Review by Fisamo 
UPDATED: 1.2 years ago
member for 4.6 years, 1682 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Apex,Wake,NC
 $29 per month
 about 5 days
 "Great sound quality; EXTREMELY reliable; decent feature set"
 "Call filtering extra; no busy redial; 10 digit dialing; tech support either great or abyssmal"
 "Just like POTS, except for 10-digit dialing; haven't needed tech support in months--Great value!"
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
UPDATE: 22 July 2007
Tech support has improved since my last review. I had to request a TA replacement due to death of the RT41P2 ATA they issued me. The symptoms (red power light, no access to web page, no 'battery' power to phones) were conclusive, and getting a replacement ATA approved took about 2 minutes talking with the first rep I connected with. The replacement TA was sent OVERNIGHT upon my call, and activation was straightforward. The replacement ATA was a 'downgrade' in that it was the device originally issued with the service, the DVG-1102-M, but IMO, they've worked all the major bugs out of that device. I couldn't be happier.
If you're looking to 'escape' POTS but still have a reliable phone, CallVantage is the way to go. I would recommend them to anyone who's considering any VoIP (or VoIP-like) phone service, including those offered by cable companies.
UPDATE: 24 October 2006
AT&T dropped the price of their Unlimited plan by $5/mo, so before taxes and fees, it's the same price as Vonage. With taxes and fees, the comparison will vary based on your area (AT&T collects taxes and E911 fees based on levels collected for POTS lines by each local agency, not as a "regulatory recovery fee"), but for me, it's about the same as Vonage in the end. AT&T also added the option of subscribing to a SoftPhone line (you must use their client software--you don't get the SIP credentials).
For all practical purposes, my wife and I don't think about the fact that we have VoIP, because the service has the reliability and sound rivaling a POTS line.
AT&T is a bit more difficult to work with in establishing new service since the FCC E911 mandate was imposed, and any interruption in the power to your TA causes outgoing calls to be blocked (incoming still work) until you verify that your TA is at your registered home address. If you put your TA on a UPS, you won't often have to deal with that call block. If you can get CallVantage service at your address (ie. AT&T supports E911 for you), I highly recommend CallVantage. Granted, my Vonage experience was about 2 years ago now, but CallVantage is, in my opinion, a better service for the same price.
I'm still using the Linksys RT41P2 TA, which doesn't seem to be available to new customers (they get the Centillium MTA-1). White noise is no longer an issue, since they eventually swapped my TA out for a new unit that does not have the noise issue.
Also, AT&T has disabled all N11 calls (except 911, of course) due to incomplete rollout across their service area (e.g. the 311 connecting all customers to San Antonio's city services line).
Original Review:
Ordering, experience (and comments regarding listed price, contract, etc):
I originally ordered the unlimited plan on Sept 30, 2004, when they offered 6 mos at 19.99 and required a 12 month commitment, hence the 12 month commitment line. I have also listed the current monthly rate for an NC customer on the unlimited plan as of May 15, 2005, including all taxes and fees (Fed 3%, NC Sales Tax, and $0.25 911 fee). For new accounts, there is no commitment required. Activation fee is offset by 1st month free for unlimited plan, and there is no disconnect fee, provided you return your TA.
Summary:
Specific good features:
+ Control-by-phone: Can access DND, LocateMe, outbound dialing on VoIP line from any location by calling any control-by-phone access number. (I would like ATT to post a list of those numbers in the subscribers' dashboards, but most CSRs will give you the closest number to you if you call and ask.)
+ DoNotDisturb: Can be scheduled (every day from 1-3PM for napping children) or activated in 30min increments, either by web or control-by-phone
+ PhoneBook: Can save multiple numbers per person; incoming calls from those numbers have custom text from the PhoneBook.
+ LocateMe: Service can call up to 5 numbers (simultaneously or in a given order) if activated. Only downside is you have to press 1 to accept the call, even on the service line, if it's activated, and the prompt takes a few seconds to play. Some callers may not wait long enough for you to take the call.
