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DracoFelis
Premium
join:2003-06-15
| Re: Verizon "Sensible" plan as non voip back-up said by global_dev  :Monthly Fee: $1.00 Extend your local calling reach. With Sensible MinuteTM, you'll get the convenience of a simple flat rate of $.15 per minute for all your direct-dialed, regional toll calls and you can call whenever you like. Whatever works for you.
However, IMHO 15 cents a minute for USA LD is still way over priced (in this day and age) even for POTS telcos (especially since it says "regional toll calls", and therefore likely doesn't include much of the country)! I think my telco offers a 5 cent a minute plan (anywhere in the USA) for example (although I think that 5 cent plan does have a higher monthly fee).
And remember, if you have dial tone (for example, because you have a minimal POTS line hooked up), and can therefore dial "toll free" numbers, there is nothing preventing you from using a pre-paid phone card as your LD "backup" (which is an option that is almost as cheap as some VoIP options). In fact, I used pre-paid phone cards FROM HOME for YEARS before going to VoIP, as they were a cheaper option then the telco's LD phone plan. And if you have a phone with a "speed dial" (as most phones these days have), you don't even have to remember your phone card's 800 number or your PIN. Instead, just pre-program those numbers into your phone's speed dials, and just remember to press those speed dials before making your call normally. Easy, simple, and a surprisingly cheap LD (backup) option!
BTW: I still have some pre-paid phone accounts programmed into my phone's speed dials for those few occasions when I need a backup for my VoIP. And since the telco requires me to keep my POTS line (although I've had them "block" all "toll calls" on that POTS line) to qualify for DSL service from them, I still have "dial tone" to use the phone cards (from my POTS line) should that ever be needed. However, since I've also got multiple VoIP accounts (my primary ViaTalk line + a few other "pay as you go" accounts), I rarely find my VoIP to actually be out. But it's nice to know I have a "backup" should that ever be necessary (for example, if my internet was down, and I just "had to make a call".... | |
| 
NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
 ·VOIPo
| said by global_dev :Just out of curiosity, I looked at verizon (services my area) at what thy provide and saw this. Anyone have any comment or experience? I have a new construction and phone service was never hooked up so there is nothing attached for real 911. Sensible Minute
Monthly Fee: $1.00
Extend your local calling reach.
With Sensible MinuteTM, you'll get the convenience of a simple flat rate of $.15 per minute for all your direct-dialed, regional toll calls and you can call whenever you like. Calls are billed $.015 for each additional tenth of a minute, or fraction thereof. Even direct-dialed calls to some areas in other states that are part of your regional calling area may be covered by the Sensible Minute rate.
With Sensible Minute, each call is itemized. You'll know at a glance each number that you called, the date and time it was made and its duration.
Are you thinking that you will be able to just pay one dollar and nothing else? This $1.00 is in addition to the $20.00 plus taxes you'll have to pay to them to get dial tone that will allow access to the LD network. You can't put it on a line without some sort of minimum local service.
Besides, this offer is for regional toll calls, not local and not Long Distance. That would be a separate charge. | |
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global_dev
join:2005-09-23
Woodbridge, VA
·callwithus
| Re: Verizon "Sensible" plan as non voip back-up Thanks for the responses,
I don't have a minimal POTS hooked up since it was a new construction. The telco is not hooked up to the house feed since I never initiated service.
I was looking at my unlocked AC-211 with a lifeline port. As far as I noticed, the other ATAs i have like the inno 6238 and spa 1001, 2102, and PAP2 don't have this feature. I hadn't used the AC-211 in over 2 years and figured i might be able to implement backup through one of 2 methods. (Not a VOIP backup for lines, but for power).
1) POTS
I'll need to call verizon, but I had a feeling it might be an additional service to the local service; however there was a "5 cent plan" that had the stipulation that you needed a local plan. The "sensible" plan info did not have that stipulation noted.
2) GSM gateway (with battery backup)
using something like a Dock n' talk or ip gsm gateway.
We have been couting on our cellulars as back up; however reception went from great (old residence) to poor(new residence). (I considered the tmobile "voip" service; however the phone offering to choose from is kinda weak and I'd have to pay $350 to terminate my current service and activation/phones for tmobile and current service does work to 1 bar extent.
My actual telephone set has built in battery back-ups, however if the power is out it doesn't matter how many back-up trunks my asterisk has... | |
| Lenagainster
join:2005-01-07
Silver Spring, MD | What is wrong with considering your cellphone as a back-up to VoIP? | |
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global_dev
join:2005-09-23
Woodbridge, VA
·callwithus
| an update:
I revisited verizon and accessed the live web chat: I had the following chat:
Verizon: Hello. Welcome to Verizon's chat service. How can I help you?
me: I wanted to find out about the Sensible Minute plan. I will be moving soon and will need service. Are there are requirements for this plan?
Verizon: You will have to have Verizon listed as your local toll provider in order to get this plan.
me: Verizon is the local provider. My question is basically, I do not want an unlimited plan for local, regional, etc.
me: the sensible plan doesn't need another plan to be in place does it?
