Vonage

[caddickj]

I know there used to be a topic that had some Vonage content in it, but I can't find it.

Anyway... I finally got my number ported over to Vonage last month. So far, so good. But it took 4 months to transfer the number! That was just horrible customer service and really delayed me saving quite a bit of money. But they did give me those months for free (after quite a bit of shouting on my part), so that's something, I suppose.

Just wanted to spout off about that. If you're thinking of switching to Vonage, I do recommend it, but be wary about any claims of number portability taking anywhere close to the time they advertise. If you're just adding a new number don't hesitate. It's a great deal.

[Joe]

You must have had a verizon # :(

I went through a similar thing with getting my verizon # ported to packet8 - which I eventually deeply regretted. It took 2 days to get released to Vonage, and it's working fine.

I've now got 3 lines with Vonage - and let me tell ya, it ROCKS!

I'd sure appreciate anyone signing up to use our link on the forums main page - it helps defer some of our expenses so we can continue offering low prices (and you get a month FREE!)

Joe

[caddickj]

Actually, I had MCI. But it wasn't MCI's fault. Vonage uses a 3rd party to initiate the transfers, and that company screwed up royally more than once in my case.

And hopefully, way back in June you got a referral credit from me.

Hmmm... come to think of it I'm not sure I got credit for that referral... I'll have to check on that.

[Joe]

Nope - just checked, no referral from you :(

[ljmyers]

I have a question guys. I use verizon and currently paying about $65.00 per month (caller id, call waiting and some other option that I can't remember because i never use it) and it doesn't include charges for long distance calls. On the Vonage web site I saw a premium package for $24.00 per month (includes calls anywhere in the USA). Is this for real? Would be paying just $24.00 per month for a home phone? If so I will use the link ASAP.

[ozee]

I'm just bummin' because Vonage isn't an option for us. There's no broadband access here...

[Joe]

Yep, flat fee - $24.95/month.

I had Packet8 - here's a quick comparison.

Vonage has THE most awesome control panel on the market. You can configure call forwarding, ring in 2 locations, listen to voicemail online, and MUCH more. Packet 8 doesn't have that.

Billing is DETAILED on the Vonage site - lists every call, # of minutes used, etc.

Call Waiting, Call forwarding, Call Hunt, Voice maill.

Yes - the price you see is real. We call EVERYWHERE in the US Free. Period.

We can even call some places in Canada at no charge. Quality is crystal clear.

Give it a try for a month - you get one free month to sign up - and if you're not happy, send it back. I'd never go back to a wire based landline phone again.

Joe

[ljmyers]

Thanks Joe. I'm going to discuss it with the hubby and probably switch over.

[dbmasters]

I will add some thought to Joe's pimpin of Vonage. I have spoken with Joe over his Vonage connection, and you really can't even tell a difference. It's a very clear connection, very impressive.

It's just Joe's jumbled thoughts that goof it up ;)

seriously, tho, it sounds excellent, I am consideirng it too, but it would be a substantial change for me due to my current set up at home, it would require lots of changes, so I dunno.

[thevillageinn]

my issue is that it's dependent upon your broadband provider. I have had really good uptime (except every night - late - this week), but not as good as my landline phone.

I saw an ad recently at a local computer wherehouse for a Linksys Vonage device. I'm not sure what it was exactly. Can anyone shed some light? Would it be the device which translates the VOIP into analog phone signal that the telephone recognizes, and back?

oh and ljmyers - stop paying so much for your phone services! you are getting ripped off. Even if you don't go to Vonage, ditch verizon for long distance. Most all their plans are monthly fee based. There are loads of other carriers which offer a pay-per-use which can save $ if you don't make a lot of calls. If you do make a lot of LD calls, then maybe you should look seriously into vonage. Also, why pay for features you aren't using?

[caddickj]

Originally posted by Joe@Nov 4 2004, 07:46 PM
Nope - just checked, no referral from you :(
Quoted post

Hmm... sorry about that. I am positive I used your link (though now that I think about it, it was early July).

Well... I tried, anyway.

Ljmyers: I'd say make the switch, unless you're worried about dependance on broadband or electricity. If you lose either of those frequently it may not be worth the hassle.

On the other hand, when your adapter loses contact with the internet, you can set your number to ring to any other phone (like a cell phone, for example). So all would not necessarily be lost.

thevillageinn: though I'm not totally clear on it, the LinkSys device seems to be the upgraded version of their adapter, yes. I know it supports IPSec, where their normal adapter doesn't. It also costs more than their normal adapter. I was told I'd have to pay $99 to upgrade to that, which sucks (to be blunt), because IPSec would make my home setup way easier. I'm gonna be annoyed if they start shelling that LinkSys one out for free while making me pay for it.

