Support NeoGAF

[Phoenix]

I'm about to wade into the VOIP (voice over IP) world right now partially because my current phone service is stupid high (unlimited local and long distance cost me about $75 bucks on Bellsouth) so I'm interested in exploring the options of using VOIP, but more importantly because VOIP enables a whole host of cool portability features that I really want to have or at least play with.

So I know all the happy happy joy stories out there are waiting to be told, and I'm sure some people out there have some not so nice things to say, so spill it GAF. Are you using VOIP, how do you like it, and what problems do you have with it. If you haven't made the jump - what are your reasons.

I know one of my 'security blanket' concerns is that something may happen to my broadband line and then 'poof' no more phone line. Another problem is that some providers (like AT&T) are saying that the system won't work with my security system (which I find hard to believe since its just a regular call like any other).

 

[aparisi2274]

I'm not using yet, but I started a topic like this a few weeks back, and the majority of people said Vonage was the best one out there. There are some others, but for the money, I keep hearing Vonage gives you the most amount of options.

 

[xexex]

I used Net2Phone when it was still free. it was pretty good, especially since it was free.


now I use Dreamcall and Ch@b over Dreamcast and Skype on PC www.skype.com


Skype is absolutely awesome. try it.

 

[theo]

i use vonage, 15 bucks a month for 500 minutes (i'm not a big phone person) voice quality can sometimes be spotty, but for the most part the features and value for your buck outweigh paying for a standard line. just make sure your isp is reliable first.

 

[xexex]

I will be looking into Vonage, thanks. I refuse to have a regular phone line. any reasonable options will be concidered. i have a need for lots of communication applications. for work and for fun. keep this thread going

 

[Phoenix]

The problem with Skype is that its more for receiving calls from and sending calls to another computer and requires per minute charges (0.02) for talking in the states.

I'm bouncing back and forth between AT&Ts CallAdvantage and Vonage. I will keep the bare minimum from bellsouth for now just to have a backup line and get the unlimited plan from one of the others.

 

[Lhadatt]

Vonage, Vonage, Vonage.

I advise against trusting AT&T with anything. Look at how they ran their wireless division -- you want to be a part of that?

I've had nothing but excellent service from Vonage. No Vonage-caused outages. Yes, you do lose it if you lose your broadband connection, but them's the breaks. A fast connection helps too -- 2Mbps down, 384kbps up, no problems here.

 

[Seth C]

Go with Packet 8. It's cheaper, it works. Don't know why you'd need to go with Vonage just to pay more. Maybe they've lowered their rates now or something.

 

[Particle Physicist]

my dad uses vonage and loves it. the cool thing about it is that you can take it anywhere as long as there is a broadband connection. dont think the same thing holds for at&t.

 

[Seth C]

my dad uses vonage and loves it. the cool thing about it is that you can take it anywhere as long as there is a broadband connection. dont think the same thing holds for at&t.

No, ATT doesn't come with you like Vonage or Packet 8 do.

 

[Incognito]

Down here, our cable company, Time Warner, offers digital phone plans(Unlimited EVERYTHING) for only $39.99 a month.

 

[ourumov]

Skype user here...Works fairly good and it's free.

 

[Lhadatt]

Down here, our cable company, Time Warner, offers digital phone plans(Unlimited EVERYTHING) for only $39.99 a month.

That is such a ripoff. Vonage does that for $24.99.

 

[Phoenix]

Any of you folks that have VOIP already, did you have to purchase your telephone adaptor or did it come for free with your service?

 

[RedDwarf]

The adapter came free when I signed up with Vonage. That was a while ago though.

 

[Lhadatt]

Vonage shipped it to me. I think I paid a bit for a setup fee, can't remember.

By the way, it does work behind routers. I don't even have to forward the ports, my router works with it quite nicely. If you put it before your router though, expect problems when trying to host online games and such.

 

[jedimike]

I've also been looking into VoIP. I decided to go with Vonage and I got the retail adapter (Linksys PAP2). I got it from BestBuy for $50 and it has a $50 rebate. You can sign-up with Vonage from their website and they will send you a wired linksys router (RT31P2) with TA built-in. They do charge a $30 sign-up fee though if you buy from their site. No sign-up fee if you go retail.

