Community Newsletter: Q&A: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP
- 10/26/07 9:46 AM
Not good for emergencies
by Wanna B Ageek - 10/12/07 5:26 PM In reply to: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi, Maria M.
I am not an expert, but I decided against VOIP because of two things, both regarding emergencies.
1. There is no 911 emergency phone service with VOIP.
2. If the power in your house goes out, no VOIP. With a regular phone, you still have phone service.
I regard the phone as a fun thing, yes, . . . but it is also a lifeline in times of emergency.
There IS 911 service with VoIP ...
by Watzman - 10/12/07 6:26 PM In reply to: Not good for emergencies by Wanna B AgeekRe: "There is no 911 emergency phone service with VOIP"
That's simply wrong. In fact, it's now reqired by law. However, you MAY have to complete a separate "registration" to connect your VoIP phone service with a name and address. This isn't always required, but sometimes it is.
Re: "If the power in your house goes out, no VOIP. With a regular phone, you still have phone service."
That is true but can be fixed with a UPS. And if you have corless phones, regardless of whether or not you have VoIP, you lose phone service in a power failure, because their "base station" needs power (a UPS can fix that also).
Watzman is correct
by cls220 - 10/19/07 6:44 PM In reply to: There IS 911 service with VoIP ... by WatzmanMost people now have cordless phones. Power goes out, phone goes out. Hint, if you DO still have "regular" phone service, be sure you have a corded phone to use or you'll be up the same creek we VOIP users are.
And TW's VOIP *does* have 911 Emergency Service. They take care of the registration for you.
All the VOIP services are not the same in all areas -- best thing to do is call around and ask questions.
Power outages...cell phones
by djcobp - 10/20/07 8:34 PM In reply to: Watzman is correct by cls220Just a note! If the power goes out, you CAN use your car to charge your cell phone. Some people don't think of that, but my power goes out if the sun shines, so I have done that in the past. :))
The downlow on VoIP
by louisro - 10/22/07 8:51 AM In reply to: Watzman is correct by cls220I've been using VoIP ever since Vonage came into being. Years of complete satisfaction with their VoIP format left me to beleive that this is the only format that combine good service and good price. Whatever Vonage talks about in their comercial is the real thing. My take on those not using the system is that there is a great deal of technophoby still prevailing around. The very same individuals who are unconfortable talking about their computer's Operating system, basic e-mailing or even seting up their computer's for scheluded tasks are the very same reluctant to enter into contract for VoIP. The fact is they alredy use it in some form of telepone services such as calling card, office communication, etc and aren't even to the point of noticing any differences between the two formats (land base and VoIP). I simply don't get it!
The LoDown on VOIP
by Remag1234 - 10/22/07 10:50 AM In reply to: The downlow on VoIP by louisroLouisro: You're right on target with your post. I would add that most Big Bells are using VOIP and slowly getting rid of their landlines with fiberoptics. In the end calls will go via the Internet and people do not have a clue. I love Vonage for service, price and sticking it to Verizon....
VOIP
by reyoung01 - 10/26/07 10:20 PM In reply to: Watzman is correct by cls220I have had Vonage with Comcast Cable - very few issues (especially if you have a cordless phone setup. It is very easy to get up and running if you use wireless phones. Comcast in my area (Dallas,TX) cable in terms of their cable TV delivers a poor image, so I went back to satellite for TV. Then I got Verizon FIOS, works great, no problems to speak of, virtually the same as with comcast cable. I hope Vonage continues (and to think I almost bought into their IPO, I was very lucky not to have invested in them, but as a company providing VOIP phone service, I have no complaints.
phone service & power outtage
by ericocean - 10/20/07 5:12 AM In reply to: There IS 911 service with VoIP ... by WatzmanYes, you lose phone service with a power outtage if you have a cordless phone but you don't need a UPS. Just keep a cheap regular phone stashed away that plugs directly into the phone jack. What phone companies have that cable do not are huge backup batteries at the central office. That is why land lines remain in service while walk and cell phones fail. After a hurricane power outtage that lasted a week in 2004, I was able to use a standard phone to find a hotel room and get out of town until power resumed. This is the single reason I will never go VOIP!
phone service & power outtage
by Remag1234 - 10/21/07 8:47 AM In reply to: phone service & power outtage by ericoceanericocean: It sounds like you live in the backwoods where you have many power outages. If that is the case I understand why you stay with a landline. If that is not the case then you should rethink your options. Power outages are relatively rare but do happen. When it does happen, EVERYONE is out and sometimes cellphones work and sometimes they don't. Everyone CAN survive a short time without power.
re: power outage
by n5rkn - 10/23/07 12:50 PM In reply to: phone service & power outtage by Remag1234Most cable companies, at least ours, have inline battery backup units on their main lines. This allows cable to continue to work, even during power outages. Of course, the optimum question is: If power's out, you can't watch your tv unless it's battery operated. However, because of many of the newer VOIP modem (such as the ARRIS) which have 6-8 hour battery back-up packs, you can still receive and make phone calls. Of course, as pointed out, your cordless units will not work...but corded ones will work. So, always make sure you have at least one corded phone available.
