Has anyone joined a VOIP Company?

Question

If so what are some pros & cons? We are thinking about it and wanted more info. Seems like all the web sites so far are partial to their own company. No bias feedback to be found yet.

Answer 1

I use AT&T's callvantage b/c I am a comcast customer, and Comcast is a customer of AT&T, so there is a better chance my VoIP will have better quality since the network connectivity from my house to the Server that serves my VoIP Gateway are closer together.

Vonage is pretty much laughed at on wall street, also, Vonage does not have a "network" so to say, so depending on where in the US you live you might have to traverse one, maybe two other Tier I/II service providers thus the chances are your VoIP quality will suck.

Comcast though has been having other problems lately that impact my voip regularly.

the thing w/ VoIP is it is only as good as the network b/w your house/office to the server that your TA talks to.

BUT..for the most part I've been happy w/ the VoIP, it's just the internet service that's backing it that has had issues..

Answer 2

Also a Vonage customer here. The service is fine- the occasional dropped call but no more often than my cellphone. The bottom line is that VOIP is a far better deal for cable customers, because if you transfer the number to your VOIP company, there are no further fees to the phone company at all- just your broadband Internet fee + VOIP fee. With DSL, you still have to pay the phone company for basic service on the phone number (the one which itself carries DSL), plus the DSL service, plus your VOIP fee.

Granted, in most areas the cost of cable internet vs a phone line + DSL is about even. I personally prefer eliminating the telco.

While VOIP doesn't use a whole lot of bandwidth (its fine even on a 384k connection), if you do something else intensive like downloading files on your Internet connection while on a call, quality will be affected.

The pros are many- less expensive, you can obtain numbers in any area code, so you can live in Chicago and have a Dallas telephone number, for $5 more a month you can add virtual numbers (so friends in Boston can call a local # instead of dialing you long distance) You can check your voicemail messages from their webpage, as well as check all of your call logs.

If you get a phone adapter instead of a router, you can travel anywhere with broadband Internet access, plug in your adapter and voila! Your home phone rings.

Yes, if your Internet connection or power goes out, your VOIP phone goes with it. But it's not so bad since any calls automatically forward to a number of your choosing (like a cellphone)

The four cons:

1) 911 service- you have to sign up and tell them your home address- no extra fee but it's not there by default, and 911 calls from VOIP numbers go to different emergency response centers.

2) Fax service - costs extra, $9.99 a month from Vonage (ouch)

3) VOIP lines don't work for Tivo calls.

4) Most of their low International rates are to land lines, calls to cell phones are more expensive- and guess what most people use in Europe..?

There are better deals than Vonage (Lingo costs about $10 less, includes Western Europe by default and has plans for specific international regions) but I don't think they have as many English-speaking support reps. While Vonage is a laughing stock on Wall street (TV analyst Jim Cramer really detest the company) the service is certainly worth $25 a month- around $28 after taxes. I'd advise checking around, other companies may offer more attractive plans if you call outside the USA.

You should also check out Skype if you don't mind using your computer for calls. That's the cheapest VOIP option out there by far!

Answer 3

I recently switched to Vonage for the features and pricing versus the Verizon service I had. The only problem I've had is with downloading large files, phone conversations go in and out. Other than that it's been a great service. My wallet loves it!

You can go to the Vonage website to see the list of standard features, many of which Verizon charges for.

I have the very basic 500 minute plan for $14.99. I have a cell phone which I use primarily, so I don't use the home phone very much. For the past month, I've used a total of 23 minutes. With Verizon, I was paying $60 for approximately the same usage.

So far I've been pleased with the service and will continue with them until they give me reason to switch.

Answer 4

I am a current customer of Vonage. So far I have had no issues.
The only thing you have to worry about is if your electricity goes out, your phone will not work. If you cable is down, your phone is also. If you don't mind this, than VOIP may be for you.

Read more about VOIP here:
http://www.voip-review.com/categories/12

Answer 5

I have not .. but one of my friends did and their phone cuts out all the time. I'd give it another couple years before joining.