Archived from groups: comp.dcom.voice-over-ip (More info?)
I poked around this NG when I was trying to decide to use VOIP/Vonage.
I was specifically looking for the disadvantages of VOIP/Vonage. I
didn't find enough to stop me, so I signed up for Vonage and have
transferred my POTS number to it.
It is a terrific bargain and I don't regret doing it, but I have
discovered a couple of things that I thought I'd pass along. They
aren't big deals and wouldn't have changed my decision, but I thought
others might find the info useful.
- you have to register for 911 and then those calls go to some operator,
not directly to your local emergency service (NBD)
- 411 calls are $.99 each
- Caller id blocking is on a per-call basis only (you cannot do a
permanent block) (NBD)
- you a=cannot make or receive collect calls (this might actually be an
advantage)
Here is a tip: the 500 minutes you get with the basic service is a lot
more than you might think. First, the minutes are only on outgoing
calls, incoming are free, and calls to another Vonage number are free.
Second, minutes beyond 500 are only $.04 each - this means that all use
below 750 minutes is cheaper than the $25 unlimited service (750 = 500 +
250, 250 * $.04 = $10, $15 + $10 = $25). We are currently using about 7
minutes a day (210/mo). We are a retired couple - other domestic
situations might have different usage.
Bob
I poked around this NG when I was trying to decide to use VOIP/Vonage.
I was specifically looking for the disadvantages of VOIP/Vonage. I
didn't find enough to stop me, so I signed up for Vonage and have
transferred my POTS number to it.
It is a terrific bargain and I don't regret doing it, but I have
discovered a couple of things that I thought I'd pass along. They
aren't big deals and wouldn't have changed my decision, but I thought
others might find the info useful.
- you have to register for 911 and then those calls go to some operator,
not directly to your local emergency service (NBD)
- 411 calls are $.99 each
- Caller id blocking is on a per-call basis only (you cannot do a
permanent block) (NBD)
- you a=cannot make or receive collect calls (this might actually be an
advantage)
Here is a tip: the 500 minutes you get with the basic service is a lot
more than you might think. First, the minutes are only on outgoing
calls, incoming are free, and calls to another Vonage number are free.
Second, minutes beyond 500 are only $.04 each - this means that all use
below 750 minutes is cheaper than the $25 unlimited service (750 = 500 +
250, 250 * $.04 = $10, $15 + $10 = $25). We are currently using about 7
minutes a day (210/mo). We are a retired couple - other domestic
situations might have different usage.
Bob
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