Before you Buy

• What is a broadband or high-speed Internet connection?
Broadband access and high-speed Internet access mean the same thing. Both refer to continuous Internet connections with speeds much faster than dial-up. There are several types of broadband or high-speed connections - cable modem and DSL are the most common. You need to use a broadband connection for CordiaLT's to experience consistently high quality calls. If you are getting speeds of 90 Kbps or better your broadband connection is fast enough. Dial-up Internet service is not supported.
• What is VoIP?

VoIP (or Voice over Internet Protocol) is a new way to make and receive telephone calls. You use your high speed Internet connection (either DSL or cable) instead of a regular phone line. CordiaLT converts voice signals to data and sends it through your high-speed Internet connection, just like email. Calls ring on the other end - even if you are calling someone with a regular phone–and sound just like regular phone calls.

The big advantage with VoIP is that all your calls cost less and you get more features without paying extra. Compared to regular phone lines, VoIP technology and the Internet are cheaper and more efficient for transporting phone calls and delivering features. The savings CordiaLT realizes by using the Internet and VoIP technology are passed on to you. You will not lose anything except high monthly phone bills.
• How does VoIP work?
CordiaLT takes voice signals from your standard corded or cordless touchtone phone and converts them to data, using a special device called a Phone Adapter. Calls are then sent over your high speed DSL or cable connection to the Internet. If both you and another person have CordiaLT's service, calls to each other are free because they only go over the Internet. If you are calling someone (or someone is calling you) and they only have a regular phone line you will still save money. Calls will go over the Internet, but CordiaLT will make sure they connect with regular phone lines seamlessly. You will not know the difference.
• What are the advantages of using VoIP?
The main advantages to using VoIP is that calls cost less and users get time and money-saving features without paying extra. With VoIP, calls are routed over the Internet, avoiding a significant portion of regulated costs associated with the public telephone network. With the public telephone network, special circuits are reserved and used just for phone calls. With today's technology, VoIP networks use the Internet as a more efficient and effective way to transport calls and deliver features. VoIP networks are cheaper to build and operate. There is no tradeoff in quality, and users save money.
• Why is VoIP getting so much publicity?
Because it is inexpensive, and the quality is better than ever. You will not find any traditional calling plans that meet these rates. Calls within the network – that is from one CordiaLT customer to another - are free. Also, you will not pay extra for features that help you save time and money.
• Which do you recommend, DSL or Cable Modem?
Customers can use either one. Generally, cable is faster than DSL, however with cable you may have to install additionaloutlets in your house. DSL uses already installed telephone jacks. DSL is a dedicated connection–you do not share the bandwidth. With cable, you share bandwidth with other homes in your neighborhood. Throughput may slow down, depending on how many users are online at the same time.
• Does the person I am calling need to have CordiaLT's service too?
No, you can call anyone with a regular telephone line and they can call you. If the other person has CordiaLT's service, the call is free! If they do not, CordiaLT will make sure the call connects with their regular phone line - you will not know the difference.
• How does it sound?
The quality is excellent. You should not notice a difference from your regular phone service.

Technical Questions

• How fast should my Internet connection be to use CordiaLT?
We require at least 64kbs of uplink/downlink available per line for placing and receiving calls. Residential DSL service is typically offered at speeds up to 768/128 or 1.5/128. Either one would be fine. However, if you have a lower speed DSL connection, keep in mind both the quality of your call and the rate at which you download large files may be affected if you are making VoIP calls and surfing the Internet at the same time.
• Can I use more than one phone?
Yes. Your best solution is to get a multi-handset cordless telephone, plug the telephone cable from the base into Port 1 of the VoIP Telephone Adapter, then place the handsets where you need them.
• Do I need to have a computer to use you service?
No. Your CordiaLT service works independently from your computer so a computer is not necessary. However, with a computer you can access your personal Account Manager, view your calling detail and bill, contact customer service, request changes in service, and listen to voice mail messages.
• Do I speak through my computer to use your service?
No. Unlike earlier versions of Internet telephone service, VoIP operates independently of the computer. You speak through a telephone connected to the CordiaLT provided adapter. You do not need any special software or hardware components to use our service.
• What types of telephones work with your service?
Most touchtone telephones of your choice can be used with your CordiaLT service. Typically household telephones are touchtone. Corded or cordless telephones work equally well. Your CordiaLT service comes with free voicemail included. So, you do not need to utilize an answering machine at home. However, if you choose to use a home based answering machine and your voicemail feature is currently active please contact customer service to turn off the voicemail feature from your VoIP service.

Service Questions

• What if the power goes out?
Because DSL and cable connections rely on modems that need to be plugged in, when the power goes out, so do the modem and telephone adapter your VoIP telephone relies on. But cable lines keep humming in the dark, even though the modems stop working. If you are concerned about losing your telephones during a power outage, consider buying a universal power supply that keep desktop PCs running during a power interruption. By plugging your broadband modem and telephone adapter into that UPS, you will avoid losing telephone service during outages.
• Is CordiaLT service cell phone or wireless phone service?
No. CordiaLT is not a cell telephone service, since it uses high-speed internet connections only. However, you can use a traditional wireless household telephone connected to the telephone adapter.
• Is Internet service provided with my CordiaLT account?
No. You must already have broadband high-speed internet service to use CordiaLT's service.
• Can I connect on the road?
No matter where you connect your telephone adapter to the Internet, the service behaves like you are at home or at your place of business. So when you visit friends or relatives or go on a business trip, you can plug your Telephone Adapter into your friend's, relative's or a hotel's broadband connection and make calls from a standard touchtone telephone. Not only do you avoid cell telephone roaming charges, but calls to your office or home VoIP line ring at your temporary location.
• Do you allow collect calls?
Unfortunately we do not allow collect calls at this time.