Verizon: You do not need an unlimited plan. You may just have Verizon for local and select Verizon as your local toll(short long distance) provider with the Sensible Minute Plan.
Verizon: No.
Verizon: The Sensible Minute Plan would not be compatible with an unlimited local toll or long distance plan.
me: what are the rates for other than local toll?
Verizon: If you select Verizon as your long distance provider, long distance rates vary depending upon the long distance plan that you select. You may view the different long distance plans and rates on our web site.
Verizon: Just click on Local and Long Distance plans on the drop down menu under the Red phone tab on our web site.
me: can you explain the following:
me: the website says "Provides you with the convenience of a simple flat rate of $.15 per minute for all your direct-dialed, regional toll calls and you can call whenever you like. Calls are billed $.015 for each additional tenth of a minute, or fraction thereof."
me: $.15 flat for each minute and than an additional $.015 for each tenth of minute? If its flat per minute where does the fraction come into place?
Verizon: It is 15 cents for the initial minute and then 1.5 cents each additional tenth of a minute, or fraction of - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
me: are there fees, taxes, etc on top of the monthly fee?
Verizon: Yes. You would be charged taxes and surcharges on your bill. They are not included in the cost of our services since those funds are distributed to the appropriate agencies.
me: is there a way to detemine what the add't charges to the monthly fee would be?
me: does this monthly fee include a phone number or is it outgoing only? would i be paying for incoming calls if number included?
Verizon: I apologize. We do not have the ability to determine what the total would be of taxes and surcharges. Once your phone charges are captured for your billing cycle, the appropriate taxes and surcharges are calculated and applied to your monthly bill.
Verizon: You are not charged for incoming calls unless they are collect/third party or made with a calling card. The cost of the plan that you choose for home phone service includes your phone number.
me: is there an installation charge?
Verizon: If you place your order for phone service on our web site, there is no charge for installation of service.
Verizon: To place an order for service, please visit our web site at: »www.verizon.com Select the "Products and Services" link under the "Residential" heading from our home page and then select "Set Up New Phone Service" from the resulting page.
me: is there a cancellation fee if i decide i want to stop service or change to a different plan?
Verizn:under the "Residential" heading from our home page and then select "Set Up New Phone Service" from the resulting page.
Verizon: There is no charge to cancel home phone service, however there is a 30 day minimum billing period. Therefore, if you cancel service before the 30 days are up, you will still be charged for 30 days of service. If you place an order online to change your calling plan for home phone service, there is no charge.
Granted I don't know what the add'l charges are, but to have real 911 and landline backup for ~$1-2 month could be a great resource.
To answer an earlier question about cell backup further, my immediate family is made of a non-native english speaker and a 2 and a half year old. I doubt either would be able to give adequate directions or responses to a dispatcher of the cellphone.
I also am under the impression that if a line was ever hooked up, it would still have 911 if a plan was canceled. | |
| | 
local line
@comcast.net
| Re: Verizon "Sensible" plan as non voip back-up You are still not getting it. Granted, the rep didn't do a great job of explaining it, but the $1 is *in addition* to the local monthly line charge: it is a regional toll calling plan to be added to your local service. (That would be probably $10-$20 plus monthly line taxes/surcharges, etc.)
"The cost of the plan that you choose for home phone service includes your phone number."
That is where they were telling you that you need a local line, first. | |
| | sokhapkin
Premium
join:2003-05-08
Somerset, NJ
| Don't forget about $12 "FCC subscriber line charge". My $8 "Unlimited local calling plan" makes $25 VZ bill
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»www.callwithus.com | |
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NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo
| You are going to be surprised when your first month's bill is for $100.00 for installation fees, Local line charges, service order charges from Verizon communications for a local access line and 1 months service billed in advance and prorated along with your current months charges. This entire conversation is ridiculous.
You cannot have phone service for 1 dollar or 2 dollars.
If you get it, post your first months bill here and we will all follow your lead. | |
| | 
jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ | Get the cheapest local plan and then check out »www.kissld.com.
$3 per month + $0.03 per minute for long distance.
I referred a friend at one point and they removed the $3 per month for life. | |
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global_dev
join:2005-09-23
Woodbridge, VA
·callwithus
| Thanks for the response. I wasn't missing the point, I just just wasn't getting a clear answer from verizon. I understood that a local line would probably cost more that $1. However at 15 cents a minute, I thought that the cost was more than sufficient for Verizon to make some money against someone who didn't want to pay a monthly charge, which is why I thought it might be "real".
They finally did state I would at least need Flat Rate local Service. | |
| | 
redshift
Premium
join:2004-03-23
Beverly Hills, CA | Re: Verizon "Sensible" plan as non voip back-up Based on your situation though a bare bones POTS for $20 might still be worth it. This way with VOIP you could use it as your primary long distance provider, and you could either get a PAYG plan or a full second line. | |
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bpl1000
@verizon.net
| I was looking into the sensible minutes plan- this is in addition to your local plan. The sensible minutes plan is a regional calling plan, not a local calling plan.
>sigh $1 a month was too good to be true (in addition to all the other charges, of course). | |
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Verizon "Sensible" plan as non voip back-up
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