KoolMoeAw Man Premium Member join:2001-02-14 Annapolis, MD |
KoolMoe
Premium Member
2004-Jun-25 10:31 am
POTS qualityI have a VZ line with no long-distance, the most basic line you can get, for my fax and second phone. Over that line runs SE/Covad DSL. All is good. The main house number is VZ/MCI. I want to bag VZ on that line. Most reviews here are about CavTel's DSL service. I don't need that, but how is there plain old phone service? Clear? Always up? etc. I'm definitely not liking what I'm reading about surprise fees and such - fees that add about $20 to a bill is ridiculous - but maybe most of those are tagged to the DSL service? Any insights on the phone aspect appreciated. KM |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA 1 edit |
neftv
Member
2004-Jun-25 10:55 am
Hey Koolmoe, From what I read in older postings CavTel has another company called Phonom.com and if your lucky enough to be able to get that service your phone line becomes a data line only and you use Phonom's VoIP service (included nationwide calling I think). Phonom charges a flat rate of 64.99 and there are no additional taxes. That's a good Deal because CavTel/Phonom use ADSL2 which is capable of offering much higher speeds and it seem that when its working right they don't hold the bandwidth hostage for more money like the regular DSL providers. If you get top speed you get top speed period which I believe is 8mbps/960kbps. |
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KoolMoeAw Man Premium Member join:2001-02-14 Annapolis, MD |
KoolMoe
Premium Member
2004-Jun-25 11:20 am
I saw some posts about Phonom too so checked their site quickly. This page: » phonom.com/plans/shows a lot cheaper than what you quote. I don't think I want VOIP until 911 is totally proven, but willing to consider it. But the plan on that site above seems very do-able. Will be looking around. Any other insight to Phonom or CavTel appreciated. KM |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA |
neftv
Member
2004-Jun-25 11:34 am
Well the 64.99 Is for DSL and VoIP. I really don't have any other insight on these two companies other from what I read here. I wish I had the option to get the service but I been calling just about every other month for a year being told that it's not available yet to me. |
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to KoolMoe
I have Phonom total call plus DSL and (after 3 months of startup problems) I am getting perfect VoIP quality including modem use (haven't tried fax yet) and rock solid 6700/820 at my CO distance for $65/mo. Actually, my bill is higher by $4: $1 to be unlisted and $3 to do regular 911, i.e. automatically supply my street address. That's it. No other taxes.
The plans you were looking at for Phonom service alone are indeed cheaper than $65, but seriously uncompetitive with other VoIP unlimited dialing plans. You can also get Cavalier POTS with very cheap DSL, but then you have to pay the boatload of taxes just like you do with Verizon now.
If you want to keep Covad, you can drop your Verizon line and just go with VoIP. But bundling that Cavalier does with Phonom VoIP or Cavalier POTS is hard to beat. |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA |
neftv
Member
2004-Jun-25 12:07 pm
I'm about to decide with in a week if I should Keep my covad connection. I called Covad directly and asked if they can do naked DSL and they said no. Now one of Covad ISP partners is about to offer Nakied DSL for 64.99 but the speed is 1.5/384. So the $16 saved from Verizon pots line is not going to bring me ahead on that price because I still pay for VoIP separately. Verizon DSL is an option but you get hit will all those taxes and fees. Comcast makes you get their lowest price cable service to get the lower price for HSI. |
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Mellow Premium Member join:2001-11-16 Salisbury, MD |
to KoolMoe
the quality of a regular cavalier line is the same as verizon, unless you get a verizon tech who hates cavalier and screws up the install just to spite you. I have had it happen to me and it took alot of work to get it fixed. Actully it happens quite often talking to other cavalier customers. For every cavalier install I have had a Verizon tech come out and do the hookup but the last dry pair I had run a Cavalier tech came out and did it, not sure if this is they way its done now or if its dsl only. In my area the charges are Unlimited Local Calling and 12 features $24.95/month. Which includes 5cent min. long distance. Guess its worth a try on a new pair and see how you like the service. |
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KoolMoeAw Man Premium Member join:2001-02-14 Annapolis, MD |
KoolMoe
Premium Member
2004-Jun-25 12:59 pm
Thanks for the replies: TheKrell - Is Phonom's service VOIP only? I'm not comfortable with a VOIP-only solution. I just want a standard POTS line with local and long-distance, and various features (Call ID, etc), in one package. I definitely like the 'no taxes', but suspect that's for a VOIP only solution?
I'm not interested in DSL through the new provider. Well, maybe eventually, but I like my Speakeasy connection and just started another year contract.
I'll definitely pursue CavTel and see if they service my area. Most complaints I see have to do with DSL which I'm not concerned with yet. A little worried about the billing/fees, but will dig into that once I see if it's a viable solution.
Thanks. Any other comments welcome! KM |
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ropeguru Premium Member join:2001-01-25 Mechanicsville, VA |
to KoolMoe
Phonom is VoIP only. That is the name given to Cavalier's version of the service.
You can get the regular POTS from Cavalier with no problem. Not sure the cast as I have the all-in-one where I have POTS, LD, and dsl for $69.95 per month.
As far as billing/fees, I think you are going to get those no matter what POTS phone company you go with. |
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to KoolMoe
Phonom is VoIP-only, but given the quality and true 911 service, what's to worry about? I put an UPS on my network equipment that will last for a few minutes. Most of the phones in my house are wireless anyhow, and they'll poop out during a power failure even with a POTS line. And I have 3 cell phones in the family (and 2 VoIP services), so I'm pretty confident that we have fallback positions for most any eventuality. |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA |
neftv
Member
2004-Jun-25 1:54 pm
Ahh Krell you did what I did with my VoIP service in putting it on a UPS. In the event of an outage I think that DSL has a better chance to still have service vs Cable because don't cable have junction boxes with electronics needing power along the way on the polls where DSL it pretty much signal coming from the CO. Hopefully the CO is well equipped to handle an outage. |
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KoolMoeAw Man Premium Member join:2001-02-14 Annapolis, MD |
to TheKrell
What are the chances of 'number portability' happening with VOIP? I'd really rather not change my phone number and with most CLECs they say I can keep my number - whether that's true or not, I dunno, but since my phone bill has a 'number portability' charge every month, if it can't happen it better not be a Verizon problem! What about the phones required? Phonom's service works with existing phones? Cause I ain't about to buy four new VOIP phones...
My network equipment is also UPS'd which keeps everything up for about 10 minutes if the power goes out. And we do have a cellphone, but reception where we live is pretty sketchy.
I may be willing to try VOIP if the above questions are good, but convincing the wife is a whole 'nother story!
I will pursue CavTel. I'm somewhat surprised there aren't more residential CLEC providers, but guess there's little money in it... KM |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA 1 edit |
neftv
Member
2004-Jun-25 4:02 pm
According to CavTel and Phonom web site you can keep your present number. I don't know how that works on a new line. With Phonom my understanding is you get a CPE for the VoIP service and you can connect all your house phones to it. And from this VoIP box then connects to the Phonom network via DSL. With other Clecs like Covad directly and MCI if they service you from your CO would require dial tone but thats changing too. In the COvad forum LBDSL is introducing dry pair Covad DSL priced the same as Phonom but the speed won't be the same and you have to go with a VoIP separately. If you want to get away from Verizon (traditional phone)in a way that's the way to go. This is what I am thinking about since Phonom isnt an option for me today. Personally, Covad is a much better company to deal with than Verizon even though it's more money. |
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