VoIP
#16
Re: VoIP
I have been using Vonage as a secondary business line and for my fax line for about four months now, and I have had few problems with it. I do a fair amount of business "long distance" (especially in Canada) and appreciate not having the LD charges.
The big disadvantage is the connection is dependent on the DSL line working properly. It doesn't work in the night when the ISP is down for maintenance for a few minutes. Since I get my connection through DSL and not the cable company, I can't get the local phone company out of the equation. So I have to keep the local phone line, anyway.
It does surprise a lot of people, though. I had a nice long conversation with a client in Australia yesterday. He was getting worried about the time on the phone and the charges. I knew I was paying 4 cents per minute, he didn't.
And the phone does work on my son's cable broadband internet connection -- just take the router and plug it in. Te features have made it a good choice for me.
Bryan
The big disadvantage is the connection is dependent on the DSL line working properly. It doesn't work in the night when the ISP is down for maintenance for a few minutes. Since I get my connection through DSL and not the cable company, I can't get the local phone company out of the equation. So I have to keep the local phone line, anyway.
It does surprise a lot of people, though. I had a nice long conversation with a client in Australia yesterday. He was getting worried about the time on the phone and the charges. I knew I was paying 4 cents per minute, he didn't.
And the phone does work on my son's cable broadband internet connection -- just take the router and plug it in. Te features have made it a good choice for me.
Bryan
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Posts: 56
Yeah that's the only problem I have right now, is whether to cancel my landline or keep it. It's that small unreliability factor that's preventing me from doing so. The 1-2 problems I've had have been with the DSL connection not with VoicePulse. I had a seperate AT&T long distance package that was costing more than the VOIP line so cancelling that certainly was beneficial. I've found myself using the Bellsouth line occasionaly when the cable modem was down and I had to make an urgent call but I guess I can still use my cell phone for making those types of calls. I'll give it another month then probably cancel my Bellsouth line if I find myself using it less.
#18
Originally posted by mrloofer
but I guess I can still use my cell phone for making those types of calls. I'll give it another month then probably cancel my Bellsouth line if I find myself using it less.
but I guess I can still use my cell phone for making those types of calls. I'll give it another month then probably cancel my Bellsouth line if I find myself using it less.
Bryan
#19
Re: VoIP
Originally Posted by Muswell Hill
I have just signed up for lingo and it is great! Only bad thing, the call centres are in india, the phillipines and some russian republic. No one speaks good english and they are too helpful because of it. Maybe i should learn hindi or togalog?
But lingo itself...110% recommend it, Now i can speak to my mum for as long as i want and not worry about a bill! Also, i DID get a local number with lingo...
But lingo itself...110% recommend it, Now i can speak to my mum for as long as i want and not worry about a bill! Also, i DID get a local number with lingo...
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 50
Re: VoIP
Just wanted to say thanks for this VoIP thread. I've been toying with going ahead with Lingo for a while now and as it seemed too good to be true have been very suspicious of its offerings. I'm now pretty much convinced.
From my research it seems that the two major drawbacks to VoIP seems to be that the phone won't work in a power cut (obvious, but something to consider) and that calls to 911 generally have to go through an interim call centre because the 911 system can't grab the location of VoIP callers because the phone number could be virtual. (A bonus becomes a drawback here)
Still, the ability to be able to cheaply call my friends and family back in UK just by picking up the phone far outweighs those two points in my mind.
Lingo seems to be the only company I've come across that does unlimited calls to Western Europe as well as the US and Canada. It's frustrating that most of the others only include the States and Canada in their plans. If you're using the internet I don't see why the distinction exists.
I also checked out what Clark Howard (Atlanta based US consumer advocate - http://clarkhoward.com/) had to say about VoIP and found him to be very positive. He seems to be all for it and thinks that the reason it's slow to take off is just the general public's reticence to embrace new technology, especially with the dominance of traditional phone companies.
Anyway, I think I'll be taking the plunge and have my fingers crossed that sound quality and connection will be as decent as their prices.
From my research it seems that the two major drawbacks to VoIP seems to be that the phone won't work in a power cut (obvious, but something to consider) and that calls to 911 generally have to go through an interim call centre because the 911 system can't grab the location of VoIP callers because the phone number could be virtual. (A bonus becomes a drawback here)
Still, the ability to be able to cheaply call my friends and family back in UK just by picking up the phone far outweighs those two points in my mind.
Lingo seems to be the only company I've come across that does unlimited calls to Western Europe as well as the US and Canada. It's frustrating that most of the others only include the States and Canada in their plans. If you're using the internet I don't see why the distinction exists.
I also checked out what Clark Howard (Atlanta based US consumer advocate - http://clarkhoward.com/) had to say about VoIP and found him to be very positive. He seems to be all for it and thinks that the reason it's slow to take off is just the general public's reticence to embrace new technology, especially with the dominance of traditional phone companies.
