to all the landline phone users...

[rh71]

Just yesterday, someone told me about lingo.com and how great their service is - no delays - crystal clear (digital). It's just $20/mo. which includes "unlimited minutes each month to speak with anyone in the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe plus a lot of great calling features." First month is free too. Yes that means free long distance in those 3 places. Unlimited calling including asia is $35/mo instead.

My Verizon local calling package is $18 after taxes with 0 calls made each month :|. I've kept a landline because cellphones are not always dependable (as evidenced by the blackout last year and 9/11). Now since VOIP still requires Internet connectivity (cable modem only, I believe), this wouldn't work in the event of a power outage so it's not for me, but I figure this would be good for some of you out there who didn't know about it. Oh and yes...
"Local Number Portability so you can keep your existing phone number"

Opinions ?

 

[StageLeft]

Sounds good I pay $35/fvcking month for bottom of the barrel landline (although it has caller ID). I hardly use the damn thing but I can't get good cell reception in my house. I've heard that VOIP can be somewhat unreliable, so I'm still with landline

 

[rh71]

oh here's the fine print:

Additional Charges:

$29.95 one-time activation fee (I guess it pays for the free 1st month)
$.03 per minute for U.S. and Canada minutes out of plan
For Western Europe minutes out of plan and other International calls please use the International rate calculator to the left
$.75 per Directory assistance call
$4.95 per month for additional U.S. phone numbers
$10.00 per month for International phone numbers.
$5.00 per month for Canada phone numbers.
$9.95 US shipping fee. International shipping is currently not available.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

I looked at Lingo a couple months back. I was going to get it but when I returned from my honeymoon the 3 months free special was over with, and their customer support wouldn't do anything but say, "sorry that special ended a few days ago. would you like to sign up?"

btw, wasn't it you that got married around the same date as I? (9/4 for mine) how'd it all go?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
I looked at Lingo a couple months back. I was going to get it but when I returned from my honeymoon the 3 months free special was over with, and their customer support wouldn't do anything but say, "sorry that special ended a few days ago. would you like to sign up?"

heh rough... I guess they are in business to make some kinda profit.

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I've heard that VOIP can be somewhat unreliable, so I'm still with landline

You heard wrong.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: homestarmy

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I've heard that VOIP can be somewhat unreliable, so I'm still with landline

You heard wrong.

VOIP has been unreliable for me. I haven't connected once.

 

[faZZter]

VOIP works just fine over DSL as well as cable. I use Vonage with Verizon's cheapest line and DSL. As far as power outages go, I bet if you just power the vonage adapter the phone would work fine. Since I have a small honda generator it wouldn't be a prob if I needed it that bad. You could have a UPS on the adapter also so you could call immediately if need be.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: faZZter
VOIP works just fine over DSL as well as cable. I use Vonage with Verizon's cheapest line and DSL. As far as power outages go, I bet if you just power the vonage adapter the phone would work fine. Since I have a small honda generator it wouldn't be a prob if I needed it that bad. You could have a UPS on the adapter also so you could call immediately if need be.

dsl modem needs power as well eh?

 

[rh71]

I was thinking about this. In my OP, I wrote "cable modem" because what would be the point in someone switching their landline for VOIP if they wanted to get rid of their landline altogether ? If you have DSL, you have a landline, no ? What would the cost difference be between not having a landline and having it only for DSL ?

Like I said.. I'm paying $18/mo. for dialtone/taxes and no other usage.

 

[Anubis]

<- land line 4 life

 

[CraigRT]

when I get my own house, I will try as hard as possible to not get a land line.

 

[bockchow]

i'll be giving up my landline as soon as they finish the number switch

 

[Freejack2]

VOIP is only as reliable as your internet connection. I've never had a phone outage related to Vonage, only to my internet connection.