Re: Wireless Internet Audio Interference

Shelby123 <Shelby123.30qpi6@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote:
> I just purchased a new Dell Inspiron 1520 notebook with an internal
> AT&T wireless internet card. I activated the service with AT&T and it
> works well, but there is a major problem. When I use a VoIP program
> like Skype or MSN Messenger, I can hear the other person clearly but
> they consistently hear static along with my voice. I've tested this on
> several different people and the situation is exactly the same.

What kind of headset are you using? Bluetooth headsets provide lots of
scratchy static for VoIP if they aren't on the proper side of your head,
and within one meter of the laptop. I've tried a few Bluetooth headsets
and gave up. I use a Plantronics DSP-400 USB headset.

Does Skype work okay via WiFi or wired for you with the same equipment?


Quality may depend on the data connection you are making. Plain GPRS is
not suitable for Skype. Calls attempted don't work very well at all, and
sometimes drop into echo loops, repeating the same bit of audio over and
over.

EGPRS, or EDGE, is available almost everywhere. That works for Skype, but
might exhibit some quality issues.

If the card you have is 3G, and you are in a 3G area, Skype should work
okay. Cisco Softphone seems to work just fine.
http://www.cingular.com/coverageviewer/ check the "3G" box if you are
zoomed in on a place of interest.

Do you know what your data connection rate is? The icon in the systray
shows the connection from PC to modem, which should be very high, or it
is a limiting factor on 3G, but you also need to know the data rate between
modem and cell tower. You might have a utility that shows that rate, or
you might need to test with one of the speed test sites.

http://tinyurl.com/36u8ca AT&T Wireless data speeds
http://www.speedtest.net/ Generic test site, recommended by AT&T.
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Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5