MWEB Talk VOIP service launched

Sounds like a Skype client branded as MWEB! Doesn't really sound that great, cause both users(caller and recipient) must subscribe to the same service for it to be free... and another RAM hogging background app will be running on your PC!

With no subscription fee, existing MWEB customers can log into their MWEB account, register for the service and download the application for PC and Mac as well as mobile applications that turn an iPhone, Android, and Nokia smartphone into a VoIP phone.
Click to expand...

Everyone else must pay a subscription... ag nee major fail! I'll just use Skype, all my friends do!

Customers will also be able to purchase a Desktop VoIP Handset for R99 which will be HD voice ready and will support multi-extensions.
Click to expand...

Do we really need even more desktop(office desktop, not pc) clutter with yet another USB peripheral... nee man!

RPM, if this was the official launch, then where's the official call tariffs?
 
we've been using MWEB's Webcall service for a few months... either use a USB phone with softclient on computer, or a full VOIP phone on its own (connected direct on internet connection, without need for pc). Call costs (outgoing to non Webcall numbers) are just added to internet account.
call costs quite a bit cheaper than telkom.... and cheaper than Skype-out call rate
Wonder if this is the same service, now just opened for non-biz use?

current webcall charges here :
http://www.mweb.co.za/productspricing/Voiceandemail/MTALKWebcall.aspx

but then again... this might be a completely different service from Mweb, with different costs... will be good to see the diff
 
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Destination Peak Rate Off Peak Rate
SA Mobile - Vodacom 0.82 0.76
SA Mobile - MTN 0.82 0.76
SA Mobile - Cell C 0.93 0.88
SA Mobile - 8.ta 0.93 0.88
Telkom Landlines 0.32 0.25
MWEB FREE FREE


It seems CellC and 8ta are playing the game as nicely as VC and MTN!

I think CellC should reduce their rate to 0.80c flat... yes it's probably not possible, but it would be funny to see MWEB, VC and MTN... cry like babies!
 
Just a heads up for people trying to use the app on a mobile . You need to click the "Software for Mobile Device/cellphone" link on the Mweb Talk section in order to get an sms with a link to a site where you get an ID that you need to enter .
 
noemfie said:
Just a heads up for people trying to use the app on a mobile . You need to click the "Software for Mobile Device/cellphone" link on the Mweb Talk section in order to get an sms with a link to a site where you get an ID that you need to enter .
Click to expand...

Sounds complicated!
 
Installed it on my Win 7 laptop, not connecting when I dial out. I get an error code but Mweb cannot help me.
 
BGE said:
Destination Peak Rate Off Peak Rate
SA Mobile - Vodacom 0.82 0.76
SA Mobile - MTN 0.82 0.76
SA Mobile - Cell C 0.93 0.88
SA Mobile - 8.ta 0.93 0.88
Telkom Landlines 0.32 0.25
MWEB FREE FREE


It seems CellC and 8ta are playing the game as nicely as VC and MTN!

I think CellC should reduce their rate to 0.80c flat... yes it's probably not possible, but it would be funny to see MWEB, VC and MTN... cry like babies!
Click to expand...

It's the asymmetrical interconnect at play.
 
Stalin said:
Installed it on my Win 7 laptop, not connecting when I dial out. I get an error code but Mweb cannot help me.
Click to expand...

Hi Stalin, tell me what error code are you receiving and also send me your MWEB details.
 
Just downloaded for HTC Desire (OS 2.2) and the app is featureless and only provides basic basic options.

Sigh, here is a to do list Mweb:

1.) Pretty it up (everywhere), I want to use it.
2.) Account history
3.) Confirmation on call on how much per minute you will be charged
4.) The registration page on the mweb site is fine for a technical person like me but average user doesn't know their OS version they are running
5.) Read the stats on how many bizzilions of Blackberrys are active in SA. Get those app devs working.
6.) Provide stats on how much an average call costs in data usage KB/MB or even better Rands/cents
7.) Basic things guys, like a help or button to call support line for free.
*edit* 8.) More free advice, I should charge :) Get the app to auto recognize the MSISDN of the phone and bring you to the password page. Need need for account numbers etc.

It's as if you guys haven't followed any sort of design, dev, deployment strategy? This looks like an alpha/beta.
My advice? Get a bigger buy in from the purse string holders, get devs onboard, a good PM will help too.

I haven't tried the actually calling as the app put me off. If the app this bad, what will my call connection and quality be like?

Likes:

1.) Dig the 'multiple' or subsidary accounts. Makes friends/family might want to use it. Market that and make it easier to understand or use.
 