+ Call Filtering: Allows calls to be either dumped directly to VM or blocked entirely (blocked callers get a "You're blocked" recording). This feature includes anonymous call rejection, but it costs an extra $2/mo. (I don't subscribe.)
+ ATT does offer 411 service at $1.00 per call (I haven't tried it)
+ 711 connects me to NC Relay (for deaf or speech impaired-to-voice calls)
Negative points:
- Customer service is either great or horrendous. Some reps really go out of their way to help and troubleshoot. Escalations doesn't always call back; other reps are just not helpful.
- 10-digit dialing: You can dial the 1 if you want, but you can't drop the area code. This is not a big deal to me or my wife (we've gotten used to it), but when we have guests or babysitters, it's a nuisance. I'd like them to support 7-digit dialing soon.
- No distinctive ring option, even for call filtering subscribers or multi-user subscribers.
- 311 connects me to San Antonio, TX city services (I live near Raleigh, NC)
- 211 does not connect to local United Way as POTS does (no big deal to me)
- 511 does not connect to NC DOT as POTS does (also no big deal)
Bottom line: I'd recommend CV to someone looking into VoIP, but if you're going to adopt VoIP, you need to understand a few things:
- Network troubleshooting: Tech support is iffy, at best, with many providers, and ATT is no exception. However, these boards are a great resource if you aren't already so inclined.
- There will be hiccups in the service. You're not only relying on ATT, but also your ISP.
- Make sure you have at least one form of backup (e.g. cell or POTS) to your VoIP line. Most troubleshooting requires you to reboot your TA, so you won't be able to sit on the phone with a tech service rep while you're rebooting.
Narrative (My experience):
The line was provisioned immediately. Once I got my number, I dialed in, and I was greeted with a canned voicemail greeting "Hello, you have reached the mailbox of My Name. Please leave a message." (or something similar) I was impressed that they had put my name in the outgoing message upon activation. The web portal was inaccessible to me, because I hadn't activated my TA. On 10/1, I found out how to bypass the "activate TA" screen, so I was able to access (and change) my voicemail greeting and make outbound calls through the control-by-phone interface. On 10/3, by placing such calls, I discovered that outgoing CID was transmitting my name and number, as advertised. On 10/5, I received my TA and was able to activate with no problem by following the enclosed instructions. The first thing I noticed was the great call quality. There was no background noise, connection was rapid (e.g. last digit dialed to ring tone), and everything seemed reliable. VMWI was spotty, but otherwise, all service features worked as advertised. I chose to test the service for about a month prior to ordering a LNP of my BellSouth number. Testing was done by forwarding my POTS line to the CV line and disconnecting the POTS line outside so all calls would be on the CV line, and the service passed with flying colors. Just prior to making the LNP decision, I placed a test 911 call (with our local police dept's permission). The call went directly to the correct 911 dispatcher, although they did not have my street address or phone#. (This was acceptable to me, because it is how the service was described on their website.)
So, I ordered the phone number port in early November. The CSR who took my order actually set up a new account for me with a requested LNP. They shipped me a new TA (Linksys RT41P2) at no charge, but the port failed, because the CSR didn't tell me I needed to cancel RingMaster service on my POTS line. That was a little irritating, because it was an unnecessary delay in the process, but it wasn't a real big deal. I had to wait for the POTS billing cycle to end before I could re-submit the LNP request, and the second request went smoothly. The request was input on Nov 20 (or so), and the line was scheduled to port on Dec 1. (This CSR was also able to get me back on the 6 months for $19.99 promotion, so it got extended to June 11, 2005.) The port was delayed one more day (I think because I was having my calls forwarded), and the following day, the port was completed. My first bill on the ported line was incorrect (for some direct-dialed calls). ATT fixed the problem right away, and it hasn't occurred since, but I understand this problem to still be occurring today. Also, when I cancelled the 'test' line, they tried to charge me the $60 disconnect charge. Again, I had to call to dispute that charge, which was immediately reversed with no hassle from the CSR I spoke with.
