I need help deciding which VOIP Service to use

[Slap]

I know there are several topics already here about this. I have read through them all and I still can't decide which service to use. Right now, Voicepulse looks very interesting, but I can't find much info about it here. It seems everyone here prefers Vonage. Also there is Packet8, Broadvoice, and AT&T. I have probably forgotten others also.

I would like to hear some pros and cons of all the VOIP services you have used.

 

[300MDemon]

Just stay faaar away from Lingo.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: 300MDemon
Just stay faaar away from Lingo.

details please.

 

[Slap]

Originally posted by: 300MDemon
Just stay faaar away from Lingo.

Yeah I didn't list them because I have read some pretty negative comments about them.

 

[dquan97]

I'm thinking about getting Vonage (already got a referral), but the fees bother me. Activation: $30, shipping: $10, disconnect: $40.

 

[Descartes]

I have the small-business "package" with Vonage, and it's been great. I have a dedicated business phone and fax, and I can check everything online. The clarity is great, I've experienced no connection problems, and it took about five minutes to set it up behind my existing router.

 

[TechBoyJK]

i'm using vonage and its fine.

jk

ps. anybody need a referral?

 

[300MDemon]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: 300MDemon
Just stay faaar away from Lingo.

details please.

Well....the tech guys are so incompetent that it took them months to figure out really simple stuff. My lingo just kept going out whenever it felt like it. Or either somebody would be able to call the house and the caller can hear me but I can't hear them. Or sometimes it was vice versa. They finally fixed all that stuff but little things still irk me like not having Caller ID name delivery. I think Vonage has that. They also charge you for calls like...404xxxxxxx...they'll say it's international and obviously I just forgot to put the one in front of it because I'm not used to dialing 1 for local calls. It's cheap but you get what you pay for. I've heard really good things about Vonage though.

 

[Slap]

So does anyone use Voicepulse? Seems like they have the most features.

 

[Amused]

I have Vonage and couldn't be happier.

And they just slashed their prices!

 

[lightpants]

I have broadvoice and I am happy with it.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Slap
So does anyone use Voicepulse? Seems like they have the most features.

I was debating on getting them a month ago. I opted for Packet8 simply because I could not find out anything. Packet8 was cheaper than Vonage and had lower international rates. Unfortunately, I ordered the router through amazon and it took them nearly 3 weeks to ship it, not here yet.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm thinking about getting Vonage (already got a referral), but the fees bother me. Activation: $30, shipping: $10, disconnect: $40.

That is only if you don't return the equipment.


<--Very happy Vonage customer...

 

[crypticlogin]

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm thinking about getting Vonage (already got a referral), but the fees bother me. Activation: $30, shipping: $10, disconnect: $40.

At first I thought the same thing, but if you look into it:

- $30 activation is basically par for these services. $30 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $40 for Broadvoice.

- $10 shipping. Again, par for the course. $10 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $14.95 for Broadvoice.

- $40 disconnect only if you don't return the adapter. They'll charge your card upon cancellation but once they get the adapter back, the card gets credited back.

If you're really worried about the fees, the *best* way is to wait until a local store that sells starter kits has a coupon/special/sale and pick up from there. Activation is included in those kits, no shipping, and what you pay for the kit is your startup cost.

But my advice is to go w/the provider that has the rate plan that fits you. Don't worry so much about startup costs since they're all alike. e.g. I went w/Vonage because their $14.95+tax (damn NJ!) 500 plan more than meets my needs and saves me $10/mo over POTS and the other VOIP unlimited plans.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: tenchim

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm thinking about getting Vonage (already got a referral), but the fees bother me. Activation: $30, shipping: $10, disconnect: $40.

At first I thought the same thing, but if you look into it:

- $30 activation is basically par for these services. $30 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $40 for Broadvoice.

- $10 shipping. Again, par for the course. $10 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $14.95 for Broadvoice.

- $40 disconnect only if you don't return the adapter. They'll charge your card upon cancellation but once they get the adapter back, the card gets credited back.

If you're really worried about the fees, the *best* way is to wait until a local store that sells starter kits has a coupon/special/sale and pick up from there. Activation is included in those kits, no shipping, and what you pay for the kit is your startup cost.

But my advice is to go w/the provider that has the rate plan that fits you. Don't worry so much about startup costs since they're all alike. e.g. I went w/Vonage because their $14.95+tax (damn NJ!) 500 plan more than meets my needs and saves me $10/mo over POTS and the other VOIP unlimited plans.

You better make sure that you keep all the boxes, manuals and junk or they won't take it back.

 

[crypticlogin]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: tenchim

Originally posted by: dquan97
I'm thinking about getting Vonage (already got a referral), but the fees bother me. Activation: $30, shipping: $10, disconnect: $40.

At first I thought the same thing, but if you look into it:

- $30 activation is basically par for these services. $30 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $40 for Broadvoice.

- $10 shipping. Again, par for the course. $10 for Vonage, ATT, Packet8. $14.95 for Broadvoice.

- $40 disconnect only if you don't return the adapter. They'll charge your card upon cancellation but once they get the adapter back, the card gets credited back.

If you're really worried about the fees, the *best* way is to wait until a local store that sells starter kits has a coupon/special/sale and pick up from there. Activation is included in those kits, no shipping, and what you pay for the kit is your startup cost.

But my advice is to go w/the provider that has the rate plan that fits you. Don't worry so much about startup costs since they're all alike. e.g. I went w/Vonage because their $14.95+tax (damn NJ!) 500 plan more than meets my needs and saves me $10/mo over POTS and the other VOIP unlimited plans.

You better make sure that you keep all the boxes, manuals and junk or they won't take it back.

Now I know why you were trying to sell your adapter for $50+shipping!

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Lingo is the only one that has a local (somewhat) area code for me. Which I why I'm choosing them.

 

[Slap]

I can't believe nobody here has used Voicepulse. I may go with Voange since they can port my number.

 

[adaddo]

any info / input on packet8?
any feedback appreciated

 

[Biggerhammer]

I have Broadvoice. Audio quality isn't the greatest but they're cheap and I don't have to dial '1' before everything like some comapnies are rumoured to do.