rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO
| How will incumbents spoil Vonage?
I just want to know how incumbent communication providers will work to spoil Vonage. Right now Vonage doesn't have enough customers but just wait. Once Earthlink starts getting all of it's broadband users to try it, they'll never look at their old telephone company the same. As soon as Vonage reaches critical mass, someone is going to figure out how to tax it. Right now it doesn't qualify because it's technically not a voice call. Just wait. That will likely change. The incumbents will also be scrambling figuring out how to compete with it through legislation, port blocking or other nefarious methods.
I have it and I love it. As soon as they can transition my existing bell number to their service (number portability), I'll be kicking ma' bell out. I just hope that as the customer count grows, capacity problems don't creep in and incumbents don't work to ruin an otherwise fantastic service. |
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Gunner1214
@dsli.com
| Local phone companies should be afriad
The review ended with the above statement. After being a Vonage customer for a few about 3 weeks now, I would have to strongly agree. My service is great, setup was too quick and too simple, and the quality is better than cell phones. I moved into a house recently and didn't even bother calling BellSo-mething. I'm very pleased! |
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Pz_
join:2001-03-31
Brownsburg, IN
clubs:
| Their web site says that in April they will ad my local area code. I will be signing up the very first day I can.
The only question that I had about it was about having multiple phones on it. From what I've read, both here and around, it looks like I just need to unhook my house from the local bell. Then I can use all my normal phone outlets.
I can't wait to stop paying SBC. |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| reply to rradina
Re: How will incumbents spoil Vonage?
1. They will lobby politicians to enact heavy fees and taxes on the VOIP sector while they develop their own tech.
2. They'll lobby politicians to retract heavy fees and taxes on the VOIP sector.
3. They'll launch their own competing services and bundle it with their DSL offerings for half the price.
BellSouth I think had a brief deal with Vonage but then backed out, not really giving any reason....I was always curious why....if BellSouth was developing their own competing service?
[text was edited by author 2003-03-14 17:10:29] |
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BCali
join:2000-08-13
Hewlett, NY
| Question?
According to this article in USA Today, It's designed to be a second phone line. If you use dsl just to have one line, what is the advantage? Thanks
"Consumers would lose phone service every time the Internet connection goes down. Internet phones lack emergency features, such as 911. They could also slow a homeowner's Internet connection. Even EarthLink says that its service is designed to be a second phone line." |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| Well, the 911 thing is in the works I've read....but yeah, the fact that it relies on power is a big drawback when compared to a traditional phone. The bandwidth it uses isn't really considerable enough to impact connection speed though I don't think.
I think the optimal combo would be a cell phone AND this service.... |
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sirwoogie
Blah
Premium
join:2002-01-02
Carleton, MI
 ·AT&T Midwest
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
|  Actual Bandwidth Usage
The article DOES mention the fact the bandwidth is adjustable, with the quality of the sound being the variable. I still want to know:
What is the low-high actual bandwidth used? Is it 5kbps - 15kbp, etc?
What setting gets you the POTS voice quality equivalent, but keeps the bandwidth to a minimum?
This would be extrememly useful for those of us able to adjust the QoS of our usage so we always keep bandwidth in reserve. |
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Ianguy
join:2002-06-09
Tehachapi, CA
| said by sirwoogie  :
What is the low-high actual bandwidth used? Is it 5kbps - 15kbp, etc?
I think it is 30kbps to 90kbps |
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inciter
Noobie
Premium
join:2000-08-30
Rohnert Park, CA
| reply to rradina
Sounds cool but..........
What happens when the cat chews your phone line oustide? I can see the commecials now, two guys in a truck looking down a hole, and saying I'm not going down there.
Opp's all ready done and true.
So what are they relying on the Bells to fix the lines or do they? Hmmmm What loops and hoops one must have to go jump into if something goes wrong? I think thats why they say it's a second line and don't just kill the bell yet. |
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mahermusic
join:2001-07-06
Chesterfield, NJ | ... what does it matter if the cat chews on the phone line outside??? Vonage doesn't use the phone line outside for its service. |
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J D McDorce
Premium
join:2001-12-29
Westland, MI | It matters if you use DSL for access to Vonage  |
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rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO
| reply to inciter
Vonage uses your broadband connection. If your broadband is working, Vonage should be working.
In this case, if you're using your phone line for a DSL broadband connection, ma bell will be fixing the line.
If your using your cable provider, they'll be fixing the line.
If you have some sort of wireless -- oh wait, no wires here. Nothing to fix.
