snowbird telephone service!

[nONIE]

We are about to become new snowbirds in TV. Does anyone know if its outrageously expensive to have a new landline installed and once it is installed can you put it in suspension for the months we are not there? Is there a high monthly charge while its in suspension? hate the thought of using cell phones for lengthy conversations!

[Donna]

I would also be interested in hearing this answer..I too hate the cell phones we have to use while we are in TV...
:dontknow:

[bogeygolfer]

Residential Sales
1 866.304.6820

Find out about EMBARQ products and services to help you stay connected, including wireless phones, devices, and calling plans; local and long-distance service; internet access and home networking; security; and gaming. :bigthumbsup:

[The Great Fumar]

All of the homes built in tv are prewired for telephone service with a box on the ourside of your house...........You can put your phone on VACATION HOLD for one half of your basic rate plus taxes........However when you have it turned back on , its 35,00....Seems to be good service though...........good luck

[Frank2]

Yes, you can suspend your phone service while you're away.

However, it you want to keep your listed telephone number you have to pay a maintenance fee. If you choose not to keep the same phone number you can disconnect service and reconnect when you return.

You need to contact EMBARQ or whomever you use and check the cost of each scenario as there are charges for maintaining your phone number and reconnecting the service. The charges for these services will be included in your monthly bill.

Good luck.

[pgilson]

We are snowbirds, and the cost is $26.06 a month all year round. The service is through Embarq. We have no long distance service from them, but use a "phone card" instead. This seems very reasonable.

[Avista]

You might want to check into Vonage.com. We pay $15/month. Have had it the last 6 months.

[Donna]

Avista..Does 15.00 cover long distance too??

[Avista]

Yes, it covers 500 outgoing minutes. For $25 one can get unlimited calls. We have never gone over the 500 minutes since we moved here 6 months ago. My daughter has Vonage and suggested it to us. She also has the $15 rate. She said she has gone over a couple of times, and the added minutes are not very expensive. It also covers caller ID and call waiting--if you want it. Also one can set it up so phone messages can go to your email when you are away. You will get a message by email that there is a message. Just click it and you will hear your message no matter where you are. We've been pleased.

Downside is if your computer is down, your phone is down. In 6 months this has not happened to us. We feel we always have our cells for backups.

[Donna]

Avista,
Thanks so much for the info!! :bigthumbsup:

[nONIE]

Avista,

Great information! Thanks so much for your reply, will definitely look into it ;D

[togabill]

I definitely suggest Vonage. Have had it 3 years as a snowbird and it works great. Just pick up the modem and take it with you when you change locations. Features are great.

[Barefoot]

As a snowflake who is about to hook up a telephone, thanks for all the great info. :bigthumbsup:
I thought Embarq had a monopoly; glad to hear about Vonage.

Does anyone know if it is possible to "bundle" cable and internet with Embarq or Vonage?

[Villages Kahuna]

We've found Embarq's service pretty good and prices quite reasonable. We opted for their $15 a month unlimited long distance on top of their basic one-line fee of $29.95. I know we could find LD service a bit cheaper from other sources, but life is too short for all the online searching around, another bill to pay, two providers rather than one to put "on vacation", etc.

The actual cost, including taxes, for the vacation shut down of service from Embarq is $17.26 per month.

[Barefoot]

We've found Embarq's service pretty good and prices quite reasonable. We opted for their $15 a month unlimited long distance on top of their basic one-line fee of $29.95. I know we could find LD service a bit cheaper from other sources, but life is too short for all the online searching around, another bill to pay, two providers rather than one to put "on vacation", etc.

The actual cost, including taxes, for the vacation shut down of service from Embarq is $17.26 per month.


Thanks Kahuna, good info! I sure agree with the concept of dealing with fewer companies. We aren't living there yet and are already paying Teco, Seco, Villages Amenities, Wtr/Trash, Taxes, Lawn Guy, Pest Guy, etc.

Is there any way of bundling phone/cable/internet to pay just one provider?

[Villages Kahuna]

Yeah, I don't use them, but I know Embarq offers landline and cellular telephone and DSL internet service. I've opted to use Embarq for landline phone phone only. I use Comcast for the faster broadband service, my longtime cellular provider Verizon, and DirecTV for television.

About the most one could do is to cut it to two providers by using Comcast for TV and broadband, then Embarq for landline phone and cell phone (and internet if you so choose).

I disconnect Comcast's broadband when we leave, reducing the "away" price to zero. Same with DirecTV. As I mentioned, Embarq's vacation program costs less than $18 a month. I keep the cellular service year around.

