Nicaragua-North America Phone Gateway?

Submitted by fyl on 27 March, 2008 - 13:21.

Consider this a "is there any interest" question. I am working on some equipment for a project and realized this could provide "almost free" calls between the Nicaragua and at least Canada and the U.S. If there is any reasonable amount of interest, I will put "working on a plan" on my list.

Now, about this "almost free" stuff. Calls from any phone in Nicaragua to North America destinations could be free except for the cost to the Nicaraguan caller as there are always per minute charges. In the other direction, there would be call costs for the same reason--the system would be dialing out on a regular Nicaragua POTS line.

The easiest choice would be to only allow calls originated in Nicaragua. By easiest, I am not saying it is a technology issue--just that there would be no variable costs to be accounted for.

What sort of cost are we talking about? A good starting number would be $100/month total. In other words, unlimited calls from Nicaragua to U.S./Canada for a shared expense of $100/mo. We would then have to control who had access but that could mean 10 people at $10/mo, 20 people at $5/mo, ... There would also be maybe $200-300 of up-front investment to pay for divided between the users.

What makes this different from "free calls on the Internet"? Well, that is what it is. The difference is that neither party needs to have a broadband Internet connection to use this system. Only a phone line or even cellular phone.

Again, just looking for general interest including comments on the one-way vs. two-way origination issue.

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Any progress

Submitted by will305 on 24 July, 2008 - 18:30.

On this?

good question

Submitted by dirtbag on 24 July, 2008 - 21:02.

I suspect his Royal Geekiness has other priorities and this is a back burner issue.

Well

Submitted by will305 on 24 July, 2008 - 23:15.

I have "un connecte" en Fonocall which offers in home VOIP service. Let me know if anyone is interested and I can make the connection.

Fonocall

Submitted by WalterG on 25 July, 2008 - 17:41.

Located in "El Callejon Zelaya," close to Montoya, 29.99 monthly would give you unlimited calls to USA, Canada and Pto Rico.

Exactly

Submitted by will305 on 25 July, 2008 - 19:34.

But my friend works there, so if anyone is interested, please let me know and I will make the connection to ensuure you get all the "extras".

I Would be interrested phil

Submitted by Pinolero2 on 2 April, 2008 - 09:00.

I have a friend here in Esteli that used a VoIP system with a local 561 Florida area code and broad band in Esteli,he calls from florida to that number and bice versa from Nicaragua, unlimited time with a flat $25 monthly rate.

Now I am willing to explore other options.

FAP

Inexpensive calls from Managua

Submitted by LuisM357 on 1 April, 2008 - 13:47.

I found a couple of cybercafes near UNI/UCA in Managua, that offer calls to USA at C$4.00/minute = 20 cts U$/min.

It's located directly across the street from UNIs main entrance.

UNI = Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria UCA = Universidad Centro Americana

Technical Limitations aside

Submitted by dirtbag on 27 March, 2008 - 16:57.

That's if there are any, I haven't a clue, I'm assuming controlled access has to do with potential abuse. I for one would subscribe. Initially, living in Nicaragua/Esteli I would make use of such a line for business and personal calls. The dollar amounts for up front and monthly costs are a no-brainer,especially if a few people were subscribing. Calls I have made from the typical Esteli Cyber/Internet spots have varied, obviously determined by how long spent on the phone, anywhere from approximately $2.00 to $5.00. per call. Excuse my ignorance, for instance I have no idea what a POTS line is, anyway, I wonder if the service would be consistent and as to the quality of the line?

Provided that there is

Submitted by nicoya on 27 March, 2008 - 21:41.

Provided that there is enough bandwidth, there should not be any technical challenges for such application. The ideal scenario would be to register the VoIP GW to a soft switch for user authentication (and even billing) purposes. Typically this is done thru a Radius- based server. My understanding is that in Nicaragua, it is not allowed to route VoIP calls to POTS lines. If someone can figure out the local regulations, I'd very interested in being part of this as well as I know of a way to get the Radius server for about $0.01/min. Doing it this way (provided that it is legal) the service can be extended to ANY number of users (limited by the bandwidth and POTS lines of course) as the Radius server would only allow registered users to make calls. It would be like using a prepaid calling card except there would be total control of the costs. If it sounds like I know what I’m talking about is because I have a background in Telecom.

POTS

Submitted by fyl on 27 March, 2008 - 18:02.

P.O.T.S. = Plain Old Telephone Service. It just means you call a regular phone number in Nicaragua (in your case), enter an access code and dial the 1-something number.

Quality should be the same as any of the VoIP services like you get in a Internet cafe here minimum. If we go with a dedicated DSL or cable connection (that was in the $100 budget) it should actually be better.

that would be...

Submitted by Doug on 27 March, 2008 - 17:38.

Plain Old Telephone Service

;)

-Doug

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate

Thanks Doug

Submitted by dirtbag on 28 March, 2008 - 02:30.

For a moment there I had a vision of of Phil Hughes smokin a large Doobie with a telephone hooked under his chin.

Oh great...

Submitted by Doug on 28 March, 2008 - 08:53.

now I am stuck with that image in my mind, thanks for the unexpected laugh, I scared the dogs though

-Doug

If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate