Switching to VoIP phone service?

[AngeloPC]

Have you switched to VoIP phone service?

[Dave@Bytes]

I use to pay nearly $100 for my local and long distance....I now pay $25.00 per month.

[AngeloPC]

I use to pay nearly $100 for my local and long distance....I now pay $25.00 per month.

Thanks Vonage.

Same here. Only I used to pay $50 without even having a long distance service. We were actually going to remove the house phone and just use cell phones. I chose Vonage instead.

[bucksfanjimj]

Ok, so I'm the only no vote so far but I'm intrigued by the idea. I was wondering if you would answer some questions?

1. How long have you had the service?

2. What equipment, if any, is needed to use it?

3. What are the pros and cons of it if you've had it long enough to discover
any?

I'm assuming that you are using this for your home phone service and not business. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[AngeloPC]

I've had it for about 7 months. I use a Linksys modem with two phone ports (which you buy from Vonage). I use it for my home and for my home business. The only problem I've had, so far, is that we lost cable a couple of months ago and, therefore, we had no phone, for a few hours. We just used our cell phones.

[Dave@Bytes]

I've had it for wel over a year and have had no problems. You can set it up to forward directly to your cell should there be a problem with the cable.

There are no disadvantages. If you have broadband, it's a must have. I think I even got my hardware for free--can't remember.

The only thing that might be a problem is you cannot fax with the standard hardware. Since it speaks only on the IP, it cannot make the beeps, bloops, screeches, and other sounds a fax makes when communicating. The fax is an additional 9 bucks a month. But you're STILL way under the average phone blll.

Good luck.

[ronsena]

Dave I have had Vonage for a few months and plan on using it for my business.
You raise an interesting question.

If I primarily use the answering service with it, can I use both the answering service and have it forward to my cell?

Thanks
Ron

[Dave@Bytes]

Not sure.....the control panel gives you a lot of options. I'd say login and try it.

[Grumpygrl]

I've had BroadVoice for almost a month and I'm disappointed with the call quality. The calls are choppy and sometimes the person on the other end experiences a delay. BroadVoice claims this is caused by "Latency/Packet Loss" in my ISP's network. I'm looking into it with my ISP, but I'm considering switching to Vonage. What's the call quality like with Vonage?

thanks!

[Dave@Bytes]

I have been a subscriber for a couple of years. In fact, I have two lines and do not have any problems at all. You ISP could be a factor, but if you have broadband, and have not had any problems with your Internet, then I suspect it's the provider.

Here's a link for more info on VoIP. We also have a banner at the bottom of the page that will take you to Vonage. http://www.pctechbytes.com/voip.htm