On the other hand, it may be more than just their adapter. It could be a full fledged multi-port router, too. I haven't looked into it too much yet.

Either way, I need it, but can't afford it right now.

[Joe]

Originally posted by thevillageinn@Nov 5 2004, 10:30 AM
. Can anyone shed some light? Would it be the device which translates the VOIP into analog phone signal that the telephone recognizes, and back?


Quoted post



The Linksys adapter (their newest adapter) is also a router if you have more than one connection - which has the cable->RJ45 connectors in it for your phone - it handles the conversion to VOIP - and is VERY spiffy!! Zero hook up issues with this one.

Joe

[ljmyers]

That's the thing of it village, the $65.00 doesn't even include long distance. I have my service set up so that there are no companies or monthly fees for long distance because we rarely use it. We just dial the 10-10-811 thing for 5 cents per minute for long distance. The regular monthly phone bill just seems to have sky rocketed in recent months and I have been casually looking around for alternatives. As far as it being dependent upon the broadband connection and loosing service at times, this is not really a problem for me because although I'm grateful for my phone at times, I'm one of those people who "does not" like to talk on the phone. That's just a couple less times it will ring as far as I'm concerned. Yes...I am a woman who doesn't like to talk on the phone. LOL Sometimes I threaten to the hubby that I'm gonna throw it out the back door if it rings one more time. One of these days I just might do it to. LOLOL

I do have a "prepaid" cell phone that I keep to put minutes on only when I'm traveling for that just incase emergency or there is some sort of very serious situation going on at the time and someone will need to get in touch with me. Other than that, I can easily live without it. :)

[thevillageinn]

well then, seriously, if you don't even have LD included in that then you are so totally getting ripped. I have verizon and pay about $27-$30 per month. We also have LD with no minimum and no monthly fee, so many months we don't even get an LD bill. It's nice.

[ljmyers]

Wow!!! What on earth is the difference then. I have nit-picked through my billing statement and the charges trying to cut the cost but there isn't any way without being charged what they call toll charges for certain calls. They will get me one way or they other. LOL Honestly though, I think it is just the state of West Virginia. They tax businesses here into the ground, leaving the extra $$$ they pay to trickle down to the consumer. It is actually a bit expensive to live here in many ways. But what can I say? It's home. :)

[ozee]

Dang ... you can get almost any cell phone plan for less than $65/month. Even those huge-minute plans

Don't know what's available where you are, but one of the local cell providers has a cell-phone-based box that you can plug your "real" phones into. You even get a dial tone. And, at least here, the "local" calling area is about 1/3 of the state of Kansas. We tried it for a short while and loved it -- except that it doesn't do dial-up internet. It was about $19/month, IIRC.

Our land-line is right at $30/month just for the privilege of having a dial-tone. We dropped long distance and only use the Sam's Club/ATT 3.7 cents/minute for LD.

If I had anything even resembling broadband, I'd really be interested in Vonage.

[ljmyers]

Yep ozee, that's why I've been looking around for something else. Cell phone plans here would cost me almost as much as what I'm paying thru verizon. My daughter has one of the most inexpensive cell phone plans that will allow her enough minutes without taking a chance on overages and it runs her 50 + dollars per month. It's really not much different. It all boils down to the state of West Virginia and the high costs to live here. Even across the border in Ohio, living expenses are much lower there. I know because I lived there for ten years.

[Joe]

Just got this email from Vonage - thought the basic concept might be of interest to someone here:



Dear Vonage Customer,

Thank you for choosing Vonage! Because of you, Vonage has been the leading voice-over-IP company for three years running with over 300,000 lines in service and the completion of nearly 2 billion minutes on our network. You are part of the VoIP movement reshaping the telecom industry. At Vonage we are committed to offering the features you demand. And if we don't have it already, we'll build it for you. Recently, a customer emailed with a suggestion for a twist on an old Vonage favorite - why not offer virtual phone numbers from across the globe? Just last month, we began offering virtual numbers from Mexico City and just added London to the growing roster of international cities.

Giving you great value for your dollar is priority one for us. Our popular Premium Unlimited Plan has dropped to $24.99 and we have revamped our Refer-A-Friend program. I invite you to revisit your Dashboard for more details on these new offers, you'll like what you see.

Sincerely yours,
Jeffrey A. Citron
PS - We've upgraded our Refer-A-Friend program to be even better for you. Now you can get 2 MONTHS FREE, when you refer a friend.

Unlimited calling to anywhere in the USA and Canada for $24.99 a month

We've lowered the price of the Residential Premium Unlimited Plan to only $24.99 per month.

