Vonage, anyone using it ?

[MOTB]

For a small mobile business, it seems like Vonage is a good option to use a phone over the Internet. I am heavily thinking about it and am curious if there are any opinions out there for http://www.vonage.com/
Brian
PS. My mindset is that my product is web-based, I run my accounting system as web-based, as well as my banking, so why not go for broke and run my phone system this way since my contract is up. At this point my business life can be totally mobile.

[Eieio]

I used it for 3 years and it was not a bad product. You must have a good internet connection for multiple lines.

If the power goes out you are SOL. No major draw backs

[Splinter]

I had Vonage for over a year... Major problems with the system going down on us all the time. Switched to cable company's phone-internet-tv package, and no problems since....

Doesnt mean everyone will have an issue, just giving my personal experience....

[SLS-Construction]

My other 2 lines are through T-Mobile @Home Service (basically got it due to crappy cell phone reception at my house), the main office number still goes though a landline

Problems with VOIP systems; sound quality in some cases; your internet connection goes down or bogs down, your in trouble; 911 calls not always routed properly, FD or PD ends up querying your provider; when a call is made it will slow down your browsing; you loose your 1 free spot in the yellow pages &/or business area

Good points - no long distance calls charges, you can take the number anywhere with you (assuming you keep the carrier), its cheaper

This problem should be eliminated by now - but once Vonage got your number, they owned it & transferring it was near impossible from what others have stated

[Silvertree]

I remodeled a kitchen for a Vonage techie, she said don't get it. 2 years ago.

[PGD]

I just down graded to the $9.95 plan 2 days ago, I like it cause I can take the line with me anywhere I go (vacation etc.,)

[MOTB]

If the power goes out you are SOL. No major draw backs From what I understand, if power goes out, then the system acts as if your Internet connection went down and then redirects the call to your cellphone. Is the comment from an older experience before the technology changed? Thanks. Brian

[WarriorWithWood]

Why not use google voice and route it to your home phone or cell? It's a seperate number for free and you can forward it to wherever you want.

[Breyerconstruct]

We used it. Serious concerns on call quality.
Also, it will slow down your internet speed.

Lastly, when I switched over to Comcast cable for our hone, Vonage "forgot" to help with the switch, so for about a year after, any Vonage customer who called me would be told I was disconnected and no longer available. That made me happy.


can you see it now:
"Huh, I was going to have them finish my basement, but since they apparently went out of business, I guess I had better call their competition"... and there was nothing i could do but beg & holler.

~Matt

[MOTB]

I signed up for the least expensive plan, 500 minutes per month for $17.95 per month that equals $25 per month with taxes. My first charge was for $35 total including the shipping and handling of the Internet Modem. I chose the slowest method of delivery. Currently I spend about $90 per month on a AT&T business line (no complaints) but am just looking to save as much as possible since most of our business is conducted via email. I can always upgrade the Vonage plan if this proves to not cover the amount of time the company spends on the phone. Only thing else I need to get is a regular phone since currently my office has a very old PBX system. I purchased the PBX system around 15+ years ago and it never had a problem, but that was email was less proficient and I had two larger companies working side-by-side. I am also transferring the number from AT&T to Vonage. Will check in over the next few weeks after the equipment arrives and I convert over.
Brian

[DanBaumann]

I had vonage for a number of years. Ok system but cost $30.00 per mo. I get the same service and better voice quality using Skype. For $36.00 per year you can get your own phone number and for another $24.00 per year you can call any phone. There are no other fees $60.00 per year gets you unlimited calling anywhere in the US and Canada.

You can call anyone anywhere in the world for free is they have skype on their computer. That's called skype to skype.

You can get a wireless skype phone that works anywhere there is wireless internet.

So after using the service for over 3 years I can tell you that it's excellent and will save you a lot of money each year.

I don't see how Vonage can compete with Skype. There is no contest

[orson]

I've been using Vonage for about 3 years without any significant problems to mention.

I have my main business phone line set up to forward to my cell phone so there are no issues with internet or power outages.

I also have a fax line and our home phone line.

I do have quircky fax problems but then again who doesn't?? so I'm not sure if that is the vonage or other fax issues.

I'll have to look into Skype if it will save me some dough.

[DanBaumann]

When you sign up for a skype business acount you will get the same features as other phonje systems. Call forwarding, messaging, etc.

There are a bunch of add on programs that work really well. There is one called Pamela that is a full featured messaging sytem. I have no idea how you would make it work in a company that has multiple lines as to how the phone system would work.

I do like the fact that I can have my skype account active on my laptop and desktop and can call and get messages from anywhere.

[Eieio]

When you sign up for a skype business acount you will get the same features as other phonje systems. Call forwarding, messaging, etc.

There are a bunch of add on programs that work really well. There is one called Pamela that is a full featured messaging sytem. I have no idea how you would make it work in a company that has multiple lines as to how the phone system would work.

I do like the fact that I can have my skype account active on my laptop and desktop and can call and get messages from anywhere.

Do they have a mobile app you can access messages on your phone like google voice?

[MOTB]

I installed Vonage last Monday and had everything hooked up in less than 30 minutes. I already simulated power failures and Internet lost connections and had the Vonage calls automatically re-routed. I like the feature that has voice mail messages delivered to my email as an audio-file. For the $39 per month, I wouldn't being getting into too much debate-review of alternatives. Vonage works just fine for me based on the savings I am immediately enjoying. Quality of calls is perfect.