Internet based phone service reliable?

Question

Are these internet based phone service such as Vonage reliable?

I guess if internet goes out phone service goes out right?

Are there any problems with connection time, speed, sound quality etc.?

And which service would you recommend.

I like to "ditch" AT&T so bad, but I'm kind of afraid to do it.

I guess I have a cell phone if internet service goes out I guess.

Answer 1

I got rid of ATT 5 years ago, and never have regret my decision!!

I didn't know what I got into and was really scared, but if you don't try you will never know!

First make sure you have a totally reliable high-speed Internet....like cable ....DSL...( dry line) or wifi-max-fixed, if you have it in your area....then choose the VoIP of you choice!!  I use Packet8...I had never even heard of them before, but I did some research at www.dslreports.com and like what I was reading about it....and now I love it!!

Answer 2

There is only 1 reason to switch to VoIP... to Save Money!

You can save tons of money using VoIP rather than PSTN phones.

If you already have a cell as your backup comms and 911, then I say go for it...... get VoIP!

Yes, there are reliability issues related to using VoIP.

Yes, if Internet goes down, so does your VoIP phone, too.

These days, Internet connections are highly reliable.... at least where I live in Alberta, Canada.  Over past 4 years I have had DSL Internet, and now Cable Internet..... both have been Very Reliable with no down-time, that I can recall, in past couple years.

"Most" reliability issues people have with VoIP is Not with service providers, but with your Equipment Hardware, such as Modems, Routers and ATA VoIP telephone adapters.  Most VoIP services sell you VoIP hardware made from the same big-name manufactures (perhaps re-branded for their service name), such as Linksys, Motorola, Grandstream, etc.  The equipment is reliable, BUT problems usually arise due to "configuration" problems that don't work for a particular situation or circumstance.  It helps to have a little tech-savvy when problems arise....

Problems can be compounded when your equipment is Wireless-G.  So, it comes down to how tolerant you are about dealing with technical issues when things go awry or need a little "tweaking".

I am currently using VoIP 100% for all my phone calling.

I officially pulled the plugh on Ma Bell six months ago and hope to never go back.  The savings are substantial.  I get a lot more features and flexibility at a much lower price.... how can one ask for more?

I use InPhonex as my "primary" home-phone VoIP service provider.  They provide E911 where I live in Canada, even though InPhonex is a USA-based company. (find link through my profile)

I have their "LiteLine" service for $7.95/month.  

I use CallCentric as my "secondary" home-phone VoIP service.  I have a local-area phone number for $1.95/month + 1.5 cent/min incoming and 1.9 cent/min outgoing calling + all bells & whistles for free that Ma Bell charges an arm&leg for.

CallCentric is BYOD (bring your own ATA adapter).

So, I purchased my own Linksys PAP2T phone adapter through VoIP Depot in Canada.  I configured the PAP2T for InPhonex on the adapter Line-1, and configured it for CallCentric on Line-2.  So, I have just 1 VoIP adapter configured to work with 2-separate VoIP service providers.

CallCentric and InPhonex provide free softphones so you can use their services with a PC too. Or, use a 3rd party configurable softphone with their service, such as CounterPaths's "X-Lite" free downloadable softphone.

For alternative softphones and PC calling I also use Gizmo Project (now Gizmo5), Skype, Efonica, and Hotfoon.

So, even if you don't pull the plug on AT&T completely, you can use VoIP to save tons of money on long-distance calling alternative.

Answer 3

The phone company I use here in the UK is launching its Voip service here very soon, but the service has been operating in the States for over a year now, and from all reports it is excellent.

Certainly if the internet goes out, the service is out but that is the same for land line phones.

Also the Voip service will allow you to dial 911,but it means that the emergency Centre cannot trace the call to an area.

Having used my land line service provider for over 9 years now with never a problem, I cannot wait until the Voip service comes online, because I know that they will have one extra service that will revolutionise voip communications.

If you would like more information then get back to me by email, but make sure I can email you back.

Answer 4

biggest issue with VOIP is that in most caes you have to sign a disclaimer, voip runs through a modem and if it goes down, you can't sue your phone aaaand if you can't sue the phone is you need you can't call say 911, i had it once beed to call 911 and couldn't and th discaimersaid they are NOT respiniable if you can't, and if you do not sign the disclaimer they will NOT install the service