 DannyZ
Gentoo Fanboy
Premium
join:2003-01-29
Erie, PA
1 edit | Um... Part of the reason behind VoIP's popularity is it is cheaper than a regular telco line.
Wanna bet they will have the same junk fees and taxes on their VoIP? This seems just as expensive, although I do not know all the details. A quick look at the feature set tho, and I'd have to say LAME! | |
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Swingerhead
Premium
join:2004-04-06
Richmond, VA | Re: Um... They are going to have to offer a DSL/VOIP package separate from POTS for this to work. | |
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fromVZhaha
@optonline.net
| From the company that brought you too little too late found another service to ruin, first voice, then data, not voip...
besides it's $10 too much and bundling doens't help...your an iddiot if you acutally subscribe to this!! and this means you! it should be like $5 for dsl subscribers, $15 for non subscribers
Peace out.. | |
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| metroboi
join:2004-07-17
Huntersville, NC | Haha, well I will stay with Packet8 @ $19.00/month to call anywhere in the US and Canada. These RBOCs still act as if they are calling all the shots. | |
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Doubledee32
join:2002-06-20
Charlotte, NC | Well-time will tell They want $40.00 a month and seem to have some pretty nifty features. They offer more than time-warner does, I'll keep an eye out for reviews on this but right now Vonage has been really good for me. | |
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keyboard5684
join:2001-08-01
Youngsville, PA
 ·Teliax VOIP
 ·WestPAnet Inc.
 ·WestPAnet Inc. CA..
| Mine is $23 I pay $14 for the basic service from Vonage.
I also get an 800 number (thats why it comes out to about $23).
Service starts out at $40 a month from Verizon, whom I left, because I was tired of paying $54 a month for less.
Okay, does not get my vote but nice try. | |
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CPM
join:2001-08-24
Miami, FL
| Re: Mine is $23 I pay $14.95 with voicepusle.com and I went over my limit which is 200 mins per month. I was over 150 mins and it only cost me $2.00 for the overage. Now that is real savings.
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Broadwayman.com - Internet portal for Everything Broadway and New York. | |
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rchandra
Stargate S G-1 And Atlantis Fan
Premium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
clubs:
| Precisely. Ditched the $47/mo. VZ line for $15/mo. through VoicePulse, which has like 10 times the features for the price. If I would have provisioned my VZ Cu for the same things VP offers, it'd likely be like $60-$70.
It also gets more bizzarre by the minute. In their FAQ, they say all you need is their box, 256K+/64K+ Internet, and a router. First off, why they need such asymmetry is beyond me. Secondly, if you read further, if you have the Westell 2200, they say you have to put it into bridging mode, and they don't support integrated routers and CPE (which the 2200 is). Uhhhhh...WTF? So on the one hand you're telling me any Internet connection will do, and OTOH you tell me I can't use an integrated CPE/router. Ummmmmm....OK.............(hears weird combination of themes for "Twilight Zone" and "The X-Files" in head).
said by Verizon VoiceWing FAQ:
5. How do I know which VoiceWing Calling Plan is right for me?
VoiceWing has one plan that offers unlimited Local and domestic Long Distance calling, along with low International Rates and a set of Calling and Internet Features. For customers who have Verizon DSL, we offer a discount on the Calling Plan price.
6. Can I have more than one VoiceWing calling plan?
No, only one Calling Plan is permitted for each VoiceWing account
Gee, sounds an awful lot like, "We have both kinds: country and western." I have a choice of unlimited US calling and...ummmm...unlimited US calling....hmmmmm... Gee, I wish they had (for an appropriate price) unlimited regional calling, or unlimited area code (716 in my case) calling. (VoicePulse's region apparently covers all of the former 716 before metro Rochester got split off into 585.)
said by Verizon VoiceWing FAQ:
7. What taxes and surcharges apply to my VoiceWing bill?
Every VoiceWing customer will be charged applicable Federal, State, and Local taxes, fees, surcharges, or other charges associated with using VoiceWing. See Terms and Conditions for more information.
