vonage and other VOiP services

[Guest LadyC]

i'm thinking about trying it... we're paying sprint nearly 80 bucks a month for the same service that costs 25/mo or less through voip... but i'm concerned about quality, and about customer service, and hidden fees, things like that. anyone tried this kind of thing?

[IslandRose]

I have VoIP through my Phone/internet service here in Grand Cayman. Of course it is more expensive here (CI $40 which is US$ 50) but...

I call the US and Canada "free" (it's included in my plan) and I can call My folks in New Zealand for $.20 a minute. Much better than what I was paying before. I pay and extra $5 and got a US phone number so my family can call me and pay no more than if I was in Florida. It has been a real blessing to me.

The quality is usually very good. There are occasional glitches, but they are rare and the cost makes me very patient.

[Guest LadyC]

thanks Island rose, i really want to switch, but when i suggested it to mark, he went all ballistic and said we're not changing anything. well, when the phone gets turned off for nonpayment maybe he'll change his mind. he's unable to work right now because he has 3 herneated discs and has to see a neurosurgeon on wednesday. he may be out of work for awhile. in the meantime, i'm still TRYING to find a job. so other than unemployment (which barely covers rent), we have no income.

ugh.

anyone else tried the voip services?

[Copper Scroll]

i'm thinking about trying it... we're paying sprint nearly 80 bucks a month for the same service that costs 25/mo or less through voip... but i'm concerned about quality, and about customer service, and hidden fees, things like that. anyone tried this kind of thing?

I've got Sunrocket and it's working very well so far. They gave me two phones and they have nice features most regular phones don't have (like intercom and walky-talky). Plus the plan has all of the same benefits as Vonage but for only 200 bucks per year. That's right! The phone is paid for for the rest of the year!

If you decide to go their way, hollar at me--I can be "points" for the referral.

[DaniJ87]

My friend tried Vonage.... be warned that when they say they give you a local number, it means a local area code... this does not mean that the exchange is local... (most of WI has a 715 area code... vonage couldn't make the phone number local, any more than Green Bay is local.... (which it isn't.... but has the same area code, I think...)

[Guest LadyC]

COPPER SCROLL: i've been researching the different companies all evening, and sunrocket sounds like the best deal by far, all the features i want (but the free phone system ends tonight)... if you can reach someone and get a 702 number for me, i'll be happy to use you as a referral! i KNOW they offer service in las vegas, but it says no numbers with our prefix are available, and i have no way of finding what other prefixes are available. it really bugs me. i even tried calling, but all i got was an automated system that told me the same thing. i'll take ANY las vegas number.... how can i reach a live representative?

DANIJ: not to worry... there's only two area codes in this state... northern nevada and southern nevada... and since las vegas metro area is all local calling (and i doubt they have their location with numbers located outside the metro area, since nothing exists out there but brothels) that's not a concern for me. no doubt it would be a local area code.

i've given some thought to one other... packet8 has a better price and better reviews than vonage (but not as good as sunrocket), but i'm not sure their caller ID displays the name or not... and i'm not sure if i have to pay extra for the equipment. i'll have to call their sales line tomorrow.

of course, then i still have to convince my husband to let me make the switch!

Edited February 6, 2006 by LadyC

[refugepsa91]

Heres the deal. I've been through this...the last several months I have changed phone companies 3 times First one because I made 14.00 in long distance calls and my phone bill was over 80.00...so changed companies and didn't make any long distance calls....the next time I got a bill it was still over 70.00

Now I discussed this problem with both of those companies and never got a solid answer as to why. Then I called SBC and talked to a rep. LadyC check your taxes and surcharges...this amount will almost always be at least as much as it costs for your actual phone service, in my case it was actually more. Its state regulations here (MI) and this rep told me he knew that it was outrageous, but its mandatory that they charge it.

Bottom line I went with SBC because at least they were honest enough to give me the scoop, although sadly it sure didn't lower my bill.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[Copper Scroll]

COPPER SCROLL: i've been researching the different companies all evening, and sunrocket sounds like the best deal by far, all the features i want (but the free phone system ends tonight)... if you can reach someone and get a 702 number for me, i'll be happy to use you as a referral! i KNOW they offer service in las vegas, but it says no numbers with our prefix are available, and i have no way of finding what other prefixes are available. it really bugs me. i even tried calling, but all i got was an automated system that told me the same thing. i'll take ANY las vegas number.... how can i reach a live representative?

Maybe if you call during regular business hours...? I don't know. I get a live rep whenever I call. I purchased the service with a live rep late one night. This live rep explained the whole prefix thing (fortunately, my prefix is available) and answered every question I had. Try calling again. Good luck in your search. Down with the Bells!

[Joe@actsii]

I have had vonage for at least 6 months now, and I love it. The quality may be a little below landline companies, but paying $16.99/month vs. $70.00 plus makes it worth it to me.

[Guest LadyC]

it's good to hear some positive feedback on these services! i did sign up this morning with sunrocket.... i'm looking forward to lower bills!