want2wander
Dryer sheet wannabe
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2008
- Messages
- 10
I am wondering if anyone is using Vonage for their phone? We are trying to cut our expenses. I think we could use our cell phones, but DH wants a landline. Thanks
This is a TiVo issue, not a Vonage issue.
Not to quibble, but your terms of service for directv state that you agree to keep the unit connected to a phone line at all times. To date directv hasnt been too picky about enforcing that requirement, but they may decide to do so at some point.
I’ve had Vonage since 11/03. There is no better VOIP supplier. If you call Canada or internationally frequently, their rates are very competitive. If you travel to locations with high speed broadband, it is very easy to bring along the TA and just plug it in.
A friend of mine was pulling his hair out over the lack of Vonage customer service. He switched to comcast, even though he will be paying more.Their tech support was excellent in ‘03 but just ok now. Kind of like Dell or MS.
My internet connection is no where near as reliable as the phone system. I am using a Cable provider. Our internet connection is down frequently.
The phone company is definitely up close to 99.999% in a year except for local outages.
ISPs use general purpose server equipment and it is not that reliable. Closer to 99.9% Enough outage to be noticeable.
If Vonage was very low cost, like $5/mo... I would consider it. But it is not. IMHO it is not a reliable alternative at this time (cost/benefit wise). Imagine that your house is on fire or someone has a health emergency... Do you really want to rely on Vonage or your ISP to communicate?
My internet connection is no where near as reliable as the phone system. I am using a Cable provider. Our internet connection is down frequently.
I'd be concerned with Vonage long term health. They floated the $17 IPO after their plan to get bought up by some big fish failed, and they now are trading below $2. Another VOIP provider went belly up, and people who prepaid for one year were left high and dry. I doubt that will happen with AT&T, but no guarantee. But I do feel more secure than with Vonage.
It sounds like CFB's old VOIP companies were startups in the late '90s and early '00s.