Ahhh...so for switching to your service, I can expect to pay the same or similar crappy taxes and surcharges that I used to pay for my Cu line. Hmmmm...I always loved that one VZ line item "Surcharge(s):" where they didn't explain who demanded they be levied or why (which they said over the phone when I asked 'em about it--it must be Erie County or City of Buffalo). And of course, the hyperlink for the "Terms and Conditions" is pretty much non-functional; it is "#" , which is of course the very same page as I'm viewing.
(BTW..."Cu" is the chemical symbol for copper, in case you didn't know.)
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English is a difficult enough language to interpret correctly when its rules are followed, let alone when a writer chooses not to follow those rules. Blog is here
Jeopardy! replies REALLY suck! | |
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Pathfinder
Dazed Confused
Premium
join:2000-03-26
Mount Vernon, NY | Re: Mine is $23 Hey, I have a solution for you.
Don't get it.
See simple. Now you can relax.
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support the Hunley | |
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rchandra
Stargate S G-1 And Atlantis Fan
Premium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
clubs: | Re: Mine is $23 No, I won't get it. That's the whole point. I'm just trying to point out a few things so that others consider them carefully before they go sign up for their service (and IMHO so they don't get it either). | |
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| | | | BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Mine is $23 Dunno I got my verizon phone service up today after dropping comcast I pay less and get calling unlimited to all of north america for $55 a month plus $8 taxes and fees.
And I am hella happy with it so far beats $90 to comcast and dialing out of my area code getting hammered with charges. It's not voip but it's still better to have it over voip in my area as comcast has horrible service or cable.
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This package does not contain a winner... | |
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hedyd4u
Premium
join:2003-12-16
Schenectady, NY | Is this really a good deal? Cost more if you use someone other than verizon for broadband nice. Is this as secure as a landline? | |
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JE
Can I Taste It? Mmmm
Premium
join:2000-12-15
Brooklyn, NY
|  I Can Beat That
I just dumped Verizon LL and have never been happier!
Verizon GO TO HELL in the telephone business and make FTTP your top priority, becuse you will never win the phone war again.IT'S OVER!
JE:D
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BLAZIN' FAST OOL @: 9400/971Can Your ISP Go This FAST? VRoOoOoOoOm!-- I Have: AVG 7.0 | ZA 5.0.590.043 | ICQ: 16705298 |YaHoo IM: Gemini365i -- | |
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Swingerhead
Premium
join:2004-04-06
Richmond, VA | Extra Area Code I just went through the setup process. You can get an extra area code in the state of your choice for an extra 9.95 a month. Still the total with that came to $ 119.39 on the first bill and $44.95 a month after that w/out DSL. :-( | |
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MechaStyle
join:2001-11-08
Atlanta, GA | Hmm With this price plan, they seem to be following AT&T's strategy and hoping many people will not notice Vonage/Packet8/etc exist... | |
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| rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO
| Re: Hmm Let's be honest. Although VOIP carriers have received some press, I would guess that the overwhelming majority of households don't have any clue VOIP exists and probably would jump at the opportunity to have their current incumbent carrier offer them a plan that would save them $10/month.
I firmly believe that there's only one reason the telcos and DSL stay in business -- consumer ignorance. I don't mean that in a bad way like saying that people are dumb. I just think people are uninformed or have some age-old vendetta against their local cable company because of historical rate hikes (which I'm sure was definitely earned but nevertheless, that's probably why they hate the cable company...)
I kicked SBC out of my house over a year ago. I have HSI from my cable company and I've been a very happy Vonage customer since Feb of 2003. Sure, it has its reliability quirks (due to HSI reliability...) but the features and price eliminate and overwhelm all of those negatives. The features I actually use with Vonage (call forwarding, three-way calling, call waiting, caller id, call waiting caller ID, simultaneous ring, voice mail, busy number redial) plus 500 minutes of long distance would likely cost $75/month (or more!) from SBC. For $27/month, I get Vonage which means my savings more than pay for my broadband. I get free broadband! How can one argue with that kind of deal? The icing? I transferred my SBC number. I didn't have to change it. | |
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| | MechaStyle
join:2001-11-08
Atlanta, GA | Re: Hmm Exactly. | |
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IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ
| Read the fine print of Verizon's VoIP service!This is from Verizon's TOS
"7. What taxes and surcharges apply to my VoiceWing bill?