The PAP2 is good for people that already have a home network in place. The other one is good for those that are looking to build a home network. There is also a wireless version that Linksys offers. Downside is that if you want to travel with your number, you have to kill your home network with the RT31P2.

Vonage has the unlimited plan for $24.99 a month or the 500 minute plan for $14.99 a month with 3.9 cents p/m there after. The break even point is about an extra 250 minutes.

I can't comment on quality or ease of use since I haven't hooked it up yet. Bonus is that I can keep my existing number.

Startup Costs - [b]on website[/b]
(includes first month of service) 
Activation Fee $29.99 
First Month's Service Charge $24.99 
Federal Excise Tax $1.65 
Regulatory Recover Fee $1.50 
Shipping and Handling $9.95 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Total $68.08 
  
Monthly Service Charge 
Monthly Service Charge $24.99 
Federal Excise Tax $0.75 
Regulatory Recover Fee $1.50 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Total $27.24

Startup Costs - [b]retail[/b]
(includes first month of service) 
Activation Fee $0.00
First Month's Service Charge $24.99 
Federal Excise Tax $0.75
Regulatory Recover Fee $1.50 
Shipping and Handling $0.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Total $27.24 + price of PAP2 ($50 - $50 mir + tax)
  
Monthly Service Charge 
Monthly Service Charge $24.99 
Federal Excise Tax $0.75 
Regulatory Recover Fee $1.50 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Total $27.24

 

[Phoenix]

I've been using Vonage for a little over a month now so I can share my own personal experiences. Its a decent replacement for a standalone phone, but not a perfect one. The features are fine and the price is fine, but the quality is just average.Vonage has some settings where you can try to set the voice quality of the router, but it never seemed to have any impact on voice quality at all. For some reason I get a 'hiss' in the background at times. Unfortunately its also unsuitable for a home alarm system so I still have a basic Bellsouth phone line in addition. Since I have a dual like phone system, however, we can use both lines simultaneously without much trouble.

 

[SecretDestroyer]

That is such a ripoff. Vonage does that for $24.99.

Except that with Vonage voice packets are sent over the public internet making the service more prone to voice quaility issues due to delayed or missing packets. On the other hand with Time Warner's phone product, voice packets are transmitted over a private managed network rather than the public internet, nearly eliminating latency and other voice quality issues. The time warner product is also only $34.99 if you have roadrunner or digital cable. It also does not require a computer and includes battery backup for the modem so that even in the event of local power outage the phone will still be operational...

 

[jedimike]

I've been using Vonage for a little over a month now so I can share my own personal experiences. Its a decent replacement for a standalone phone, but not a perfect one. The features are fine and the price is fine, but the quality is just average.Vonage has some settings where you can try to set the voice quality of the router, but it never seemed to have any impact on voice quality at all. For some reason I get a 'hiss' in the background at times. Unfortunately its also unsuitable for a home alarm system so I still have a basic Bellsouth phone line in addition. Since I have a dual like phone system, however, we can use both lines simultaneously without much trouble.

What TA are you using? I've heard a lot of complaints about the earlier PAP2 models. A lot of people swear by the Motorola VT1005, but it lacks some of the functions of the PAP2.

 

[Drensch]

I got the Time Warner stuff friday. No complaints so far. They replaced my cable modem with a voip modem.

 

[Mason]

My boss signed up to put our phone lines at work on VOIP but then he found out they don't list your number in the phone book. So watch out if that matters to you.

 

[Manics]

I'm about to wade into the VOIP (voice over IP) world right now partially because my current phone service is stupid high (unlimited local and long distance cost me about $75 bucks on Bellsouth) so I'm interested in exploring the options of using VOIP, but more importantly because VOIP enables a whole host of cool portability features that I really want to have or at least play with.

So I know all the happy happy joy stories out there are waiting to be told, and I'm sure some people out there have some not so nice things to say, so spill it GAF. Are you using VOIP, how do you like it, and what problems do you have with it. If you haven't made the jump - what are your reasons.

I know one of my 'security blanket' concerns is that something may happen to my broadband line and then 'poof' no more phone line. Another problem is that some providers (like AT&T) are saying that the system won't work with my security system (which I find hard to believe since its just a regular call like any other).

I'm using Primus voice over IP here in Canada. I think it's awesome, people on the other end don't complain about the voice quality, and they sound fine to me. Also, I have a secondary number with a different area code for my sister who lives out of town. She can phone a local number, no long distance charge for her, and it rings on my home phone, no long distance charge to me.

