Does Vonage require high speed internet to work?

Posted by tasha on March 12th, 2010

The following is an actual reader submitted question:

Q.   Do you need to have high speed internet for Vonage to work?  Can you buy high speed internet from Vonage?

A.  Yes, you do need high speed internet in order for Vonage to function.  Vonage uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology which requires a high speed connection for operation.

Vonage works by hooking your existing phone up to the internet for crystal clear calls.  You'll be mailed a Vonage phone adapter as part of your Vonage plan.  The adapter translates sound ((ie, your voice) into data and then sends it over internet.  Once this data arrives at it's location (ie, the number you're calling) that data is converted back into sound.  The call will be so crisp the person you're calling won't notice any difference between a normal land line call and your call.  If you'd like to learn more about VoIP and how it works, check out our VoIP FAQs.

At this time Vonage does not sell high speed internet.  However, high speed internet is easy and fairly inexpensive to obtain.  Contact the telecommunications providers in your area to sign up for the service. You can often find discounted offers, especially if you are a first time customer.

Vonage World is a great deal right now.  If you sign up, the first 6 months of service are only $14.99 per month.  After that, the monthly fee goes up to $25.99 per month, which is still a good price for what you get.  With Vonage World you can make unlimited calls within the US and to 60+ countries.  This is a very pocketbook friendly service if you make numerous long distance and international calls a month, and Vonage World is the highest rated of all the VoIP providers we've reviewed.

Save money when you travel with Vonage World

Posted by tasha on February 25th, 2010

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:

Q:  I live in Florida for 6 months of the year and in Canada for the other 6 months.   Can I take VoIP with me and use it wherever I go?

A: The nice thing about VoIP services is that they are portable.  The Vonage World plan is particularly convenient for travelers.  With Vonage World you can easily pack the small adapter and use it wherever there is a high speed internet connection. This means you can make local and long distance calls from almost anywhere in the world, provided you have a broadband connection.  And Vonage World is running a special where you can make unlimited calls to 60+ countries for only $14.99 a month (for the first 6 months, then $25.99 a month).  That means when you're in Canada, you make free calls to your friends and family in Florida and vice versa.  Nice, right?

There is one small caveat:  you need to have a United States mailing address to purchase the service.  However, once you've signed up and received the Vonage phone adapter you can take it with you and use it outside of the United States.  It's perfect for vacations or business travel and you'll most likely end up saving you a bundle of money.

Will VoIP work with a home security system?

Posted by tasha on February 18th, 2010

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:

Q: I currently subscribe to Comcast for phone, cable and internet and have a land line with Verizon because of my home security system. If I used Vonage to replace my land line service would it work effectively with my home security monitoring system and the current cable set-up?

A: The answer to your question is "yes" and "it depends". Because Vonage (and all VoIP service) is designed to run over a high speed internet connection, it will work with your existing Comcast cable set up. In short, VoIP requires a high speed internet connection like cable or DSL, so what you have will work fine.

The "it depends" comes into play when you have a home security system. If your security system is a telephone based one where the company uses your phone line to contact you in case of a break in, it may not work with Vonage. If the security system is wireless, and doesn't depend on a phone line, Vonage will most likely work. Vonage recommends you contact your security company to see if their system is compatible.

Do you have VoIP service in Vietnam?

Posted by kent on January 19th, 2010

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question:

Q: Do you have VoIP service in Vietnam?

A: All the VoIP services that we review are sold in the United States or Canada only. However VoIP services are portable and can be used from any broadband connection around the world. For instance, someone can purchase Vonage in the United States and then send the equipment to another country, such as Vietnam. Unfortunately while Vonage World Unlimited covers calls to over 60 countries, Vietnam is not one of them. So calls could be made from Vonage equipment on a broadband connection in Vietnam to any of those countries (see below), but calls within Vietnam would not be covered. This will work for you if you need to make frequent calls from Vietnam to the US, for instance. You just need a US-based shipping and billing address.

