Is Vonage a good choice for VoIP?

May 4, 2004 10:12 PM

VoIP: I am thinking of signing up for Vonage. Any experiences, good or bad? (plus some more specific questions, inside)

I more-or-less intend to carry the Vonage device with me on (frequent) international trips and I'd like to be able to call other VoIP numbers not necessarily on Vonage. Can I use FreeWorldDialup or something similar with a Vonage device? Also, if you cancel the service do you keep the device (after certain amount of time and/or fee?) The Vonage TOS sound like you would, but I'd like to know what their practice really is...

posted by costas to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Also if possible I'd like to add my own sub-questions to this thread, because I think they're relevant.

I've been considering signing up with a voice over IP service from the US, even though I'm based in the UK. Packet8 have a package which would give me unlimited calls to the US, UK and parts of Europe for less than I'm currently paying for my UK calls every month. They say it's possible for me to sign up.

I'd only use it for outgoing calls as the incoming number they'd give me would be a US phone number. Other than that are there any disadvantages? Would I be able to make calls from broadband internet connections other than my own using compatible devices, as Costas is asking? How would I do that?
posted by skylar at 12:15 AM on May 5, 2004

I had Vonage for a few months last year. When I cancelled, they gave me a RMA# and I sent it back. I think they said they would charge me $40 if I didn't send it back.

The box seemed to be pretty much homed to Vonage's network. You plug it in a broadband network and you get a Vonage dial-tone so I doubt you could use it for other purposes w/o hacking the box.

Check out the section on broadbandreports.com for more info.

[the reason I dropped the service had to do with needing to save $. my international calling is way down and my only calls now go through my cell phone]
posted by birdherder at 4:12 AM on May 5, 2004

One of my clients used Vonage until all their employees complained about awful sound quality (I heard them fine, but they couldn't hear me, FWIW).
posted by silusGROK at 8:09 AM on May 5, 2004

I've used it in my home for six months now and I don't have any complaints. Great voice quality, great customer service. And we're saving loads of money.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 8:45 AM on May 5, 2004

I've heard packet8 is great; only $20 a month too.
posted by reverendX at 2:38 PM on May 5, 2004