• Why is there so much Vonage information here?
• Where can I get started with Vonage?
• How do I set it up?
• And what's really happening when I use it?
• What features are available?
• If the Vonage servers are down, what happens to incoming calls?
• Can I send/receive FAXes with it?
• Where do I sign up?
• Special email address for DSLR users

Because, although there are numerous providers of VoIP, Vonage seems to be the clear favorite in the VoIP forum, and that brings many curious people looking for additional information about Vonage in particular.

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by KeysCapt

Vonage has a speed test page to establish that your high-speed connection will perform satisfactorily.

Click here to test.

Note: If you have a firewall in operation, you will have to permit this test.

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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2008-02-19 04:07:25

After you have signed up, Vonage will send you a CISCO ATA-186 which you will need to install.



You then plug any standard telephone into the ATA 186. You'll need a router if you want to be able to use your broadband connection while your telephone is in use.

Note: Many users have reported unacceptable latency problems when using a portable telephone with this system.

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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2002-10-18 13:52:31

Instead of actually talking over a pair of copper wires, as in the standard telephone system, VoIP simply converts your voice from an analog to a digital signal and sends it over your broadband connection as data. It is routed over the internet and to your intended destination where it is treated again as a standard telephone transmission ... your called party sees no difference, if your connection is fast enough.

When you are the called party, your caller dials your number which, because it is a VoIP number now, is routed over the internet and through the Vonage network to your Cisco phone adapter causing your phone to ring.

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by KeysCapt

The Vonage system offers the following features with their service. See this page for more.

Phone Features:

• Call Waiting
• Caller ID
• Voice Mail
• Call Forwarding
• Caller ID Block (*67)
• Repeat Dialing
• Online Account Management
• Real Time Billing information
• Any area code of your choice (See available area codes)
• Lifetime Telephone Number
• Take your Vonage home phone anywhere
• Free Phone Adapter
• Free calls to any other Vonage DigitalVoice Subscriber
• 30-day trial
• International Rates
• Online Support
• Real Time Service Announcements
• Refer-A-Friend program

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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2002-10-18 14:11:45

If I use Vonage and my broadband connection goes down, will the callers get through to my voicemail and be able to leave a message, or will they receive a busy/dead line signal?

By default callers will be routed to your voicemail when the vonage servers cannot contact your Cisco ATA-186 box. Alternatively, you can set up an secondary number to use when your connection is down (eg: a POTS number). You set this up using a web interface to your Vonage account.

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by KeysCapt

Yes.

However ... most people report having limited success with faxing. If faxing is an essential service to you, consider an online fax service such as efax instead. Faxing will work over Vonage, but can take a couple of tries.

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by KeysCapt

To sign up with Vonage, go to this page (secure page).

There, you will select from a $39.99 per month unlimited calling plan, or a $25.99/month Unlimited Local/Regional Plus Plan.

There is more information about Vonage rates here.

You may also select an area code of your choice, from the following available area codes:

California:
San Francisco/Silicon Valley/San Jose and surrounding Bay Area
(415) (408) (510) (650) (707) (831) (925)

Los Angeles/Central California
(310) (323) (213) (818) (714) (805)
(661) (562) (626) (949) (909) (760)

San Diego Area
(619) (858)

Delaware:
(302)

Florida:
Miami - Southeastern Florida
(305) (561) (786) (954)

Georgia:
Atlanta
(404) (678) (706)

Indiana:
(219)

Illinois:
(815) (847) (773) (708) (630) (312)

Massachusetts:
Boston Metro
(781) (617) (508) (978)

New Jersey:
North/Central Jersey
(732) (201) (908) (973)

South Jersey
(856)(609)

New York:
New York City Metro
(212) (917) (646) (718) (347)

Long Island, Westchester and Upstate
(516) (631) (914) (845)

Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia Area
(215)(267)(484)(610)

Pittsburgh Area:
(412)

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by KeysCapt
last modified: 2005-07-15 09:08:47

Vonage has set up a special email box for users of this site to communicate questions, suggestions and to report any service issues.

The email address is: dslreports@vonage.com

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by KeysCapt