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 Cordia's VoIP 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 or VoIPing?

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. Cordia 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 Cordia 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?

Cordia's VoIP takes voice signals from your standard corded or cordless touchtone phone and converts them to data, using a special device called a Terminal Adapter. Calls are then sent over your high speed DSL or cable connection to the Internet. If both you and another person have Cordia's VoIP 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 Cordia 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 cheap, and the quality is better than ever. With Cordia's VoIP, unlimited local and long distance dialing packages can cost as little as $24.95 a month. You will not find any traditional calling plans that meet these rates. VoIP plans are also great for international callers. Most plans offer rates to Europe of $.03 or $.04 per minute, while calls to Canada are treated like domestic long distance calls. Calls within the network -that is from one Cordia VoIP customer to another- are free. Finally, 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. Keep in mind that with cable you may have to install additional outlets 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 Cordia VoIP too?

No, you can call anyone with a regular telephone line and they can call you. If the other person has Cordia's VoIP, the call is free! If they do not, Cordia will make sure the call connects with their regular phone line - you will not know the difference.

How does it sound?

A lot of people cannot tell the difference. Every so often someone will notice some stuttering or clipping. At its worst, conversations may be choppy, similar to talking with someone on a cell telephone with a bad connection. Usually, the reason for choppy voice quality can be traced to heavy traffic on your broadband connection, such as a large file being uploaded or downloaded crowding out voice bandwidth.

What numbers do you have available?

You can pick any number from our entire list, regardless of where your VoIP service is installed. So if you live in LA, you can still have a NYC number. The people you speak to in NYC can call you or you can call them. Either way, it is a local call - it does not matter that your Cordia VoIP phone is in LA. You can even live out of the country and still select a number that lets you keep in touch with family, friends, or business associates in the U.S. Only Cordia's VoIP service gives you so many choices.

What is E911?

Enhanced 911 or E911 service is a North American telephone network feature that automatically associates your physical address with the your telephone number when you dial 9-1-1. This provides emergency responders with the location of the emergency without the person calling for help having to provide it. Enhanced 911 has been deployed in most metropolitan areas in the United States.

What are some advantages of E911?

If the caller cannot talk or for some reason hangs up, the PSAP (Public Service Answering Points: Police, Sheriff, 911 Dispatch Center, etc.) knows the address. Also, the PSAP will try to call back, but if the line is busy or there is no answer, the emergency services personnel will be dispatched to the address received.

What are the FCC’s new E911 requirements?

On June 3rd, 2005 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all Internet phone service providers interconnected to the public switched telephone network offer E911 as a standard element of their residential and business offerings by November 28, 2005.

The FCC also mandated that all Internet phone service providers inform subscribers of certain circumstances where E911 service may not be available from a phone connected to an Internet phone service, or the E911 service may be in some way be limited by comparison to traditional E911 service. Cordia has implemented E911 service in compliance with these FCC requirements.

What happens if I temporarily move my equipment?

Cordia needs to know the physical location of your Cordia VoIP equipment and service as all times for E911 to function. Otherwise emergency operators may not be able to dispatch emergency personnel to your address when you dial 911.

Will my E911 service work in a power outage?

No. VoIP E911 is different from traditional 911 service because it relies on your broadband connection. Therefore, E911 will not function properly in the event of a loss of power or loss of your broadband connection. In order for your VoIP E911 service to work, you must have power and an active internet connection. Cordia strongly recommends that you keep a landline or cell phone available as an alternative means for placing emergency calls.

In what other circumstances will E911 not work?

E911 will not work if Cordia’s VoIP service is not available, if your terminal adapter, router, or cable/DSL modem fail or are not configured properly, or if your Cordia VoIP service is suspended or disconnected due to billing issues. If there is congestion on Cordia’s network, you may get a busy signal when dialing 911, or it may take longer for someone to answer the call than it would with landline service.

How will the 911 dispatchers know my address?

When you sign up with Cordia, we register the line location address you provide with the ALI (Automatic Location Identification) database. If you make an emergency call, Cordia routes this information to the local PSAP (Public Service Answering Point) associated with that address. The information appears as “screen popes” and allows dispatchers to see your address.

Will E911 work if I move my equipment to another location?

If you move your terminal adapter to another location (for example, if you go to a vacation home), you must update your Line Location Address in order for E911 to work properly. You can do this online through your personal Account Manager or by calling Customer Service. It may take up to three business days for an address change to go into effect.

Will E911 work if I change my telephone number?

If you change your telephone number, you must follow the same procedure you did when you first signed up for service. Make sure the line location address Cordia registers is the physical address where you will be using your new number. Make sure to update your line location address online or by calling Customer Service if you travel with or move your service. It may take up to three business days to register new number and change of address information.

How does E911 work if I already have service with Cordia?

If you have already signed up for a Cordia VoIP plan, you will receive an e-mail notification when E911 service is available. Then follow these easy steps:

·  Log onto Cordia’s Web site with your account number or VoIP telephone number and password

·  Click on the new E911 tab.

·  Download and read the new 911 Service Agreement. Then click on “Agree”.

·  Click on “Line Location Address”. Your Line Location Address is the line location address you provided when you signed up for service. This is the address that will be passed to emergency dispatchers when you dial 9-1-1.

·  Make sure this is the physical address where you will be using your service. Edit or update as necessary and click on “Submit”.

·  Please provide a telephone number where we may call you Monday - Friday between 9AM and 9PM EST. We will contact you only if we have problems registering your line location address.

·  It may take up to three business days to register your address information.

How does Cordia’s emergency calling service work with Hong Kong or Toll Free numbers?

If you sign up for a Hong Kong telephone number or a Toll Free plan and your line location address is in the U.S., you will be assigned a U.S. telephone number as well as your Hong Kong or Toll Free number. Both your line location address and the assigned U.S. telephone number will be forwarded to dispatch personnel if you dial 9-1-1. Emergency calling services are not available to customers whose line location is outside the U.S.

Does Cordia provide warning labels for my phones?

Yes. Cordia sends four adhesive labels with your terminal adapter and set-up kit. All you need to do is put one on each telephone phone attached to your terminal adapter.