"Over the past five months, we've noticed a trend in the industry away from calling certain minutes 'local' and others 'long distance' - in an IP world distance is irrelevant, so we have changed our calling plans to reflect that," said Jeffrey A. Citron, Chairman and CEO of Vonage Holdings Corporation. "Instead of giving this great new upgrade to a small set of people, we decided to make it available to all of our customers and automatically upgrade those to the new price even if they're on the unlimited package already."

Let Your Virtual or Toll Free Plus® Number Ring Multiple Lines

Your Virtual and Toll Free Plus numbers just got even better! Now you can point these numbers to more than one Vonage line, plus choose how these phones answer the calls. Ring Lists give you control over how an incoming call is answered. There are three kinds of Ring Properties that you can set or change at will through your web account: Sequential Dialing, Random Dialing, and BlastMeSM

Enhanced Online Learning Center

You have questions and Vonage has the answers. Whenever it's convenient for you, you can go to our Vonage website at vonage.com. Whether you have questions about reinstalling a phone adapter or how to reprocess a payment, you'll find solutions to your most frequently asked questions (FAQs), quick user guides, and helpful information on our features, products, and services.

[Joe]

Well, I just learned that in order for me to successfully refer someone (for me and you to get credit) - I have to send you an email from their site.

If you're interested, PM me or email me at joe hostpc.com (insert an @)

thanks


Joe

[caddickj]

lol... I just got a call from a telemarketer. Conversation went something like this:

Him: Hi, I'm calling from American Broadband something-or-other
Me: Hi.
Him: I just wanted to let you know that we're now in your area and can save you a ton of money on your telephone bill. What would you estimate you pay in local and long distance charges monthly?
Me: Fifteen dollars.
Him: [Laughter] What?
Me: Fifteen dollars.
Him: [more laughter] yeah, there's no way in the world I can get your phone bill that low. Thanks for your time.
[click]

lol... That conversation was worth my $15 to Vonage this month. :lol:

[dbmasters]

THATS funny :lol:

[ljmyers]

I tried to hook up with vonage but they have no numbers for the state of West Virginia so I would have had to use an out of state area code and phone #. Oh well, I will just have to wait I suppose.

[caddickj]

Maybe someone here can help me figure out some place to start.

Lately, I've been having a big delay when I'm talking on Vonage. Like 5 full seconds delay. That's really getting on my nerves.

It has happened when I've left some P2P software running, which I can understand, but it also happens when I've got no data transmitting.

I'm getting really good throughput when I test my speed using McAfee's speedometer (http://us.mcafee.com/root/speedometer/default.asp). It's never below 500Mbps, and gets up to T1 speeds at times.

I don't notice any other problems, except from time to time my modem seems to lose connection, but a reboot takes care of that.

Any ideas?

(heh... oddly, just as I was typing this, a Vonage salesperson called and tried to sell me Vonage. That turned out to be a confusing conversation for him. By the way, why are the Indian salespeople always the most persistent. That's the third one this month that kept repeating the exact same, unvaried, pitch after I'd already explained my position -- in this case that I'd already done what he was asking me to do!)

[ryan]

I've been using Vonage for about two weeks now. The only problem I had was when I first hooked it up i was going from the cable modem to a router across a wireless link to another router then to the vonage router. Every now and then I would get an echo like the old analog cell phones used to do... But when I cut out the wireless link it worked fine.

The feature I like best is the voicemail. You can set it to email you a .wav file of the message that was left.

[caddickj]

Okay, wt... heck ... is going on with Vonage lately?

Last week they lost two of my voicemails (one of which I left myself, so I KNOW it was lost), and now today I get a busy signal when I call my house? And when I called Customer Support I get a message saying
"We're sorry, there is no one here now to answer your call. Please call again later."
WHAT?!?!?

What the heck is going on?! I can't even successfully log in to my account online.

Totally not happy. Not happy at all. And I just recommended to my brother this weekend to join up. Gonna have to call him back and recant that.

[admin]

They apparently had some network issues today... couldn't retrieve voicemail - but logged in a listened there.

The forwarding to a cell at the same time (simulring) worked well tho.

Call clarity today, didn't seem too bad - for me anyway.

[caddickj]

Yeah, some serious network issues or maybe server issues, it appears. Lots of people affected, as per this thread (http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic14976.html).

Really wish the Customer Service was better at Vonage. Half the people who were able to get through (i.e., not me) report that they don't even acknowledge the problem, and there is certainly nothing about it on their site, or the member sites.

Seriously, they ought to take a lesson from you guys. If something goes wrong, own up.