2007-03-06 15:21:03 · 13 answers · asked by Steenskees 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Land Phones
It might be good for penny pinching BUT here is why I will not use it: 1) it depends on an Internet connection - if there are problems with your connection what are you going to do? you won't be able to call your ISP to figure out what's wrong; 2) it depends on your electricity - got a power outage? what are you going to do? can't call the electric company, can't do anything; 3) what if there is a REAL emergency that caused your power to go out and you desperately need to call 911? Ooops sorry but you won't be able to do it with any "Internet" based phone.
Also, if you have a "regular" phone line, make sure you have a cheap phone around that is not "cordless" and requires no power so that you can still make calls in one of the above cases.
Cheap old style phones don't require any electricity from the electric company or any Internet connection from your ISP so they will work in most emergencies just fine. The power for an old style phone comes from the phone company NOT the electric company.
My criticism may seem paranoid but actually I live in an area that DOES have power outages from time to time so maybe it's not a big deal where you live. But I'm sure you will kick yourself a million times if a love one died because you couldn't call 911 due to a power glitch or Internet problem. When my power or Internet goes out I can still plug in my old style phone and call the power company, ISP or 911.
2007-03-06 15:39:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I chose Sunrocket over Vonage because of a consumer comparison report showing Sunrocket #1 and Vonage #2 (just for phone - still have cable TV and Internet thru local cable company). I've had my VOIP about a month now, and it rocks! Oh, and many of the companies have resolved the 911 issue, so don't let that scare you.
2007-03-06 16:47:21 · answer #2 · answered by Sue S 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's about 90% good, 10% bad.
First, the bad... we've had occasional outages. And usually didn't even know it (people getting busy signal when calling us). And when calling companies that automatically detect your phone number to transfer to a computer don't work (e.g. when you call to activate a credit card - that machine will NOT recognize your number).
But it's very inexpensive, the call quality is almost always good, and the on-line features absolutely rock.
So if you can live with the occasional annoyance of spotty coverage (probably 5 times in about 16 months for us). And normally, rebooting our router fixed it.
2007-03-06 15:31:49 · answer #3 · answered by JustAnotherEngineer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
VOIP isn't ready for residential use yet. here is why
If you don't have a UPS (universal power supply) when you loose power you loose your phone. A conventional phone works of the power supplied from the Telephone Central Office. They are usually on both battery and generator backup.
If you loose you internet connection, again you loose you phone connection to.
You also don't have tradtional 911 service. No matter what they say 911 offered by cell phone companies and VOIP companies isn't the same.
I do see it as a viable alternative in the business world, because it does save cost on wire and maintance.
2007-03-07 09:54:42 · answer #4 · answered by striderknight2000 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its been great.
The only problems I've had are with components that use
the phone line to communicate electronically, such as TIVO,
Instant Reply or fax machines.
For regular phones, its great.
2007-03-06 15:24:07 · answer #5 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Vonage router is plugged into your DSL modem now. the phone line plugs into the Vonage router too. All you'll favor to do is disconnect the CAT5 cable that runs from the DSL modem to the Vonage router and connect it from the cable modem to the Vonage router. sure wager.
2016-12-05 08:44:15 · answer #6 · answered by haltom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have it and at first we had lots of problems with static and going in and out we hated it but I guess they have worked out the kinks now it does alot better and way cheaper .
2007-03-06 15:25:40 · answer #7 · answered by Holly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love it! I've had it for 1 /2 years.
the customer service is great too.
2007-03-06 15:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by Lori B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've got it for over two years so far it's been great.
Good Luck!!!
2007-03-07 07:18:58 · answer #9 · answered by KB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its gonna be the best decision you will make!
do some research before you go with any broadband....I'm very happy with mine, but it also depends 80% on your high-speed Internet!
2007-03-07 01:33:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