Anyone using VoIP (Vonage or the like?)

[Bill Henry-]

I think I remember Ron having said that he got Vonage for his home (?), but does anyone use a VoIP system for their business? If so, what is your experience? Please feel free to pipe in, too, Ron.

In a previous thread, I was trying to get a better deal with ChoiceOne com, but even after citing Cliff’s rate of $52 (don’t worry,Cliff, I didn’t mention you by name or mention your number), they claimed that they could only get me down to $75.

So, it’s time me to seriously consider VoIP. Since Verizon’s “VoiceWing” has basically the same rate as Vonage (although, there may be added ‘extras’ I don’t know about, yet), and I already have Verizon FiOS, that seems to be the way to go.

But, there are some questions I have about the system that I cannot find on the VoiceWing web site.

I have two lines: one for the fax; and, the other, for voice. But, the voice line has an extension phone (same number).

Question 1: do I need to get someone in to “cap” or disconnect the incoming line at the terminal/junction box in the phone room for this extension to continue to work? If so, is that something that happens automatically when I get the VoIP installed, or do I need to hire and “independent” phone guy?

Question 2: If, after hours, the computer is shut down, but the FiOS router is still on, will the phone/answering machine still ring/record?

[Dave]

Bill, I'm about to do the same type of thing with a little twist. I'm dropping my cell phone which is my only home phone and migrating that number to Vonage. I'm dropping Verizon's land line at my business and won't really miss it because most folks know to call my cell phone anyway.

I'm getting the portable VOIP phone from Vonage (89.95) and using that as my only phone for business and home (no teenagers or wife at home anymore) ...and totally dropping my Nextel cell phone. I'll buy a prepaid cell for emergencies and the like.

I have a 7 minute commute from my shop to home and if someone happens to call me while I'm in between I'll have a voice mail or recent call list as soon as I hit my wireless network at home (which I'm also installing in this scenario ...had it at work, but not at home).

When I was on the phone with Vonage I said that I'd probably be getting their small business package because I'll need the extra line for my CC machine and for faxes. I think it was $ 39.95 + taxes, etc. She said "why do that? ...get the special on the $ 24.95 rez package and just add another line for $ 5.00 in a month after you drop your land line" ...? Other small biz folk's I know have done the same and even though I think the VOIP police are out there somewhere I know I'd have friends that'll visit me in jail ...

Dropping my land line at work ... about $ -40.00 per month
Dropping Nextel cell -120.00
Picking up my neighbors secure network with his permission - free high speed at home-
One time cost of Voip phone $ 89.95
Vonage service with 15 bells and whistles like voice mail about $ 40.00 per month with extra line



I'll save about $ 120.00 a month and have high speed at home now too. I'll only have one number to worry about giving out when (or if) I go catting around and my drive home will be quieter until I crank up the Stones on my CD player.

Answers to the best of my understanding to your specific questions ...

#1.) You should be able to do everything related to the Vonage set up yourself ...don't know about your extra land line, but not sure why you would want to even have one although others have expressed they like the security of having it if their internet goes down. I figure my pre-payed cell will handle any situation like that in my small enterprise.

#2) If your router is connected and up your phones will work and you could throw away your answering machine because you get voice mail and 14 other goodies included with Vonage.

In my scenario I won't miss any calls for more than a few minutes unless I'm traveling and then my phone would work at any hotel that has a high speed wireless connection. From my understanding more and more cities and airports have a blanket of high speed over them whereby Voip phones would work the same as cell phones ... why even our local fast food places often have wireless ...and according to all reports I read I could probably drive through any neighborhood and pick up unsecured networks I could feasibly call out on.

The world it's a changing. I remember spending about $ 50,000 to buy and install my AT&T phone system and whatever they called it to have like 16 phone lines into it at $ 50 some dollars apiece per month. My voice mail module was something like $ 12,000 and I had to program it myself unless I wanted to pay even more $$$.

Dave Makielski