If the internet goes down, all calls are automatically forwarded to my cell phone so I never miss a call. The gateway box came with the service for free (they shipped it) and I've had no problems so far (been using it at least 5 months). Basic service is $19.99/month plus $4 extra for the extra phone line I have in the different area code.

 

[Tommie Hu$tle]

I'm about to wade into the VOIP (voice over IP) world right now partially because my current phone service is stupid high (unlimited local and long distance cost me about $75 bucks on Bellsouth) so I'm interested in exploring the options of using VOIP, but more importantly because VOIP enables a whole host of cool portability features that I really want to have or at least play with.

So I know all the happy happy joy stories out there are waiting to be told, and I'm sure some people out there have some not so nice things to say, so spill it GAF. Are you using VOIP, how do you like it, and what problems do you have with it. If you haven't made the jump - what are your reasons.

I know one of my 'security blanket' concerns is that something may happen to my broadband line and then 'poof' no more phone line. Another problem is that some providers (like AT&T) are saying that the system won't work with my security system (which I find hard to believe since its just a regular call like any other).

Well you have noted the potential downfalls (such as security systems) but to me the greatest come up is the fact that I can use Vonage in Iraq on with my computer and make calls to family and friends. You can't beat that. I've been with them for about two years now.

 

[SecretDestroyer]

Security systems, fax machines and dial up servcies won't work over VOIP.

VOIP will also result in headaches for soempeople as when the inherent static on a phone is digitized it results in a stream of barely audible and very high pitched blips and beeps.

Its also important to note that FCC phone service standards like 911, uptime, or technician dispatch requirements do not apply to VOIP providers.

 

[CorruptionDee]

I use Cablevision's Optimum Voice, as part of their triple play package (IO digital Cable, Optimum Voice, and Optimum online---the fastest residential internet access in the US) and I only pay $29.99 a month for unlimited calls----long distance and local. As well as call waiting, 3-way calling, etc. It works great, I've had no problems thus far, and it seems no different than a regular phone. I highly recommend it, if you can get a good deal. There's really no hidden charges. At least not with Cablevision.

 

[Phoenix]

Security systems, fax machines and dial up servcies won't work over VOIP.

VOIP will also result in headaches for soempeople as when the inherent static on a phone is digitized it results in a stream of barely audible and very high pitched blips and beeps.

Its also important to note that FCC phone service standards like 911, uptime, or technician dispatch requirements do not apply to VOIP providers.

Well I don't have any problems with my fax machine. Been faxing stuff through Vonage fine for a while now and it does provide 911 service. Uptime and technician dispath are problems however, moreso uptime as it depends on whoever is providing your highspeed internet connection. If your internet connection is up all the time (like my cable modem and my DSL was) and you don't mind it failing over to cell if it does go down - those two issues aren't a bid deal. Once VOIP grows, the FCC will mandate the additional services. Currently they are holding back from any regulation of any kind to allow the technology to grow.

 

[jedimike]

I can't comment on quality or ease of use since I haven't hooked it up yet. Bonus is that I can keep my existing number.

I finally got it all hooked up. I was amazed at how easy it was. Registered my PAP2 first on the Vonage website and then plugged it in. Didn't have to configure anything. Within 3-4 minutes the lights stopped flashing and I had a dial tone.

Made a few phone calls on it and I'm very impressed with the quality.

Security systems, fax machines and dial up servcies won't work over VOIP.

VOIP will also result in headaches for soempeople as when the inherent static on a phone is digitized it results in a stream of barely audible and very high pitched blips and beeps.

Its also important to note that FCC phone service standards like 911, uptime, or technician dispatch requirements do not apply to VOIP providers.

It's not a perfect alternative to a POTS line. The security systems, fax machines, and 911 calls are addressed (at least by Vonage). I haven't heard any high pitched bleeps.

It just came to a point for me, where saving $40 a month was worth a few headaches. In fact, I was expecting a lot more headaches. So far, it has been a very easy transition.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Vonage, Vonage, Vonage.

I advise against trusting AT&T with anything. Look at how they ran their wireless division -- you want to be a part of that?

ATT Wireless was always a totally different entity and has been sold off quite some time ago.