying to find one that provide quality calls over voip.

Droidz said:

Yes but data only for N1 and AT&T would mean EDGE only..... fail IMO.

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Tell me about it. I have the original iPhone (Edge only) and it blows.

I know I said one could put an AT&T SIM in the N1, but it was just for an example. Obviously, for the reason you stated (no AT&T 3G band in the N1), no one would really want/should use the N1 on AT&T for data only.

So the Tmobile "total internet" data-only plan for $40/mo is only EDGE speeds, not 3G? and I heard it's capped at 10 GB/mo? if true that's really too bad. How are voip call quality over EDGE? The only advantage I see is that you have a flat monthly bill for unlimited data & voice, although at a slightly less-than-optimal speeds.

Ryasaurus said:

Hey, does anyone think that it's possible to only get a data plan, and then use Google Voice for calls and texts?

I thought that might be possible..but then I figured there might be some issues.

1. I've read somewhere that Google Voice's app only refreshes it's texting inbox every 5 minutes. That sucks.

2. When calling someone on Google Voice, doesn't it first call your number then call the person you are trying to reach? That would mean I have to buy minutes.

Are there any other problems with using Google Voice + Data Only Plans? Then I'd only have to buy the Nexus One Unlocked and put in my AT&T SIM card, right?

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1. It is possible. There are a few minor issues, but nothing major.

2. You can use call-back for totally free calls, or you can call directly via Gizmo (or other SIP provider) for a small cost. With Gizmo, my per minute cost is about 500% less than my normal "unlimited" voice minutes.

3. Yes, buy it unlocked and put your SIM card in.

Here's how I did it on the Droid:
How To Set Up VoIP on the Motorola Droid on Verizon Wireless using Sipdroid for Free Calls | Dave's Tech Shop

In particular, read the link in a comment by EasternPA.

My Nexus One will be here in a couple hours or less. I'm going to do the same VoIP setup with it.

Jayziac said:

So the Tmobile "total internet" data-only plan for $40/mo is only EDGE speeds, not 3G? and I heard it's capped at 10 GB/mo? if true that's really too bad. How are voip call quality over EDGE? The only advantage I see is that you have a flat monthly bill for unlimited data & voice, although at a slightly less-than-optimal speeds.

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It is 3G (actually 4G). And it is the fastest network right now because of T-Mobile's HSPA upgrade. It is not capped. (The netbook plan has a cap, but phones on the $40 plan do not.)

I wrote up the steps I used to get the Nexus One working on VoIP (data only, no voice minutes required).

How To Set Up VoIP on the Nexus One Google Phone using Sipdroid for Free Calls | Dave's Tech Shop

The steps are exactly the same as for the Droid.

MountainX said:

I wrote up the steps I used to get the Nexus One working on VoIP (data only, no voice minutes required).

How To Set Up VoIP on the Nexus One Google Phone using Sipdroid for Free Calls | Dave's Tech Shop

The steps are exactly the same as for the Droid.

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Hey mountain, would you be able to make calls without 3g reception since T-mobile's coverage isn't that amazing?

Spriter said:

Hey mountain, would you be able to make calls without 3g reception since T-mobile's coverage isn't that amazing?

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Yes, I just pulled my SIM card out and made several VoIP calls on WiFi. Works good (as long as you don't use a headset. There is some problem with the headset and VoIP on my Nexus One).

BTW, T-Mobile's coverage is getting better really fast. And they have the fastest 3G network now. TMO is better than VZW where I live.

EDIT: if you are asking about VoIP calls on 2g, that's another issue. I haven't tested that. From what I hear, it usually works, but not that well.

Ryasaurus said:

I never even thought about quality. And I use AT&T, so EDGE only for me. That sucks.

Has anyone ever used Guava? I heard there's a bug where if you're on EDGE it drops your calls.

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Guava is built from Sipdroid's source code. Search the Sipdroid bugs and you'll see this reported. It is mostly a problem with the Gizmo codec. I think it may have been solved already... just check the Sipdroid issues on google code.

MountainX said:

Yes, I just pulled my SIM card out and made several VoIP calls on WiFi. Works good (as long as you don't use a headset. There is some problem with the headset and VoIP on my Nexus One).

BTW, T-Mobile's coverage is getting better really fast. And they have the fastest 3G network now. TMO is better than VZW where I live.

EDIT: if you are asking about VoIP calls on 2g, that's another issue. I haven't tested that. From what I hear, it usually works, but not that well.

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Ah, ok... Actually, I wanted to know if you're using this as a permanent solution for voice or if you're going to carry around a prepaid/other phone as well?

