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General discussion

Broadband Phone Service

Mar 3, 2005 8:44PM PST

Has anyone tried the Broadband phone service, "Vonage" or another one like it? I am wondering how good it really is and what all you need to get it going if you already have a broadband connection.

Thanks,
Dave

Discussion is locked

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Need to disconnect from PSLT before connecting to house wiri
Oct 15, 2005 8:00AM PDT

In a perfect world this might work if telco service is not dicsonnected. However there is roughly 48 VDC from the both the telco service as well as from the the VOIP ATA. If the house wiring should somehow have gotten reversed in the wall outlet, you effectively have opposite polarities bucking each other - a short. In other words please disconnect the telco service first.

The only safe way is to disconnect the reqular telco lines at the outside entry box. Just unplug the Rh-11 connedtion there. Even then I always plug a line cord into an inexpensive wall surace mount outlet and plug the other end into the house wiring. Use a voltmeter to check to be sure no sneak voltage. Check both lines. If no voltage is present, then use a line cord to connect line 1 of the VOIP ATA to the house wiring. If a VOIP FAX line has been obtained, purchase a line splitter from Radio Shack or many other places. Plug it into the house wiring outlet and then plug the line cord from the line 1 of the VOIP ATA into line 1 of the splitter. Check to see if you are getting dial tone in your house telephones. If not move the line cord to the other input of the splitter. If this works, then connect line 2 from the ATA into the other input of the splitter. Dial tone should be heard there - if it is being drawn form the ATA in earlier checks.

We have excellent electrical power in this area and seldom lose it - which would lose you VOIP telephone service. If you install a fairly inexpensive no-beak power supply to provide power to the ATA and cable modem, it will provide the needed power for telephone service as long as the battery in the no-brak supply lasts.

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re: Connecting Vonage to whole house telephone wiring
Mar 28, 2005 5:11AM PST

I have Vonage too and you just have to contact them to get rid of your SBC lines. It says this in the FAQ on their web site. I have DSL so can't get rid of my SBC line but I did reduce the serivce to 'measured rate' which is $6/month. I never use that phone to make calls, only use the Vonage phone.

Good luck in connecting w/Vonage customer service, it is HORRIBLE and most of the staff is clueless. The sevice itself is great, rarely any problems and when the system is down (either theirs or my DSL line) I always get calls forwarded to my regular phone line.

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Connecting Vonage to whole house telephone wiring
Apr 21, 2008 9:33AM PDT

Hi,

I wanted to know if you have been successful in connecting the vonage connection to entire house telephone connections in different rooms; if so, could you share with me what you did.

Thanks Buddy,

Have a nice evening.

Chandru

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Broadband phones, and 911
Mar 18, 2005 2:53AM PST

don't work if the electicity goes out. Land lines will unless disconnected. Think about that. chuck

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(NT) (NT) Use an APC - - www.apcc.com
Mar 18, 2005 5:38AM PST
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Vonage backup
Mar 21, 2005 2:44AM PST

If the power goes out or Cable goes down...use your cell phones as backup.
Also i suggest keeping your modem and router on an UPS(as well as your computer)!

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won't work if electricity goes out
May 20, 2005 2:15PM PDT

I recently purchased a UPS and it will give me up to 45 minutes of power in case I loose my electricity. This can be used to keep your phone service up if you loose electricity.

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Fowarding phone calls
Oct 13, 2005 10:59PM PDT

With Vonage, you have the option of fowarding your calls to your cell phone should your power go out.

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ups
Oct 16, 2005 3:49AM PDT

thing to remember about battery life, it is reported for cpu use and monitor use, which both SUCK copius amounts of power from a ups. a modem, router and voip will use extremely low power levels, im willing to bet if you check your ups on the modem, router, and voip line, you ll get a good few Hrs of use, not just 45 minutes.
hth
Tim Locke

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Cell phone woes
Mar 11, 2005 5:44AM PST

I got Vonage last week, because since phone service is so expensive, we were just going to use our Cell phones. Then, we found that our reception inside our apartment was terrible. Vonage is $14.95 a month for 500 minutes. If I had a land line I doubt I'd dump it for Vonage, but it definitely beats the cell phones for us! As far as 911, they do have an alternative, but you have to give them you address or they can't find you. Come to think of it, I better do that.

