anyone have experiences with vonage?

[Kevin1211]

im planning on switching to their service due to their low costs ($24.99 a month and Unlimited calls anywhere in the US and canada). Just wondering if anyone has any positive/negative experiences with their service.

 

[keeleysam]

I have had it for 2 years, and it works fine.

I don't use it very much anymore, but when I do, the calls are clearer than a standard line.

 

[Kevin1211]

since it is connected via your internet connection, does it slow down your connection?

 

[newParadigm]

Originally posted by: Kevin1211
since it is connected via your internet connection, does it slow down your connection?

No but try to get a linksys WRT54g v1-3 router (not v4), and flash it to Sveasoft Alchemy Firmware. Then PM and I'll show you how to set up the QOS (Quality Of Service), so that high bandwidth network operations won't interfere with voice calling.

The VOIP stream needs aprox 130kbps up and down. You can downgrade your settings to save bandwidth at a cost of quality, i think it goes as low as 32kbps.

The service is great, but once you acutally comit and buy it, their tech support becomes non-existent, so forums are your best bet for support, also try to find a deal in the papers so you can get a linksys VOIP box instead o fhteir standard junk (unless they've wholly switched to linksys, in which case it won't matter)

Hope this was all helpfull.

 

[Kevin1211]

thanks paradigm. I already have a WRT54g but i dunno wut version it is (how can i tell?)

bump

 

[LarryS]

You may want to consider Broadvoice. I have been using them for years without incident. $9.99/mo for unlimited instate calling w/ cid, call waiting, voicemail, 3 way, etc.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

The only problem I've had with Vonage is that sometimes calls that go on for hours will get disconnected at random. It's rare and the call has always been really really long, but it's still annoying.

 

[Kevin1211]

bump.. anyone else having disconnecting problems like niK? the whole reason im getting vonage is because it has free calls to anywhere in the US and canada (i have friends and family spread out across the states, and sometimes i speak to them hours on end on the phone)

 

[FoBoT]

i have been using sunrocket for 4-5 months, i forget

it works as well as my internet connection lets it. good enough not to switch back to the ultra high priced Sprint POTS service. screw POTS and its high price/high taxes