Any one using Vonage?

[Moonliner]

Is anyone using Vonage for their home phone? Would you recommend it?

Staring at the impending fiscal cliff I'm looking for ways to economize. Dropping Verizon phone service (and keeping the Fios Internet) for Vongage looks like it would save us something like $60/month.

[katiesue]

We used it a few years ago when my boss would travel to Mexcio for a few weeks at a time. We didn't have any problems with it. I can't remember what the costs were.

[RStar]

I'm using Voipo (http://www.voipo.com/voip.php). I prepaid for two years for $149, installed it myelf (pretty easy, just plug it into your router), so I saved about $50 month (I have no monthly landline bill at all now). But VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, can be sketchy sometimes. I get people who end up going straight to voicemail (on their server) when the cable internet lines are crowded.

I'm not sure if Vonage would have the same problem or not, though.

Here's a review of VOIP services (http://www.nextadvisor.com/voip_services/index.php?a=2&kw=mvbv+best%20voip%20services&ref=search.yahoo.com)

[Ghoulish Delight]

We had it for years, switched to Time Warner because it saved us a few bucks. Never had a problem with it.

[Alex]

Out of curiosity, if cost saving is the motivation, why is a landline equivalent needed at all?

We haven't had one for about 6 years now and it has never created an issue.

[Moonliner]

Out of curiosity, if cost saving is the motivation, why is a landline equivalent needed at all?

We haven't had one for about 6 years now and it has never created an issue.

For whatever reason, our cell phone reception has always been spotty here at Cada de moonie.

[Alex]

Ah. Though I'd probably still cut the cord. The ringer is off on my phone 99% of the time and when at home in a bowl where I can't see it. So I essentially live without a phone at home (in terms of people being able to call me).

[RStar]

well, some of us have friends and family who need to call us once in a while, even while we are at home.

And having the landline allows us to have a cheeper cell plan (though unlimited is becoming the norm these days).

Also, I have my landline so that I can use that number when asked for contact information so that I don't give my cell and end up with a bunch of sales calls on my cell phone.

[katiesue]

Also, I have my landline so that I can use that number when asked for contact information so that I don't give my cell and end up with a bunch of sales calls on my cell phone.

This is why I still have one. Plus uncertain coverage in my house.

[blueerica]

I have Vonage. It's OK, and I think there are some benefits to it, but we'll be switching to something like Magic Jack soon. I've had a number of local acquaintances say they use it and love it.

[Moonliner]

After doing a bit more research, Phone Power (http://www.phonepower.com/voiphome.aspx) looks like a better option than Vonage.

[Alex]

well, some of us have friends and family who need to call us once in a while, even while we are at home.

I'm sensing a suggestion of lack of friends? I have friends who need to call me, I just don't worry about them actually being able to do so. This pisses Lani off sometimes.

Also, I have my landline so that I can use that number when asked for contact information so that I don't give my cell and end up with a bunch of sales calls on my cell phone.

I worried about that, but I get essentially zero solicitation calls on my cell phone. Just around elections.

[RStar]

I'm sensing a suggestion of lack of friends? I have friends who need to call me, I just don't worry about them actually being able to do so. This pisses Lani off sometimes.
No, if that is what I meant, I would have said "...actually have friends...". From the few times we've met at MAs, I think you are a great guy who would have plenty of friends. And I figured Lani would be fielding calls for you. My Aunt does this as they have no landline, so I'm familiar with the method. And I do find it rather annoying at times, but to each his own.


I worried about that, but I get essentially zero solicitation calls on my cell phone. Just around elections.Really? I give out the landline primarily (doctors, friends, and family are the only ones who get the cell) and I still get solicitors once in a while. Mostly by text, however, so it's only mildly annoying. And they know my name so they got it from me somehow.

[Alex]

Maybe Verizon has good text spam filters but I think I've received no more than three text solicitations in the last year.

[bewitched]

I cut the wire about 5 years ago and have maybe had 5-10 "junk" phone calls or texts in that time. In fact, I just got a spam text a couple of weeks ago and it kind of surprised me since I haven't gotten one in so long.

For those of you that have spotty cell reception, every service has boosters for homes with a weak signal. Some companies provide them for free, some cost money...some just send it to you, some require a tech to come test your signal.

I'm with Sprint and had spotty coverage in my house. They sent me a booster, for free, with a phone call.

[Betty]

We used Magic Jack before we moved. We had fairly crappy DSL and there wasn't enough bandwidth for everyone and the phone.

Now we have cable and I'm considering going back to the magic jack. The cable phone is doing the same thing, isn't it? Just costing more.