Broadband Phone Service

dieselsmoke1 · Mar 25, 2006

Looking for input from folks that have chunked Ma Bell and hooked up with a VoIP service such as Vonage.

I'm at the max distance from a telly substation and have to complain about once every 6 months regarding the trashy phone line, however I've got a kickin cable broadband connection.

The Vonage promo reads real slick and I want to find out if it really works as well as they say, what's the down side, etc.

Thanks

midlf · Mar 25, 2006

Check to see if they have solved the 911 problem yet. In the beginning VoIP could not property transmit 911 calls or provide the 911 service with the location. They were working on that.

The other problem is that VoIP is dependent on power. Lose your power and your computer does not work, thus no VoIP. You would have to have a long duration UPS (uninterruptable power supply) and/or a generator to ensure power out telephone service. That will only work if the cable company's system will continue to work during a power outage. This includes all the amplifiers out on the system, not just their central office.

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2006

I have AT&T CallVantage. Did a lot of research before settling on them. Main reasons were they were the only company that would transfer my old phone number and it was recommended by a fellow TBN'ers. Beyond that I would have used Vonage. Also check out Pocketinet. My son in Washington uses them with no problems.
Changing over was almost painless. They transfered my number. Never had to talk to Verizon.
I like all the features that you get that are extra with local phone companies.

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2006

Check to see if they have solved the 911 problem yet 
My VOIP asked me to list my address for 911 as permanent. Until that is done anytime power is lost to adapter you cannot make long distance calls until address is verified.
 The other problem is that VOIP is dependent on power. Lose your power and your computer does not work, thus no VOIP. 
All calls go to my cell phone after ringing to the VOIP. That way I get all my calls even when i am out in the barn. I can shut my computer, cable modem, and phone adapter off and still get calls on the cell phone.
 That will only work if the cable company's system will continue to work during a power outage. This includes all the amplifiers out on the system, not just their central office. 
A few weeks ago my cable Internet was out from Comcast. Still received calls transfered from Comcast to cell phone. Do not know why it was out. But still got calls.
One feature I like is voice messages are sent to me by email. It easier to just open a email and click on the attachment to get message. Do not have to listen to the whole message in order to delete them.

KentT · Mar 25, 2006

I've had Charter Digital's VoIP for several months and have had zero problems since installation. It is crystal clear, the volume is louder than analog phones, and if we've ever lost service it was at a time that we never knew about it...

No 911 issues, all the features we wanted (plus some) and unlimited calling to the US and Canada 24X7X365 for under $30 a month. About half what we were paying before....

dieselsmoke1 · Mar 25, 2006

Wonder if the phone listing would still be in the book or available via 411?

I would guess so if you went through the phone company, don't know about third party providers.

I like the sound of the forward to cell feature and VM's by email.

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2006

Wonder if the phone listing would still be in the book or available via 411?

AT&T has 3 option for listing phone numbers.

Listed - One listing per telephone number will be included in printed directories and available through Directory Assistance.

Non-Listed - Ensures that your telephone number is not listed in printed directories. It will, however, be available through Directory Assistance.

Non-Published* - Ensures that your phone number is neither listed in printed directories nor available through Directory Assistance. This is what you have today.

I use the Non-Listed feature since the above message. I also have my number listed on Do-Not Call.

WhyNot · Mar 25, 2006

ronjhall
Just so you know, the reason you still receive call's is because you have your number forwarded (sorta I'm not sure what they call it in voip) to your cell phone. Which mean's that the call is still hitting the provider's switch which routes the call through your broadband connection. When you don't answer because you are not there or there is an interuption with your connection the provider's switch then routes the call through your cell provider's network and you recieve the call. So as long as there is no trouble with your provider's switch you should never miss a call with you set up. Thought I would let you know since I hate not knowing /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

ronjhall · Mar 25, 2006

Thanks. Thought it was like that. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

ToddW · Mar 25, 2006

I've used Vonage for about 2 1/2 years now. No complaints. As others have said, if your broadband goes down it routes to your cell phone, or whatever number you have it setup to route to. Was very handy during the 2004 hurricanes to have it do that since we didn't have power for over a week. Very handy also to check your VM from a web browser anywhere. Lots of other features too, 3 way calling, call forwarding and so on, all included in the base price. You can also get a "virtual" number from them that rings to your main vonage number for about $5.00 a month. Real handy to use as a throw away number if you need to publish a number in a for sale ad or something along those lines. Vonage does not publish your number in any listing, which I like. If my phone rings I know its someone I've given my number to, no telemarketing calls at all in 2 1/2 years