Anybody have Broadband Phone service, and how do you like it?

[patricia92243]

I just got broadband internet service and have been looking at some of the ads for using my computer as a phone service. It's a lot cheaper, but I want to be sure I'm doing the right thing.

Anybody have experience doing this?

[lavenderdiva]

1. we have it thru Time Warner...

digital broadband phone service. $39 approx per month. far, far less than what we had to pay with South Central Bell. it was like approx. $120/month for home phone w/ fax. Unreal. we have fax service with Time Warner, and really like the service. Sounds great on the phone, no charge for any long distance (within US) at any time... Also, with Time Warner they DO include 911 service, which some VOIP services, like Vonage, do NOT provide. If you have their service, and need to call 911, you'd better have a cell phone.

Anyway, we have it and love it! highly recommended. also, the bill never varies per month. always $39

[mike_c]

2. I've had Vonage phone service for about a year...

...and I think it's great. I disconnected my landline after about three months-- the only people who ever used it by then were people I didn't want to talk to! I haven't had a single telemarketer call since.

The cost was about the same as the BASE cost for SBC local service plus ATT long distance, and now all my long distance calls are FREE. That alone has made a tremendous difference. All those expensive extras that SBC charges for, like caller ID and so on are free too, as is voicemail with email notification.

I've never had any quality issues. In short, I think it's great. It's the only phone service I have these days, and I'm very happy with it.

on edit-- just saw #1-- Vonage DOES provide 911 service (at least I have it). ALL VOIP providers are required to provide 911 service. The issue is that the traceback function that exists over land-lines isn't there-- for any VOIP provider-- so you can't call in and get a reponse from a dead phone-- you have to give your address to the dispatcher.

[patricia92243]

4. Thanks for sharing. It's given me the nerve to make what I consider is a

big change.

[lavenderdiva]

6. thanks for clearing up the info on 911...

recently, there was a double murder in my city, in front of a young daughter. she tried to call 911 on Vonage, and it wouldn't go thru. She repeatedly called, but it would never connect. Finally, she ran to the neighbor's house, where they called for her. A local TV station did a report on the murders, but also to let people know about this anomoly about some VOIP providers. They suggested calling your specific provider to make sure they did, indeed, provide 911 service. I don't know if this service is area-specific or what. They did mention that Time Warner, which we have, was the only broadband to provide 911 service, so that's why I wrote what I did.

I'm glad to hear that perhaps this issue has been resolved...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I have it through Vonage

Since I've never been a huge phone conversationalist, I get buy just fine with the $15 a month limited service PLUS $9.99 for a dedicated fax line.

So for about half of what I was paying Qwest, I get more goodies.

You have to sign up for 911 service, but that takes about two minutes.

I have caller ID, voice mail, and call forwarding. I rarely use the voice mail because all unanswered calls are forwarded to my cell phone, where Verizon voice mail handles it if I don't pick up.

It was very satisfying to tell Qwest what they could do with their service after they raised my bill $11 over three months' time.

[Gato Moteado]

5. i have packet8

it's 19.99 a month and i have unlimited calling in the US and canada.