Every VoiceWing customer will be charged applicable Federal, State, and Local taxes, fees, surcharges, or other charges associated with using VoiceWing. See Terms and Conditions for more information. "
Also it lists Canada under "international rates" at 3 Cents per minute and backs this up by excluding Canada from it's all in service
"Unlimited Local and Long Distance Calling
Use Verizon VoiceWing to call anywhere in the continental United States, plus Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. "
I got all this searching their website: »https://www22.verizon.com/ForYourhome/vo···Id=TL1SP
My conclusion: Not such a good deal! | |
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Swingerhead
Premium
join:2004-04-06
Richmond, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
1 edit | Restrictions in fine print Any usage in excess of 5,000 minutes per month shall be presumed to be inconsistent with these restrictions and shall be subject to the conditions above. You acknowledge and understand that you cannot make 500, 700, 900, 976, 0+ collect calls or dial around calls (e.g., 1010-XXXX). In addition, you understand that this service does not support n11 calling, with the exception of 411 and the limited form of 911 described below.
6. LIMITED EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES – TRADITIONAL 911 AND E911 NOT AVAILABLE.
You must maintain alternative means of accessing traditional emergency response services. You agree to inform any household residents, guests and other third persons who may be present at the physical location where the Service is utilized as to the important limitations of the Limited Emergency Response Service.
b. Monitoring of Network Performance. Verizon automatically measures and monitors network performance. We also will access and record information about your computer’s profile and settings and the installation of Software we provide in order to provide customized technical support. No adjustments to your computer settings will be made without your permission. You hereby consent to Verizon’s monitoring of your Internet connection and network performance, and the access to and adjustment of your computer settings, as set forth above, as they relate to the Service. | |
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rchandra
Stargate S G-1 And Atlantis Fan
Premium
join:2000-11-09
14225-2105
clubs:
1 edit | Re: Restrictions in fine print uh huh. I'd like to see them get into my Linux boxen to do anything at all with them, except for maybe the foolish act of trying to DoS attack them.
"Installation software"...how bizzarre, after telling me all I need is any 256K+/64K+ Internet connection.
edit: oh, yeah...looks like AT&T and Verizon both use the same dictionary. Their dictionary defines "unlimited" to mean "5000 minutes" and not truly unlimited. | |
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NPGMBR
join:2001-03-28
Arlington, VA
| Strange its Piced Higher than Vonage etc but..... As with most emerging technologies, as more people sign on the price will fall.
However, the hurdle will be convincing people that VOIP can replace thier copper line. Living just 5 minutes from the Pentagon I remember very well how difficult it was to make a call on 9/11 with a mobile. Even that NET was affected becaue so many people turned to it to get news and make contact with family and friend when mobile lines failed.
The thing thing that works in coppers favor is that it won't be affected by many power failures.
But still I only have mobile, but don't see a need to get VOIP. | |
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zemus
join:2001-01-13
Brooklyn, NY
| uhhh it seems 40 if you do not have dsl. and dsl with verizon is 29.95 with a $75 mail in rebate and free wireless router. if you have verizon dsl it will be 35 and 30 for 6 months. as for fees and taxes, who knows but since they are trying to run others out of business, you can be sure the price will drop and initially no fees or taxes.
so...
dsl + voip + actual 911 service + 75 rebate = 60 to 70 bucks. hmm, sure you can say u paying less with cable + vonage. but I know u'll be lying. FYI i have vonage right now with earthlink cable and I also have verizon at gf's place. | |
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| BeltwyBandit
join:2004-07-13
Columbia, MD
| Re: uhhh Even tho my DSL install date from VZ is delayed indefinitely "due to unforeseen circumstances" I still qualify for the $29.95 deal for VoiceWing. Looks like they have a "right hand, left hand" problem at VZ (s'prize!). Even so, agreeing to let them monitor usage, not having 911 as good as others already offer, paying international rates to Canada, plus a one year service commitment...I'll stay with Packet8. | |
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Drakkar04
@charter.com
| VoIP Verizon can charge all they want for VoIP, but as a savy internet user, I will never pay them for their services.
