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VoIP Compatibility Test

Check in seconds whether your Internet connection is compatible with VoIP phone service. Our test measures your speed, latency and stability.

Test your connection

Click the button to start the analysis

The test takes about 10-15 seconds

This test is optimized to check VoIP compatibility (up to 10 Mbps).
For a full speed test, use Speedtest.net.

Understanding your VoIP test results

Download

The speed at which you receive data. 5 Mbps minimum for HD VoIP.

Upload

The speed at which your voice is sent. 1 Mbps minimum for clear transmission.

Latency (Ping)

The round-trip delay. Under 100ms for lag-free conversations.

Jitter

The variation in latency. Under 30ms to avoid audio dropouts and distortion.

Frequently asked questions

What Internet connection do you need for VoIP?
For optimal residential VoIP use, you need an Internet connection with at least 5 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload and latency under 100ms. Most residential Internet connections in Canada far exceed these requirements.

Does VoIP work over Wi-Fi?
Yes! Our Grandstream WP810 cordless phone connects directly to your Wi-Fi network. For optimal quality, make sure you have a good Wi-Fi signal in the areas where you use the phone.

What if my connection isn't compatible?
If your connection doesn't meet the minimum requirements, you can: (1) Contact your Internet provider to upgrade your plan, (2) Use a wired (Ethernet) connection instead of Wi-Fi, (3) Contact us to discuss alternatives suited to your situation.

Is this test reliable?
This test gives a good indication of your connection's compatibility. Results can vary depending on the time of day, the number of connected devices and your distance from the router. For best results, run the test at different times and close other bandwidth-hungry applications.

What is VoIP phone service?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), also called IP telephony or Internet phone service, is a technology that lets you make phone calls over your Internet connection instead of traditional copper phone lines.

Unlike conventional telephony, which uses the public switched telephone network (PSTN) of Bell or other legacy carriers, VoIP converts your voice into digital data packets that are transmitted over the Internet. This technology makes far more affordable rates possible while often delivering superior (HD) audio quality.

In Canada, more and more households and businesses are abandoning their traditional landline in favour of VoIP to save on their phone bill while enjoying advanced features included at no charge.

What you need for VoIP phone service at home

To enjoy residential VoIP phone service, you need a few essential things. The good news? Most Canadian households already have everything they need!

1. An Internet connection

This is the main requirement. You need a high-speed Internet connection (cable, fibre, DSL) with at least 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. Most residential Internet plans in Canada far exceed these requirements.

2. A router/modem

Your existing Internet router is usually enough. It needs an available Ethernet port or a working Wi-Fi network. Routers provided by Vidéotron, Bell, Cogeco and other providers work perfectly.

3. A VoIP phone or adapter

We supply the necessary equipment: either a Wi-Fi cordless IP phone (Grandstream WP810), or an ATA adapter to plug in your existing analog phone. Everything arrives preconfigured — plug it in and it works!

4. Electrical power

Unlike a traditional phone line that works even during a power outage, VoIP requires your router and phone to be powered. During an outage, calls are automatically redirected to your voicemail.

Which Internet connection for VoIP?

Not all Internet connections are equal when it comes to VoIP phone service. Here's how the different connection types perform for VoIP calls in Canada:

Connection type Typical speed Latency VoIP compatible?
Fibre optic (FTTH) 100-1000 Mbps 1-10 ms Excellent
Cable (Vidéotron, Cogeco) 30-400 Mbps 10-30 ms Excellent
DSL / VDSL (Bell) 10-100 Mbps 15-40 ms Very good
Fixed wireless Internet (LTE) 25-100 Mbps 30-60 ms Good
Satellite Internet (Starlink) 50-200 Mbps 20-60 ms Good
Traditional satellite (Xplornet) 10-25 Mbps 600+ ms Not recommended

Note: Traditional geostationary satellite Internet (Xplornet, HughesNet) has latency that is too high for VoIP due to the distance of the satellites (36,000 km). Starlink uses low-orbit satellites and offers acceptable latency.

How to optimize your Internet connection for VoIP

Even with a good Internet connection, a few adjustments can significantly improve the quality of your VoIP calls:

1 Prefer a wired (Ethernet) connection

If possible, connect your IP phone or ATA adapter directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is more stable and offers lower latency than Wi-Fi.

2 Enable QoS (Quality of Service) on your router

QoS lets you prioritize VoIP traffic on your network. Even if someone is downloading a large file or watching Netflix, your calls will take priority and won't be affected.

