Viop help for non tech

[Guest]

I'm currently using Vonage and two problems: It ain't that cheap and it ain't that good. Drops service constantly, it seems.

I'd like to get on something like voip.ms but see that all their instructions are for techs, not regular folk like me.
I have SOME ability to connect stuff and manage my own little home empire, but my skills are limited.

Any thoughts on what company a muggle could deal with to set up her own stuff without hours of research and attempted unlocking of to the Vonage modem, etc. (low per minute charge would be good).

Thanks be to the computer gods. Apology in advance if this is somehow in the wrong thread, etc.

 

[Guest]

I'm currently using Vonage and two problems: It ain't that cheap and it ain't that good. Drops service constantly, it seems.

I'd like to get on something like voip.ms but see that all their instructions are for techs, not regular folk like me.
I have SOME ability to connect stuff and manage my own little home empire, but my skills are limited.

Any thoughts on what company a muggle could deal with to set up her own stuff without hours of research and attempted unlocking of to the Vonage modem, etc. (low per minute charge would be good).

Thanks be to the computer gods. Apology in advance if this is somehow in the wrong thread, etc.

Yeah, I meant VOIP in that subject line......

 

[eibgrad]

I used Vonage for almost 4 yrs and have no problems. Then in November last year decided to try OOMA Hub & Scout since they offer a free service plan, you just pay for the hardware ($150-200, depending on whether you can find a deal). Works fine. I eventually ported my old Vonage number once I felt confident the service was reliable ($40). Just make sure you keep your old service until the number is ported and working! The only thing I miss w/ the free service plan is call forwarding (requires the Premier plan). But even the Premier plan is only $130 (iirc) compared to Vonage’s $300+.

Now admittedly I and no one else using OOMA knows what the future holds. I suppose they could change the terms and start charging some nominal fee, drop features, include ads, etc. But given the cost of the equipment and what Vonage was charging me, I’ll have recouped my costs in 6 months. So everything after that is gravy. And if I get 2-3 yrs w/ the service I have now, I’m happy.

How difficult? I didn’t think it was difficult, but then I work in the computer industry, so it’s all pretty easy for me. But that’s why there are forums like this one. There are several ways to configure the device depending on your objectives. You first create an account on their website to authorize the equipment, establish your service plan, etc. Then plug the OOMA hub into your router (or you can place it between the modem and router if you feel the connection would be more reliable, I feel that’s unnecessary and inconvenient for most ppl), connect a phone, and you’re in business. In my case I’ve gotten a little more fancy and fed the OOMA hub back into the home phone wiring so I can drop a phone (or cordless phone system) anywhere I like.

 

[zxxxt]

eibgrad is right. You can always ask for help in forums if it gets too technical for you. All my basic networking knowledge came from forums like this one. It's like trial and error. As long as something is not going to blow up then I can try it. My VoIP provider (Onesuite.com) doesn't give official support to ATA devices. But with the help of people from DSLReports I was able to make it work with Grandstream device.

You should choose your VoIP service depending on your calling habits. If you call a lot and receive less then I think those unlimited plans is what you need. If you are like me who doesn't want staying too much on the phone and just make a call when I needed too then prepaid voip providers like Onesuite is for you.

 

[zxxxt]

QUOTED SPAM REDACTED - SS

But I find their pricing a bit more expensive compared with Onesuite with similar features (forwarding, online fax, voip, etc) that's why I'm sticking with my current provider.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Anybody here use PhonePower as their VOIP? I'm going to try them to see how they are - they have one of the cheapest prices to Vietnam from the US, and since my wife & mother-in-law typically call there around 25 hours a month, saving a little $$ quickly adds up . Currently I have a Verizon landline and Startec long distance, and I'm paying $29 a month just for the basic landline.