Review by rradina 
UPDATED: 1.9 years ago
member for 8.1 years, 2584 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Chesterfield,Saint Louis,MO
 $27 per month
 about 3 days
 "Value, call quality, features"
 "Dialing 1 on every call"
 "Do you have good HSI? Dump your current carrier!"
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(ratings match consensus)
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I've had Vonage since Feb 2003. Other than some voice-mail issues, Vonage problems are usually caused by my own HSI connection or my router.
The call quality is superb. Sometimes there is a bit of an echo that generall fades as the call progresses.
If you don't have solid HSI, Vonage or any VOIP is not for you. It requires decent latency ("ping" performance) and low packet loss.
When I started the service I kept my existing land line since Vonage could not transfer my number. After three months, I forwarded my land-line to my Vonage number and disconnected it from my house. After six months, Vonage offered number transfer in my area. I transferred my traditional telephone number to my Vonage service and terminated my relationship with SBC.
Although my wife and I are accustomed to 11 digit dialing, when guests use the phone they frown about making long-distance calls. Of course it isn't long distance but since they have to dial 1 + area code + number for EVERY call, their first thought is long distance because that's the way it works on their phone.
On my original Vonage-assigned number, it took quite a while to activate 911. I also did not know that after I transferred my old number to Vonage, thereby replacing my Vonage-assigned number, I had to reactivate 911 dialing. The second activation took place in a couple days without issue.
Transferring my number was a very slow process. It took nearly two months. It finally worked and I didn't miss any calls. Better slow than wrong.
Update 10-26-2006:
Still using Vonage. Few if any problems with the service. Most of this I thank to my stable cable internet service. Vonage, as any third-party VOIP, is completely dependent upon the quality of your internet connection.
Since hooking up with Vonage they have eliminated dialing the 1 before every call. I think they even support seven digit dialing.
I'm a bit disappointed that the FCC has ruled that VOIP providers have to pay into the USF fund. I thought that was already part of my HSI fee and I feel like I'm getting taxed twice. I don't mind the 911 tax but the USF is bull...
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