Anyway, I think I'll be taking the plunge and have my fingers crossed that sound quality and connection will be as decent as their prices.
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Posts: 2,025
Re: VoIP
Just like when you have a cable company responsible for your phone connection, if the system is down you are screwed right?
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right.
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right.
Originally Posted by edwords
Is anyone else here using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
The neat thing about this technology is that you can take your U.S. phone number and service to any place in the world. Just plug the router (about the size of a large paperback book) into the broadband connector, plug a U.S. phone into the router and you'll have your U.S. phone service while abroad. Oh, you'll also need a power converter for the router if you travel to a place that doesn't have 100V, 60Hz service.
The neat thing about this technology is that you can take your U.S. phone number and service to any place in the world. Just plug the router (about the size of a large paperback book) into the broadband connector, plug a U.S. phone into the router and you'll have your U.S. phone service while abroad. Oh, you'll also need a power converter for the router if you travel to a place that doesn't have 100V, 60Hz service.
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Hinsdale, IL
Posts: 469
Re: VoIP
Originally Posted by dunroving
Wanted to bring this back up - how do you like Lingo after you've been using it for a while?
I cannot recommend it highly enough. I have also spoken to customer/technical services a few more times and they now seem to operate out of a Washington DC area. I have spoken with Americans every time.
Last point: one guy at lingo said almost 2000 people a day sign up!
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 50
Re: VoIP
Well, I signed up and am now awaiting delivery of my broadband splitter. I'm very excited that soon I should be back in touch with friends and family I miss terribly.
"Just like when you have a cable company responsible for your phone connection, if the system is down you are screwed right?
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right." - veryfunny
Actually, it occurred to me that a lot of phones we've become accustomed to using in the home are like that anyway. My existing phone runs the same risk as it is cordless and needs to be charged.
I remember having a terrible time with my Nanna and Grandad and their phone too. The family plugged together and bought them a fancy phone system with the extra large buttons for the elderly and partially sighted and with several handsets so they could always be in reach of a phone if they needed anything. Sounds great, except that when they did have a power cut and needed assistance they weren't able to call for help because the phones didn't work. Frightening.
So, still a negative aspect to consider, but it's entirely possible that a normal landline isn't going to work without power either.
*shrugs*
"Just like when you have a cable company responsible for your phone connection, if the system is down you are screwed right?
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right." - veryfunny
Actually, it occurred to me that a lot of phones we've become accustomed to using in the home are like that anyway. My existing phone runs the same risk as it is cordless and needs to be charged.
I remember having a terrible time with my Nanna and Grandad and their phone too. The family plugged together and bought them a fancy phone system with the extra large buttons for the elderly and partially sighted and with several handsets so they could always be in reach of a phone if they needed anything. Sounds great, except that when they did have a power cut and needed assistance they weren't able to call for help because the phones didn't work. Frightening.
So, still a negative aspect to consider, but it's entirely possible that a normal landline isn't going to work without power either.
*shrugs*
#24
Re: VoIP
Originally Posted by pinKaboo
Well, I signed up and am now awaiting delivery of my broadband splitter. I'm very excited that soon I should be back in touch with friends and family I miss terribly.
"Just like when you have a cable company responsible for your phone connection, if the system is down you are screwed right?
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right." - veryfunny
Actually, it occurred to me that a lot of phones we've become accustomed to using in the home are like that anyway. My existing phone runs the same risk as it is cordless and needs to be charged.
I remember having a terrible time with my Nanna and Grandad and their phone too. The family plugged together and bought them a fancy phone system with the extra large buttons for the elderly and partially sighted and with several handsets so they could always be in reach of a phone if they needed anything. Sounds great, except that when they did have a power cut and needed assistance they weren't able to call for help because the phones didn't work. Frightening.
So, still a negative aspect to consider, but it's entirely possible that a normal landline isn't going to work without power either.
*shrugs*
"Just like when you have a cable company responsible for your phone connection, if the system is down you are screwed right?
Not worth it yet, needs more time to get it right." - veryfunny
Actually, it occurred to me that a lot of phones we've become accustomed to using in the home are like that anyway. My existing phone runs the same risk as it is cordless and needs to be charged.
I remember having a terrible time with my Nanna and Grandad and their phone too. The family plugged together and bought them a fancy phone system with the extra large buttons for the elderly and partially sighted and with several handsets so they could always be in reach of a phone if they needed anything. Sounds great, except that when they did have a power cut and needed assistance they weren't able to call for help because the phones didn't work. Frightening.
So, still a negative aspect to consider, but it's entirely possible that a normal landline isn't going to work without power either.
*shrugs*