Cable company service quality varies across the board. And, as most have noted in these postings, some have great service and some have nothing but complaints. They sometimes vary from system to system, based on that City's staffing, and other issues. But, most try to strive for that illusive customer satisfaction level. Because, without it, the company looses money...which can lead to layoffs, which lead to lag time on calls and poorer service. So, everything goes "hand in hand" when talking about service quality. Having spent 27 years in the cable industry, and fortunately working for great companies, I can say that many times poor service reports can be exaggerated. Often we have found where the customer has done his own "fix", sometimes years prior, and eventually it led to signal issues. Then, rather than call the company, they complain, and when eventually dropping service and I've had the chance to ask why.... They tell me how they had problems. I ask why they never called, and get an answer like "I don't have time to sit and wait". Well, I rest my case at that point. We can't fix it, if we don't know about it. This is just one story, and I'm sure many of you have valid issues. But, give the company (be it cable, sat, or whomever) the chance to fix the problem. TELL THEM ABOUT IT. Then, if it's not done correctly, make sure you contact and ask for a supervisor or manager and "tactfully" explain the ongoing issue. Any company, worth their weight, should do a decent follow-up and fix.
VOIP
by sitnpritee - 10/20/07 7:34 AM In reply to: There IS 911 service with VoIP ... by WatzmanI have optimum online cable with voip and I have enhanced 911 service which allows me to have local 911. I tested it with my local police dept, as the phone company told me I wouldnt have local 911. I like it but the only down side with mine, is some of the 13 features don't work because of my home alarm system. Some cable companies do offer 911(local). As far as no phone if cable or power goes out, I can use my cell phone. When that battery dies, I can keep it plugged in to my car cigarette lighter. My cell phone has no local 911 but I can call a neighbor to call 911 for me, or simply call the ambulance like I would have had to do, prior to the installation of 911 nationwide.
Power Outage and VOIP
by winsleuth - 10/23/07 11:17 AM In reply to: There IS 911 service with VoIP ... by WatzmanI had Vonage for some three years and rarely used it. I found the quality excellent, their site excellent for managing my account and changing phone numbers. BUT, I live if East Florida and after the two hurricanes that hit us three years ago, maybe four, we lost power for 8 days. Phone service was up the whole time, less a 24 hour or so period of no power, since my mom had a land line. My VOIP though, and of course my Comcast cable was out for 8 days. To me that is reason enough to either not do VOIP, to have both, or to start using a cell phone for everything, what I do now. BTW, Vonages quality was never anything but great but i never was able to use data transmission with it, that including Tivo update service and general Faxing. Maybe they improved that since 36 months ago but it ticked me off since they just kept saying it should work and was somehting I was doing wrong. I have been doing PC repair, networks, Commercial phone installs and the like for 18 years. I am no longer with Vonage and they tried and tried to keep me from leaving but finally looked up NO in the dictionary. No means send customer a bill for a bunch of taxes I wasnt told about and was assured I could cancel at anytime with ZERO charges since I had my account in suspension. Comcast's version of phone service, I have no knowledge of oteth than what their commercials say but Cable deregulation has changed my $13 monthly bill for basic service into a $50+ bill and they have us all by our golden balls.