If you want to know more, www.vonage.com or checkout the VOIP forum here. There's a lot of Vonage posts. |
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mahermusic
join:2001-07-06
Chesterfield, NJ
 ·Vonage
 ·Comcast
| Got rid of POTS for Vonage!!!
I have been using Vonage for some time now, and its quality, pricing, and features are so far ahead of my old Verizon / AT&T, that it's not funny. It does not decrease your computer's speed AT ALL. In fact, it uses only a little of your connection when you're on it making or receiving a call. The sound quality is MUCH better and clearer than the old POTS connection, and I have never experienced a dropped call.
I have disconnected my old Verizon and AT&T phone services because I have no use for them. Now I am saving $25.00 a month by having a better quality connection with more features. If the internet ever goes out, phone calls are automatically routed to my cell phone. Simple, huh?
Emergency calls? I have the local number on my speed dial. Also simple. When the 911 kicks in, I'll change the local number to 911.
I'm not a "Vonage" fan, or a "Verizon" fan. I'm a fan of whomever gives me the best service, the most features, at the most reasonable price, and right now, this is Vonage. |
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mahermusic
join:2001-07-06
Chesterfield, NJ | reply to J D McDorce
Re: Sounds cool but..........
Whoops, I forgot! You are correct! (...bad cat... bad cat...) |
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linxer
join:2000-05-20
Campbellsville, KY
clubs: | Sounds Good
I've read numerous reports on the Vonage system, and I have heard many good things. I am waiting until they get an area code for Kentucky, but I am sure going to try it out. |
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Voyager2K2
join:2001-10-04
Wayne, PA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Ianguy
Re: Actual Bandwidth Usage
said by Ianguy :
I think it is 30kbps to 90kbps
If you are on cable or a basic ADSL line, why tie up that much bandwidth? What about high latency periods on cable?
How much are you really saving?
»www.theneighborhood.com/res_loca···ault.jsp
It's a neat toy, but you are relying on a stable low latency HS connection. If you are doing line sharing with ADSL you are already paying for basic telco service anyway.
Doesn't make sense to me, but I imagine if you are able to use the few unique features, it might be worth it. For John Q. Public, unless you are an ILEC/CLEC hater, I just don't see the advantage. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to rradina
Re: How will incumbents spoil Vonage?
They will lobby the FCC and Federal Government to pretend it's the same as placing a long distance phone call, and that it needs to be taxed, tarrifed, and rated the same.
They will also lobby that they need to be paid some of the money for a vonage "call" using some excuse like the call passes over their network to the end user. This overlooks the fact the CUSTOMER pays them for this service already.
--
"When the day comes that anyone can bend our country’s laws and lawmakers to serve selfish, competitive ends, that day democratic government dies" -- Preston Tucker, 1948 (Yep, it's dead.) |
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Cam
Premium
join:2003-01-25
Luther, OK
clubs:
| reply to Voyager2K2
Re: Actual Bandwidth Usage
The advantage for me was the $25.99 plan saved me over $30.00 per month on my local service, plus what I was paying for long distance. I have cable, so I have not been forced by SBC to keep their Dial Tone if I don't want it.
Do I hate SBC? No, they are a company and to "hate" them would be a little strange, but would I continue to pay them twice what I am paying Vonage now for service that is no better? That would be stupid.
With Vonage I get Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Voicemail, Free Incoming calls, 500 minutes of long distance in the US and Canada, and I get it all for $26 a month. I cancelled Southwestern Bell, and I have not regretted it once since. |
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gunnerjd10
join:2003-03-13
Palm Beach Gardens, FL | reply to Ianguy
I have Vonage and have done speed tests while using the service. The actual bandwidth it uses, from what I can tell, is around 60-65 kbps at the "Higher Sound Quality" 90kbps setting you can adjust per web interface. |
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rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO
| reply to KrK
Re: How will incumbents spoil Vonage?
They use CLECs to complete the call to the POTS network. Aren't there already ILEC fees charged to complete calls on behalf of CLECs? I was also under the impression that the LD carriers were also charged fees by the ILEC/CLECs to complete the call at the destination.
If my impressions/assumptions are correct, Vonage is probably already charged in a manner similar to LD providers and/or CLECs. If so, they've probably already factored that into the price of their service.
Perhaps the only thing in Vonage's favor are the cable carriers. I was under the impression that they have lobbied hard to ensure that their broadband offerings don't come under the control of TA1996. They maintain that "data" transmission is not communication in the "voice call" sense and therefore they don't have to open their networks to competition. If they start fooling with this notion, E-mail, chat programs, on-line gaming...you name it might fall under the TA1996 definitions and therefore be subject to all sorts of nasty regulations. |
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