I live in japan, and i want a phone but all the regular phone options here (cell phone) will cost an arm and a leg. i see that vonage has a $25/month plan for unlimited calling to the states, and i also see that they have some cool hardware options, like this mobile phone that i can use anywhere i get a wireless internet signal. anyway, i would like advice from those of you who use internet based phone services.
2006-09-09 08:00:13 · 4 answers · asked by toasterwater 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cell Phones & Plans
I've been through several VOIP services and the consumer services are generally poor quality. On the consumer grade equipment you get weird echoes, dropouts and other annoying problems. In order to use Vonage or any other VOIP service, you also have to have broadband. By the time you add the cost of the broadband and the VOIP together, it's often cheaper to get phone service.
I pay $15/month for DSL. In order to get it, I have to already have some basic phone service for a minimum of $10/month. To get unlimited long distance, I can then add either the phone company's service for another $15 or something like Vonage for $25. For me, calling in the states is cheaper with regular phone service.
I would think that for your purposes (calling from Japan to US), you mght find that Skype is your best option, especially if you already have broadband.
2006-09-09 08:07:36 · answer #1 · answered by Joe B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have lingo, and like Vonage it is better than a cell but not as good as an old fashioned land line. It is a little cheaper than Vonage in the US, but I'm not sure about Japan.
Email me if you might want it because if I refer you, I think that we both get a discount!
2006-09-09 08:08:31 · answer #2 · answered by nospamcwt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have vonage. It's not bad. The down thing about it is if your internet goes down then it goes down. One good thing is if it goes down you can have it setup so that all calls can be forwarded to your cell phone (you can have all calls forward to cell if your not home too) It also has voice mail set up in it that you play over the computer.
When our kids use AIM it interrupts some of the service on vonage........creates some what of an echo at times....
2006-09-09 09:04:38 · answer #3 · answered by ......... . 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have it and it works pretty well. Better than a cell phone not as good as a landline (which I no longer have)
2006-09-09 08:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by Scott L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