Question about upcoming Bonding and Uverse Plans

[dane]

This is the same whether that is Fusion via copper using POTS/xDSL, or Fiber, or IP Internet+Phone.

How will 911 service work for VoIP? Will the call be routed to a local company based on where a subscriber is? The stories about how some 911 services are outsourced to companies outside a subscriber's area is what concerns me and this--perhaps unwarranted--fear is what drives me to keep POTS.

Emergency calls from this platform interconnect directly via Sonic and are handled in the same way that POTS calls are, routed over dedicated 911 trunks from our voice switch to the local PSAP in each market. The PSAP for your market is not a company, it is the city, county, Sheriff or Police/Fire operated dispatch center.

[dane]

Yes, I'm interested in 911 too. Also, I am interested in how Sonic's FTTN implementation will be different from ATT, specifically how it will differ in terms of caps and if Sonic can maintain it's renowned privacy policies.

We buy wholesale commercial access to the network from AT&T, so it is not subject to caps in the same way their residential service is.

Regarding privacy, our solution is to provide a VPN feature so consumers can obtain Sonic IPs via a secure connection directly to our network. This could be done on a per-device basis, or if you prefer, you could utilize a hardware VPN router for whole-home VPN to Sonic IP via an encrypted connection. Eventually this is also planned to allow us to offer a static IP, and the plan is that this will match our Fusion product in having zero cost.

[dane]

No, you cannot supply your own equipment, as AT&T uses a certificate-based authentication on the VRAD network for this platform.

Please give us the option to purchase the AT&T equipment like AT&T and DSLExtreme do.

AT&T permits purchase of equipment only on their older, ADSL1 and ADSL2+ platforms. The Fiber-to-the-node (VRAD) network is equipment-rental only in AT&T's products - and customer-supplied equipment is not possible due to the 802.11x certificate-based authentication of the premise equipment.

As with Fusion, Sonic does not offer equipment for sale, we support the equipment as part of our complete service. This allows us to take end-to-end responsibility for service delivery, from WiFi on the couch to the premise wiring and all of the equipment that makes up the service.

[Guest]

What I'd like to see instead of VoIP is a hybrid solution: voice over Sonic-provided POTS (like Fusion, but without xDSL and thus not limited by distance from the CO) and Sonic-over-Uverse (without VoIP).

I don't think this will be possible. Unless if something changed on AT&T's infrastructure, the famed Phil Karn noted at
http://www.ka9q.net/Uverse/uverse-voice.html AT&T's U-verse uses a digital-only loop and even though VDSL2 provides the ability to use POTS, AT&T does not use it nor do they carry any DC voltage to power traditional phones.

It is a shame, but that's the way things are going. We pay AT&T plenty for our POTS since we're behind an RT.

[dane]

What I'd like to see instead of VoIP is a hybrid solution: voice over Sonic-provided POTS (like Fusion, but without xDSL and thus not limited by distance from the CO) and Sonic-over-Uverse (without VoIP).

I don't think this will be possible. Unless if something changed on AT&T's infrastructure, the famed Phil Karn noted at
http://www.ka9q.net/Uverse/uverse-voice.html AT&T's U-verse uses a digital-only loop and even though VDSL2 provides the ability to use POTS, AT&T does not use it nor do they carry any DC voltage to power traditional phones.

It is a shame, but that's the way things are going. We pay AT&T plenty for our POTS since we're behind an RT.

For some locations it could be possible for Sonic to obtain a voice-grade loop all the way back to the CO, in addition and separate from the data service. We have two management staff who live far from COs who have company-provided phone lines that are provisioned this way for work use. However, this would not be viable commercially due to the high combined cost of delivering two connections, and it would only work in some locations due to distance limitations of POTS voice service, which while they are further than data, are not unlimited.

For those concerned about 911 reliability on this VoIP delivered product, I'd simply recommend a battery backup unit with adequate run-time. Assure that all equipment in the connection is connected, including the analog telephone adaptor, cordless telephone base station if you use one, and the residential gateway/router.

[Guest]

For some locations it could be possible for Sonic to obtain a voice-grade loop all the way back to the CO, in addition and separate from the data service. We have two management staff who live far from COs who have company-provided phone lines that are provisioned this way for work use. However, this would not be viable commercially due to the high combined cost of delivering two connections, and it would only work in some locations due to distance limitations of POTS voice service, which while they are further than data, are not unlimited.

Don't tease us like that Dane or you'll have many applicants who want to be managers at Sonic.net! Although tempting, I try to remain technical as I can't wade through political stuff.

[jonr]

For those concerned about 911 reliability on this VoIP delivered product, I'd simply recommend a battery backup unit with adequate run-time. Assure that all equipment in the connection is connected, including the analog telephone adaptor, cordless telephone base station if you use one, and the residential gateway/router.

Power outages can last a long time -- several days in the case of the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, for instance. Can consumer UPS products handle that? And how long will VRADs stay up in a long outage?

[Guest]

Power outages can last a long time -- several days in the case of the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, for instance. Can consumer UPS products handle that? And how long will VRADs stay up in a long outage?

A UPS is not meant to be run for several days. If you want service during an extended outage, it's recommended the UPS provide switchover to a generator. What you could do is spring for a 3000VA UPS and only connect your modem to it. But do compare the price of one of them against a portable generator. Batteries also need to be replaced every 3 years or thereabouts or you risk them failing to the point where they can't be removed from the enclosure.

The Loma Prieta quake was a once in a century event, but it didn't affect where I lived to the same extent as other areas like the Presidio. Our power was out for around 5-6 hours.

[dane]

For those concerned about 911 reliability on this VoIP delivered product, I'd simply recommend a battery backup unit with adequate run-time. Assure that all equipment in the connection is connected, including the analog telephone adaptor, cordless telephone base station if you use one, and the residential gateway/router.

Power outages can last a long time -- several days in the case of the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, for instance. Can consumer UPS products handle that? And how long will VRADs stay up in a long outage?

No, a UPS won't last a multi-day duration. You'd need a generator for that. The VRADs as you note also are also a critical component. Their batteries would last a period of time, then linemen with truck-mounted generators park next to each and power them. In a multi-day outage, it's possible there would be inadequate trucks or staff to keep all units operating at all times, so that's a concern.

Luckily, most of us also have a mobile phone in addition to the house phone, so that'd provide an additional potential lifeline, if it itself is not affected by the power issues. The tower site, intermediate backhaul sites, and your mobile phone itself all need to have power at some point.

The advantage of the POTS or VoIP line is E911, "enhanced" 911, where location information is provided instantly to the PSAP, before the call is even answered. In some types of emergencies, that's a critical component for a rapid response, be it medical, police or fire. Mobile is limited, particularly in multi-story and apartment buildings.

[darrylo]

This allows us to take end-to-end responsibility for service delivery, from WiFi on the couch to the premise wiring and all of the equipment that makes up the service.

For those of us with decent existing firewall/router equipment, can the leased equipment be used simply as a bridge without wifi?

(Of course, this is for people who can get that service. Does anyone know if AT&T is actively extending the Uverse service area in Sonoma County?)