JB> Is it possible to use a service like Vonage or another voice over ip 
 JB> internet phone, to cause Maximus to recognize it as a phone line?

 JB> Thanks.

In theory yes.  Actual results will depend on the VOIP provider's supported
encoding scheems, the box you use to convert to analog and your modem.  I
have yet to see this worked out by others, mainly due to lack of interest
in folks taking the time to work out the details.  

Basically, the VOIP provider is going to have to support a-law or u-law
encoding of the voice, and deliver it in that form all the way to your VOIP
box that converts to analog for the modem....  If that happens, it should
work to maybe 24Kbps or possibly higher.  Again, it depends on how well the
VOIP provider supports things....

Unfortunately, mo VOIP provider I've investigated (in my area of the USA)
advertise the needed support.  Most VOIP providers are after packing the
maximum voice calls over their network, which means using more compression
on the line, which reduces the available bandwidth, which knocks the
"speed" modems can achive way down....  While you can control
outbound calls, the VOIP provider or the person calling you (if they have
VOIP) are in charge of what gets selected to start the call....  While you
can attempt a negoitation of the appropriate protocols.....  Again,
providers tend to want to maximize voice -- so data is "not
supported" or acknowledged by most....  A few acknowledge FAX
protocols.....

For me, I'd like to cut over the dial up line to VOIP and cut my old POTS
land line, but I haven't been interested enough to persue this, in part
because of lack of others interested in trying things.....


If you find something that works, let me know.  If the VOIP provider is in
the US at a cheaper cost than my land line, I would be interested....  

Take care....

Bob Jones, 1:343/41



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