VoIP Service

[ManicMongoose]

Ok, so I have been with Vonage for the past year or so but now it looks like they are about to go the way of SunRocket. I hope they make it through but all these lawsuits against them are making it look pretty grim. Anyways, I figured it might be time to change to a more stable VoIP service. What do you guys suggest? I have one friend who swears by Net2Phone and another that has been with Lingo for a while. Anyone here got any good recommendations?

 

[Dari]

I would highly recommend Skype if it's not your primary phone.
I have this little device and call quality to Japan is excellent. It should be better in the states.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-...e-System/dp/B000ND75FW

 

[FoBoT]

hi n00b

skype and cell phones FTW

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
hi n00b

skype and cell phones FTW

We use SkypeOut + cell phone service works great.

 

[Pabster]

Skype FTW.

 

[Codewiz]

I have been using Magicjack for about a month now. Works great. $40 for one year of service, then $19 for a year after. Only drawback is having to leave a computer on but that isn't an issue for me

 

[eplebnista]

Another vote for magicJack!

<---been using mine for 6 weeks now

 

[DaveJ]

Anyone have any other suggestions that don't involve leaving a computer on or calling out via the PC? My parents and I both have Vonage and I'd like something that just works with a phone instead of the PC. They also need something simple, so I don't have to waste time doing tech support.

 

[daveymark]

bingo, magicjack is the way to go. $30 for the first year, then $20/year after that. it comes with a softfone too for those times when you're out and about. Nothing beats it. there is no tech support needed with magicjack. if you know how to plug things in, you can use magicjack.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: daveymark
bingo, magicjack is the way to go. $30 for the first year, then $20/year after that. it comes with a softfone too for those times when you're out and about. Nothing beats it. there is no tech support needed with magicjack. if you know how to plug things in, you can use magicjack.

I think you missed the point... I don't want a device that requires me to install software on my PC to call out. Ideally I want something that functions like my current Vonage box. It's plugged into my router and works regardless of whether my PC is turned on. Surely there are other VOIP providers with a similar setup. Plus it looks like with MagicJack you can't call out internationally unless the person you're calling is also a MagicJack user. That's a deal breaker because my parents call the UK frequently.

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: daveymark
bingo, magicjack is the way to go. $30 for the first year, then $20/year after that. it comes with a softfone too for those times when you're out and about. Nothing beats it. there is no tech support needed with magicjack. if you know how to plug things in, you can use magicjack.

I think you missed the point... I don't want a device that requires me to install software on my PC to call out. Ideally I want something that functions like my current Vonage box. It's plugged into my router and works regardless of whether my PC is turned on. Surely there are other VOIP providers with a similar setup. Plus it looks like with MagicJack you can't call out internationally unless the person you're calling is also a MagicJack user. That's a deal breaker because my parents call the UK frequently.

might want to put your list of prereqs in your OP best of luck on your search

 

[DeeKnow]

Originally posted by: ManicMongoose
Ok, so I have been with Vonage for the past year or so but now it looks like they are about to go the way of SunRocket. I hope they make it through but all these lawsuits against them are making it look pretty grim. Anyways, I figured it might be time to change to a more stable VoIP service. What do you guys suggest? I have one friend who swears by Net2Phone and another that has been with Lingo for a while. Anyone here got any good recommendations?

why go with a proprietary service (i.e. Vonage and SunRocket), when there are literally dozens of bog-standard VoIP providers who let you plug in any softphone or hardware device?

check out myvoipprovider
and then get yourself a device like Grandstream or any of the Linksys/DLink cordless phones that work with SIP.

I call US and Western Europe for about 1 or 2 cents a minute... as do millions of others

 

[axelfox]

Viatalk has b1g1 free promo running right now.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've been on Packet8 for 2 years now. They do 1 year for $199. The quality is pretty good. I've compared it to Sunrocket and Vonage and it's always had less echo.

 

[Narmer]

Originally posted by: DaveJ
Anyone have any other suggestions that don't involve leaving a computer on or calling out via the PC? My parents and I both have Vonage and I'd like something that just works with a phone instead of the PC. They also need something simple, so I don't have to waste time doing tech support.

Originally posted by: Dari
I would highly recommend Skype if it's not your primary phone.
I have this little device and call quality to Japan is excellent. It should be better in the states.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-...e-System/dp/B000ND75FW