snowbird telephone service!
 

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!

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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:

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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.

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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.

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

Avista..Does 15.00 cover long distance too??

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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.

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

Avista,

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

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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.

Re: snowbird telephone service!
 

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?

Embarq Offers "Vacation" Service
 

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.

Re: Embarq Offers "Vacation" Service
 

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?