Is Vonage phone service really a good deal? Drawbacks?

Answer 1

vonage was a horrible experience. our phone cut out constantly, we had dropped calls, and crackles, noise, plus it was actually long distance to call across the street. people in our town couldnt call us if they didnt have long distance service. it was awful. we finally just used out cell phones for everything. we tried to cancel the service with 2 months left because their service was so bad, but they refused to let us out of the contract even tho it was THEIR fault. so, they continue to draft my chking acct even tho i have moved and dont have a home line. its been a mess and isnt worth the stress and bad service

Answer 2

I personally don't have Vonage but I do have Packet 8, I went with Packet 8 becuause I heard too many bad things about Vonage.

The only complaint I have about VoIP telephone service in general is that if you are doing any kind of heavy downloading/uploading via your internet link it could have a negative impact on your phone call quality! I use my phone ALOT for work while I'm online at the same time, I usually have to make sure that I finish or stop my downloading/uploading before I get on the phone or people can't hear me very well.

Other than that I LOVE it, the cost is cheap and I can take the phone with me anywhere I go in the US that has an internet connection, plug it in pick up my phone and dial out/receive calls!

The other issue that can be a problem for some is E911. E911 is the standard that allows your VoIP phone to work with 911 calls. The problem is it is NOT real time. With landline phones the telephone company sends your physical address to the 911 dispatch. With VoIP phones the company keeps your information in a database, when you sign up they ask you if you want 911 service (yes it is optional) then they ask you what is your address. You give it to them if it is wrong then when you dial 911 the wrong address will be sent to the 911 dispatch center.

I also mentioned taking my phone to other places within the US and using it obvisouly that is a problem if I dial 911 while in another location, or if you move and forget to tell the VoIP provider you new address.

So that is something that you have to consider, I have a back up phone that I can use for 911 to alleviate that problem.

Answer 3

I had chosen Packet8, simply....its cheaper then Vonage....I thought Vonage just spend too much an adverting...and I wanted service and quality....so far...I have been very happy with P8....my City is E911 ready( look on the Internet for that..)

http://www.packet8.net/

yes, it depends 50% on you ISP...if your VoIP will work for you....before you decise go to...


http://www.voipreview.org/


and

http://www.dslreports.com/

Answer 4

I ordered vonage and then canceled it. They lied to me. They are not compatible with a lot of Internet providers. They also lied to a friend of mine.