Satellite Voice (VOIP)

FAQs

Billing and call charges

• Where will I be able to make 20c untimed calls to?
  You will get the 20c untimed rate for calls to fixed line numbers in all Australian States and Mainland Territories.
• What will it cost my callers to reach me on my Voice Super Saver & Pro Saver service?
  Callers will pay the rate to call your chosen exchange.
• How are calls charged?
  • Calls to your Australian fixed lines are charged at a flat untimed rate of 20c.
  • Calls to International destinations are charge at the corresponding rate, timed by the second and rounded up to the nearest whole cent.
• What am I charged for calls to 13 and 1800 numbers?
  Calls to 13 and 1300 numbers are charged at 30c per call. Calls to 1800 numbers are free.
• Can I make calls to 19 numbers from Activ8me Voice?
  No, 19 numbers are not currently supported by Activ8me Voice.
• Can I access Directory Assistance?
  Yes. Calls to Telstra Directories 1223 cost $1.50 per minute and calls to 1225 cost $3.00 per minute.
• How am I billed?
  Activ8me Voice is a post-paid phone service, much like a regular land-line. Each month you will be billed the monthly service charge and any additional call usage in excess of your included calls.
• Can I review my call usage in detail?
  Yes, in My Account on the Activ8me website, you can view an itemised account of all calls made.
• Is the data traffic from Voice calls counted towards my monthly broadband usage limit?
  No, data used to make and receive Activ8me voice calls is not counted in your monthly data usage limit.

Plan and contract information

• What is Activ8me Voice?

  It is a customised Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service developed by Activ8me. Its key advantage is that it is optimised to perform over the IPSTAR satellite system.

  Voice allows high quality, low cost phone calls from customer premises to the standard land line telephone service (PSTN). It is an add-on service for Activ8me broadband customers.

• What is Activ8me Voice Super Saver?
  Activ8me Voice Super Saver provides low cost outbound and inbound calls to the standard phone network (PSTN) and mobiles.
• What is Activ8me Voice Basic Saver?
  Activ8me Voice Basic Saver provides low cost outbound only calls to the standard phone network (PSTN) and Mobiles.
• What is Activ8me Voice Pro Saver?
  Activ8me Voice Pro Saver provides low cost outbound and inbound calls to the standard land line network (PSTN) and mobiles.
• What phone number will I get with Activ8me Voice Pro Saver?
  Customers can choose a number from about 20 capital city and regional exchanges.
• Can I roll my unused included calls into the next month?
  No - unused included monthly call credits expire at the end of each billing month.
• Can I return the equipment for a refund if I no longer want the service?
  If you are out of contract you can cancel and simply pay what's owed on your monthly account. If you cancel within the contract period you will incur the applicable early termination fee. We will supply the unlock codes for the Voice Equipment if requested.
• What is the equipment fee for?
  The equipment fee includes supply of a preconfigured Linksys ATA, cabling, and establishment of the Activ8me Voice configuration on your satellite link and in the switching network, as well as shipment to your location.
• How can I sign up for Activ8me Voice?

  If you are an existing Activ8me broadband customer you can buy through signing into My Account.

  If you are a new Activ8me customer, you can choose an Activ8me Voice plan when you sign up for Activ8me satellite broadband. It will be delivered around the time of your satellite installation.
  
  Voice payments will appear on your monthly satellite broadband bill and be direct debited from the same bank account you have elected for your satellite broadband payments.

Set-Up

• Do I need a new phone handset?
  No. Your Activ8me Voice service works with virtually any analog phone handset, including cordless phones. However, the quality of the handset can make a difference.
• How long will it take to get my new service?
  The hardware for your service should be shipped within 7 days of your order if you are an existing customer. If you order with a new Activ8me broadband connection, it will be delivered directly to you around the time of installation.
• How does the service get installed?
  The kit is for simple self installation. Easy-to-follow instructions are provided.
• Can I make Voice calls from different rooms in my house?
  The simplest way is using a cordless phone. You can obtain multi-handset cordless phones so you can leave a handset near the computer, another in the kitchen and another in the bedroom. Many offer propagation over longer distances, and may work outside.
• Can I use Activ8me Voice to replace my regular land-line phone?
  Activ8me voice is NOT recommended as a land line phone (PSTN) replacement as it does not function in the event of a power failure or broadband connection outages.
• Can the phone I use for Voice still make calls using my land line service?
  No. Activ8me recommends you use different handsets for your Voice service and your land line phone (PSTN) service.
• Can I use my Activ8me Voice service on other Internet connections?
  Activ8me Voice is only supported by Activ8me in conjunction with an Activ8me satellite broadband service.
• Can I use Activ8me Voice when my computer is turned off?
  Yes. As long as your modem is operational, and your Linksys ATA (Voice box) is powered and connected, you can make/receive calls.
• Can I configure the Analog Telephone Adapter?

  The configuration of the Linksys ATA (Voice box) is locked and not accessible for any other configuration. The unit is already pre-configured and no extra configuration is necessary.

  Unauthorised changes to the Linksys voice gateway may cause disruption of the service and may require the unit to be sent back to Activ8me for reconfiguration. Corrections necessitated by unauthorised activity will be charged to your account.

• Can I make calls while I'm browsing the Internet?
  Yes. You can make calls while browsing the Internet. However, your web browsing may affect the quality of your Activ8me Voice calls, depending on the amount of data traffic passing through your Internet connection. For example, the effect may be similar to being on a shaped service that has been slowed once the monthly data limit has been exceeded.
• Can I use a fax machine with Activ8me Voice?
  T.38 Fax mode has been enabled on Activ8me Voice, and many users successfully send and receive files. However, due to the wide range of fax machines in use, Activ8me does not guarantee or provide support for fax.

Voice service information

• Does standard VoIP work over 2-way satellite?
  The Activ8me satellite broadband service will carry external VOIP services. However, because they have not been optimised for use on satellite connections, quality of service is often disappointing. Activ8me Voice is optimised for high performance on the IPSTAR system and provides reliable, quality voice service. The Activ8me service does not provide support for external VoIP providers such as Skype, etc, which have not been optimised for the IPSTAR satellite environment.
• How does Activ8me Voice achieve better quality than generic VoIP?
  Activ8me Voice is optimised for the IPSTAR satellite environment so its performance is significantly better than generic VoIP. It incorporates Committed Bit Rate (CBR) on satellite to minimise latency (delay) and jitter.