Click Here - Orb Audio Speaker Sale
Broadband: Broadband Phone Service
Broadband Phone Service
by steward444 - 3/4/05 4:44 AMHas anyone tried the Broadband phone service, "Vonage" or another one like it? I am wondering how good it really is and what all you need to get it going if you already have a broadband connection.
Thanks,
Dave
See my post here. . .
by Coryphaeus - 3/4/05 8:17 AM In reply to: Broadband Phone Service by steward444http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6638-0.html?forumID=15&threadID=89732&messageID=1011198&tag=cnr
VOIP
by qwondre - 3/6/05 9:00 PM In reply to: Broadband Phone Service by steward444Yeah, I signed up with Vonage and then found out that they covered most of my area code but not my city, so my next door neighbor had to call long distance. Then I signed up with a company that was advertized here at CNet but couldnt get any terms of service documentation from them until I found out that they were a reseller of Nuvio.com. I would strongly suggest that you dont do it like me and research FIRST.
So far its ok, I dont do alot of phoning, so its cheap, I think the most important concern that I had before I signed up, was if my broadband bandwidth was adequate to give me good and steady service, and at this point, I think its been good.
If you sign up with a company, they will want about $39.99 ,either upfront, or when you leave them. They will send you a telephone adapter(pretty much a router with phone jacks) and the set up is usually fairly simple. If you have more than one computer, you will want to have your own router too.
It is unneccesary to have your phone and computer in the same spot, as long as you can reach a phone jack in the house, the adapter will function.
I think I'll be happy with it, but I have found that voicemail sound is so faint that its hard to hear - I'll have to call or email tech support to see if I can get that solved. The response is quick.
Good luck
VOIP
by droy99 - 3/8/05 7:44 PM In reply to: VOIP by qwondreOk, the gentlemen makes 1 vary iportant point.
The way to avoid that is to see if they can port your existing number. if they can't do that, then, as he said, they might not cover the city your in. There is then, a vary slim chance that your neighbors would have to make a toll or LD call just to reach you on your VOIP number.
if they can port your existing phone number, then, nobody is going to be charged anything different than they were already paying.
As far as activation fees, wel, there is at least 1 company that doesn't do that.
http://www.sunrocket.com.
The cost is complete, they don't add on any extra charges at all. $24.95 a month or, $199 per year. So far, I have had no major problems. I don't know how long they will be doing this no activation thing, but, it is good right now.
They are only covering major cities, so, that could be a draw back!
Skype works well and is free
by jefflaura - 10/14/05 6:41 AM In reply to: VOIP by qwondreHey if you're looking to dabble, there is a program called Skype (skype.com) that you can try out...and it is free. My husband goes overseas a lot and he can call home for nothing. We got a logitech webcam (around $20 now) and a Plantronics headset ($30 or so). We even have the option of using Video Skype. The kids love talking to and actually seeing their Dad on the computer when he's gone.
My only negative comment is that I'm used to multi-tasking while I'm on the phone (doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc.) and with this you have to sit in front of the computer. I feel like I should be doing something else...though maybe I need to "just sit and talk"...it's is a good way to slow life down a little.
re: skype
by boredinmi - 10/14/05 1:01 PM In reply to: Skype works well and is free by jefflauraJust basically a ditto post, Skype has been working well for me and I got a usb phone for under $20.00, since the new update, the quality of calls is much better and the price for your own phone number/voicemail and outgoing calls is great.
cordless voip with skype
by jackatron - 10/15/05 9:54 PM In reply to: re: skype by boredinmiJust a quick tip for using skype on the go. You can buy adapters on ebay for around $30 australian which will make it possible to connect your cordless phone to the computer without purchasing an expensive skype cordless phone. Do a search for 'skype usb adapter' on ebay and look around. I also feel the need to move around on the phone.
Jackson
About VOIP
by misscat7 - 10/14/05 12:37 PM In reply to: VOIP by qwondreI love the service with vonage that I get and I also have the 800 number in case my neighbors need to call, and I went with a South Bend, In., phone number. I pay $4.99 a month extra for this service. I have excellant cable internet service. We also have cell phones.
Vonage sent a router which was a very easy hookup. For basic setup had taken a totally of 10 minutes. They sent us a Linksys router with VOIP (adapter) that we hooked up to phone jacks. I also use 1 set expansion phones, 4 phones totally. But I have two corded phones plugged in phone jacks.