Spriter said:

Ah, ok... Actually, I wanted to know if you're using this as a permanent solution for voice or if you're going to carry around a prepaid/other phone as well?

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Yes, this is my permanent solution for voice. I do not even have a voice plan on any of my phones (Nexus One, Droid or old Samsung). I always use VoIP (on either WiFI or 3g) and it is always good enough for me.

However, if I had my prior job where everything depended on phone calls, I might think twice about relying on this solution. My solution for VoIP on Android is not perfect. The best software I have found is Sipdroid, but it is beta software and it does have a few bugs that I have to work around. But that's not such a big deal.

However, the weakest link in the whole solution is Google Voice! That's a surprise, isn't it! I'm counting on Google to get this right -- and soon. Google Voice even has poor quality when connecting to my AT&T landline at home or work. Google is betting a lot of their future on voice, so they need to get Google Voice to work well. As it stands now, Google Voice (whether used for VoIP or PSTN) kinda sucks. (I'm not talking about the Google Voice application for Android -- I'm talking about Google Voice itself as a service.)

I think VoIP on Android could be much better than what I have with Gizmo/Google Voice. For example, using Call Centric or other SiP providers and taking Google Voice out of the equation would be a step up in quality. SipSorcery looks interesting too. But for now, I'm happy being an early adopter of Google Voice. I'll give them a little longer to get it right. (Hopefully not too long...) If my call quality really sucks, I just go around Google Voice (but still on Gizmo and total VoIP) and the quality almost always improves greatly. I have never been stuck without phone service with this setup.

I am about just to do that.
I will receive my N1 tomorrow and planning to get data only plan from Tmobile with google voice and Fring (skypein + unlimited US call)
I dont mine paying skype fee, as long as it is reliable.
Do you think it will be good enough to replace voice+data plan?

MountainX said:

I wrote up the steps I used to get the Nexus One working on VoIP (data only, no voice minutes required).

How To Set Up VoIP on the Nexus One Google Phone using Sipdroid for Free Calls | Dave's Tech Shop

The steps are exactly the same as for the Droid.

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I followed those steps but when I log onto my Google Voice account through my web browser on the Nexus One I cannot find anywhere to "call" out to anyone.

If I call out directly through Phone/Contacts then Sipdroid sends it out but I am charged by Gizmo5. How are you dialing out at no charge? Through some option in the Voice app (the official Google Voice app that came on the Nexus One) or some call out option I can't see on the Google Voice site in the web browser?

jpw said:

I followed those steps but when I log onto my Google Voice account through my web browser on the Nexus One I cannot find anywhere to "call" out to anyone.

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It's there. Just a little box where you type in the number to call. Of course you can also just click any contact to call. Google Voice will ring your phone (call back) and connect you to the person you are calling. It's a free call (no voice minutes if you set it up the way I did).

jpw said:

If I call out directly through Phone/Contacts then Sipdroid sends it out but I am charged by Gizmo5.

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Yes, but the charge is only 1 cent/min. Most people I know pay at least 4-5 cents/min for cell voice minutes. Some pay a lot more. Just take your phone bill and divide it by your average minutes per month and you'll get your true cost per minute. My wife thought she had this great plan with free calling to all her friends, but her true cost was 5.3 cents/minute.

So I often just call direct using Gizmo and don't worry about paying 1 cent/minute. Nothing is cheaper -- except for the free way, of course

jpw said:

How are you dialing out at no charge? Through some option in the Voice app (the official Google Voice app that came on the Nexus One) or some call out option I can't see on the Google Voice site in the web browser?

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Don't use the office Google App. I use the web site. I also use Evan Charlton's GV app, but I had to edit the source code. And contacts still don't work on Android 2.0+. So I simply used Any Cut to make a link directly to my contacts page on the Google Voice website. One click and I have my contacts and I can make totally free calls.

Thanks for your reply. I got it set up and I will defintiely look into Any Cut to make calling out a little faster than going into the mobile Voice site. Although going into the mobile Voice site is very little trouble.

I tried getting GV to work and it seemed to call out to Google Voice but it would hang on waiting to call back to me and the notification bar would just say "waiting" for call back.

Now that it's all set up I made several test calls and my call quality is horrible. Even if I call out directly using the Phone app and Gizmo5 charging me $.01/min it's total static and cutting in/out. I can't hear anyone clearly and nobody can hear me. Since nobody else is complaining about this I'm a little worried it's just my phone. I tried it at two different WiFi spots and it's terrible quality.

jpw said:

Thanks for your reply. I got it set up and I will defintiely look into Any Cut to make calling out a little faster than going into the mobile Voice site. Although going into the mobile Voice site is very little trouble.

