Thinking of getting Vonage for cheap phone calls. Help!?

Question

I'm thinking of getting Vonage so that I can make telephone calls over the net via my broadband connection. Should I go with it or avoid it? Is it as simple as Vonage say? Or is there hidden problems and costs?

Answer 1

9 times out of 10 issues with Vonage are related to your internet connection. Vonage has no control over this. So as long as you have a good stable internet connection then Vonage should work good.

I have used vonage for almost 3 years now and have not had any problems. It is worth it just in the savings.

Answer 2

I have co-workers that are using Vonage and a few mentioned issues with performance but they worked these out pretty easily with their broadband provider. I would also like to suggest looking at SunRocket as an alternative to Vonage. The SunRocket service is cheaper (you pay for the year at $199 but it works out to be $16.58/month) and offers the same features. I've been a SunRocket subscriber now for three years. Overall though, any VoIP solution should work as long as you are getting about 80 Kbps or better transfer (both up and down) rates.

** Edit **
mrtazzone brings up a good point about battery backup. Traditional phone lines often work even if your residence loses power. Your 911 service could be impacted. Even using a battery backup doesn't necessarily guarantee connectivity though as the ISP routers may not have UPS devices on the routers in your neighborhood. I used to use Comcast and when I inquired about this they said that likely if I lost power, so did their routers. I recently switched to Verizon FiOS and they do provide UPS devices on their equipment and even provide power at the FiOS hookup in my residence. Note that I did not switch to Verizon because of the battery issue, they were a little cheaper and Comcast's service never really came close to the advertised speed. I have cell phones as my backup too.

Answer 3

Most cable companys now have a plan like vonage. So I would check weather it will help you to take Vonage or go with a combined plan from your internet provider. some Cable/internet/phone pakages will be priced lower. Anyhow I suggest a Battery backup unit if you chose any of these cause one flaw is when Power goes out Cable modes will need power to run your phone system. Battery Back ups come in 2, 4 and even larger hour time charges.

Answer 4

I've had Vonage for about 3 years. It is as simple as the ads say. No problems. Love the low bills.

Answer 5

i have used digital phone service and it is very easy. another idea you might wan to try is the yahoo phone service. all you need is a microphone for your computer (they are everywhere and super cheap) and yahoo costs pennies compared to everyone else. to receive unlimited calls out, it will cost you 2.99 a month, to make calls it will cost you 1 penny a minute, and you can buy minutes when ever you need them in clumps f 10.00 and 25.00. i use both of these services and i can tell you from experience now, the yahoo phone is the cheapest to use.

Answer 6

Lingo has a $17.95/mo deal now
http://www.lingo.com/