Posted on 01/27/2008 4:12:45 PM PST by Jabba the Nutt
On to VOIP itself. How does it work? What's the quality like? Can you can any number or only VOIP capable numbers? I've checked some of the plans and VOIP companies out, what recommendations or experiences have you had with your VOIP or previous VOIP companies?
Anyone have a Germany plan with a VOIP? What level of DSL do I need for quality VOIP? Can you use the internet and VOIP at the same time?
Are there other questions or issues about VOIP that I'm missing and should consider?
Thanks and a happy Sunday evening to all.
You should consider that if your internet or electricity fails, there goes your phone - if it’s the only one you have.
It could be just the thing though to eliminate those expensive calls to Germany.
Skype has a free service, or at least it used to be free.
What the hell is the deal with all the vanities lately?
Unless you have a cell phone as a backup already.
VOIP is as reliable as your internet connection.
If the folks in Germany have access to a computer, look into “Skype”. Free download, free video phone if you have the equipment. Can also use it to call a phone number, but there is a charge.
I am no expert on this but I was in a similar situation the phone company did not have DSL and no cable was avalible. I went to Dish Network and signed up to a VOIP service. I had no problems. But you do need to keep your computer on in a situation like mine. All phone calls were logged on the computer along with voice mail services. I don’t use the services any more just cell phones. You do get to select the area code you want to use but the actual number to your phone is assigned. And you can change the area code if you move.
I’ve been meaning to ask this question for a while and I saw the vanity on Linux. Seemed to be a slow night, so I put it up. You can always ignore vanity posts.
You can transfer your current number to VOIP. We're utilizing Vonage with Canada, UK, and Italy treated as local calls. Germany is $0.05/min unless calling a cell phone.
http://www.vonage.com/intrates.php
BTW, If you’re receiving your DSL thru a phone line you will be required to keep a basic phone line.
Well, if I lose electricity, I’m already out of heat and water. I do have a cell phone, that sometimes comes in in this area. Or I can drive a mile and get connected. In case of emergency, I have my neighbors.
I was afraid of that. I asked the phone company, if they will offer a VOIP service, they didn’t know. I guess that would be the only way out of the local phone line cost, eh?
Sounds like we’re in pretty similar situations. Country, not that reliable cell coverage. I have had quite frequent power outages and they always seem to get mine back last.
It was handy to have a land line to bitch to the power company, but don’t know how much good it does.
My current phone situation is ATT with unlimited LD for $40. (I don’t make international LD fortunately). I also have a cell (have to have, don’t use much), pay as you go, that averages about $8 month.
My internet is the killer. ISDN. Slow and about $125/month.
I have Vonage, myself. I dumped my Verizon service years ago, and have not been sorry.
Quality is excellent nearly all the time. Here in Maryland I’m paying under $20, but I do have to pay for Internet Broadband, as well. I have Comcast cable.
My brother lives in Thailand, and I talk with him several hours each week. He has Vonage as well, and there is no charge for a Vonage-to-Vonage call, so I talk to him in Thailand for free. His internet provider is not as reliable as Comcast, so there are sometimes noise issues with him that are related to low bandwidth.
What the hell is the deal with all the crybaby’s around here lately?
Bite me.
Tell me about your cell for $8 bucks a month. Indeed, we sound very similar, including last in line for power to get re-connected. Last February, we had a lovely ice storm. No power for 4 days (could’ve easily gone longer), bought a generator from Home Depot for heat to prevent water pipes from freezing. It was the coldest weeks of that winter. Lost power at 6pm Thursday, by Saturday 5 am, 34 degrees in the house. Got it up to 55 degrees after 4 hours of generator use to run the furnace.
Have you considered Hughes or other satellite internet? Has to be cheaper and faster.
Mr. Peel and I have been using VOIP for years. Can't remember the last time we had a land line. We love it. For us, we have reliable signal strength and consistent billing.
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