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@ Mweb Guy i used the app for iphone works create didn't even notice the difference between voip and a normal phone call
Test on wifi and 3G no problems the only problem is that when i try to call my wife on her iphone i get subscriber not available,
This is because the app is close and not running on the background, So before she could receive a call from me she needs to open the Mweb voip app, could this be fix? and release a update version for the iphone
 
NathanCrow said:
@ Mweb Guy i used the app for iphone works create didn't even notice the difference between voip and a normal phone call
Test on wifi and 3G no problems the only problem is that when i try to call my wife on her iphone i get subscriber not available,
This is because the app is close and not running on the background, So before she could receive a call from me she needs to open the Mweb voip app, could this be fix? and release a update version for the iphone
Click to expand...

Hi NathanCrow

To ensure best multi-tasking performance on the iPhone, you need to have the latest iPhone update installed. The iPhone also does not allow the app to run in the background by default and therefore it needs to be opened or minimized to receive a call.
 
MWEB Guy said:
Hi Stalin, tell me what error code are you receiving and also send me your MWEB details.
Click to expand...

Thanks MWEB Guy, this morning the app was working perfectly, I made a test call to my daughter and can confirm what @NathanCrow said it was as clear as a bell, my daughter even commented that it was like talking on a landline on her cell.

A thing to check MWEB Guy, she phoned me back to test the VOIP number but the app did not pick up that the call was from a number saved in my address book, maybe your guys can check this.

@Protocol 's remarks are valid particularly about the BB support, all my friends ans family have BB's so no app for them does not makes sense.

Otherwise I am impressed with the call quality so far
 
Protocol said:
Just downloaded for HTC Desire (OS 2.2) and the app is featureless and only provides basic basic options.

Sigh, here is a to do list Mweb:

1.) Pretty it up (everywhere), I want to use it.
2.) Account history
3.) Confirmation on call on how much per minute you will be charged
4.) The registration page on the mweb site is fine for a technical person like me but average user doesn't know their OS version they are running
5.) Read the stats on how many bizzilions of Blackberrys are active in SA. Get those app devs working.
6.) Provide stats on how much an average call costs in data usage KB/MB or even better Rands/cents
7.) Basic things guys, like a help or button to call support line for free.
*edit* 8.) More free advice, I should charge :) Get the app to auto recognize the MSISDN of the phone and bring you to the password page. Need need for account numbers etc.

It's as if you guys haven't followed any sort of design, dev, deployment strategy? This looks like an alpha/beta.
My advice? Get a bigger buy in from the purse string holders, get devs onboard, a good PM will help too.

I haven't tried the actually calling as the app put me off. If the app this bad, what will my call connection and quality be like?

Likes:

1.) Dig the 'multiple' or subsidary accounts. Makes friends/family might want to use it. Market that and make it easier to understand or use.
Click to expand...

Stalin said:
Thanks MWEB Guy, this morning the app was working perfectly, I made a test call to my daughter and can confirm what @NathanCrow said it was as clear as a bell, my daughter even commented that it was like talking on a landline on her cell.

A thing to check MWEB Guy, she phoned me back to test the VOIP number but the app did not pick up that the call was from a number saved in my address book, maybe your guys can check this.

@Protocol 's remarks are valid particularly about the BB support, all my friends ans family have BB's so no app for them does not makes sense.

Otherwise I am impressed with the call quality so far
Click to expand...

Hi Guys

With regards to a BB app, VOIP services aren't supported by Blackberry, as it falls outside of the Blackberry Internet Services (BIS) offer. We'd love to be able to offer this to our Blackberry users, but unfortunately RIM would need to change the BIS offering to allow for this.

Thanks for the feedback, Stalin.
 
MWEB Guy,

I fired of some questions to your tech support department and I thought I'd share the relevant answers here;

The standard VoIP port is receiving a high priority. There is no 'special' MWEB VoIP port so all traffic on that VoIP port is handled the same way.

You cannot link an external VoIP number to a MWEB VoIP service.

Just like any ADSL Router can be used on a ADSL network, VoIP complaint hardware should work with the MWEB VoIP service as long as it is not network locked and it must support the RFC 3261 version of SIP.
Click to expand...

Now my first question related to Voip QOS on an Mweb shaped "uncapped" line. So as I understand standard VOIP traffic from any provider is not shaped.

On my second question I'm not completely satisfied with the answer I received; I believe there is no provision made for VOIP numbers to be ported, however ICASA made provision for fixed line and mobile numbers to be ported. I have already ported one of my Telkom landline numbers to Switchtel as every summer the line would be unusable.
I know of numerous instances where fixed line numbers have been ported to or from Telkom, Neotel, ECN, Telfree etc. So I'll clarify the question; Can I port my Telkom fixed line number to Mweb?

My third question related to a Siemens Gigaset DX 800 phone I wanted to use. (It's an awesome phone guys! It really handles everything you throw at it, Analog, ISDN, VOIP and GSM via Bluetooth and is also DECT capable) and yes it does handle RFC3261. Does Mweb support RFC1149?
 
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For those of you with Android handsets I highly recommend CSipSimple (Available from Play Store) and on the PC I would recommend 3CX Phone. If you wanted to get something like VOX's supaphone - it is nothing more than a Gigaset a580ip phone that has been rebranded.
 
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