Vonage is considered by many to be the Grandaddy of all internet phone companies, (if a company started in January 2001 can be considered a granddad of anything) with over 1.4 million activated lines and something like 39 million calls a week. The many advantages of Vonage include: More features for free, Unlimited Calling Plans, Low International Rates, No Contracts and a Money Back Guarantee.
One of the most-appreciated features that Vonage provides is that we (Vonage users) are no longer tied to a "local area code" ~ we can choose a new number in the local calling area or select a number anywhere else in the country. Or ~ if we want to keep our current number, that's available too.
Set Up: If you can hook up a phone you can set up your Vonage VoIP phone service. Vonage service uses a small phone adapter that connects to your phone (or phones) and your computer, and then to your modem (DSL or Cable) to access the internet. It literally takes just seconds to plug the ethernet cable from your modem into the adapter, and then plugging your phone into the adapter too. That’s all there is to it.
Note: the computer Does Not have to be on all the time ~ Vonage phone service utilizes your internet connection only, not the computer.
Available Features: * 911 Dialing * Voicemail Plus
* Caller ID with Name
* Call Waiting
* Call Forwarding
* 3-Way Calling
* In-Network Calls
* Area Code Selection
* Call Transfer
* Click-2-Call
* Call Return
* Caller ID Block
* Take Vonage With You
* Repeat Dialing
* International Call Block
* Ring Lists
* Call Hunt
Additional Features available: * Add a Line ~ Add multiple phone numbers to your account.
* Virtual Phone Number ~ secondary numbers from any available area code.
* SoftPhone ~ Give your laptop its own phone number.
* Toll Free Plus ~ Your own toll free number.
* Fax Service ~ Get a dedicated fax line. (Business customers get a dedicated fax line with account)
* Enhanced 411 Dialing ~ et access to any listings in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
You can use Vonage service while traveling: You can use Vonage service while you travel throughout the US and Canada as long as you have high-speed internet connection available. Vonage does not guarantee the service outside of those countries as there may be some restrictions on using VoIP service.
Account management: Easily manage your account by logging in at the Vonage's website. The user interface, (the Dashboard), shows a list of the most recent incoming and outgoing calls, provides service announcements, and offers links to configuration screens where you can manage the details. The billing screen lets you segregate activity information by phone number (including virtual numbers) and offers a billing history for each number.
Service Plans: Vonage currently offers two plans for home users and two plans for business users. Prices are reasonable: higher than some, lower than others... To see the current plans, promotions & packages, visit the Vonage website.
e911 Services. Vonage currently offers Enhanced 911 (E911) in many areas across the country, and Vonage is continuing the process of a nationwide rollout. With E911 service, they send your registered address and phone number automatically to the proper local emergency call center, and your registered information appears on the dispatcher's screen automatically. (more E911 details)
Service areas: Vonage offers service anywhere in the United States, Canada and the UK, provided that the area has broadband internet access. Calls can be made to anywhere in the world, and Canada and Puerto Rico are considered local calls from the US, and rates for calling the rest of the world are considerably less than you would get with a traditional phone service provider. Please note that Vonage does not provide a broadband internet connection (like DSL or Cable), they provide the phone service only.
The Downsides: There have been some complaints, recently, about slow customer service and delays in transferring a new user's old phone number to the new service. We think that the main reason for these things is simple "Growing Pains" ~ Vonage is, after all, the fastest-growing VoIP company ~ and we feel that these problems will go away as people are hired and trained.
Power Outages can cause problems, if your broadband connection is depending on the local power supply to stay in operation.
Notice: Every effort is made to keep the Service Providers details up-to-date... however, things change fast, and the providers may change the details of their offers or terms at any time. Always verify the offer details before accepting any offer.
