Vonage?

[kinntj]

Anyone have this and what do you think? We were thinking about this as an option and wanted to know details before diving in.

Thanks,

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I've had this for about 7 months now with no problems at all. We haven't had any problems with the quality of our phone service or anything. Just make sure you follow their instructions for putting your address in for the emergency service so you have it.

 

[Amii]

I was looking into Vonage also. Can you get rid of your local phone service all together when you have Vonage? I'm a little confused.

 

[HayGan]

We have had Vonage for several months now. We sometimes have an echo on the line but it isn't too bad.
I that it save me over $40 per month!!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I was looking into Vonage also. Can you get rid of your local phone service all together when you have Vonage? I'm a little confused.

yes, I don't have an active phone line in my house at all. I have cable internet and my phone just plugs into a router that goes to the computer. DH and I have cell phones that I always keep charged in case my internet goes out, but it hasn't happened yet. I have vonage set up to forward my calls to my cell phone if it does happen.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Add us to the list of those with Vonage - we have had it for over a year and we LOVE it! One of our favorite parts is what they call "virtual Phone numbers" it costs right about $5 a month but adds a local number in another town (as a result we now have a local number for my wifes parents, family, and friends to call - we live 400 miles from where she grew up) I would be more than happy to answer any other questions - just drop me a PM if you want to know more

 

[ducklite]

We have Vonage and no local service. I've had no problems and am very satisfied with it.

Anne

 

[goingquackers]

I would also take a look at packet8. I had their service for about 2 years and it is cheaper than vonage

 

[Mskanga]

I have Vonage too , I have had it since september. The only draw back for me is that I couldn't keep my old number but most people I know have their free long distance included and the ones that don't just let the phone ring and I call them back if I am home ( I can see their phone #'s on the caller ID ) .
I don't have a landline anymore but I have three other cell phones at home so even if the internet is down we are not isolated.
I LOVE my free long distance , the quality is fine , sometimes you may get a slight echo but for the most part the service is just like the landline.
My cable as a matter of fact went out this morning after a very windy night and the phone service is completely out in my community. My internet service is working and so is my phone. I am glad I switched. BTW , no problem with the 911 service either as long as you follow instructions and register for the service.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I am tempted, especially with the their $15/month for 500 minutes deal. I am quite tired of paying my local baby bell approx $35/month even if I never pick up the phone.

My # apparently qualifies for porting.

However, my SIL has it and I've noticed when they call me, all I get in my caller ID display is "Unknown Name" and their #. For whatever reason, their name is not pushed through to those of us on the baby bell service.

Also, can you hook it into your house wiring so your existing phones will work in their current jacks? Same question with my answering machine. Will it still be usable or am I stuck with voicemail with no call-screening capabilities?

 

[nbodyhome]

We have had it for 5 or 6 months now, after a bad experience with Bellsouth. I would never go back!!!

Denise

 

[nbodyhome]

Most names come up quite fine on ours - sometimes just the number, but usually the name. We pay about $30 a month including everything, after whatever taxes are included - for the caller ID, unlimited long distance, etc. We've had a couple of friends use as as referrals as well - and have received two or three free months (so I think it's $30, that was the last bill I had!) It is wonderful to not have to worry about long-distance charges for the U.S!

Oh - the only bad thing is if the cable is down for a bit. That doesn't happen often, thank goodness!

Denise

 

[Mskanga]

I am tempted, especially with the their $15/month for 500 minutes deal. I am quite tired of paying my local baby bell approx $35/month even if I never pick up the phone.

My # apparently qualifies for porting.

However, my SIL has it and I've noticed when they call me, all I get in my caller ID display is "Unknown Name" and their #. For whatever reason, their name is not pushed through to those of us on the baby bell service.

Also, can you hook it into your house wiring so your existing phones will work in their current jacks? Same question with my answering machine. Will it still be usable or am I stuck with voicemail with no call-screening capabilities?

I do not know how it displays on other people's caller ID , but I know the number displays.
Yes you can use the same wiring you have now as long as you have a long phone cord running to the main line outside into the main jack. As far as the voicemail you can continue to use your answering machine , just have your voicemail disabled from them , you can do that online.
But I am wondering , if you want call screening , why not just use the caller ID ? that's what I do .

 

[chattyann]

We have vonage. It has been wonderful for us. We live in a very small town that basically has a phone company that blocks any 10 10 numbers you can use to get your long distance cheaper and charge you all kinds of extra fees. Vonage has saved
us about 25 to 30 dollars a month.

 

[Amirah95]

We have Vonage now...$28 per month and no problems. We had major problems with VoipSonic though.

 

[flagdaytwins]

I have Vonage too, had to get a new phone number, which caused some problems because when I called friends/relatives, we show up as "unknown name, unknown number" in their caller ID. We also receive alot of previously ID'd calls that say "unknown name and number." I have no idea why/how this happens.

On every phone call I make, their is a second or two of disruption and I have to repeat myself to the person I'm talking to......kind of frustrating, but we are saving $$$$ and definately feel we are getting what we paid for, as opposed to blowing $80+ a month for the last how many years??!!!

We do wish we could have carried over our old phone number.....if you can't, start making a list NOW of who you have to inform of your new phone number.

 

[Amirah95]

I have Vonage too, had to get a new phone number, which caused some problems because when I called friends/relatives, we show up as "unknown name, unknown number" in their caller ID. We also receive alot of previously ID'd calls that say "unknown name and number." I have no idea why/how this happens.

My DH did something on the account online to have the number show up when we make calls out. *shrugs*

 

[FireflyfromMI]

We have Vonage too. I have a few problems with it. Sometimes I will call someone and they can hear me but I can't hear them. I have to call back and then it's fine. That happens once a month or so. Not too often. Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the service, especially the price!

Lisa

 

[nbodyhome]

I think only once or twice has someone not been able to hear me, in 6 months (not sure what caused that). Also, if I answer the phone, I need to often say "hello" twice, I guess it doesn't connect as quickly right away. But I really do love it, and it's much cheaper than what we were using.

Denise

 

[DizzKneeLand]

I have Vonage as well ... I was able to transfer my number from New Orleans so that folks who knew my number (that I had since the dawn of time) could call me and find out my status after Katrina.

I relocated away from NOLA for a short time and since I had cable service there - my Vonage phone number worked like a charm.

I find the service to be wonderful. I like that I can send myself an email that I have a voicemail message (using their system) - as well as I like the online dashboard to view incoming number.

Like others have said there is a slight echo sometimes - but it is not constant and not with every phone call.

I will be staying with Vonage - because I like saving the money I used to pay for the same services with the phone company.

DizzKnee