I tried getting GV to work and it seemed to call out to Google Voice but it would hang on waiting to call back to me and the notification bar would just say "waiting" for call back.

Now that it's all set up I made several test calls and my call quality is horrible. Even if I call out directly using the Phone app and Gizmo5 charging me $.01/min it's total static and cutting in/out. I can't hear anyone clearly and nobody can hear me. Since nobody else is complaining about this I'm a little worried it's just my phone. I tried it at two different WiFi spots and it's terrible quality.

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OK..This is deal breaker for me...I was tempted to get Nexus One and maybe even data plan from T-Mobile to go along with it..Guess I'm sticking with my iphone for now...why can't they just release the god damn phone for at&t...we need to stop this stupid exclusivity..starting with iphone.damn it.

summerboy18 said:

OK..This is deal breaker for me...I was tempted to get Nexus One and maybe even data plan from T-Mobile to go along with it..Guess I'm sticking with my iphone for now...why can't they just release the god damn phone for at&t...we need to stop this stupid exclusivity..starting with iphone.damn it.

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I'm not sure why you are jumping to that conclusion. There is nothing about T-Mobile that I would blame for this. It is quite possible to get really good quality VoIP via T-Mobile data. It will probably be better than AT&T in many cases. T-Mobile has HSPA now (much faster than AT&T or anybody else).

BTW, the iPhone doesn't even have all these VoIP options, so it not like you can stick with what you have and get the same options.

VoIP quality can be as good as regular cell voice quality at times, but it won't always be exactly the same. My biggest complaint is with Google Voice (and that has nothing to do with VoIP). But I think Google will resolve those issues.

MountainX said:

I'm not sure why you are jumping to that conclusion. There is nothing about T-Mobile that I would blame for this. It is quite possible to get really good quality VoIP via T-Mobile data. It will probably be better than AT&T in many cases. T-Mobile has HSPA now (much faster than AT&T or anybody else).

BTW, the iPhone doesn't even have all these VoIP options, so it not like you can stick with what you have and get the same options.

VoIP quality can be as good as regular cell voice quality at times, but it won't always be exactly the same. My biggest complaint is with Google Voice (and that has nothing to do with VoIP). But I think Google will resolve those issues.

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I have Skype application. I use it to place international calls and it works very well, both over Wi-Fi and 3G network. Is there skype application on android? If yes, I might reconsider purchasing nexus one. Please help me out ! Thanks !!

jpw said:

Now that it's all set up I made several test calls and my call quality is horrible. Even if I call out directly using the Phone app and Gizmo5 charging me $.01/min it's total static and cutting in/out. I can't hear anyone clearly and nobody can hear me. Since nobody else is complaining about this I'm a little worried it's just my phone. I tried it at two different WiFi spots and it's terrible quality.

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I think your problem is your wi-fi, maybe even coincidentally the two hotspots you chose. Or something wrong with the protocol. If you were to try to test the data bandwidth and everything looks fine there, and VoiP is still problematic then I'd be worried, but I think your data pipe is having problems, and so VoiP suffers too. If one were to get the Tmobile $40/mo total internet plan, it would be through 3G cell data networks, so VoiP should be more reliable (unless you're with AT&T in big metro areas).

Jayziac said:

I think your problem is your wi-fi, maybe even coincidentally the two hotspots you chose. Or something wrong with the protocol. If you were to try to test the data bandwidth and everything looks fine there, and VoiP is still problematic then I'd be worried, but I think your data pipe is having problems, and so VoiP suffers too. If one were to get the Tmobile $40/mo total internet plan, it would be through 3G cell data networks, so VoiP should be more reliable (unless you're with AT&T in big metro areas).

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That's a good idea, thank you. I will try a third WiFi hot spot (a public one) and if that's a bust then I'll try it over 3G. I tried setting up different ports in Sipdroid thinking maybe that would help but Sipdroid wouldn't even register on a port other than the default one (5060). My phone speeds are very fast and stable on WiFi otherwise. Feels like a netbook!

Well, I have tried five WiFi connections and the Nexus One just isn't able to make a good quality VoIP calls.

Here is an ongoing discussion about the problem, if anyone else has similar problems please post in it to bring awareness to the Nexus One's problem with VoIP calls. Had I been aware of this I would have put off purchasing it until the issue has been addressed.

VoIP quality on the Nexus One is terrible. - Google Mobile Help