What is Vonage?

    Vonage is a phone service provider that offers broadband phone serice with a technology called Voice Over Internet Protocol (called "VOIP").  By using VOIP, its users can save significant costs off of their existing phone bill. What could you do with an extra $50.00 per month? Vonage connects to your high-speed internet connection (cable or DSL) so that you can make and receive telephone calls with your ordinary telephone. How it works is that you'll receive a small box that you simply connect to your cable modem or dsl.  Your telephone is then plugged into that box, and you're ready to go!

How Does it Work?

    Vonage takes the analog signal (the kind used for traditional phone lines), and converts it into a digital signal and then transfers it over the internet.  One advantage of VOIP is that the telephone calls over the internet do not incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for internet access. 

What does Vonage cost?

    Costs may vary, dependent on the area dialed and the plah that you select.  Vonage offers a $14.99 plan for local and regional long distance with 500 minutes of free long distance to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.  Vonage also offers a $24.99 plan that gives you unlimited long distance to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, along with unlimited local and regional calling.  The Vonage user should also remember that most calls to Europe and the region are usually $.05 - .06 per minute, which can be a good bargain for those with loved ones in these areas.  Also, All Vonage-to-Vonage calls are no charge and all incoming calls are always free with Vonage.

• Vonage for Home 
• Vonage for Business

Vonage Features:

• Voicemail
• Call Waiting
• Call Transfer
• Caller ID
• Repeat Dialing
• "Bandwidth Saver"
• Voice Mail via e-mail.  This feature gives you the ability to have your voice mail messages emailed to you as "WAV" files (a digital sound file that you can save and listen to later).  This is a nice feature, because it allows you to same your messages, potentially forever on your hard drive.

Positives?

Vonage offers very low rates - 25 bucks for unlimited long distance using Vonage within the U.S. and Canada is an exceptional rate. The lower Vonage plan with 500 minutes is also very good depending on your calling habits. Please read the bottom of the page on how Vonage referrals can save you money also.

Negatives?

    Vonage relies exclusively on your broadband internet connection.  If your power goes out, or if your internet connection drops, you lose the ability to make calls.  Don't forget to pay those internet bills!  However, since many people carry cell phones, these often will serve as a good backup.  This is particularly important in areas that experience frequent power outages, such as areas with frequent rain and windstorms.  However, if these are not an issue for you, then you should not run into too many service-related problems.

    Caller ID issues.  Unfortunately, Vonage does not display the name of the person calling, just the number.  Hopefully, they will address this issue in the near future, as your friends often call you from unrecognized numbers.

Conclusion.

    If you already have a broadband connection and make a good amount of long distance phone calls, then it could be a cost effective solution and give you peace of mind knowing you will not have to pay for long distance phone calls anymore.  Vonage is definately worth a try.