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A doggone good deal, IMO
Mar 11, 2005 12:15AM PST

To get what I get with VOIP, I'd have to pay the telco around $60 a month including all taxes and extra charges. Because packet8.net and other VoIP companies are not telcos, they don't charge some of those fees and taxes. My monthly charges from packet8.net is less than $21 a month and certainly enough of a savings to pay for my internet access!! Packet8.net offers a lot more area codes and coverage than many of the others and at a cost that is usually less. I don't know all the VoIP companies out there but I'd bet that packet8 offers the best deals anywhere including a videophone service.

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Cheapest Vonage Option
Mar 21, 2005 5:35AM PST

I have just started using Vonage's CHEAPEST plan...about $16.50 total..for 500 minutes/month. No inbound calls are charged or Vonage to Vonage calls. All same services as my landline(call waiting, caller ID,call forwarding etc....except for call interupt). Saving 40 to 50 bucks/month. Will see if I can get by with 500 minutes/month. Have requested some locals who we talk to for an hour/week...to CALL US...no charge against the 500 minutes.

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Vonage 911 VoIP E911 Services - Does it work?
Apr 8, 2005 11:05PM PDT

VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE Check your 911 service on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol - Internet phone service provided through broadband). Especially if you have children.

Dial 911 and if you do reach someone, just tell them that you have VoIP service and that you are testing the service. Also ask if your name and address were transmitted correctly. Vonage states on their website that if you set up the service, then testing is not required. THIS IS NOT TRUE!

I set up my service, received the email that it was activated, checked the website to make sure that it was activated and everything seemed to be set up correctly. I found out later, under the worst possible circumstances, that 911 DID NOT WORK.

If you are considering VoIP service, my advice is that you not consider it until VoIP E911 services are equal to that of landlines. Don't risk your children's lives just to save a few bucks a month. $80 vs. $20 has a different sound when you are weighing the lives of your children.

The State Attorney General in Texas is currently suing Vonage over the 911 problem and Canada has created new laws in response to this lawsuit.

CNET HEADLINES

http://news.com.com/Raising+alarms+about+911+over+Net+phones/2100-7352_3-5660540.html
Raising alarms about 911 over Net phones
Regulators in the U.S. and Canada are entering the battle over emergency calls via Internet phones.
April 8, 2005 1:03 PM PDT

http://news.com.com/Vonage+may+route+911+call+to+Congress%2C+FCC/2100-7352_3-5647706.html
Vonage may route 911 call to Congress, FCC
The Net phone provider considers asking for help solving problems with SBC over subscriber access to the emergency network.
March 30, 2005 5:35 PM PST

http://news.com.com/Texas+sues+Vonage+over+911+problem/2100-7352_3-5630118.html
Texas sues Vonage over 911 problem
U.S. Net phone leader wasn't clear about technology's less reliable 911 service, state attorney general claims.
March 22, 2005 9:42 AM PST

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Is it really a good deal?
Apr 26, 2005 10:02AM PDT

The phone companies will say they charge only 22 bucks for basic service, but by the time they stop adding the taxes, connectivity charges, recovery charges you wind up paying around 35 to 40 bucks. The service I have charges only 19.95, has all the EXTRAS that the telephone companies charge mega bucks for and they only add about 1 dollar for tax. Keep in mind this also includes UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE WITHIN THE US AND CANADA.

Is it really a good deal? YES.

Some companies do offer E911 service also.

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Is it really that cheap?
May 20, 2005 1:57PM PDT

Hello,
I have been paying 19.95 a month plus 1.03 in taxes. Compare with the local phone company, where they charge 24 bucks for their basic service, plus taxes, user fees, connectivity charges, etc. Their "basic" phone service can add up to DOUBLE what I am paying for my VoIP telephone service. I like PACKET8, which you can look up at www.packet8.com. They are very responsive, they provide E911 service (for a small fee), you can port your phone number over to their service. I am very happy with them, and their prices to make international calls can't be beat. You get all the "extras" that you paid for with the local phone company, 3 way calling, call forwarding, caller ID, Call blocking, and more for the base price of $19.95 a month.

