chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
 ·Cox HSI
| Considering going VOIP....questions...
Hey all....I recently upgraded to a 5000/768 cable connection. I am sick of the POTS line going out every time it rains, then waiting a week for it to get repaired. (dry out on it's own). I am considering one of the big three, Vonage, Voicepulse, or ATTCV...I have read a few reviews, posts here, etc....What I have now is a Micro$oft MN-500 wireless router...would this work? Or is there a recommended setup for VOIP...sorry for the questions but I am trying not to toss money down the drain if at all possible. BTW, here in Arkansas I can't keep my current number (PITA) and can't get a local number, but I guess that doesn't matter right?
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I love my avatar! |
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PCInTech
In another place and time.
Premium
join:2004-06-07
Massena, NY
clubs:
 ·VoicePulse
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | said by chadrob30  :I am considering one of the big three, Vonage, Voicepulse, or ATTCV... Just curious... why do you consider those the "big three"? ATT is a newcomer who's just getting their feet wet. Vonage has the numbers and certainly is at the top of the heap in commercial visibility. VoicePulse is unsurpassed in user features and customer satisfaction. All have problems, though, and it's mostly a matter of who can give you a number you want, and reasonable reliability. Not that you wouldn't have a good experience with any one of them... but... There's other major players you shouldn't discount: Packet8 (#2 in experience behind Vonage, and extremely high on reliability and #1 in availability), Broadvoice, Broadvox, Lingo and a host of branded, overpriced services from your local Cable and Telephone company, as well as the "startup of the week". Keep an open mind, and look carefully into who has what you really need for your area. There's a lot of people charging high prices for "smoke and mirrors" right now in VoIP. Just MHO. |
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NoVaVoiper
join:2003-10-21
Arlington, VA | reply to chadrob30
Packet8 has numbers in Fort Smith. |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV | If you are looking for a local number or to port your existing one, none of the choices have your rate center.
Lingo and Packet8 (thanks The VoIPer) do however have a rate center in Fort Smith, AR and can offer a local number. |
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Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to chadrob30
I have used both Vonage and ATT CV and was/am happy with both. Given the local number issue, I would agree that you shouldn't discount other providers. The central issue for you is this: What features do you want? If a local number is important to you (of course, for friends/neighbors to call you without paying), that's probably the first cut you should make. However, if you don't mind your friends having to call NYC to reach you in AR, you can choose any provider. 
I don't have specific experience with your router, but with most services, you can place your TA between your cable modem and the router, which would mean the router would not affect your phone service. Right now, ATT is the most problematic if you place your TA behind the router, but those fixing those problems are apparently high on ATT's improvement "to do" list. While I think most providers would PREFER that you connect your TA directly to your cable modem, ATT's offering is the weakest if you do NOT follow that recommendation, IMO. (FWIW, I am an ATT subscriber with my TA in front of my router.)
The bottom line is that you need to decide which features are important to you and choose from the providers that offer those features. It sounds like P8 and Lingo might be worth checking into, since they apparently can port your number; however, I've read of difficulties porting with those carriers. My best piece of advice is this: Decide which services you'd like to try, take advantage of their free trial periods, and don't port your number until you're completely satisfied with that provider. Don't be bashful about canceling a service you're not completely satisfied with, either. If, after trying 3 services, you like the first one best, I'm sure they'd be happy to have you back as a customer.  Good luck!
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{Earthlink 3M/384 cable (TWC) - Moto Surfboard 4220} - {ATTCV VoIP - Linksys RT41P2 TA (f/w 1.00.18)} - {Home network - WRT54G (HyperWRT 2.0b3 f/w)} |
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chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to chadrob30
Ok folks, I went with Vonage...at Best Buy they had the Linksys Phone Adapter for $59 with a $59 rebate so it was free...took all of about 5 minutes to get it rockin...although I couldn't keep my old number I was able to get one in Arkansas...when Montana becomes available I will set up the virtual numbers for my family to call me...so far so good....
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I love my avatar! |
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usa2k
Please PRAY for Rebekah
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-26
Canton, MI
clubs:
·VOIPo
·WOW Internet and C..
·Broadvox Direct
2 edits |  Re: Considering VOIP....questions...
said by chadrob30 :Ok folks, I went with Vonage... ... when Montana becomes available I will set up the virtual numbers for my family to call me ... so far so good.... So friends calling local to you was not a concern?
»www.fonefinder.net/findome.php?n···+by+City
BroadvoxDirect also has 479 FORT SMITH : (FORT SMITH)
BroadvoxDirect has these MT numbers (Wonder where you need a virtual?)
EDIT: MT = Montana, right? 
406 BILLINGS : (BILLINGS)
You could have both Local and one included Virtual for $19.95 a month. ($62 initial startup) Like ATT CV, and other providers, they are relatively new to Residential compared to Packet8 and Vonage, but still no stranger to VoIP and phone systems. (Broadvox.net on the commercial side.)
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Jim -- USA2K
SEE: |DCWU |FAH |PICS |BVX REVIEW |
FWD, Vonage 01/03 to 12/04, & BVX 07/04 to now |
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voiplover
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Portsmouth, NH
1 edit | reply to PCInTech
Re: Considering going VOIP....questions...
Good luck! |
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chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to chadrob30
No. My wife is the talker here. I don't really need the phone all that much. I have family in Montana that I can now call for free...having a local number wasn't a total necessity...she has a cell phone also...truth be known, I actually hate talking on the damn phone. About 2 years ago I got everyone in the family with PC's set up with email. I figured it's free and all. Not one of them still emails back and forth unless it's a special occasion. Everyone still calls...lol...