VOIP 911
by vuturistic - 10/27/07 5:15 AM In reply to: There IS 911 service with VoIP ... by WatzmanRegular landline phones don't go out in a power failure because the original Bell system used large banks of batteries to maintain service. Telephones operate on DC (direct current) so are independent of power companies that use AC (alternating current). Now as we grope our way into the digital age instead of the telephone company being responsible for ensuring reliable phone service in an emergency (unless, of course, something like a storm knocks down and severes the phone lines). Buying a UPS to do what the traditional phone company did as part of their service is expensive and places the burden of responsibility squarely on the consumer. As I read through these posts, over and over again I read long, complicated and involved procedures and remedies for using highly technical equipment that the average person often barely understands. I truly sympathize with the disabled person who is on a fixed low income and is looking for affordable solutions to reasonable phone service. For me it is a matter of, is it worth the extra time and headaches to be constantly strapped with tackling a steep learning curve with technical stuff that takes me away from doing what I really want/need to spend my precious finite time on this Earth? It is said that time is money. Maybe I'll spend a bit more money on traditional service but, for the most part, if something goes wrong, they fix it pronto. And if the power goes out, I'm not spending hundreds of dollars on a dozen UPSes to ensure my phone service remains on. Now, I've seen very promising technology that would allow homes to produce their own unlimited energy and make it possible for individuals to go completely off the grid but I'm willing to be that patents for such technology will be bought up by the very companies talked about in here. The result will be that these companies will still control everything and the consumer has the choice to either pay, pay, pay through the nose or just do without. I think the comment about the one lady being told arrogantly that her VoIP service was not required to adhere to FCC regs that govern ADA rules for the disabled. Yet another example of how big corporations bend the rules to suit their needs (and profit margins) all at the expense of the consumer. We have no choice but to pay and they get obscenely rich. VoIP? We've got bigger fish to fry before that becomes a reliable and affordable solution. Of course, all these companies will tell you it is necessary for them to stay on the cutting edge and be competitive but it sounds like Verizon is about to out compete Vonage with that patent infringement lawsuit. So nice of Verizon to drive Vonage out of business so they can get that piece of the pie. Where I live it is easier to get the police by calling the non-emergency number. 911 here is basically taking your life in your hands. You call and wait for someone to answer. That sometimes happens with the non-emergency number but the wait is much less. In an emergency (and I've had a few), I'm not wanting to rely on anything but the most reliable and that is the local phone company with a wired landline phone. (My cordless phones all go out in a power failure but one phone ALWAYS works.) I like the cordless phones. They are convenient but in an emergency it is a comfort to know I can still use that old brown touchtone phone I've had for over 30 years and it works. It may cost me a bit more to have service with this company but in the end, I'm spending my time reading a book, watching a movie, enjoying my garden, helping out in community services groups. After all I've read here, I'm convinced I'll never want to switch to VoIP. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here.
VOIP 911
by Remag1234 - 10/27/07 9:19 AM In reply to: VOIP 911 by vuturisticYour points are well taken. A few comments are in order. To my knowledge no has suggested getting a generator in case of emergencies not only to power a cordless phone but a refrigerator and a few light bulbs. A small generator is certainly affordable. Another thing that is important that no one mentions is their location. I'm located in an urban area where power outages are rare so I don't worry about that. Most people have cellphones and they are a great backup. For the disabled and seniors who may not be able to afford a cellphone plan, here's a tip: As mandated by law, every cellphone MUST be able to dial 911 even if there is NO plan. Working with seniors, I have given dozens of cellphones that have been donated to seniors who cannot afford a cellphone plan. The seniors carry the phones when going out and keep them by the bed. It gives them a sense of security and it does work in the event of a power outage. My last point is this. Emergencies are rare and if you receive a call and the person tells you there is/was an emergency, what in the world can you do about.....NOTHING, yes you have been notified but the emergency is/has been taken care of by others. ie. you receive a call that someone has had a car accident and is 25 miles away.....what can you do? NOTHING. I hope I got my point across.
VOIP WORKS IN 911 EMERGENCIES
by TexanInExile - 10/19/07 5:36 PM In reply to: Not good for emergencies by Wanna B AgeekI used Vonage for four years, and only recently departed when it looked like they were going under without notice, defecting to VOIP service from AT&T for the same price.
The idea that you do not have 911 service is not correct. With both Vonage and AT&T you register your address with them, so they know where to send help whenever you dial 911. With AT&T you get a message a couple of times a month requiring you to validate you 911 address by pushing "1".
As for the system going down, it is as reliable as your cable system, but both companies (Vonage & AT&T) set you up to roll over to another telephone anywhere in the world if you VOIP connection is not working. Most folks set the number to their cell phone and they are in business. I have had to use this twice in the previous years, once with Vongage and once with AT&T when someone took out a pole in a nearby accident. The longest I was down was two hours, and in both cases the landlines were also down.
I would look around for better deal than Comcast. They offer you $33 for a year, then it jumps to $40. With Vonage and AT&T the price is $25 for unlimited 24/7 service anywhere in the country, and Vonage even offers about half of Europe for no extra cost. Vonage even offers 500 minutes for $15 if you don't talk much.
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