VONAGE Internet Phone Service
 

I saw that someone started a question and answer forum for Vonage service sometime back and I thought I'd add my 2 cents about Vonage. I considered the service 6 months ago but there was some litagation going on between Verizon and Vonage ( Vonage lost ) and I didnt want to be left out in the cold without phone service so I passed. Then I saw an infomercial on a DSL phone tool called MagicJack. I pay $20 a YEAR and can call locally and long distance. I use my DSL connection.
I plugged a Vtech cordless phone ( DECT 6.0 $40 at bestbuy) and crystal clear calling. Not for $24.95 a month - $20 a year. Check it out. I'm not a salesman for it - but it sure sells itself.

Re: VONAGE Internet Phone Service
 

I also have magicJack. Works fine. $40 the first year plus shipping and $20 every year after that. Plugs into a USB Port on your computer [b]No monthly phone bills. Includes local and Unlimited Long Distance (US and Canada). ;D ;D

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Why is this in Political????

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If this is a political debate, I'm for VoicePulse. More reliable than Vonage and more features. (Don't I aways have to be different!) :o

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I transfered my phone service from Verizion to Vonage before I moved to TV in February for several reasons. I was able to keep my old phone number and I could just plug in my Vonage "modem" to my broadband connection when I got to The Villages and have phone service without having to contract for phone services. I got the 500 minute plan for $15 a month and just before I got to The Villages I got a virtual "villages" local number for another $5 a month. This way I have a local number for family and friends to call from my old location and a local Villages number and have had no quality problems, even when I have TV, computer and phone being used. I get all those features such as call forwarding, caller ID, and voice mail as well as others. The monthly cost is about $26 with all the fees and taxes included.

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Wow!!!
Dicky, I will talk to you about this when I get back to the villages. Sounds good to me! :)

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Dicky, with Vonage I have problems when speaking with anyone on a cell phone, portable phone, or another Vonage customer. Echo, delay, background noise, etc. No problem in speaking with land lines. Have you experienced any problems at all?

I do like the portable part, I have two telephone numbers, one in Florida and one in Canada. That part is great.

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Magic Jack is much less expensive than Vonage. We're looking into it now. I just wonder about the sound quality and reliability...very picky about both.

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brightspot, sound quality and reliability are both exceptional with the Magic Jack. Have had mine for~6 months with no issues whatsoever.

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When I get down there, gonna have to give Magic Jack a try

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Do you have to keep your computer on 24-7 open to the internet to have Magic Jack working :dontknow: :dontknow:

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Yes, your computer must be on 24 hours a day for it to function properly. You also must have have a high speed internet service. Dial up will not work.

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Do I have this right? Vonage can be used with Comcast's internet cable modem, but Magic Jack requires DSL? And Vonage's box thingie gets plugged directly into the cable modem then the phone into that? Why does a computer need to be on all the time?

I really need to change from Embarq -- really really! I have been looking at Vonage and reading TOTV people's experience. Do others beside Barefoot have Vonage-cell phone problems?

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another Linda,
Sorry if my previous post was confusing but yes Magic Jack will work with Comcast cable; in fact that is what I have . As far as it being on all the time, I believe it (the computer) can go into "sleep" mode and it still work; it just cannot be turned completely off.

Re: VONAGE Internet Phone Service
 

Linda 2 .. no computer necessary with Vonage. With Magic Jack, yes, computer must be on, but it can sleep as schotz pointed out.

I have friends who swear by Magic Jack, and it's not that expensive to take it for a trial run. I have other friends who tried it and got rid of it due to problems with quality. Same with Vonage. I just can't figure out why some people have problems and some don't. :dontknow:

I have the 5.8 MHZ suggested by Handi.

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Thanks folks. I think I will try Vonage. I need to have phone service for renters but I don't want to leave my computer there. Guess that leaves out magic Jack.