Community Newsletter: Q&A: The advantage and disadvantages of using VoIP
- 10/26/07 9:46 AM
What is all the fuss about?
by Harold Stern - 10/20/07 4:10 AM In reply to: What IS all the FUSS about? by ArthurWebsterI entirely agree with the comment under this heading. I have been using VoipBuster, which is a purely software solution, for several years now and apart from some teething troubles have found it completely reliable. I have a headset/microphone combination, which plugs into a USB socket and allows me to have completely free calls, but I prefer their "phone-to-phone" connection which cost € cents to use and is more comfortable. I really don't know why more people don't use it.
VOIP
by aaa11zzz - 10/19/07 11:02 PM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by Watzman"When your internet service does go out, how will you call the cable company to tell them it's out? (the usual answer is either "go next door" or "use a cell phone" .... but what is YOUR answer?)"
This is not so; your VOIP phone uses bandwidth on the same hardwire phone line, sharing the line with the ordinary phone.
If the server goes down, the phone can still be used; as it has done in my experience a number of times.
VOiP
by davidallenakins - 11/26/07 12:55 PM In reply to: VOIP by aaa11zzz1. Over the years I have used VOiP I've never had an outage, but if I did I'd use my cell phone....
Vonage 500 Minute per Month Plan
by scribbles23 - 10/19/07 11:14 PM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanI can say from experience that Vonage still has their 500 minute per month plan and it runs around 19 dollars after taxes and what not. If you don't talk a lot (like me, I only use it for toll-free numbers where I might be on hold for a long time, or international calls), it's fine. The overage charges are about 4-5 cents per minute.
THANK YOU
by myron02 - 10/20/07 4:34 AM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanTHANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS VERY HELPFUL INSITE INTO VOLP
MYRON
One thing you did not cover
by pie guy - 10/20/07 9:46 AM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanYou had a very comprehensive presentation on this topic. One thing that is important to me is the ability of loved ones to call in toll free (to them). Do you know if any of the services offer this?
One thing you did not cover
by edaniel - 12/5/07 10:07 PM In reply to: One thing you did not cover by pie guyVonage has quite a number of local access numbers that allow a non-subscriber to call you, toll free
Covered by the excessive charges
by ArthurWebster - 12/6/07 2:20 AM In reply to: One thing you did not cover by edanielHi, edaniel,
Vonage is giving nothing for free - you are paying through the nose for an otherwise free service - they can afford to make it look as though they are doing something good - you are paying for it.
Thank You!
by GeneKimball - 10/20/07 1:11 PM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanThank you and all others who commented on the pros and cons of having VOIP. My current land line service is costing in excess of $60 a month primarily due to bundling of services. I want an alternative and see now that VOIP, though it has drawbacks, is likely a good alternative. I was especially appreciative of the 9-1-1 information and will be certain to take the added steps. Additionally, I had considered carrying the number over to VOIP but the time delay appears to be artificial in nature to get you to change your mind (from the old land line provider). Finally, rates with land lines have become worse since AT&T appears to be in control of all the former baby Bells once again (OK, SBC bought the AT&T label from the former old AT&T but in my mind, it is still the same old company). To get back on track, the information was invaluable and gives me better ways to prepare for the change.
There are NO drawbacks
by ArthurWebster - 10/23/07 10:54 PM In reply to: Thank You! by GeneKimballHi, GeneKimball,
I really do despair.
There are NO drawbacks to VOIP if you don't believe the propaganda from the companies who want to tie you to them by getting you to get rid of your landline service.
VOIP is a Free and enormously economical service to ADD TO what you already have.
There are no drawbacks
by Remag1234 - 10/24/07 12:27 PM In reply to: There are NO drawbacks by ArthurWebsterI see no good reason to add to what you have now, but rather get rid of it and just go with VOIP. Companies like Cable, Verizon and other Bells are the ones trying to deceive everyone. When you call to cancel Verizone for example, they tell they can offer you VOIP but you should keep you landline service as a backup. Well, that's just gives them more revenue. The cable companies offer VOIP but charge more than the REAL VOIP companies such as Vonage. I use VOIP [Vonage] and a cellphone as my backup. If either of them doesn't work, I'm covered. If both of them go down, then I'm probably in the same boat as many others. Nothing is that important that can't wait a day or so to get fixed. I believe that other people don't have anything that's so important other than their egos.
The system in America must be radically different to Spain.
by ArthurWebster - 10/25/07 12:31 AM In reply to: There are no drawbacks by Remag1234Hi, Remag1234,
If I want ADSL I need to have a land line - one depends upon the other. It is handy to have a land line just in case there is a power cut and I need to contact anybody urgently - but I would not dream of using it for anything else except calls within Spain, which are free with the package.
(Even in a power cut, my lap top will act perfectly well as a VOIP telephone on its own battery any way.)
It seems to me that advertising is much more effective in America. I don't think anybody actually PAYS a VOIP provider in Europe for any instalations. People who switch to VOIP simply wait for a reassignment of their line - usually a day or two - and then use their landline for VOIP.
No fuss, no bother.
Great summation
by aerofd - 10/21/07 9:36 AM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanIf your in hurricane country you definitely need phone service when the power is out.
VoIP
by abardai - 10/22/07 7:43 AM In reply to: Switching from cable to VoIP by WatzmanEXCELLENT! Nice to have the author list things to be aware of.
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