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I love my avatar! |
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chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to chadrob30
Well...after discussing this Vonage deal with the wife, she informed me that her mother is not too happy about having to call long distance to talk to us when we live about 1500 yards apart...so I guess I didn't do all the research I should have....{smacks forehead}...I would really be interested in useing the BroadvoxDirect since it has the local number and MT virtual number...question...since I already have the Linksys phone adapter could I still get the BVD service today or would I have to wait for their adapter to show up??? I'm an idiot...
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I love my avatar! |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| reply to chadrob30
bigskyguy you will have to wait for the adapter from Broadvox as the linksys will only work with Vonage. Don't worry about signing up with Vonage, just return the adapter for a refund and cancel the service. I know a lot of us get a bit anxious when it comes to VOIP  |
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chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR | reply to chadrob30
I got the adaptor at Best Buy so it will go back to them...is cancelling Vonage going to be a big hassle? I think they charge a $40 disconnect fee....doh!
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| There should be no disconnect fee
4.7 Money Back Guarantee; Limitations and Conditions
4.7.1Vonage offers a 14-day Money Back Guarantee (30 or 90 days for Retail Customers; see offer details in advertising or online content of the retailer from whom Retail Customer purchased Equipment for the applicable time period) (such 14, 30 or 90 day period, the "Warranty Period"), applicable only to User’s first-ordered line per account, not to additional or secondary lines. Under terms of this Money Back Guarantee, Vonage refunds the activation fee, first month of service, and shipping charges and waives the disconnect fee, provided the terms described below are satisfied. Federal excise taxes and any other applicable taxes cannot be refunded. Vonage reserves the right to terminate or revoke this Money Back Guarantee at any time, without prior notice.
In order to be entitled to this Money Back Guarantee, User (i) must cancel service within the number of days in the Warranty Period after the account activation; (ii) must return all Devices within 14 days after cancellation pursuant to Sections 1.8 and 4.6; and (iii) must not have exceeded 250 minutes of usage (500 minutes for Retail Customers). User remains responsible for any charges for domestic usage in excess of the amount included within the Plan to which User subscribes, international usage (including the charges described in Section 4.9), payphone calls to Vonage toll free numbers and directory assistance. THIS MONEY BACK GUARANTEE DOES NOT APPLY TO ACCOUNTS EXCEEDING 250 MINUTES (500 MINUTES FOR RETAIL CUSTOMERS) OF USAGE AND SUCH ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REFUND OF ANY OF THE CHARGES DESCRIBED HEREIN.
In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 1.8, all returned Devices must be in the original packaging with the UPC or bar code intact. All components, manuals and registration card(s) must be included. Equipment must be returned with a valid return authorization number obtained from Vonage customer care. User is responsible for the cost and risk of return shipping of equipment. THE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE WILL NOT BE HONORED IF USER FAILS TO MEET ALL SUCH REQUIREMENTS.
To obtain a return authorization number, User must contact billing@vonage.com or 1-VONAGE-HELP. |
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chadrob30
Howdy
Premium
join:2002-04-24
Fort Smith, AR
·Cox HSI
| reply to chadrob30
OK sweet....wonder if anyone else will be able to use the adaptor, since the MAC address is already assigned...??? Hopefully Best Buy doesn't give me any crap...good thing I saved all the packageing...:D
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IronHelix
join:2002-04-05
| reply to chadrob30
bigskyguy before you buy something else, check around. I highly recommend you investigate all of the following carriers:
VoicePulse »www.voicepulse.com
BroadVoice »www.broadvoice.com
SunRocket »www.sunrocket.com
These are all carriers that have been around for at least a little while and have recieved good reviews on this forum. Vonage would be on that list but you've already tried them.
FIRST check to see if they can port your existing number. THEN if not check to see if you can at least get a number in your area. If you can't get a number that's local to you, then dont bother- remember its YOU and your family that has to be happy with it. VoIP is a cool technology but if you dive in headfirst without checking to make sure the water's deep enough for you you won't get what you want. |
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hero901
join:2005-01-10
Memphis, TN
| reply to chadrob30
said by chadrob30 :Ok folks, I went with Vonage...took all of about 5 minutes to get it rockin...so far so good.... hey bigskyguy,
i too am using a mn-500 router and the linksys phone adapter but i'm stuck on something. i can make calls but can't receive them. could you tell me how you've got your router setup, ie what changes to make? i'd really appreciate it. microsoft hasn't been very helpful.
TIA,
mark
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dahauss
join:2002-02-05
Clementon, NJ | reply to chadrob30
I also have some questions.. I am in the NJ area 856 .. are there any companies that will sell me naked DSL (no post line needed) and VOIP? also what voip services will work with things like a fax machine, direct tv, etc |
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tj008
join:2004-06-24
Cincinnati, OH
| reply to hero901
said by hero901 :i too am using a mn-500 router and the linksys phone adapter but i'm stuck on something. i can make calls but can't receive them. could you tell me how you've got your router setup, ie what changes to make? i'd really appreciate it. microsoft hasn't been very helpful. Mark, I have a MN-500 too. I never was able to get it to work with voip - no matter what service i used. I tried upgrading the firmware, etc - nothing would work.
I have a Linksys and a Netgear now. both work great.
Hope this helps...
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voiplover
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Portsmouth, NH
·callwithus
·Axvoice
| reply to IronHelix
said by IronHelix :bigskyguy before you buy something else, check around. I highly recommend you investigate all of the following carriers:
VoicePulse »www.voicepulse.com
BroadVoice »www.broadvoice.com
SunRocket »www.sunrocket.com
These are all carriers that have been around for at least a little while and have recieved good reviews on this forum. ... I think that Sunrocket is fairly new. |
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JayDog2004
join:2004-09-28
Atlanta, GA | Here is another new forum that discusses VoIP - they are just getting started...
»www.call-center-voip.com |
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