[Barefoot]

Good info Kahuna, thanks. Unfortunately Embarq's $15/month unlimited long distance doesn't apply to Canada.
I think Vonage is the only company that offers unlimited to Canada, not sure. There sure is a lot of stuff to organize prior to a first visit. But I'm not complaining, can hardly wait to get there! :bigthumbsup:

[villages07]

I know you're trying to simplify number of providers...but, I use a company called ecg (www.ecg1.com) for my long distance service from TV. No minimum monthly charges required; 2.5 cents per minute state to state and 7.5 cents per minute from FL to Canada; instate LD within FL is 9 cents a minute (go figure); just pay as you go and they charge fractional minutes instead of whole minutes; been using it for about 5 years both here and in MD and has worked flawlessly. No problem with them coordinating LD service with embarq...no extra charges from embarq.

[golfnut]

Does anyone know if AT&T services TV yet?

[Bubbalarry]

If memory serves me right doesn't embarq have an office center right on RT# 466?

Also these companies, Vonage,embarq are all connected thru your Broadband,DSL service provider and you use the modem for the phone connection.

Since I will be using comcast for TV and Broadband internet service I also hear you can buy a multi phone set at Circuit City that will work with either phone sevice.

Question is which one works best and provides the best service?

[Villages Kahuna]

I use ECG for long distance service at my home "up north". As Villages07 noted, it's an inexpensive option that works flawlessly. I agree completely. Had I not opted for both local and LD from Embarq, I certainly would have chosen ECG for LD. I'd recommend ECG highly.

[nhsnowbird]

You might want to check into Comcast bundling. Here in NH, Comcast provides me with internet, phone, and television. When we are in TV, I can put a seasonal service in play and pay just $25 or so to keep my service in NH. It is my understanding that the minimum is three months and the max is six months but it might be something you would like to look into.

Pat :)

[Barefoot]

We are arriving Oct. 24 and I wanted some services hooked up when we arrive so we will at least have the "basic" necessities. I booked Comcast for High-Speed Internet ($20/month for six months). The "normal" price for this hook-up is supposedly $43/mo. But we only need internet service for six months! I also booked Comcast Limited Basic Channels for TV at $11/month with three outlets. (My husband will probably get Direct TV after a few months (or weeks). I plan to get a Vonage telephone for $25/mo including unlimited calls to Canada. Embarq doesn't offer unlimited service to Canada.

I'm sure we'll probably upgrade some of this as we learn more, but I thought it was a good & inexpensive start. Any guidance from those with experience?

Barefoot - Newbie

[mom2five]

Barefoot

Sounds like you got good prices for these services. I just want the basics for now too as not sure how much time I will be able to spend in TV right now. Is the concast a special deal and how did you arrange for it??
Can you suspend service when you are not there? I want to make those arrangements this week so any hints you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Barefoot]

Mom2five
The first time I called Comcast they gave me a much higher monthly rate. Then I checked on the Internet and found the "special rate". I called Comcast again and asked for their special rate. They told me it was only available on internet bookings!! Then they told me they would give me the internet rate. I think all you have to do is ask for it. They obviously don't offer it unless you know about it. >:(

Every company seems to offer a "suspension" service for phone or tv cable or internet with a small fee payable on a monthly basis. The suspension monthly fee for six months seems about equal to a reconnect fee if you end the service.

Hope this helps. Only ten days until we leave for TV. :bigthumbsup: Wheeeee!

[mom2five]

Thanks Barefoot

I did contact comcast on line and did get the rates you mentioned . Only problem is that they will not let me order the internet service until my cable television is installed. Apparently you have to be a cable customer to be eligible for the $19.95 rate. After I ordered the cable and got a customer # I asked if I could now order the internet but they said I have to wait. Also had to pay and install cost of $39.95.


I am looking into Vonage as well and it sounds like it will be a great service. You can even bring the phone any where in the world and still use it. I am waiting till i get to the villages to set that up as I am not sure how quickly I will get my internet hooked up.

Anyway we leave tomorrow. Still not sure which route we are taking as my husband switches back and forth. I have ordered CAA trip tics for both routes so if you are interested in seeing the other route just let me know.

See u in The Villages

[NJLynne]

One question to ask when interviewing new phone companies is - when you call 911, do the police know your location. I understand not all phone companies provide this service.

[Avista]

If you're talking about Vonage, one has to set it up. It is very easy--done from the computer once the phone is working.

[Barefoot]

Mom2five

I set up my Comcast services with ONE telephone call:
Cable TV - $11/mo for basic services - gets major networks, activation fee of $25.00
for three existing outlets
Internet - $19.99/mo for six months, activation fee of $20, technician will bring modem

Vonage can then be used by plugging in a modem (I am bringing one with me, or you can purchase from Vonage). My fee of $25/mo gives me unlimited calls to the US and Canada, something no-one else offers.

I already have my Vonage telephone number and they have confirmed my 911 address in The Villages. When I leave TV in six months, I can bring my Vonage phone back to Canada.

Sound like everything is too easy? Yeah, I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall. We'll see how it works out.

Good luck on your drive. See you in TV! :bigthumbsup:

[mom2five]

Thanks Barefoot


I phoned comcast and they have agreed to install my internet at the same time as the tv cable.

I will purchase Vonage when I get to Florida. I think it is so great that we can bring the phones home and use them here in Canada.