Voice-over-IP subscribers may soon stop asking, “How do I sound?” before beginning conversations on their VoIP phones thanks, in part, to the introduction today by Montreal-based Minacom of Zoey, an automated service quality self-test system.

Minacom, a provider of VoIP test systems for telecom and cable operators introduced the interactive VoIP test agent for operators offering a self-install VoIP service. Zoey is an automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) agent customers can call to test their service quality. Users can see the results of testing for noise, echo, speech quality, DTMF (touch-tone) and fax transmission quality. They also can use the system to verify Caller ID and overall service installation.

Zoey acts as a first line of support by integrating with operators’ customer service systems and allows customers to do initial service quality tests themselves. The results are given in language users can understand and leads them to common causes of trouble such as those caused by cordless phones, installation or wiring mistakes, and wireless network interferences.

In cases not caused by cockpit error—the customers themselves—Zoey transfers customers to support along with detailed results of their test.

During the short, interactive test call, Zoey measures over 50 analog and IP service quality metrics. Results are centrally stored in DirectQuality R7, a web-based service level test automation platform in use by operators already for VoIP, IPTV, Internet and data/fax service quality monitoring, troubleshooting and installation testing.

Minacom offers Web-based access to test results, which are also are accessible from most handheld cable, xDSL, and FTTx test sets, Blackberrys and Internet-enabled cell phones. This allows operations staff and field technicians to communicate and collaborate to resolve service issues.

Michel Nadeau, president and CEO of Minacom, said interactive VoIP testing is the missing element in most self-install VoIP service strategies. “VoIP self-install customers often use Web site FAQs to setup their telephone adapters and get to a dial-tone. But who helps them if their Caller-ID is blocked, their friends are complaining about echo and noise, or when their voicemail and fax don’t work?”

Service providers can try Zoey themselves by getting Zoey phone numbers form the company’s Web site (www.Minacom.com/Zoey.) The company will give Zoey demos at the VON conference in Boston in September.

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