Might be making the switch to Vonage. - Page 2

DopeWeasel · #11 28th Jan 05, 03:19 PM

Sounds like a good deal but what if sombody calls when I'm in the middle of a download or online game. Would I have to cut all internet traffic in order to talk on the phone? Wouldn't downloading negativly affect Vonage's voice quality?

Does anyone here hear echoes or delays when they talk. I used MSE LOS systems in the US Army and they suuucked. Wouldn't want that kind of quality at my home phone.

SlickVic78 · #12 28th Jan 05, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingCobra

If I understand correctly you have to use a special phone?

Hey KC,

That is only if you want to make use of their Video Phone features. If you just want telephone service, they will give you an adapter that just plugs into a router, and you plug a normal phone into it. Similar to Vonage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by war59312

I dont know though might still go with Vonage. Waiting to see what u do. hehe

Hey Will,

Perhaps I am waiting to see which one you go with...

I am still leaning towards Vonage as well, simply because they have been around... Packet8 is still rather new, and also - I think I saw something on their site that you have to commit to them for 1 year or else you will pay a $60.00 cancellation fee - if you cancel after 1 month which is a trial period.

@Everyone,
Vonage is a none contract base service, right? You pay month to month without commitment?

-SlickVic78

KingCobra · #13 28th Jan 05, 05:53 PM

I understand Vonage is month to month. I've used the online Vonage bandwidth adjustment for the voice quality and turned it down to the lowest level. After doing so I still hear no problem in quality. The only time I hear cliping in the audio is when I hit my max download using BT or uploading at my max.

SlickVic78 · #14 28th Jan 05, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the info KC. I still have a week or two before I am going to go through with it. So anything could happen... Even though Vonage it a little more expesnive then Packet8, I dunno how comfortable I am about going with a less reputable company - which makes me think I am still going to go with Vonage.

-SlickVic78

PCTech · #15 28th Jan 05, 06:29 PM

I've been trying to get my wife to switch to an internet phone for the longest time, it would save us 15$ a month on phone bills, and we would have long distance!

I have found all the information here VERY useful, I was also considering going with packet8 but after reading some reviews and there site, and the info here, I have decided to go with Vonage! I Was consider AT&T but why pay more for something you can get less!

Thanks Betaone your the best!

Thanks for all the info here everyone!

Sincerely,
PCTech

SlickVic78 · #16 28th Jan 05, 08:02 PM

Hello PCTech,

Would you please post the links to the Packet8 reviews you mentioned. I think this would really help me make my decision.

Thanks,
-SlickVic78

PCTech · #17 28th Jan 05, 08:14 PM

Below is the link to the nytimes site on cnet, this is where I got my reviews!

http://cnet.nytimes.com/4520-9140_7-5131543-1.html

Look on the left and you will find different voip phone companies, "Vonage is 'unmatched' in feature sets..."

Hope you find this useful..

PCTech!

make sure you read the latest reviews on all of the companies that you are interested in, because some of the "BEST VOIP 9/10 *'s" reviews are from Sep. 2004, so beware of this!

SlickVic78 · #18 28th Jan 05, 08:40 PM

Hey PCTech,

Thanks for linking the reviews. It appears they both Vonage and Packet8 have their issues - apparently it is their customer service... But most companies have their days where customer service is horrible.

After sorting the reviews to show the latest, both Packet8 and Vonage seem to be about the same.

I think I still need to do some homework.

-SlickVic78

PCTech · #19 28th Jan 05, 09:12 PM

I also read the reviews at dslreports, that were posted earlier, and they really helped. I just feel like sinse vonage has been around longer, kinda like the "granddaddy" of voip, I just trust them more than I would packet8. However you are right, reviews are needed, because I would've thought AT&T would be good, but the reviews I read, just said that were fair to good (at best), and call quality sucked, and very hard to setup!

but then again no one company can be perfect, if you find one that is or is close

let me know! until then I will keep looking and anything I can dig up I will post it here in this thread!

~PCT

SlickVic78 · #20 28th Jan 05, 09:27 PM

Hello PCTech,

I agree with you - no company is perfect. You are always going to see reviews of bad service, bad customer service, but then again, there are millions of people out their using their services and are quite happy with them that haven't posted reviews.

They both offer the same services, but like you said, Vonage has been around a little longer - so they may have worked out most of the kinks in their system. So if I have to pay the extra 5 bucks a month, so be it. Packet8 requires a year contract, and if you cancel, you owe them $60 bucks. I'd rather go month to month anways...

I also see that Packet8 has been encountering problems porting over numbers to their system... I've only heard good things with Vonage - where it takes them about 10 days to port your number...

[EDIT] - I also read that Packet8 only accepts credit card payments... What payments does Vonage accept? Do they bill you and then you have the option to cut them a check, or charge your credit card?

[EDIT2] - Just found out the answer to my own question... They only accpet credit card payments as well...

Please continue to post info you find. Of course, I'll do the same!

Thanks!
-SlickVic78