ilmo
join:2006-10-20
Oak Park, IL
|  current opinions on callvanatage. debating on switch.
Hi all, I currently have a potts line with att&t and also a static busniess dsl connection with mutiple stickies. I have always kept the landline as i have been untrusting of voip. Has att&t got thier act together enough now? I hope to hear from current users and thier opinions. Any info is greatly appreciated.  |
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Annmarie
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-11
Ronkonkoma, NY
clubs:
 ·Optimum Online
Host:
Electronics
1 edit | I recently switched from pots AT&T after months of debating - I too did not trust VoIP mainly because I absolutely need to call 911 several times a year - elderly Dad with all sorts of health issues who lives with me.
Well I barely use the phone and the $50 plus bill each month for barely any outgoing calls just burned my ass so I took the plunge.
I never had trouble with AT&T on my cell or landline and after comparing prices and plans I went with the CV 24.99 unlimited with a $5 month credit for having an AT&T cell account.
Love it love it love it !!!
My first official bill was less than $25.00, the voice quality is excellent, it has more features than I will ever use and the fact that it can call another number of your choice should the electricity go out was the key factor.
Did I mention I love it?
Setup was a breeze, online access to my account and phone settings is great an the email notification that I have a message when I am at work is very convenient.
After activation - around 10 days after my order - it was a cinch to wire the rest of the jacks in my home so all the phones have CV.
PLUS - no contract to sign! Love it !
EDIT: I have Optonline cable broadband but chose not to sign up for their VoIP. I did not want to sign a contract and after using at several friends homes I was less than thrilled with the voice quality.
I do love them as an ISP though - no problems there at all. Great speeds. |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY | reply to ilmo
Ditto to everything Annemarie said. I just works....  |
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DonBrady
Premium
join:2002-06-20
Cary, NC | reply to ilmo
I found it better on cable than DSL. |
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ilmo
join:2006-10-20
Oak Park, IL | reply to ilmo
Now when you had dsl, was it same isp as with callvantage to? |
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HardCoder
join:2006-07-22
Raleigh, NC | reply to ilmo
I've had Vonage, SunRocket, and Viatalk.
CallVantage >>>> any other VoIP I've had.
Never had VoicePulse, that seems to be the other very well reviewed established VoIP. |
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rsmith7
Premium
join:2003-03-11
San Diego, CA
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to ilmo
I too had Sunrocket, Earthlink Truevoice and now CV. I do love CV. I can not comment on DSL because I have cable.
Also receiving discount of $5.00 for having AT&T wireless service.
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scots
Can we have Twinkies?
Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·ooma
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage
2 edits | reply to ilmo
I had Vonage, then switched to ViaTalk, and am now on CallVantage. So far it's been rock solid with absolutely no issues. I've been faxing on the line with no problems, no special setup, and without signing up for a special "fax line" like most of the others want you to do. All I did was enable fax support on the line from the control panel, which doesn't cost anything extra. My Dish Network receiver box also "phones home" without any special setup, dialing special codes, etc. The voice quality is excellent. The only thing I pay extra for is $1.99/month for the Call Filtering service. This is the same as Anonymous Call Rejection which blocks calls from people who hide their caller ID, and also allows you to block calls from specific phone numbers that you put on a list. I also get the $5/month discount for having AT&T for my wireless.
If having no phone when the power goes out is a concern for you, just get a small UPS to plug your equipment into. I recommend getting a separate UPS for computers or other equipment to maximize the battery life for phone use. If you only plug in your modem, CallVantage adapter, and router (if you have one) and nothing else it should last for several hours...which should be more than long enough to get you through all but the most extreme situation power outages. |
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Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
1 edit | And the extreme power outages are handled by Safe Forward, at least for incoming calls. For outgoing calls in the extreme circumstances, I recommend getting an inverter for your car and keeping your gas tank full. (That's for the cell phone charge, by the way--not much point in powering your adapter, etc., if your internet is down.) One can hope that your cell provider has good backup..
Edit to add comments relevant to the thread..