3 Reduce Wi-Fi interference

If you use a Wi-Fi phone, make sure the router is close by and there aren't too many obstacles. Use the 5 GHz band if available, as it is less congested than the 2.4 GHz band.

4 Update your router's firmware

Router updates often fix bugs and improve performance. Regularly check whether updates are available in your router's interface.

5 Restart your router periodically

A monthly router restart can resolve many performance issues. It clears the memory and resets connections.

VoIP equipment: your options

There are several ways to connect a phone to a VoIP service. Here are the options we offer:

Option 1: Wi-Fi IP phone

Grandstream WP810 cordless VoIP phone

Grandstream WP810

A modern cordless phone that connects directly to your Wi-Fi network. No cable needed — you can move around anywhere in the house.

  • Wi-Fi connection (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
  • High-quality HD audio
  • Long-lasting battery (6h talk time)
  • Preconfigured, ready to use

Option 2: ATA adapter

ATA adapter for analog phone

Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)

Keep your current phone! The ATA adapter plugs into your router and converts the VoIP signal for your traditional analog phone.

  • Compatible with any analog phone
  • Can power your existing wiring
  • Ideal if you already own phones
  • Preconfigured, plug and use

Why switch to VoIP phone service?

VoIP offers many advantages over a traditional phone line:

Significant savings

Save 40 to 60% on your monthly bill compared to Bell or Vidéotron. More than $500 in savings per year on average.

Features included

Caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, call blocking... Everything is included at no extra charge.

Unlimited calling

Unlimited calls anywhere in Canada and the United States included in all our plans. No more surprise long-distance charges.

HD audio quality

Modern VoIP uses HD audio codecs that deliver sound quality superior to traditional phone lines.

No contract

No commitment, no contract. You're free to cancel at any time with no fees or penalties.

Number portability

Keep your current phone number! Porting costs $15 and usually takes 5 to 10 business days.

Frequently asked questions about VoIP and Internet compatibility

Does VoIP work during an Internet outage?
No, VoIP requires an active Internet connection. During an outage, incoming calls are automatically redirected to your voicemail. You can also set up call forwarding to your cell phone. Internet outages are generally brief and rare with modern providers.

How much bandwidth does a VoIP call use?
A VoIP call uses about 100 Kbps in each direction (upload and download) with the G.711 codec, or about 30-40 Kbps with more compressed codecs like G.729. That's very little compared to most residential Internet connections, which offer tens or hundreds of Mbps.

Can I use VoIP with several phones in the house?
Yes! With an ATA adapter, you can connect your home's existing telephone wiring and use all your existing cordless phones. You can also add several IP phones on the same account.

Is 911 service available with VoIP?
Yes, 911 service is available. When you sign up, you register your street address, which is transmitted to emergency services when you dial 911. It's important to update this address if you move or use the service at another address.

Do Netflix or online games affect VoIP quality?
With a modern Internet connection (25+ Mbps), you shouldn't have any problems. VoIP uses very little bandwidth. If you have a slower connection, enable QoS (Quality of Service) on your router to prioritize VoIP traffic over other applications.

Does VoIP work with an alarm system?
Some older alarm systems use the phone line to communicate with the monitoring station. If your system uses this method, you may need to convert it to cellular or IP monitoring. Contact your alarm company to discuss options. Modern systems generally use cellular or Internet.

What's the difference between VoIP and IP telephony?
They're the same thing! VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and IP telephony are two terms for the same technology: transmitting voice over the Internet. The terms "Internet telephony" or "telephony over IP" are also sometimes used.

Can I keep my area code if I move?
Yes! One of the advantages of VoIP is that your number isn't tied to a physical address. You can move anywhere in Canada (or even abroad) and keep your 514, 418, 450, etc. number. All you need is an Internet connection.

Glossary of VoIP terms

Here are the technical terms you might come across when talking about VoIP phone service:

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol. Technology for transmitting voice over the Internet.

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol. The standard protocol used to establish VoIP calls.

ATA

Analog Telephone Adapter. A box that converts the VoIP signal for a traditional analog phone.

Codec

Audio compression algorithm. The most common are G.711 (high quality) and G.729 (bandwidth saving).

Latency

The delay between sending and receiving sound. Should be under 150ms for a natural conversation.

Jitter

Variation in latency. High jitter causes audio dropouts and distortion.

QoS

Quality of Service. A router feature that prioritizes VoIP traffic over other applications.

Porting

Transferring your existing phone number to a new provider.

Is your connection compatible?

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