 Review by XPAMD 
UPDATED: 46 days ago
member for 6.2 years, 2222 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Mount Cory,Hancock,OH
 $16 per month (month by month)
 about 3 days
 "Features, like free 2nd"
 "Fee's have raised, Must contact Support to consolidate all invoices"
 "Overall great price with the included features."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
In the time that I've had service there has been few interruptions in Service. Most were quickly resolved with the ability to change the SIP server in the Linksys PAP 2 adapter.
I've downgraded back to the VT500 plan as we don't make very many outgoing calls. My wife mostly uses her cell phone to call around (most everyone in our family/friends uses Verizon so that's free mobile to mobile).
Earlier this year I was able to get a billing error resolved with the help of the VT Billing Manager in the Viatalk forum here on DSLR. The problem was due to how I was entering my expiration number on my CC and conversely how the website explained how it should be entered.
I think the Updated Website and User Control Panel still needs work, although it just works.
=== Original Review Below=====
I decided to give Via Talk a shot since they've had great reviews. I probably chose the worst time to order service as they were in the process performance upgrades that hadn't gone exactly right.Despite only having 14 day's, decided, what the heck, I'll give 'em a couple a months.
However, after some minor hiccups I'm feeling pretty confident I'll be able to port my number over to them pretty soon.
I opted for the 500/min a month (month to month) plan. For the price AND features I can't complain. My wife and I don't normally use more than 500 minutes a month.
I ordered on August 24th(Thursday) (well early that morning just after midnight). I was planning to wait on ordering since the start up costs were fairly high, but consistent with other providers. However, since someone in the VoIP forum posted a coupon code I decided I would take advantage and try it out.
By noon the same day (24th) my order had completed, processed, number assigned, and adapter shipped---I couldn't believe it! Prior to order I determined I could port my number by chatting with Sales. Also from web I was able to determine that they had the area code and exchange that my Virtual number is in.
I decided to wait to port though as my current provider (Nuvio) is very reliable, but is more expensive and I'm not using that many minutes. Even if I were to drop to lower plan Via Talk has more features, and they're looking to have the same reliability as Nuvio in the months to come.
On Saturday--the 26th, my adapter arrived. After finding a phone I could use started making some calls. Call quality was pretty good. Early on I tried call forwarding my current primary number to my Viatalk number, but their were problems with call completion. So I took it off for a few day to give Viatalk a chance to work their their "growing pains."
As of today, all my calls are being forward to my ViaTalk number. So far there aren't any major complaints. I love the Custom CID Name feature, and the call "block" feature, which I have already used, lol.
Ticket response time could be improved, but I did decide to add Priority support. I figured until things cooled down, and they added more support personnel, it would be worth the extra 1.95 a month for a short time. I do really like how support is willing to work to resolve issues, and change settings on their end for your adapters profiles.
Viatalk is a low cost voice alternative with a great feature set that strives to improve their service. When they're doing some thing on their end, or some happens you'll get an e-mail.
All in all I think I'm gonna like Via Talk. At this point I just had to decide whether to go ahead and port my number or wait just a bit longer, lol.
===
Previous Update 10/24/07
Since my 1st review I did port my number and move to the unlimited service. Everything for the most part has worked smoothly.
I've had very few issues to speak of, and most of them I'm able to resolve on my own.
They've added the 2nd what i like to call "virtual line" They're giving customers a 2nd lined tied to the 2nd line on their PAP2. Calls to my number ring both lines and can answer either one. If another call comes in while on the phone the other line will ring and the call wait tone will sound on the line I'm on. I can also make calls while say my wife is on one line.
They also have servers located regionally. which is really nice. My closest server is in Chicago. They also have servers in New York, Virgina, Texas, and California.
I've haven't had any experience to their recent CS woes due to the Sunrocket collapse so I cannot speak to that. It's very much appreciated for Brendan Brader's presence on the VT forums.
Overall I've enjoyed VT which has a great price with the features included.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of ViaTalk |
|
ViaTalk
(66)
(48)
(94)
(16)