The Linksys TA does have a little more white noise than the DLink, but that didn't bother me much until it grew worse over about 3 months. After spending a while troubleshooting, ATT agreed to send me the Centillium MTA-1 TA. That device sounded MUCH better than the Linksys, but I had troubles with Call Waiting. If a call came in while on the line the first caller would no longer hear me. Sometimes accepting the second call would restore audio; sometimes, I'd lose the call. Either way, this CW problem was unacceptable to me, so I switched back to the Linksys TA, which was no problem, since I hadn't sent it back to ATT yet.
Other than a little white noise, the service has been excellent, with only two or three noted downtimes (one of which was definitely our ISP's fault). In addition, ATT has added many features in that time, some of which I don't use (don't want to pay an extra $2/mo for call filtering).
Bottom Line:
Overall, I'd rate it similar to Vonage, with each having its own advantages and disadvantages (ex: ATT has call filtering, DND, LocateMe, Control-by-Phone, but costs more; Vonage has call transfer, busy # callback, 7 digit dialing, and is $5/mo cheaper). Both services were similarly reliable when I had each, but my experience with ATT is longer.
Followup comments:  |  | Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| Re: I agree Ahh, but I am a cheapskate, especially when they could make the feature available without the extra charge. There's no reason to charge extra for filtering, especially since all other IVSPs (voip providers) with the capability include it without charging extra, and they already provide it for the Locate Me feature. That they charge extra is remiscent of the Ma Bell days when I had PSTN service.
Further, I'd really like to have the Anonymous call blocking feature be more like the POTS-style "Privacy Director" where callers can unblock their number or record their name for you to decide whether or not to take the call. | |
| | | | | | | Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·AT&T CallVantage
| Re: I agree Your number should be going to the local directories, but that just started about March of this year. So, I don't know if you missed the cutoff for publication of the next (or most recent) directory, but it should be in one following. However, you should check your account web portal. There is an option to have your number unlisted or non-published. AT&T appears to plan to charge a monthly fee for either option, but they indicate no extra charge at present. If you want your number listed, make sure it's set that way. (It is set to "listed" by default.) | |
| access3219
join:2006-10-07
Wixom, MI
| portable ata I was told you can pick up your ata and take it "anywhere" there is a DSL or broadband access.
I am moving to Arizona for the winter, can I take my ATA there, I have quest phone service and quest dsl internet access.
I had planned to take the ATA and hook it up to the bare basic phone line quest provided me for their dsl. Like I have here in michigan. I would then use the computer phone number attvantage gave me to make my calls from there.
Is this possible? or am I dreaming, if i am dreaming why do they say its usable in hotels and its portable?
I am confused. | |
| | Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·AT&T CallVantage
| Re: portable ata In technical terms, it is possible to take the TA to anywhere that has an internet connection, even overseas. However, there are a few "buts"... Some services block overseas IP addresses from registering to their network. I know for certain that ViaTalk does this, but I don't know what AT&T's IP filtering practice is. The bigger "but" is in terms of E911 service. AT&T has responded to the FCC's regulation that all "interconnected VoIP providers" (meaning has a regular phone# and can call regular phone#'s--some providers only accept calls over the internet and only allow calls to be placed over the 'net) in the following way. If you turn off your adapter for even a short period of time, you will have to 'confirm the location of your telephone adapter' before you can make outgoing calls. You confirm the location by pressing "1" to indicate that you haven't moved it, or pressing 3 or 8 (don't recall which) to indicate that you have moved it. If you indicate that you've moved the TA, your outbound service is blocked until you provide AT&T with the address where the TA is located AND AT&T verifies that they can provide E911 for that address. It's a royal pain, but I don't use my service that way, so I'm not bothered by it.
The easiest way around the problem is to always tell AT&T that you haven't moved the adapter, and never use that line to dial 911. (Otherwise, emergency personnel would be dispatched to your home address.) I suspect that course of action is somehow against the TOS, so you have to decide if that's a reasonable approach for you. If that's a deal breaker, check out other providers that are a little more flexible with E911 implementation. Good luck. | |
| | | |
| Forums » comments on review of AT&T CallVantage |
|
(13)
(16)
(15)
(18)
·
·