Vonage: What are the Pros & Cons?

KarieBlue

Looking for current/previous users or those who have investigated Vonage. I am thinking of subscribing to one of their £7.99 packages, as my calls are to USA, Canada and Australia.

Can anyone offer a synopsis of pros & cons for this product?

• Do you notice any degredation in quality of call if heavy internet usage?
• Are there hidden costs?
• Do you need a phone plugged in to another line to still receive your "normal" BT calls?
• Is it possible to make BT calls out on that line [above] as mobile calls through Vonage are ridiculously high?

Any other things to note?

Thanks in advance,
Karie x

hurrah

If you want to keep your BT Line,and your mainly looking for cheaper calls to Usa,Canada,and Australia have a look at Euphony EuTalk + 18 which is recommended by MSE .It includes 24/7 Uk Geographical Calls ,and calls to 28 intl destinations (the 3 destinations you principally call are included).Calls to Usa and Canadian Mobiles are also included although it doesnt tell you.(its a 18 month contract,and works out to less then a £1 a week for first 18 months(£4.33p a month).

It can be used in conjunction with 18185 for cheaper mobile and ngn calls.

http://www.euphony.co.uk/

https://www.18185.co.uk

KarieBlue

Thank you! Will take a look now...

tony_baduk

I have been contemplating whether to sign-up for Vonage. I am currently a Virgin Media telephone customer but before I join, I was after a customer experience and reviews about Vonage.

Vonage have some terrific tariffs on calls to international destinations as well as UK numbers.

I'd like to know your experience on the following:

1) Customer services
2) Call quality
3) Overall service

Your feedback will be much appreciated.

Mancunian

I have been very very very pleased...call quality good, customer service good and a good online account section. Listen to your voicemails online and see INCOMING callers!! highly recommended

just remember, if u have NTL/ virgin TV then u pay the same price whether u have the phone or not.

I just have a broadband line off NTL and pay the £7.99 to Vonage there phone number and unlimited calls - uk, usa, canada etc (see tariffs on there website)

signup thru Quico.com and u get £20 cashback too

tony_baduk

Thanks Mancunian.

More feedback from other users would be great!

Mancunian

think they give u 14 or 30 day satisfaction period as well.

hurrah

The only people that might benefit from using Vonage are broadband only Virgin Media ex cable customers.

But bear these facts in mind

Theirs an activation Fee of £9.99.

Theirs a shipping fee of £8.99.

Theirs a change your plan fee of £5.99p

Theirs a disconnection fee of £23.99p

Then theirs the expensive NGN and UK mobile rates. Some 0844 numbers 7p a minute,some 0871 numbers 14p !!!

Also the dear Intl Rates to non free Intl Destinations.

The recovery fee "If you accept a special offer or other promotion, such as a free month of service, a rebate or other incentive, there may be a term commitment associated with the benefit you accepted. The commitment period will be disclosed as part of the promotion. If you terminate service prior to the end of the commitment period, you agree to pay Vonage a recovery fee for the promotion/special offer you accepted. Recovery fees are cumulative and in addition to any other charges or fees you may owe Vonage. Each recovery fee is an amount equal to the difference between the price you paid and the regular price of the goods or service at the time you accepted the promotion/special offer"

You cant port your number.

Potential problems with 999 calls.

You cant pay by d/d, card only is the order of the day.Your credit card is charged automatically on a monthly basis. If your account incurs additional charges of £25.00 or more, your credit card may be charged before the end of the billing cycle.

Mancunian

looks quite good euphony...but dont forget there charges are ON TOP of your BT line rental £11+? per month

If you've got cable - pref broadband only then Vonage is £7.99 only for the line and free calls.

check out the other Vonage post...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=374569

someones just brought up some more pro's and con's

Heinz

Mancunian wrote:

looks quite good euphony...but dont forget there charges are ON TOP of your BT line rental £11+? per month

£10.75/month (payment by DD and online only biling) but you're close.

Mancunian

wow fine tooth comb!! good work. if I want any T&C investigating I'll come to you!

I think the only real things u have to consider are the call charges,,,all the other stuff is standard T&C really.

Must have missed some of the bits cos I got automatically moved over from Freetalk.

The kit you get is a 4 port hub so u can use it for your local lan (if you partake) and also has two 'normal' phone line connections,,,but you can swap you initial discount for a Wireless hubs or even a Wi-Fi phone!

999/ 112 calls are fine.

nice to have a good bit of debate eh?

can anyone else add?