Back in 1997, TMC Labs tested (now defunct) Data Race�s �Be There!�
product that was designed to offer telecommuters remote voice capabilities
over a RAS (direct modem to modem) connection. We thought it was pretty cool
that we could be in a hotel in California and, using a laptop, we could
still receive phone calls made to our office back in Connecticut.
Unfortunately, the company�s demise was probably accelerated due to its
proprietary modems and the fact that the voice was transmitted over
long-distance PSTN ($$ per minute) as opposed to over the Internet using IP
(free per minute).
Fast forward to 2003 and there are several intriguing VoIP offerings,
including remote voice-like capabilities to take your phone number wherever
you go. Just recently, the renowned Tom Keating (at least he thinks so)
wrote a column in
this publication on the Cisco ATA-186 and how several ITSPs are using the
ATA-186 to provide VoIP service, including
Vonage, Net2Phone,
Packet8, and
Deltathree. One of Tom�s �room for
improvement� items he has talked about in the past for Internet telephony is
the ability to receive phone calls to a PSTN phone number simply using a
software client. That is, he would like to use a SIP client (such as Windows
Messenger) and be able to receive phone calls made to a phone number
assigned by the ITSP, i.e., 203-555-1212 and not have to lug a
Cisco ATA-186 or equivalent VoIP gateway
around when traveling.
Well, Tom�s wish has come true with the release of BuddyLine. Besides not
having to lug a piece of hardware (VoIP gateway), another advantage of
BuddyLine is that it doesn�t require an Ethernet connection. It uses
whatever Internet connection you have on your PC, including dial-up. While
the voice quality is obviously better on broadband, it�s a nice feature to
have to still be able to receive phone calls over a dial-up Internet
connection.
We tested BuddyLine by installing it on a Windows XP machine with 256MB of
RAM and a 1 GHz processor. We emulated the customer experience by simply
signing up online via their Web site. After filling out the online form
including credit card info, we were sent an e-mail giving us the complete
account details we needed to get started. We downloaded and installed the
BuddyPhone software directly from their Web site. This software provides
additional functionality and tight integration with Windows Messenger. The
software prompted us for our BuddyLine account, which it also automatically
defined in a field within the Communications Service tab. We were prompted
to enter an encrypted �passkey� that automatically saves our account
information and password into Windows Messenger so we can quickly logon
without having to enter a password. The software automatically assigns the
IP address into Windows Messenger�s Communications Service �server IP�
setting, saving novice users the trouble of performing this step.
A few days after signing up online, we received BuddyLine�s USB phone, which
features enhanced integration with Windows Messenger. We installed the USB
drivers so we could use the included USB phone, which was in fact the same
USB phone from Eutectics that TMC Labs
reviewed in the
June 2003 issue of INTERNET TELEPHONY�. One of our favorite features of the
IPP 200 USB phone is that it looked like a simple standard phone handset,
albeit with a nifty feature, which uses a magnet to sense when the handset
is on-hook or off-hook. Simply by placing the handset onto the included
handset cradle (which attaches via tape to the side of a computer monitor)
you can hang-up a call, minimize or maximize the VoIP application, or accept
an incoming call.
Outbound PC/VoIP-to-PSTN Call
For our first test, we made an outbound call to a PSTN phone number. When
you take the phone off the cradle, Windows Messenger automatically pops up
(due to the magnet sensor) prompting you to enter a phone number. We dialed
�12038526800� and connected to TMC�s auto-attendant. Importantly, we were
able to touchtone �149� to connect to one of the TMC Labs extensions (some
VoIP clients compress the voice too much causing DTMF to fail). The voice
quality was very good with minimal latency.
Inbound PSTN-to-PC/VoIP Call
Next, we dialed 786-888-5716 (our personal BuddyLine phone number) and
almost immediately our PC�s speakers rang and Windows Messenger popped-up.
We were able to see the incoming CallerID and accept (or reject) the
incoming call via two methods. We could have simply lifted the handset off
of the receiver to automatically take the call or we could have clicked
�Accept� within the Windows Messenger pop-up window to take the call. Once
again, the call quality was very good.
Presence Detection
BuddyLine automatically sets your presence status to �Busy (On The Phone)�
when you pick up the handset. Thus, while you are on the phone your
�buddies� know you are unavailable. Similarly, when you place the handset
back onto its cradle, your status will automatically change back to
�Online.�
Other features include personalized announcements, voice mail, simultaneous
ring on your cell phone (Premium plan), automatic call forwarding to any
number, free buddy-to-buddy calls, and unlimited free incoming calls. If you
sign up for the �Standard plan� you can make U.S. and Canadian calls for 3.9
cents/minute or if you prefer the �Premium plan� you can make unlimited
phone calls to the U.S. and Canada for $29.95.
BuddyLine�s support for SIP means that in theory you can use hardware-based
SIP phones or SIP gateways (such as the Cisco ATA-186) rather than using the
Windows Messenger client, which requires your PC to be on to make/receive
phone calls. Thus, you can could leave your Cisco ATA-186 at home plugged in
using a standard analog phone with no need to boot-up the PC or have to
leave the PC on all the time for making or receiving phone calls. Then when
you travel you can just take your USB phone with you to make/receive calls.
Of course, whichever device logs in last will automatically logoff the other
device.
Conclusion
As we all know, firewalls often cause VoIP issues. Well, we were certainly
impressed with BuddyLine�s �VoIP over NAT traversal� capabilities. We were
testing behind a firewall with a private IP address (192.168.1.x) and we
were able to have two-way conversations with no firewall issues. We
especially liked the tight integration with Windows Messenger, which allowed
us to take a call or hang-up a call simply by placing the handset back in
its cradle. As of right now, BuddyLine is the only SIP-based solution to
offer a soft-client (no hardware needed) along with a personalized phone
number and full inbound/outbound capabilities -- and for that we applaud
BuddyLine.
[ Return
To The November 2003 Table Of Contents ]
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