I noticed there were some posts talking about VoIP (Voice over IP) services, but none dedicated to what I find to be the best deal.
As you probably know, VoIP allows you to get phone service over the internet using your regular home phones (no computer is necessary to place or receive calls!). You do need to have a fast internet connection (at least DSL) before you can get VoIP.
I have found Broadvoice (Broadvoice www.broadvoice.com) to be the best deal for those of you that might place calls to any of the 35 following countries (including the US):
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City
The "Unlimited World Plus" plan goes for $27.24 (total including Broadvoice charges ($24.95) + taxes and extra charges in MD) per month. It has unlimited calls to all of the 35 countries above and all the phone plan "extras".
I paid $97 in my first month to get activated, for the VoIP device (hardware), FedEX shipping and for the first month of service.
Billing is on-line and your credit card is automatically charged.
There are other plans, including unlimited in-state for $9.95 (before taxes) and 21 countries including the US for $19.95. International call rates to other counties are very good (comparable to good calling card prices).
You can get a VoIP device from Broadvoice (the size of a deck of cards), use your own device (lower initial charges) or use software on a computer (no extra hardware device needed).
I have had this service in Maryland for the past 4 months and I could not be happier. Out of some 4000 minutes in international calls and several hundred to the US, I only had one call drop (it was a stormy afternoon and I was able to call back immediately).
I regularly call Argentina, Chile, Spain, Belgium and several US numbers. I have taken the VoIP device with me to other locations in the US Northeast, and it has worked great.
3 friends of mine have got this service since I told them and they are all happy Broadvoice customers.
One of my friends actually got high speed internet just to get Broadvoice (and now enjoys fast internet and unlimited calls to 35 countries for much less than what he was paying before for phone service and international calls).
Broadvoice (like most VoIP providers) can port your current number, so you can keep it. If your current area code is available (check Availability on the website), you can get your phone number ported within a month. If not, you need to wait for the area to be available.
My area code was not available when I signed up, so I kept my Verizon (regular) phone connection and downgraded it to the lowest plan price (where you can receive calls, but there is a fee for each call you place ? $13 a month). I have a cordless multi-phone system connected to my Broadvoice device and all my outgoing calls are placed on this phone.
I was told by a Broadvoice rep that they would start porting my area this month.
The Broadvoice plans include all the options from the "premium" plans from phone companies ... caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, call forwarding, voice mail (which you can set up to send you an email with the actual voice mail), 3 way conference call, transfer, and more...
It also includes a very cool on-line call manager that allows you to place, transfer, conference and forward calls from any browser connected to the internet.
Other options (for an extra charge) include toll free numbers, UK numbers, multiple US numbers, simultaneous ring, and more...
One last note, for those worried about what happens if your internet service is down ?well, you cannot receive or place calls with the VoIP service until your connection is back ... but that is what cell phones are for!
Finally, as with all VoIP providers, referrals lower monthly charges to those that refer new customers. If my posting has helped you decide, and you do not have anybody else to give the credit to, send me a private message for my referral ID before you sign up. There is no change in Broadvoice fees if you use a referral ID.
As you probably know, VoIP allows you to get phone service over the internet using your regular home phones (no computer is necessary to place or receive calls!). You do need to have a fast internet connection (at least DSL) before you can get VoIP.
I have found Broadvoice (Broadvoice www.broadvoice.com) to be the best deal for those of you that might place calls to any of the 35 following countries (including the US):
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City
The "Unlimited World Plus" plan goes for $27.24 (total including Broadvoice charges ($24.95) + taxes and extra charges in MD) per month. It has unlimited calls to all of the 35 countries above and all the phone plan "extras".
I paid $97 in my first month to get activated, for the VoIP device (hardware), FedEX shipping and for the first month of service.
Billing is on-line and your credit card is automatically charged.
There are other plans, including unlimited in-state for $9.95 (before taxes) and 21 countries including the US for $19.95. International call rates to other counties are very good (comparable to good calling card prices).
You can get a VoIP device from Broadvoice (the size of a deck of cards), use your own device (lower initial charges) or use software on a computer (no extra hardware device needed).
I have had this service in Maryland for the past 4 months and I could not be happier. Out of some 4000 minutes in international calls and several hundred to the US, I only had one call drop (it was a stormy afternoon and I was able to call back immediately).
I regularly call Argentina, Chile, Spain, Belgium and several US numbers. I have taken the VoIP device with me to other locations in the US Northeast, and it has worked great.
3 friends of mine have got this service since I told them and they are all happy Broadvoice customers.
One of my friends actually got high speed internet just to get Broadvoice (and now enjoys fast internet and unlimited calls to 35 countries for much less than what he was paying before for phone service and international calls).
Broadvoice (like most VoIP providers) can port your current number, so you can keep it. If your current area code is available (check Availability on the website), you can get your phone number ported within a month. If not, you need to wait for the area to be available.
My area code was not available when I signed up, so I kept my Verizon (regular) phone connection and downgraded it to the lowest plan price (where you can receive calls, but there is a fee for each call you place ? $13 a month). I have a cordless multi-phone system connected to my Broadvoice device and all my outgoing calls are placed on this phone.
I was told by a Broadvoice rep that they would start porting my area this month.
The Broadvoice plans include all the options from the "premium" plans from phone companies ... caller ID, call waiting, call waiting ID, call forwarding, voice mail (which you can set up to send you an email with the actual voice mail), 3 way conference call, transfer, and more...
It also includes a very cool on-line call manager that allows you to place, transfer, conference and forward calls from any browser connected to the internet.
Other options (for an extra charge) include toll free numbers, UK numbers, multiple US numbers, simultaneous ring, and more...
One last note, for those worried about what happens if your internet service is down ?well, you cannot receive or place calls with the VoIP service until your connection is back ... but that is what cell phones are for!
Finally, as with all VoIP providers, referrals lower monthly charges to those that refer new customers. If my posting has helped you decide, and you do not have anybody else to give the credit to, send me a private message for my referral ID before you sign up. There is no change in Broadvoice fees if you use a referral ID.
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