This is the first in what will probably be at least a two part series. I finally took the plunge into VoIP last week. I have not yet received all of my equipment, but I wanted to start out my review of my new phone company. I decided to go with Vonage’s unlimited long-distance plan. It comes out to be around $24.95/month and I get every calling feature imaginable plus free long distance anywhere in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and most of Europe (to include Ireland, England, etc). To use the service with an analog phone (as I will be) does require the use of an Analog Telephone Adapter (commonly referred to as an ATA).

As far as getting set up on the service goes, it was very easy. I called Vonage by phone to verify that E911 is available in my area. The FCC has ruled that all VoIP providers must provide this functionality in the future, but I cannot remember the cut off date. E911 is supported in Prattville, Alabama (as it is in Millbrook also). I then verified that I could keep my local number or get a new local number for my city. My phone is currently with a local cable company (Knology based out of West Point, Georgia). They told me I would be able to keep my phone number due to the number portability requirements. So, I began that process. I had a friend sign up for VoIP with another company. They required him to do the number portability paperwork with real paper. With Vonage this is a very streamlined online process. You put your initials on a couple of web forms and then submit. Then there is an online number portability status link on your main page when you log into Vonage. There you can see at what point your transfer is. At this time, Knology has accepted the transfer and will be transferring the number on the 29th of the month. Now that is a bone of contention since it is 2 weeks away, however, they were clear that this process can take some time.

They shipped my adapter to me using DHL. I think this is because they are outside of the US. However, I paid extra to get it second day and DHL screwed that up by putting my packing on the wrong plane. So, my actual shipping time will be more like 4 days. I am not happy about that. I called DHL and they would not give me a credit for the fiasco since they show Vonage as the shipper. I call Vonage and they say they will not credit me for the shipping until I receive the package, which should be tomorrow.

Vonage gives you a temporary number to use until your original phone number is transferred (if you choose to keep your old number). This number is only temporary as it will be taken away as soon as your transfer is complete. Well, they gave me a number with a prefix for Demopolis, Alabama. Demopolis is 2 hours drive from Prattville.  Therefore, for the 2 weeks that I will be without my transferred number, people will have to call me long distance that used to call me local.  They will not change the temporary )virtual) number either.  They say it could mess up my number transfer.  This is terribly aggravating.

As you can see, things haven’t gone real smooth yet, but I cannot say that this has been a horrible experience.  I am just not far along to say yet.  I am a very impatient person and I am ready to see what this service is really going to be like.  I will let you know about the quality of the service itself, the customer service, and all other opinions I have in time.  Check back for more.

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Filed under: Internet, Technology, VoIP by Philip Williams