[TriLUG] Looking for a good VOIP provider [was: New TimeWarner speed increase]

[Dave Hostetler]

I also use Skype.  I purchased a device zoom that connects to my PC at home and allows me to connect my cordless phones directly to it.  I've been using Skype as my home phone for about 6 months or so now, and I have no complaints.  Plus if you get your relatives to sign up for an account you can call them via skype and use video.  This has been great for us as my father lives in Germany and this is the only good way for us to "see" each other.  The zoom device was about $40 and you can find them online or at some Wal-Mart stores.  I have unlimited calling to US / Canda / Mexico and with a number to be called on, it runs me about $5 a month.  If you need international calling you can probably double that, but $10 a month ain't bad.  :)


Dave Hostetler
M: 919.333.0591
hostetler.david at gmail.com



On Dec 30, 2009, at 10:40 AM, Michael Kimsal wrote:

> I second Vonage.  There's a lot of VOIP providers out there that
> compete on price.  TW voice itself bills 'unlimited calling' for a
> flat rate and such.  But... they don't mention anything about
> international.  For international calls, nothing beats Vonage.  We get
> unlimited calling to most of Europe and Australia included in the base
> $24.99 now.  We've set up a remote phone number in the UK for our UK
> friends to call (local for them) for flat $5/month, which comes
> straight to us.  Local for them, no per minute for us.  I've not yet
> found a company that comes close to the feature set of Vonage for the
> average consumer.
> 
> We use Skype as well, and have a 'skype2go' number for calling out
> overseas when mobile - just call the number in Knightdale and then
> dial through, and it's dinged against your Skype account.
> 
> Google Voice might be a player in this field at some point, but until
> that's a reality, Vonage gets my vote.
> 
> 
> On Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 10:36 AM, Ronald Kelley <rkelleyrtp at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Moving to a new thread...
>> 
>>> I have TW for my voice (currently trying to find a good alternative that's easy enough to maintain my non-technical .wife is able to handle maintenance on it).
>> 
>> | Viatalk. Five by five voice quality, good service, and a reasonably foolproof web interface -- decent features, too.
>> 
>> 
>> [rk] We have had Vonage for probably 5 years now.  In the beginning (first 6mos), we were plagued with problems, and I considered switching back to AT&T land-line. Now, things are rock-solid, we pay about $30/mo (less if you pay by the year), the web interface is clean and easy to navigate, and we get free international calling (family is in Germany).
>> 
>> I would highly recommend Vonage...
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Michael Kimsal
> http://jsmag.com - for javascript developers
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