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Vonage Works why pay $3 / minute roaming on a cell phone?
Oct 14, 2005 6:28PM PDT

I use Vonage and pack the adapter and local land line cordless phone. I have used the router and so phone in three countries so far and the system works. In practical terms I do not like paying up to $3 per minute roming on my cell phone when abroad when i just pluf in the adapterand receive incoming calls for free. Outgoing calls are still inexpensive. There are occasional quality issues at peak times but the voicemail is reliable and the system will improve.

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VOIP
Mar 9, 2005 3:18AM PST

We have had Vonage at our house for about two months now and are very happy with the service. The price is right, The voice quality is excellent on our broadband connection. All the features are customizable on a web interface. In short, we told MA Bell where she could put our land line, and are very happy.

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NET ZERO VOIP
Oct 13, 2005 11:29PM PDT

I have to say I was very disappointed in the Net Zero Voip, I was only interested in the FREE voice mail service, as I have dial-up. Well after 3 emails to them, asking why my voice mail wasnt working, I find out it only works if the person on the other end has Net Zero Voip also, which defeated the purpose, and not once in their email did it specify that.

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net zero
Oct 16, 2005 3:59AM PDT

NET ZERO IS A DIAL UP SERVICE, thus not reliable, i have also seen multiple qustionalbe remarks made.
bottom line, dial up is dial up, netzero can only give better speeds,UP TO 5x faster than dial up, if you have a remarkedly astute phone network, n thats not likely unless the phone company is .3 feet from your house.
Get broadband, and life gets better. dump the dialup
hth
Tim Locke

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NetZero VoIP works over Dialup!!!
Oct 20, 2005 12:34AM PDT
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Beware of ISP providers that don't play nice
Mar 10, 2005 9:00PM PST

Some ISPs are offering, or will shortly offer VoIP service of their own. Now I am not saying or even implying that they are undermining VoIP service offered by the competition, let?s just say that they didn?t seem to bend over backwards to fix issues effecting my VoIP service. It seems that my ISP does not offer consistent enough service for VoIP to work well. I got echoes, drop-outs and poor voice quality, like talking with a bad cell signal.

I also see that my ISP?s VoIP offering will not be running on the same subnet that my Internet connection runs on, it will have it?s own VoIP only subnet. To me that means that it?s my ISP?s overpriced VoIP or nothing.

Will my ISP ever fix my service? Why should they? There is nothing in it for them, quite the opposite, better that VoIP doesn?t work, less traffic for them.

That all said, Madison River Communication will pay a $15,000 fine for blocking Vonage?s VoIP, and there is another complaint pending against another ISP.

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Reliability.
Mar 10, 2005 9:01PM PST

In my area we get a lot of thunder storms and the odd hurricane or two, so there is no way I could ever rely on VOIP as my only phone service. In my area we lost power for 8 days when Hurricane Isabel came through, but we never lost our land line based phone service. We also never lost our Earthlink Sprint DSL which came in over the same line. It was there whenever we ran our generator.

Our neighbors had cell phones and Cable Broadband, both of which went out until electrical power was restored to the area that same 8 days later.

So if you can afford to be without reliable phone service during bad weather, I guess VOIP might be OK, if you usually spend hundreds of bucks on long distance it might also be OK, but until it is as reliable as my trusty old low tech land line, I could never use it as my only service.

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Reliability
Oct 16, 2005 10:41PM PDT

I live in NY and we use the local cable service for everything: cable TV, internet and phone w/unlimited long distance. In addition we have 1 basic analog (landline) phone.

Although it doesn't last 8 days, we have our cable router on a UPS along with the computer. And to protect against long term outages, thats what the analog line is for. Before you mention the additional cost of the analog, we were spending more in long distance calls than what everything we have now costs.

What we have: 5 cable TV boxes, 6 computers using the internet (home network), 5 phones hooked up to the cable and the the 1 analog phone for the emergencies.

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Analog phone line cost
Oct 21, 2005 11:54AM PDT

Whats the extra cost of the analog phone line if I may ask? What service does it provide?