I've had Vonage, ViaTalk, and CallVantage. Never tried SR, haven't tried VoicePulse yet. Have played with some other providers--Stanaphone, for example. CallVantage is by far the most reliable, of those I've used. With their E911 'nag' (disabling outbound calling after a power failure until you confirm E911 address), I strongly support the 'buy a UPS' advice to minimize those nags. |
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Sbrav77
Premium
join:2004-03-02
Bourbonnais, IL | reply to ilmo
I also was with Vonage for over 3 years and made the switch to CallVantage. I'm very impressed with the call quality and some of the features Vonage didn't have. I couldn't be happier with my choice. |
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Lenagainster
join:2005-01-07
Silver Spring, MD
·VoicePulse
 ·DIRECTV
·magicjack.com
| reply to HardCoder
said by HardCoder  :CallVantage >>>> any other VoIP I've had. Never had VoicePulse, that seems to be the other very well reviewed established VoIP. Had both VP and CV. Both high in the ratings (VP 4.29, CV 4.18 this week). Voice great on both. Main difference is that VP does not charge all the fees and taxes that CV does. VP UL local + 200 min LD is $14.99 + 90 cents Fed tax, UL local + UL LD is $24.99 + 1.60 Fed. VP UL $24.99 plan vs. CV UL $24.99 plan with $5 discount for ATT wireless is about a wash. VP has UL filters, no extra charge; CV $2 for 20 filters. VP does not require one to verify that they did not relocate service after each power glitch. Son has had ATTCV for over a year, I have had VP for one year; neither of us has had any significant problems. IMHO; CV has slight edge on voice quality and reliability (like 99% vs. 98%) and VP wins hands down on features. |
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madmatrix
join:2006-09-03
Fairfax, VA | How about CV total bill including every fees and taxes? more than $30? I see the package is $24.99. But not sure how much about the other fees. Thanks! |
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Lenagainster
join:2005-01-07
Silver Spring, MD
·VoicePulse
·DIRECTV
·magicjack.com
| said by madmatrix :How about CV total bill including every fees and taxes? more than $30? I see the package is $24.99. But not sure how much about the other fees. Thanks! When I had the CV $24.99 plan, I added the $2 filter extra, and the total bill was just over $32. Can't remember all the fees, but there was a County fee of $2, state and local 911 fee $1, and FED and local taxes totaling just over $5.
I don't know how VP does it, but the only extra they charge is a 90 cent FED fee on the $14.99 plan and $1.50 on the $24.99 plan, and 7% sales tax just for those unfortunate enough to live in NJ. |
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madmatrix
join:2006-09-03
Fairfax, VA | Thanks a lot! |
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HornBlowR
join:2007-01-25
Chicago, IL
1 edit |  reply to ilmo
 Not happy here with ATT CV. Just about every time I talk over 7 minutes my call get dropped. Called their tech support and all they can say is that I need more bandwidth from Comcast. I previously had Sunrocket and never had this issue with that service. I have 6meg cable service which usually tests out at 3500 dn and 350 up. It seemed to be plenty for Sunrocket. Don't know what to do other than dump Callvantage. |
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Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| The bandwidth comment is a crock. What's your setup like? ATA behind a home router or in front? If behind, any ports forwarded? Any other quality issues you can comment on (sound quality, etc)? How is your internet connection? Have you tried the test at »testyourvoip.com ? |
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Annmarie
Premium,Mod
join:2000-11-11
Ronkonkoma, NY
clubs: | reply to madmatrix
CV for one month - $23 and change all inclusive. |
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HornBlowR
join:2007-01-25
Chicago, IL
1 edit | reply to Fisamo
said by Fisamo :The bandwidth comment is a crock. What's your setup like? ATA behind a home router or in front? If behind, any ports forwarded? Any other quality issues you can comment on (sound quality, etc)? How is your internet connection? Have you tried the test at » testyourvoip.com ? Presently my TA is behind my router with UDP ports 69, 5060-5061, 5620, 10000-11000 open. However, it doesn't matter whether the TA is in front or behind the router, I still get my calls dropped. I have the D-link DVG-5102S and my router is a Zyxel X-550. I've run testyourvoip and get a number around 3.7 The sound quality is usually ok up to the time I get the "hiss of death". |
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Fisamo
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Apex, NC
·VOIPo
·AT&T CallVantage
| I'm trying to remember if anyone had the 'hiss of death' problem resolved... I had my ATA behind a Zyxel X-550 with no problems (until the Zyxel died). I can't think of a reason Comcast service would cause a call drop (especially with a 'hiss of death'). If CV tech support can't/won't resolve it for you, I don't see any alternative for you, either. Have you pushed the tech support reps to escalate the issue? It would be an ATA issue. You can see if they will replace the ATA with a different model. Good luck... |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
| With the new TA that I also have - I notice that it "inserts the hiss" while calls are pending or going through. I was told by an AT&T "in-the-know" person that this is by design.
I have my TA behind my Actiontec Router on my 20X5 Verizon FiOS and never get disconnected. I would think that for the OP, this does sound like a cable/packet loss issue as a strong possibility. |
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