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15 Replies Last post: Jul 2, 2008 6:14 PM by Archangel

anyone use (VoIP)?

Feb 21, 2008 5:03 PM

Click to view Bluesuit's profile Mogul Bluesuit 110 posts since
Oct 23, 2007
Trying to save money and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good solution, if it works well for you, etc. Also, can you make oversees calls too?
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Click to view xenopod's profile Mogul xenopod 106 posts since
Dec 28, 2007
1. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 21, 2008 5:49 PM
We use Comcast digital voice service. We have no problems with the service, and the rates are reasonable since we use it heavily. We do not call overseas though (I do not know if it is possible with them), but we call Canada frequently and that is built into our pricing which makes it a lot more favorable compared to when we were calling Canada from our cell phones!
Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 5,733 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
2. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 21, 2008 5:55 PM
Bluesuit, Do NOT use VoIP, However

Voice over Internet Protocol (*VoIP*) is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice through the Internet or other packet switched networks.
VoIP is often used abstractly to refer to the actual transmission of
voice (rather than the protocol implementing it).

Companies providing VoIP service are commonly referred to as providers, and protocols which are used to carry voice signals over the IP network are commonly referred to as Voice over IP or VoIP protocols. Some cost savings are due to utilizing a single network to
carry voice and data, especially where users have existing
underutilized network capacity that can carry VoIP at no additional
cost. VoIP to VoIP phone calls are
sometimes free.

Voice over IP protocols carry telephony signals as digital audio, typically reduced in data rate using speech data compression techniques, encapsulated in a data packet stream over IP.

Do Not know abouy oversea calls.

LUCKIEST

Click to view grantsforce's profile Mogul grantsforce 64 posts since
Feb 17, 2008
3. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 22, 2008 8:51 AM
We use Skype. Since there is a huge market in the EU for this service, several of our calls there are free. We also have video-conferencing in the package. Although you can try comparing it to Vonage and Packet 8, this was a good deal for us. There are other providers that offer you an 800 number for an additional charge. Skype does not provide that service.
Click to view Buffalo's profile Mogul Buffalo 171 posts since
Oct 17, 2007
4. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 22, 2008 9:00 AM
We use Vonage for our home phone service and love it. We probably saving $40 or more a month over our old service. The only down side is that when the internet goes out so does the phone service. But calls can be transfered to our cell phone so we don't miss those anoying telemarketers. :)
Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 5,733 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
5. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 22, 2008 9:06 AM
in response to: Buffalo
We use ATT CallVantage and as Buffalo said, " for our home phone service and love it.
We probably
saving over our old service. The only down side is
that when the internet goes out
so does the phone service. But calls
can be transfered to our cell phone"
It is also faster and we only get one bill a month.
LUCKIEST .
Click to view Bluesuit's profile Mogul Bluesuit 110 posts since
Oct 23, 2007
6. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 9:39 AM
Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to look into a provider this weekend. Didn't realize how wide the usage is! I've been missing out.
Click to view jbmalik's profile Professional jbmalik 5 posts since
Feb 8, 2008
7. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 12:24 PM
in response to: Bluesuit
Bluesuit: Both Skype and Vonage are reliable, low-cost Voip services to make local/long distance/international calls. Skype is one of your cheaper alternatives, but requires a PC and high speed connection to use. With Vonage, you only need a high speed connection. I have lots of reviews/resources on these and other services - check out http://www.small-business-phone.com/resources
Click to view grantsforce's profile Mogul grantsforce 64 posts since
Feb 17, 2008
8. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 2:50 PM
in response to: jbmalik
jbmalik - In case of skype, With the latest phones, you do not need a PC you can connect directly to the modem.
Click to view coastsider's profile Start-up coastsider 2 posts since
Jan 9, 2008
9. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 3:59 PM
As others have said, VoIP is only as good as your internet connection. If your upload speed drops below 128k, the signal will get choppy. I currently use VoIP with a video phone capability and love it. It is particularly great when you are connecting with family and friends. The company is ACN which is a very successful network marketing company. check www.myacn.com. They have overseas as well.
Click to view jbmalik's profile Professional jbmalik 5 posts since
Feb 8, 2008
10. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 4:07 PM
in response to: coastsider
Uh, what does a ACN and video have to do with a reliable internet connection. That reads like it's SPAM.
Click to view coastsider's profile Start-up coastsider 2 posts since
Jan 9, 2008
11. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 26, 2008 4:17 PM
in response to: jbmalik
ACN is a VoIP provider with products similar to Vonage and the others. They also have an internet based video phone and just happen to market via a network marketing approach along with other phone products.
Click to view mdoc151's profile Authority mdoc151 13 posts since
Feb 1, 2008
12. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 27, 2008 6:45 PM
The company I work for uses ALTEVA. They are located in Philadelphia and have been awesome to deal with. The have experience in call centers from 2 to 500 agents. Its a small business so they give you the personal touch us small business owners need. www.altevatel.com
Click to view guitarboy8d6's profile Professional guitarboy8d6 8 posts since
Oct 28, 2007
13. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Feb 28, 2008 1:39 PM
Yes, My company uses vonage. I would say go for it. We have had little trouble with it, the cost is far cheaper than what we would be paying Embarq (the local provider of the area), and it has great features which keeps us going.

I run a business that requires great attention to clients, how ever there are times when all of us are out of the office. With vonage it emails all 3 key people the voicemail. We have are cell phones set up to accept email. Then we can listen to the voicemail from our mainlines with vonage on our cell phone and return a call in a quick and timely manner. We have 6 lines including a toll free line for clients to call in on. You can do call forwarding, call waiting and everything just like a normal phone, but vonage goes a step further and adds abilities that normal phone companies don't, like the ability to forward to the next line only if the line being called in on is busy for no extra charge, no extra equipment. You just pay for the main line then add a go to there web control panel and change 3-4 settings and that is it.

We are expanding to Europe in the next year and with vonage we just add a European line so we will have a few European toll free numbers forwarded to our U.S. Numbers and it is dirt cheap in comparison to other methods. (To get international numbers you do have to call in and work out a special arrangement).

Also I see that you ask about calling overseas and yes you can in most foriegn rates are extremely cheap. Certian countries like the UK there is no extra minute charge for calling. It is just like calling someone next door.

I would highly reccomend vonage to any business user if you have a of stable high speed internet connection, and looking to replace a traditional phone system.

I will say I have never used the fax line so I have know idea how that would work, but if you are doing faxes you should probably check out something like efax.

Hope this helps answer your question.
Click to view Technoguy's profile Start-up Technoguy 1 posts since
Jun 17, 2008
14. Re: anyone use (VoIP)? Jun 17, 2008 5:13 PM

We use a company called Broadband Centric. They are based in Long Island. We eliminated our old PBX system with their Hosted PBX customer. We are very happy with the quality and the performance so far.

They also have a product called SIP Trunking which allows you to connect your existing PBX using internet. This also is a good product since you can use your existing phones and get the price advantage of the VOIP. They also combine their bundle with the Verizon analog lines with seamless failover. This is great redundant option, especially for business. Good hunting.

Their web site is www.bbcentric.com.
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