Review by killabee44  UPDATED: 1.8 years ago member for 5.5 years, 967 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Hollywood,Broward,FL
$9 per month (12 month contract)
about 3 days
"Free adapter."
"Support tickets are not answered."
"The best combo of features, but need to fix quality issues."
| Web-site: Ease of Installation: Call Quality: Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
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1/4/08 Update:
Well, for the last month I have been having a lot of dropped calls again. It is a really high percentage of my calls that are dropped (a good 70%). I have been working hard to figure out if it is my system or a problem on Viatalk's end and have found it to not be my system.
My contract is up in 2008 and I will not be renewing. It is too bad. Their main issue seems to be that they took on so many customers, that their systems capacity could not keep up.
I will be looking for another provider in the next few months. Hopefully providers will learn from mistakes made by current providers...
8/24/07 Update:
After about 8/15/07 my service was up and running with no dropped calls whatsoever. Working great and it was nothing I did. Viatalk fixed it on their end. My support ticket was never answered though...
This company was great for me for a long time but they have just taken on too many customers and did not staff properly while doing so. Now all current customers suffer. Not a great choice if you ask me.
8/9/07 Update:
I have been getting dropped calls on my Viatalk line. This has been going on for a couple of months now. I contacted technical support ten days ago but have not received a response. Word is that they are overwhelmed by new signups from failed voip carrier Sunrocket. I will have to lower my rating until I can get some help from support about this issue. We will see...
7/4/06 Update:
Ok guys, I originally signed up on 12/05. Since then the service, support, call quality have all been excellent. I have no complaints. I did have an issue porting a number over from Broadvoice, but it was not Viatalk's fault. In that time they have added servers and expanded their support facilities. They have even added more features. I am very happy with them.
********************************** I signed up with Viatalk and they have several things I like. Great service. I mean they really take care of you. Their support is available for about 12 hours during the day via phone or via support ticket which they respond to quickly. Their support is in the us and not outsourced.
Call quality is great. Service has been solid for me.
I chose the yearly plan for 199.00 for 14 months included a pap2 adapter (you dont own it). I also used a $25.00 off coupon. The plan includes a free 800 number that you can call to check your voicemail. You also get another free 800 number with a $3.00 credit each month for incoming calls.
Features are superior to any voip service provider I have seen yet. Included are the regular features like caller id, etc. Some of the extra features included are: Ability to record phonecalls by dialing #11, transfer calls to any number while in a call (##", then enter the number you wish to connect the person to), internet forwarding to any sip #, do not disturb at time ranges you choose, block custom numbers you choose from calling you plus specify if they will just get blocked, go straight to voicemail, or get busy tone. Voice mail notification to 2 email addresses and 1 text message mobile number, free 411 service, network down forward number, the list goes on and on...
The PAP2 adapter arrived very quickly via usps priority mail. I had some issues setting it up but with the help of their support, I got it all squared away. It turned out to be a problem with my cable router. Viatalk does not lock down the 2nd port on the pap2 and will give you the password if you call them, so you can set up another provider (free one if you wish) that can work as a backup.
Their CEO is active at broadbandreports.com which is a plus. He is a hands on type of guy and will answer any questions or find the answer to them for you. He mentioned they are considering adding a free virtual number option instead of the 800 incoming number. Also considering the option of adding a separate phone number (separate line - so you can make simultaneous calls on both lines) on the pap2 device for $5.00 a month, but the price is not set. Also in the works is software that would intercept incoming faxes to your number and forward them to your email address. That is something other carriers do already, but not many.
They also have a generous affiliate program which will reward you for references (50.00 per). Also a $25.00 coupon (not part of the affiliate program) you can send to friends/family (you will also get a $25.00 credit for referring them with the coupon).
There are two negative points that I have found. If you pay for the year and cancel service, you only get back 50% of the remaining prepaid service. I have a feeling that they are going to change that in the near future. Also, you need to hang on to the box, cables, manuals that come with your pap2 because they will charge you stiff penalties for not returning them if you cancel. Those are not too major in my opinion. Plus, if you cancel, they will sell you the pap2 for $50.00.
We will see if they stand the test of time and upgrade their systems for the large ammount of users that will join up. That will determine if they will be able to keep outages to a minimum. Hopefully so. I will post back an update in about a month or so.
If anyone needs any more info, or anything else pm me. I will be glad to help.
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