Frequently Asked Question
Dropped Audio
Last Updated 5 years ago
If your calls are frequently dropping out, you should check your network for heavy bandwidth usage, which can sometimes be resolved by QoS in your router, VoIP audio uses RTP, which runs over UDP, by design UDP does not guarantee packet delivery, there are no checks or retries like there are with TCP connections, it's also possible there is a problem with your router or ISP.
It is not wise to use WiFi for VoIP unless you're in a strong and saturated signal coverage area, for example the WiFi Access Point and your laptop or mobile are in the same room or adjacent open plan kitchen area.
If WiFi is your only option, try using 2Ghz instead of 5Ghz, sure it means less bandwidth (but your VoIP call isn't going to use megabits, it only wants around 128 kilobits/s for a G711/A-Law connection), but 2Ghz has greater range due to the lower frequency.
If the problem is with a hardware VoIP Phone, check that all connections are tight, make sure none of the cables are damaged, also check your phone is not resetting itself, it could be a sign of a faulty phone or even a bad power supply. You can rule this one out by using a softphone like MicroSIP or Grandstream Wave
If you are using a hardware phone that is PoE powered, check your switch is supplying the correct power, make sure your not maxing out, and the connections at the switch or any in-line injectors are secure, make sure the leads are CAT 5/6/6a/7, and are pure copper cables, CCA - Copper Clad Aluminium, is not CAT cable, the CAT specifications mandate they are 100% pure copper. Aluminium does not play well with heat, it gets hot very fast and has a much lower melting point then Copper.
In general, only buy cables from reputable suppliers - and buyer always beware when purchasing off eBay, Amazon, or the like, if the cost of CAT 6 cable seems too good to be true, say $1 or $2 for 2 metre patch cable, or $70-$100 for a box, then it probably is junk and should be avoided like the plague! The real stuff costs around $5 for a 2 metre patch and $140 to $170 for a 305m box, price does vary between suppliers and manufacturers.
Note: junk Category cables are not limited to CCA, a lot of cheapy Chinese eBay crap I've seen over the years have insufficient pair twists, even less strands, such as 26 to 28 AWG (well outside the required 23/24 AWG) or worse, the outer sheath is a death trap, cheap easily melting plastic which emits dangerous and lethal fumes, so again, only buy from reputable suppliers, the cables should have an RCM or even the old A-Tick on them to show they meet AU/NZ Standards, but beware some of those labels are not worth the Ink used, and buying from Australian online private sellers does not guarantee quality, I'm sure you know as well as we do that a lot of that stuff is imported cheap garbage too.
It is not wise to use WiFi for VoIP unless you're in a strong and saturated signal coverage area, for example the WiFi Access Point and your laptop or mobile are in the same room or adjacent open plan kitchen area.
If WiFi is your only option, try using 2Ghz instead of 5Ghz, sure it means less bandwidth (but your VoIP call isn't going to use megabits, it only wants around 128 kilobits/s for a G711/A-Law connection), but 2Ghz has greater range due to the lower frequency.
If the problem is with a hardware VoIP Phone, check that all connections are tight, make sure none of the cables are damaged, also check your phone is not resetting itself, it could be a sign of a faulty phone or even a bad power supply. You can rule this one out by using a softphone like MicroSIP or Grandstream Wave
If you are using a hardware phone that is PoE powered, check your switch is supplying the correct power, make sure your not maxing out, and the connections at the switch or any in-line injectors are secure, make sure the leads are CAT 5/6/6a/7, and are pure copper cables, CCA - Copper Clad Aluminium, is not CAT cable, the CAT specifications mandate they are 100% pure copper. Aluminium does not play well with heat, it gets hot very fast and has a much lower melting point then Copper.
In general, only buy cables from reputable suppliers - and buyer always beware when purchasing off eBay, Amazon, or the like, if the cost of CAT 6 cable seems too good to be true, say $1 or $2 for 2 metre patch cable, or $70-$100 for a box, then it probably is junk and should be avoided like the plague! The real stuff costs around $5 for a 2 metre patch and $140 to $170 for a 305m box, price does vary between suppliers and manufacturers.
Note: junk Category cables are not limited to CCA, a lot of cheapy Chinese eBay crap I've seen over the years have insufficient pair twists, even less strands, such as 26 to 28 AWG (well outside the required 23/24 AWG) or worse, the outer sheath is a death trap, cheap easily melting plastic which emits dangerous and lethal fumes, so again, only buy from reputable suppliers, the cables should have an RCM or even the old A-Tick on them to show they meet AU/NZ Standards, but beware some of those labels are not worth the Ink used, and buying from Australian online private sellers does not guarantee quality, I'm sure you know as well as we do that a lot of that stuff is imported cheap garbage too.