Is vonage worth switching to?

Question

i keep hearing about vonage being great in comercials, just wanted to see if anyone has any self experience with the company and how it works.

Answer 1

There may be better choices than Vonage for VoIP service.

However, consider the pros and cons of Voice over Internet Protocol in general.

Pros:

Lower cost since you are using the internet to transmit and receive a call, especially for international calls.

Cons:

1. Consolidation to one central source = single point failure potential.  In other words, you're putting your eggs in one basket; if you lose your broadband internet connection for any reason, your phone will also not work until your broadband is restored.

2. 911 for VoIP works differently from 911 on a traditional line, so additional configuration of your account is necessary to allow a 911 call via VoIP to connect with your area's 911 center. This information must be updated if you move to another location and migrate your VoIP account there. Plus, remember, if your broadband connection goes down for any reason, you can't make 911 calls through it.  

HOWEVER: if your dwelling has a traditional phone line, you should still be able to make 911 calls through that, even if you don't have traditional telephone service; unless the traditional line is physically disconnected from the telephone network, it is mandatory by law for that line to function for 911 calls. In short, if there's a dial tone on the traditional line, even if it's "disconnected," you can call 911 through it.

I won't mention customer service as a con on VoIP services since there have been many instances of bad customer service with traditional phone service providers.

Answer 2

Vonage is not really the cheapest in VoIP ( broadband) phones......but before you do anything....check your this website...there have a forum where ppl post there"real" cost to have a VoIP phone...

http://www.dslreports.com/

Vonage will not port back your number if you leave them...its not the law for VoIP providers, and dont forget the disconnection charges and return of equipment...also if you need help, good luck if you find someone to speak english..

the girl above me is so right!!

vonage features....

Voicemail Plus

Caller ID with Name

Call Waiting

Call Return

Repeat Dialing

International Call Block

311 Dialing

Call Forwarding

Call Transfer

Call Hunt

Area Code Selection

Vonage V-Forecast

511 Traveler Information

Vonage Moves With You

V-Access

Ring Lists

Click-2-Call

Caller ID Block

3-Way Calling

In-Network Calls

811 Dialing

Keep Your Phone Number

  

http://www.vonage.com/features.php

Answer 3

Of course they say their great in the commercials.

This company only wants your non-refundable $100 start up fee and they don't give a ---- about you afterwards.

Best advice... stick with Verizon/AT&T/Qwest.

Answer 4

Vonage is pitiful.

They piggy back their phone service off of your internet connection.  

IF you have any issues with your call quality, they blame your internet service provider.

they also have trouble removing customers number from their system, when you take your number with you, or when  bringing  your number from another company, they mess the order up. You could lose your phone number.

I work for a phone company, and they arent our favorite.

Lots of people sware by them though.