True, but I often find that the end user doesn't know what to ask for when selecting service providers; they are only shopping price or falling for a good sales pitch.

Everyone here who knows anything about VoIP knows that the compression (sampling) rate of digitized sound varies greatly. Voice traffic is choppy and easily patched back together at even the worst sampling rate, yet smooth/constant sounds as with music are nearly impossible to recreate. This is perhaps the easiest way to detect a cheap deal on the service provider.

I find that calling and listening to music on hold is the easiest way to tell just how well the service provider is doing. Calling a fax or modem is also a good indicator. If you are able to hear the tones without distortion, then they are doing a good job.

Oh, and as it was said earlier, this issue has nothing to do with the brand or model of the phone system.

Ed Vaughn, MBSWWYPBX