Internet-based phone service questions

DollarDave

Does anyone have experience and/or opinions on some of the internet-based phone services like Vonage, Skype, Magic Jack, Google Voice, or others?

I am looking to make a good number of sales-type of calls and don't want to resort to an unlimited calling plan on my cell phone to do it. Of course, I don't want to pay long distance changes either.

Suggestions/opinions?

What equipment will I need?

unc2701

Avoid Magic Jack.

Vonage and Skype are great. Dunno how GV rates compare- don't really use it for calling, but you'll need a phone that can use it.

For vonage, there's a box that you plug into your ethernet and into your house phone line. I've got an old one you can have for shipping, assuming I can find it.

Skype you can do on a computer with mic & headset or there's a variety of VOIP devices. See:
http://shop.skype.com/


Skype and vonage both have driod/ iphone apps, too.

NotaSuv

2X avoid Magic Jack....was given one and used it for 2 days before putting in a land line......

xj4094dg

unc2701 wrote: »

Avoid Magic Jack.

Vonage and Skype are great. Dunno how GV rates compare- don't really use it for calling, but you'll need a phone that can use it.

For vonage, there's a box that you plug into your ethernet and into your house phone line. I've got an old one you can have for shipping, assuming I can find it.

Skype you can do on a computer with mic & headset or there's a variety of VOIP devices. See:
http://shop.skype.com/


Skype and vonage both have driod/ iphone apps, too.

Google the customer complaints about Vonage. I was looking at this for a family member and after reading the horror stories about Vonage I quickly decided to pass. The negative reviews were VERY recent so good luck if you choose Vonage. It sounds good on the front end but apparently the service sucks.

bobman1235

Take any online reviews of ANY service with a grain of salt. People don't go online to rate a service unless they have a gripe (or they have some kind of stellar service experience, but how often is that going to happen even with great service?).

Big Dawg

I use Comcast at home for VoIP, and the quality is very good and reliable. Takes a second to get a dial tone. My wife and son use Skype daily, and seem pleased with the quality, although I've not used it.

HTguru1982

Magic Jack isn't bad. We use it and for the price, it's pretty decent. While customer service is chat based, they do a fair job at getting you up and running should a problem arise. But that's just it - problems will pop up. Best thing to keep in mind: "for the money...".

My fiance's father uses Vonage and has had no problems. She has family in Japan and Vonage has apparently been great for international phone calls.

xj4094dg

bobman1235 wrote: »

Take any online reviews of ANY service with a grain of salt. People don't go online to rate a service unless they have a gripe (or they have some kind of stellar service experience, but how often is that going to happen even with great service?).

That's obvious. I'm referring to a huge number of recent complaints, not a few gripes. Vonage sounds good, but is having problems and I'll stay away until they can fix them or go another route.

Most of the issues center around their inability in many cases, despite a huge ad campaign to the contrary, to retain your current number (a huge deal for many who have had their number for years). They also have a large number of complaints about incorrect billing and being unable to get any resolution from Vonage.

Pass for now.

thsmith

Had vonage for years (at least 4) and never once had a problem. The little box can even handle rotary dial phone and has enough ring voltage to ring an old style ringer just fine.

Sherardp

Vonage user here, allows me to call from Japan as if I was in the USA. Works great, sound quality is excellent over my 200meg fiber line.

Earthy

I have looked at the Ooma Telo in the past, but still didn't give up our land line yet. http://www.amazon.com/Ooma-Telo-Free-Phone-Service/dp/B002O3W4LE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

It looked interesting, so I would be interested in some of your opinions. I like the idea of a free(ish) service.

eeagle

I've had Vonage over 5 years now. Much cheaper than buying from my cable company, and much much cheaper than my previous land line.

I pay by the year which reduces the cost another 20%.

I've had no problems and never looked back at Ma Bell and their crazy pricing schemes. Initially their was no tax or service charges, but Uncle has caught up with Vonage and all taxes etc are there now.....but still a great deal.

Gadabout

I haven't tried Google voice much just dialed a couple friends and they said it sounded fine. Just need a computer and headset. Might also want to read the privacy statement for Google Voice (I didn't), they can be pretty aggressive in their terms and I don't know if that would work for your business.

I had vonage for 6 years and no issues. Everything worked as advertised. I even tried their computer phone line for when I was on the road and it worked great too.

I haven't tried using Skype for phone calls, but it's great for video conference over the net. I do know a lot of folks that have Skype (mainly for the international calling rates) and they love it.

Scott

treitz3

Avoid Magic Jack? That's a new one on me. I use mine and it's flawless. My only gripes are that you have to have power [can't use it when the computer is down or the power is out like a land line] and it can't be used for an alarm system.

Have you thought about Straight-Talk? If you get a Verizon [type] phone, you are on the Verizon Network and you get unlimited talk, text and web for 45 bucks a month. Best coverage I've ever had, to be honest. At about half the price. The only drawback is that the phones are not Blackberries. They are just basic phones but they do include cameras, a slide out query keyboard [depending on the model] and other features my other phones didn't even have. I read a lot about customer complaints with service before purchasing but so far, I would rate them with a perfect score. I've had mine for about a year.

disneyjoe7

Sherardp wrote: »

Vonage user here, allows me to call from Japan as if I was in the USA. Works great, sound quality is excellent over my 200meg fiber line.

200meg fiber line, seems you could provide what 3108 ds0's or Dial Tone DT to all your neighbors.