benc
Premium
join:2007-06-17
Glen Carbon, IL
 ·Charter Pipeline
 ·Future Nine Corpor..
·Callcentric
1 edit | I'm Sorry to Hear About This, But...
...why bother with VOIP in the first place?
AT&T has a package that allows you to make any number of calls anywhere in the U.S. for a flat bill, so it always costs the same amount each month. I don't know about Verizon but I think they have something similar.
I live in an AT&T area, and I use that package. I never, ever time my calls, or every worry how long or short they are, nor to I ever think twice before making a call (if it's in the States, as all my calls so far have been).
There are restrictions. You can't use the package for a business, though you can obviously use it for personal business, like setting up hair cut appointments or calling up customer service for XYZ Corp. You also can't make a long distance call for the sake of dial-up Internet. Dial-Up Internet has to be a local call.
It's a good deal though. Apparently the package is cheaper than paying per feature, even though I end up with features I don't or can't use (Call Waiting and Voice mail). This is true even though all I cared about was Caller ID and Free (as in Freedom, not as in Beer) long distance.
I might be able to see how VOIP may make sense for a business or frequent calling to foreign countries, but that's it.
Even VOIP over a cell phone is silly. Unlimited Data costs $40+/mo., and the VOIP package costs $3/mo. (quoting Skype Pro package). Yet Cingular has a 450 min. + N&W for $40 plan. 450 min./(4 weeks/month * 5 weekdays/week) = about 22 minutes a DAY. It's enough unless you are constantly talking on the phone.
Don't forget also the hassle with adapters and attaching the VOIP to the house wiring so you can use it with a normal phone. Also some adapters don't support pulse dialing, which can be a problem for some. |