Countries covered by Vonage World Unlimited:

Andorra
Argentina
Australia (excl. External Territories)
Austria
Bahamas**
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei**
Bulgaria
Canada**
Chile
China**
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guadeloupe
Guam**
Hong Kong**
Hungary
Iceland
India**
Iraq
Ireland
Israel (non Paltel)
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Latvia
Luxembourg
Macau**
Macedonia
Malaysia**
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico**
Romania
Russia
Saipan**
San Marino**
Singapore**
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand**
Turkey
U.S. Virgin Islands**
United Kingdom
Venezuela
Zambia

Can I take VoIP service with me?

Posted by kent on December 29th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question.

Q: I live in Florida for 6 months, and go home to Canada for 6 months. Can I take VoIP service with me?

A: Yes, you can. Once you sign up and have the equipment you can take it anywhere (anywhere you have a high speed connection, that is). You can even send VoIP equipment to a friend or relative overseas, so they can use it—even in countries that the VoIP provider doesn't directly sell too.

You should be aware that 911 calls work a bit differently than with regular phone service. When you set up your VoIP service, you register a physical address that emergency personnel will be directed to in case of emergency (assuming your municipality has the Enhanced 911 technology—not all areas of the country have it). If that's set up for Florida, and you dial 911 in Canada, direct responders would show up at your Florida address. In the case of Vonage, you should register a change of address using their website:

You must register with Vonage the physical location where you will utilize Vonage phone service (Service) for each phone line. Also note that if you move your device to another location, you must register your new location – it's easy – just log into the features section of your Online Account and follow the instructions.

Make sure to check with your specific VoIP provider to understand how 911 calling locations may affect you.

Will VoIP work with my security system?

Posted by kent on August 11th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: I have Cable TV, Cable Internet and Cable Phone service. All three with one cable company. I also have a Home Security System but with a different landline. The question is, if I switch from Cable Phone to a VoIP System, will VoIP effect my Home Security System ?

A: That's a great question. Given the popularity of both technologies, we imagine a lot of people are wondering how security systems will work with VoIP. For an answer, we went to the sources: the security companies and the VoIP providers. Fortunately, they all seem to agree. Unfortunately, it looks like you should have a landline:

Leading home security provider ADT recommends that VoIP users hold onto their regular landlines in order to ensure the best security. The concern is that VoIP will not function during a power outage, so even while the security system has a battery backup, your home networking probably does not. ADT suggests its customers call 1-800-ADT-ASAP before a switch to VoIP to find out if a VoIP provider meets their approval standards.

CPI Security also recommends that customers hold onto their landlines, not only because of power outages but also because of network outages.

Some home security systems may offer alternative means of communication. Reliance Protection/VOXCOM offers a wireless communications option, and others may too. Contact your home security company to see if they offer a similar cellular solution.

VoIP providers also suggest that you hold onto your landline. Vonage states in their FAQ that they don't recommend using their service with a home security system.

So, despite the cost-saving advantages of VoIP, it can present a problem for some technologies, and not just for security systems but also other devices like fax machines and some TIVOs. That's because electronic signals that are meant to go over a voice line are changed when they go over IP.

Even with a landline, VoIP can still save you a lot of money, depending on your phone usage (check out our reviews to see how much). With plans starting as low as $8.33 per month for unlimited calling in the US and Canada (on an annual contract), you'll save more than enough to justify that old analog phone line you need for your security system.

Is there hope? Between the increasing popularity of VoIP and the ubiquity of cel phones, this is likely to change in the future. A company called uControl is introducing a device which will replace your current security system's control panel and offer a cellular connection (along with broadband and an optional land line). But so far, these don't seem to be for sale to individuals. You may soon see it as an option offered by communications providers.

To learn more about VoIP, check out our VoIP reviews and comparisons.

Are there any set-up fees for VoIP.com?

