VOIP service

[IndyEFI500]

Well, I have now had it with Comcast. I love their high speed internet. We recently got Directv becuase I could save $20 to $40 a month over my digital cable but now my dgital phone is going to jump from $40 to $77 a month. Plus they were rude on the phone to my wife, she is PO'd. Anybody have any input on Vonage or the other VOIP services that could lean me one way or another? Since Comcast wired my current service (which is VOIP) so that all the phone jacks work, could I just unplug the phone wiring from their box and connect to a Vonage router? I know 911 could be a problem but there are two cell phones in the house as well. I don't want to go cell only because mine is a business phone and I shouldn't use it for personal calls (so they say ) All info appreciated.

[icechipper]

First thing to do is call comcast, tell them your going to cancel, usually they will try to keep you with a deal you can't say no to. If you do cancel, get your new line first from who ever you are going to switch to, this way you can port your number to them (keep the same number). I don't know how many days anymore that you can still port your number if you do cancel but there are limitations.

Biggest things with VOIP service is that you have a high speed connection with little latency. If you have high speed 1MB / sec or larger you should be ok.

As for your phone wires, yes you could just unplug from their box and connect to the new, phone wiring is very simple, 2 wires, unless you have multiple lines to each phone.

And for the 911 part most companys use your billing address and have some sort of online page that you can update your current address if you were to move it or a call to their customer care. Big thing is that you can move it to any high speed connection and it will work, this is where they run into problems with people moving the phone and not updating their 911 address. They use the address to route the 911 calls to the right PSAP (local dispatch).

[Whoaru99]

Huh...

I've been finding that consolodating everything with one company usually gives the best overall cost vs services - albeit at one big bill vs. several smaller ones.

Personally, I'm still hanging on to the hardline telephone because it pretty much works 24/7/365.

[luckey]

I use AT&T VOIP. They have always been helpfull when required. The first call made after the router was powered off or rebooted requires you to confirm that you didn't (or did) change your perminant address. Good advice to get the new service prior to terminating your current service and let them port your existing number.

[ChemE]

Vonage VOIP has been great for the last 3 years for me. Only 15 a month for me or 25 a month if you talk a lot. Have only used customer service once and they were able to solve my problem without waiting for hours on hold. Vonage will also provide documentation to show that 911 service will work for your line.

[theoilman]

I use a company named TeleBlend. They were about $10 per month cheaper than Vonage (Vonage $25 unlimited I believe).

With any of them you can use their box and feed your household phone wiring (disconnect from the phone company line first).

I believe that Vonage does not work with 911, The TeleBlend used to, but I am not sure after they have done some changes recently.

There are a number of other VOIP phone companies out there, just do a search on VOIP. Many offer business only plans, you'll have to do your own sorting.

The other solution, do away with any type of land line and go to cell only.

[IndyEFI500]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to call Comcast tomorrow and see what they will do. They were already rude to my wife when we dropped the tv so I bet they will do nothing. I only hope the don't rape me on the broadband but since my company pays part anyway, it is not too much of a blow.

I would go cell only since i have a work one and my wife has a personal one but what happens then if we go out and have a baby sitter that doesn't have a cell? Unbelievably, there are still teen age girls without cell phones.