Whew! Just set up my own Vonage phone connection

[laura888]

...via a broadband internet router.

I'm not a hardware person, so this took me WAY too long. I would not recommend it for everyone.

Has anyone else tried this? Supposedly, I'll save big $ in the long run on my phone bill.

[tjdee]

1. I have it, have saved SO MUCH money. Oh my god, I love it.

It took me about 20 minutes to set up--I did have to call them, because I had to reset the internet connection or something.

Their long distance used to be 29.95... they sent me an email saying that you can't really charge "long distance" when it goes over the internet, so they lowered my bill to 24.95/mo. With taxes, it's only....I don't know, under 35 bucks a month.

No gazillion fucking taxes bringing my 49.99 land line package up to $70 dollars.... screw that! So much happier this way.

Just be sure you set up the 911, and be sure to have a cell phone charged up in case the cable goes down.

[Historic NY]

2. lets us know, I've heard good & bad....but not from someone

actually using it.

[mom cat]

10. Got it. Love it, Love the savings. Even oversees long distance is so

cheap that I don't mind, and they are making inroads there so soon there will be service to major European cities. More money for chocolate!

[laura888]

11. Supposedly my bill will be about $15.00 per month

It's called 500 Basic.

We shall see...

[tjdee]

12. They do charge some taxes/fees...

So it'll be a bit more than the actual plan price--but still awesome!

[supernova]

3. How do you do it?

Do you have to go through a cable company? I have DSL and my phone bill is about 70$/month. I don't have much long distance. Usually calls are local.

[tjdee]

5. I think Vonage works with DSL--but for DSL you need a land line.

Woops--see gollygee's post below, apparently you don't have to have a land line for DSL??

I didn't know that.

[Hokie]

4. Let us know how it works

I would consider it but I cannot get any local numbers where I live. I bet the local carriers are really fighting this. I think it is $25 per month and unlimited calling in the US. Plus you get all the extra features that the local phone companies nickel and dime you for like call waiting and caller ID.

[martyk]

6. Vonage

I have had Vonage for over 3 months now, and the service is absolutely great. My total bill is $27.14 per month, and that's with all taxes. I would recommend it to people with good cable. If you have dsl, it's a different story. Some companies make you have a phone line just to have the dsl. But, overall, it's a great service. The sound is better then my landline was, and you can fax using it also. If anyone has any questions about it, I would be glad to answer them.

[tjdee]

7. Welcome to DU, btw.

[gollygee]

8. We have Vonage with dsl

just dsl and vonage - no land line. We love it. Cheap cheap cheap. International rates are cheap too.

[miss_kitty]

9. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone either

If I understand the law (and I could be all wet here) I think there is no 'resonable expectation of privacy', because it's broadband, not a phoneline.

Working Assets is blue and inexpensive, and gives a portion of its take to charity, which the members vote on. It cost 7 cents per minute for the US and 10 cent per minute for england.

But I used to make lotsa LD and had $400-$500 phone bills, so I can see how the Vonage thing would be quite attractive.