Posted by Joe on April 6th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: Are there any set up fees [for VoIP.com] your website says no start up fees but when you look futher it says total charge is about $36 dollars on the 19.99 plan it says free shipping free equipment free month so whats the $36 dollars for?

A: VoIP.com will waive any set-up fees if you sign up for the Home Unlimited annual plan which costs $199.00 per year. The Home Unlimited monthly plan does not include free set-up, but does include the first month free (a $19.95 value). So, if you were attempting to sign up for the monthly plan, you would have seen a set-up charge included in the upfront costs.

If you are looking for a monthly plan that has no upfront set-up fees, we would suggest Vonage's Unlimited plan. This plan has no set up fees, is just $9.95 per month for the first three months and then $24.99 per month thereafter.

You can learn more about Vonage, VoIP.com and other Internet phone service providers by visiting our VoIP reviews and comparison.

What is a V-Portal adapter? Or is it simply the thing that makes the phone work?

Posted by Joe on April 6th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: What is a V-Portal adapter? Or is it simply the thing that makes the phone work?

A: A V-Portal adapter is the device provided by Vonage which allows you to use any standard telephone to make calls through your high speed Internet connection. The V-Portal is easy to set-up, is totally portable and also enables lots of advanced features. Here is the description of the V-Portal adapter directly from Vonage's website:

The Vonage V-Portal can connect up to 2 Vonage lines through your pre-existing high-speed Cable or DSL Internet connection and includes a networking router. It's great for all your phone and routing needs. Just plug it into your existing broadband connection and use the two standard telephone jacks to connect your existing phones or fax machine. The Vonage V-Portal has a user friendly LCD display with caller ID and call timer, call logs (missed/received/dialed) with up to 50 entries each, language selection, and built-in upstream bandwidth tester. The Vonage V-Portal allows you to use your Internet connection for your computer and your phones at the same time and because it's Vonage, you get clear digital phone sound quality.

You can learn more about Vonage by visiting our VoIP service reviews and comparison.

Will Vonage go out when the power goes?

Posted by Caitlin on March 11th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: Is Vonage a digital phone service that will go out when the power goes or is it a true land line?

A: Vonage is a digital phone service and is dependent on your broadband Internet connection. This does mean that in the event of a power outage, you will lose your broadband connection and therefore, your Vonage service as well. Some people do choose to maintain a landlane in addition to their VoIP service for this reason. However, many people with landlines rely on cordless phones, which are also dependent on electricity and will fail in a power outage. In either scenario, a cell phone is a good backup in the event of a power outage.

To learn more about Vonage and other VoIP services, see our reviews and comparison chart.

Why haven't you reviewed Skype?

Posted by Joe on January 22nd, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: I'm considering VoIP again. Went round the block with SunRocket a couple of years ago and got BURNED! I appreciate your comparison and assume that you're intrests are purely altruistic. You don't have Skyyp listed. I've heard about them a few times but don't really know much about them. Why are they not in your list to compare?

A: We have not included Skype in our current VoIP comparison simply because it is a slightly different type of Internet telephone service than the others we have reviewed. There are essentially two types of VoIP services:

1. Services like Vonage and PhonePower that allow you to make phone calls through your broadband Internet connection using a special router and standard telephone set.
2. Services like Skype that allow you to make calls directly from your PC, usually with a headset with a microphone. We call these "PC Calling" services.

We have found that services like Skype are excellent for making calls where voice quality and reliability are not as important. However, PC calling services are not a viable landline alternative in our opinion.

Services such as Vonage and PhonePower, on the other hand, are very similar to traditional phone service in both call quality, user experience and reliability. These services also offer lots of benefits that landline telephones don't, such as web based voicemail.

So, if you are looking for a cheap and easy way to make quick calls from your PC, Skype is a great option. However, if you need landline quality reception and reliability, then we would recommend a service like Vonage.

You can learn more by visiting our comparison of VoIP Services at NextAdvisor.com