Our clarity is fantastic, it sounds like a person is right next to you
Hugs and I hope this helps
Vonage-Questionable Reliability
by petebags - 10/15/05 12:18 PM In reply to: About VOIP by misscat7I have had Vonage for 9 months. Upon installation(and disconnecting my land line) I found my TIVO wouldn't connect and so had to install a wireless network allowing TIVO to talk to its programming service directly over the Internet.Extra cost and some problems in locating the right hardware.
Then I found my ADT alarm system couldn't dial out over Vonage..no solution to that one...in my area.
Ocassionally my Internet(COMCAST Cable)service goes down. Thus no phones and no way to know unless I happen to be on my PC or pick up the phone to find a dial tone but attempts to dial out are met with a constant busy signal. Fortunatly incoming calls are routed to a selected mail box.
Then there is the summer/winter storm electrical outage problem. At least twice per summer in my area.
No phones.
Some of my broadband cable and connections are above ground and exposed as is the green cable box serving our neighborhood...causing occasional outages due to weathering and degraded cable connections.
Then I have a monthly problem(about once per) that requires I power cycle the router and/or modem to restore my Vonage telephone service. No warning..telephones just go out...very dangerous if you are depending on telephones in middle of night from a bedroom and no idea how long they have been down! Linksys was no help on this problem. I am still trying to isolate the problem..modem vs router!
Quality seems variable. Sometimes the other party claims I am breaking up and garbled. Sometimes there is a short drop out altogether.\
Also there is the uncertain 911 connection.
All in all there are too many potential points of failure with Vonage. I may go back to landline.
a few suggestions
by Timmahh - 10/16/05 10:25 AM In reply to: Vonage-Questionable Reliability by petebagsone suggestion is to get a UPS for your Modem,router and voip box, this will keep power to these items when your local power fails, so you can have a phone in those times. i would think an 80.00 UPS would supply a few hrs of service, but not sure of longevity of the ups with this equipment... i would check the linksys site for a firmware upgrade for your rougter, i have seen these firmware upgrades help alot with with dropped connection between the modem and router, which sounds like it may be the problem your experienceing.
yes the ADTs and other home security systems need to work with the voip manufactures to clear this hurdle.
hth
Tim Locke
I've had different problems
by pfeinber - 2/17/06 12:21 PM In reply to: Vonage-Questionable Reliability by petebagsMy vonage service occassionally prevents inbound calls, but it doesn't rollover to my "safety" cell phone line as I configured it to.... and I can't deal w/ the background buzzing anymore (regardless of the broadband quality settings I request). It's worth $30/mo... not a buck more.
Thinking about switching also.
by Russtuc - 11/19/06 3:36 PM In reply to: Vonage-Questionable Reliability by petebagsI have questions about your TiVO box connection. If I switch over to Vonage, what do I have to get in order for my TiVo box (Direct TV) to work: so the box can connect to Direct TV servers for updates,etc.. You stated you had to purchase a wireless network - which is what I already use for my laptop. How will my box dial out once I make that switch? What do I need to get to attach to my box so it can dial out? If I understand you just plug in your box into the router using a regular phone line, is there anything else I must do so it will dial out using the Vonage VOIP?
Thanks in advance for your help?
Vonage to Vonage Wrinkle
by petebags - 10/15/05 6:34 PM In reply to: VOIP by qwondreVonage users can call other Vonage users with no charge. However if a Vonage user#1 decides to drop the VOIP service and go back to landline with the same tele number ported back, be sure that number is removed from the Vonage database...otherwise Vonage users will not be able to connect with Vonage user #1 who is now on a landline with the same ported back number. As a Vonage user I was unable to call a former Vonage user for several weeks...Vonage took their good old time removing that number. Fortunatly I could reach the former user with a landline or cell phone.
Broadband Phone Service
by Stan Chambers - 3/6/05 10:14 PM In reply to: Broadband Phone Service by steward444Based on my own experience and what I have read here about others experiences, you'll need to do your homework on this issue.
Personally, I've been using Vonage for almost a year, without one single problem. I believe that I can attribute this, in part, to the bandwidth of my Roadrunner cable connection. It's been very reliable, and I don't recall any service outage.
I signed up on the recommendation of a knowledgeable friend, and I'm glad that I did.
That said, If I were you, I would check it out in your area. All that glitters is not gold. Talk to others who have the service to find what issues, if any, that they have. It seems to be somewhat dependent on your location and the provider of the service.
And as for Wayne, I very much respect his opinion, but he's still a Telco man.
Best of Luck
Is it really such a good deal?
by dagger906 - 3/7/05 7:18 AM In reply to: Broadband Phone Service by Stan ChambersHow much does it cost anyway? $25 a month? Doesn't seem like such a good deal to me, even if it deliver the same quality of service as normal phone companies.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
