Thread: Anyone using Vonage?

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Any problems? What kind of bill are you getting with taxes?

I looked at Vonage VoIP service about a year ago and what they would provide is a cable modem for a single phone, no alarm system coverage and very poor E911 coverage. So with that said, make sure you read the fine print as to what they can do for you today. I see Magic Jack (or something like that) being advertised on SPEED Channel at $19.95 per YEAR!! http://www.buyerzone.com/telecom_equ...rs_guide1.html

Actually you can do it yourself if you only need a minimal system - but you'll need a cable modem and some Skype software - we have that as well for web cam use - my wife talked with a camera to our daughter and GC in Texas for over an hour this morning - free of Verizon, etc charges.

Now - your question - I went with Time Warner which is a bit more expensive - ~$50/month with taxes etc.

Stay away from them like the plague - they are not ready for prime time and have a lot of issues associated with customer service. Heres a typical posting (from February 13, 2009)

"Called the Vontage Company for Information about the Phone Service and Opt to sign up for Service. The first two days after the equipment arrived I had nothing but problems and made eight calls in five weeks. On the nineth call I told the person that I have done everything possible to make this equipment work and I would like to cancel the service. On the eight calls I had told them that if this does not work then I am going to cancel this service, they in turn told me "Yes Sir, let us try this first and then if it does not work then we could close out your account". After the last call was made they told me that I have a $79.99 charge for the equipment and a $39.99 for earlier termination fee. I am still trying to resolve these charges with a letter to Corp Legal Dept. of Vontage."

Vontage relies on the availability of a "near perfect" Internet connection. The problem is that Vontage can not control the Quality of Service (QoS) throughout the entire transmission path. It is not at all uncommon for an Internet connection say between Seattle and Los Angeles, to be routed direct under ideal conditions. In the event there is heavy traffic, that same connection may be routed through Boise, Denver, Flagstaff, San Diego and then to Los Angeles. this is not a problem for "data" traffic as it is not near as time sensitive as our ears are. When a data packet drops, the transmission protocol merely requests a "retransmission" and we don't notice anything as the packets are "re-assembled" in their proper order before presentation to our application (typically a web browser). We may notice a slow down (man the "Internet" is slow today..)

When these packets contain voice traffic such delay is unacceptable because our ears immediately recognized the start-stop and we are continually asking the party at the other end of the call to repeat themselves.

The Internet provides a cheep connection vehicle and for those happy with far less than "toll quality" conversations, Vontage is fine. I prefer to talk on a clear, crisp circuit. when it comes to voice quality - you get what you pay for.

Regards All,
Glenn

i have had vonage now for 3 months. no problems what so ever. had to use their 911 service a month and a half ago. they were very professional and got them here very quickly. i have the 19.99 service. it averages out to 16 minutes a day. i only use it for the school or family to call me. so far no telemarketers. the start up was a little more than i expected but the monthly bill after that was right on the nose of what they told me it was going to be. personally i would recommend them.

Ive been with them for about 6 months now. The 25 dollar unlimited calling comes to $33 and change with taxes and all. Have not had any issues to date. Works as advertised.