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General discussion

Vonage broadband phone service

Aug 4, 2005 3:54AM PDT

I am considering signing up for Vonage, which provides phone service through broadband.

One thing I am looking for are any comments that those familiar with Vonage might have that they think would be useful to me.

Also, Vonage requires an ethernet connection. I don't even know what that is. I have broadband through Comcast. Some language on the Vonage website suggests that if I have broadband I already have an ethernet connection. I would like to know if this is the case, and, if not, what I do to get an ethernet connection.

The Vonage Website says that I need to have router capabilities. I assume from some of the language, but will find out for sure, that the phone adaptor that Vonage supplies for free has router capabilities but I would like to know what a router is, and, if I were to need to provide a router something about how that works; is it just a piece of equipment that I plug in to something or other, or what?

Vonage says I can cancel within 30 days and get all my money back, so I'm not taking much risk in trying it out (unless, like often happens) there are bugs in the guarantee that I don't learn about till later). I have review the guarantee and did not detect any bugs.

Nonetheless, I'd like to be better informed than I now am and that is why I am making these inquiries.

Thanks, grandpaw

Discussion is locked

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Vonage. . .
Aug 4, 2005 11:07AM PDT

Comcast cable is broadband. The cable modem's connection to the PC is Ethernet. What they are trying to tell you is that you need a high speed connection - broadband. And that it won't work with a USB connection. Your modem may have a USB to PC connection in place of the Ethernet connection. But if You're using the 8 pin (RJ-45) phone-like (RJ-11) connection, you're set.

The router is needed to split the connection for the voice to work. A router splits the cable connection and distributes it to several PCs. Vonnage will split the voice from the PC. I guess. I've never considered the VoIP (Voice over IP) setup. Unless Vonage provides a router you'll need to get one. You'll have to talk to them for the specifics.

VoIP is getting a lot of press lately, and it may be ok for some people. Consider this. If you have a power failure can you use your PC? Nope. What if you are using VoIP? Power failure - no phone.

Have you ever lost your regular phone in a power failure? Nope. In an emergency, this would scare me.

Wayne

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I currently use SunRocket
Aug 4, 2005 8:23PM PDT

i too am a comcast subscriber.

So far, after 6 weeks I've been very happy. But, admittedly I do not use the phone a lot and that was the main reason I migrated to VOIP-- it's very cheap compared to landline (POTS) or even cell service.

SunRocket did have 1 full day of outtage since I signed up. That's been the only hitch so far.

But, I definitely did this because I live in an area where power outtages are virtually nonexistent and my Comcast coonexion has been very stable.

Both should be major considerations in your decision. If you experience downtime where you live or are suhject to power brownouts then VOIP may not be your best choice (unless you have backup service, like a cell phone).

FWIW you may want to look at SunRocket while you are at it. It's customer service ratings are pretty good (but, they are suffering some inevitable growth pains with their success) and their price is incredible== $199 for 12 months of unlimited calling to USA and Canada.

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Very much appreciated
Aug 5, 2005 5:54AM PDT

Thank you corypheus and bglover51. Very helpful and informative posts. I am in the process of signing up with Vonage. It has a $14.95 a month plan. It either provides no long distance or expensive long distance, but I rarely use LD and have a cell phone I can use for that (also to take care of power outages, which, or so I am told by other consumers, are rare). That will be inconvenient because the apartment I just moved into blocks cell phone use unless I stand right up against the window. But I talked with my check book about it and it recommended the cheaper service rather than ten bucks more for cheap LD servie. It's just God's way of welcoming me to the apartment. (the apartment across the hall gets good cell phone use; strange).

Vonage will provide the phone adaptor and router ''free'' as they erroneously say. And I have ethernet though the cable broadband with Comcast.

I have thirty days to try out Vonage free, so I'll see how it works.

Thanks again, grandpaw