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Broadband Phone Service
Mar 10, 2005 9:45PM PST

I have had VoIP service thru Broadline (offered by FDN communications in FL)for two months.I make numerous long distance calls so the savings have been immense. I only had two dropped calls and my TV tiled up at the same time, so my cable was the problem. They also offer 3-way calling etc. "I also can have two phones.The only down side was I had to buy a new fax machine and it still doesn't work 100% with faxes longer than 4 pages.The pricing on this was more than $10/month less than my cable provider too Happy I LOVE IT!

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Vonage Experience
Mar 10, 2005 9:52PM PST

I have found Vonage to be an excellent service with few problems. The only real problem encountered is if I am on a call and upload/download a large file at the same time. That makes the resource sharing a bit tough, but the solution is easy. Don't do both at the same time.

I also use the Vonage Toll-Free capability for providing support to the many online customers of US Email Service Inc., an autoresponder company (www.US-Email-Service.com). VOIP works very well there also and is very cost effective at 5 cents per minute. Sprint wants 40 cpm!

Another nice feature is the ability to have an email sent to you for every voicemail recorded. You can listen to any such messages through their control panel, or just call in on the phone.

Great service IMNSHO!

Richard Hill
US Email Service Inc.

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Fax problem
Oct 14, 2005 2:59AM PDT

I had to switch back to Verizon because I couldn't send faxes. Fax machine can recieve fax, but can't connect on sending. Tech support couldn't help me after few days of conversations. They blamed on the fax machine settings (I even bought a new one), but after switching back to Verizon it works perfect.
Voice calls quality poor too.

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resources
Oct 16, 2005 4:07AM PDT

a viop router with packet prioritizing is what you need to have. it will reconize when viop is in use, n not allow the rest of the network traffic to interfer with the viop packets
hth
Tim Locke

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Not quite ready for prime time, but good deal for some
Mar 10, 2005 11:39PM PST

The answer for me was to not totally cutover to VOIP. I kept my landline also but am still saving and have more functionality.

I had an SBC unlimited local and long distance as we have a large number of friends and family across the nation. Even with the package savings my average bill was around $70 with the features (caller id with name, call waiting) we had.

I am currently trying out Packet8 and have found that sound quality on calls is about 85-90% of the landline
at worst and sometimes 100%. This compares to cell phone service with Cingular in my area which I would rate at about 75%-80% of landline. I consider the sound quality acceptable.

I eliminated outages due to power loss by putting my cable modem, router and the Packet8 adapter on a UPS that cost about $100. This provides more than enough juice to run these 3 lower power draining boxes and keep my phone service up.

Cable outages also is a consideration. In my area they have not been horrible, but they are there.

Some have dropped landlines and gone with cellular only, for an active family with our communication needs this was not practical.

My conclusion was to reduce my SBC (landline) to basic service, no package, no nothing except phone line service and caller id. We kept this to basically receive incoming calls. Cost with tax is about $24 a month. Packet8 is for all outgoing, cost is $20.55 with the F.E.T. tax. Total is under $45 versus the old $70. A $25 savings and we now have 2 lines so I can call relatives when my wife is on the line when a neighbor calls or any similar situation. Power outages do not affect the landline or my Packet8 thanks to the UPS.

Cable outage takes out the Packet8 but we have the old traditional landline for any such emergency.

I purchased a 2 line phone with additional handsets and we have a nice system for our needs at about 35% percent less cost.

Not as big a savings, but something, more service and it works for us.

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Vonage Phone
Mar 11, 2005 12:24AM PST

I'v had my Vonage phone for a couple of months or so. The omly problem was they couldnt give me a phone number in my city so I couldn't transfer to my old phone number.
I was able to get a phone number in a nearby town that isn't long distance from here so people can call me without calling long distancew. All my calls are long distance so I had to get the $24.95 unlimited plan. If I had been able to get a local phone number I would have been ok with the 500 minute plan for $14.95 a month.
That's still cheaper than my old phone and I can call my sister every day that lives several states away. While setting up a new cable modem I found out the phone server would work with an unactivated cable modem.
It has to be plugged into the cable modem direct as the router won't work this way. I used my old cable modem for the vonage phone while working out the problems with the new modem. I fixed my UPS so I won't lose phone service in a power outage unless the internet goes down.