Reason being is simple. There are too many programs out there already that have VoIP. Things like AIM or Yahoo! or even MSN which offers good services. That is strictly based on one on one though. But if you look for a conference calling scenario, then there are other applications that can be used. Things like Ventrilo, or even TeamSpeak (which I currently use for family, gaming, and technical support for others) which help to solve this problem.
Typical internet users are not aware of some of the things that can be found and used on the internet for completely free. If they did, then Verizon, Charter, Cox, SWB, or whatever big company wouldnt be making as much as they are.
My simple input, search the net, www.google.com is your friend, and as we live in America (The Land of the Free) that is the way I like to be able to use things. And it's out there, if you just look...
thanks | |
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| frogli
join:2003-10-12
Yaphank, NY | Re: VoIP HEY VERIZON CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!!!!
I'M STAYING WITH VONAGE | |
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| dewman99
join:2000-12-28
Palm Harbor, FL
| I was just going to say something about Teamspeak and Ventrilo. You can get a 50 man Vent server for around $22.
We use it for gaming and chatting to friends, family if we ever needed too since everyone I know has a PC or a cellphone. So you connect by IP who cares you could talk to someone across the country or tech support for Cheep. | |
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click_310
Eat my shorts
join:2002-12-06
Savannah, GA | I agree with you.. I use Yahoo & MSN. I also use Ventrilo and run a server to talk with friends. Just one little prolem. They DON'T give me a telephone number. And I cannot call other phones..... So vonage gets a check from me every month. . . | |
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BeltwyBandit
join:2004-07-13
Columbia, MD
| VoiceWing Features Has anybody taken a close look at the features they offer? A quick look-see identifies only one that I don't recall seeing before:
Schedule Call Back
Schedule call back allows you to set-up a specific day and time for your VoiceWing Phone to automatically make a call.
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GoodDog
join:2000-07-03
Goshen, NY
·Vonage
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | got ya Here is another got ya
"VoiceWing has a one-time $39.95 setup fee. Service requires a one-year commitment. Early termination fee of $60 applies"
If you look at the available local numbers for example in NY state, New York City is not on the list. Closest number is in Westchester County | |
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oneerc
join:2004-03-21
Allentown, PA
| I don't get it If I could figure out how to get the stupid Verizon people to give me naked DSL I would go with the $20 Vonage plan and be paying 55 a month for DSL and phone. My vonage options for voice mail forwarding and online use would be better than Verizon's and the price would be better. Why would Verizon think that $35 a month (plus my DSL is 30 which would be 65 before taxes and fees) with less online features and more taxes and fees would be enticing to me, I don't get it! I know, I know, the $35 includes unlimited LD, but I DON'T CARE! The vonage plan comes with 500 LD minutes and my cell phone has unlimited LD minutes after 9:00 and all weekend! Plus I don't use LD that much anyway! What is wrong with these people! I sure hope they come to their senses eventually. | |
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| metroboi
join:2004-07-17
Huntersville, NC
| Re: I don't get it That is why I left BellSouth, they refuse to sell naked DSL. And where I live it costs $26/month just to have a dial tone once all the fees and taxes are added in. And a call 10 miles from here is long distance!
Thus I dumped them for cable and Packet8. The end result is that I have 3x more bandwidth and unlimited nationwide calling for less money that I was paying BellSouth. | |
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| sektor1952
join:2001-02-28
Palm Coast, FL | You can get Naked DSL with speakeasy, I am. | |
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Jawsn05
@verizon.ne
| voicewing surcharges? Anyone actually subscribe to the Voicewing service? I am just trying to figure out what surcharges they actually add on to the 34.95 + taxes. I do not want to pay Verizon for VOIP...I'd rather have packet8, but I still want to keep my phone number. Seeing I have verizon DSL...voicewing is my only option for voip service. Thanks! | |
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Verizon Launches 'Voicewing' VoIP
