Tightwad Tips

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

fopso01 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:58:15 GMT

norbertc:

In Europe we have ADSL packages costing 30 € per month that include:

high speed Internet access

worldwide unlimited VOIP phone calls using a normal phone

cable TV

The computer may be left off for TV and phone use.

I've been a customer for years and am very satisfied. Our provider's web page is HERE. The reliability is very high.

Since the technology is there, I'm wondering if something similar exists in the US? If not, are there regulations preventing its use?

norbert -

we dont have anything that is so fairly priced here. we should, because the internet cable and phone are basically the same thing, but AT&T charges about 120USD a month for it, as does the other large provider Comcast Cable. you can get the services cheaper here if you dont get a package and pick and choose the best deals out there, but we dont have the nice package like in France/Europe. the issue is that only certain companies have laid down the cables for that technology and they do not allow competition to seep in.

i use:

AT&T for telephone and internet and cable tv, it is just a little cheaper than Comcast. but i switch between the two because the new customer packages are about 50$ cheaper than the existing customer prices.

for long distance:

my folks use nonoh.net, it is a web phone service that costs about 30 dollars per 4 months and you call the number with the computer and then your house phone rings and you are connected! but looking at some of these other suggestions, i think we might be better off with another service like magicJack.

Re: Vonage Question

Dooper — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:16:28 GMT

We changed out ATT to a basic ATT phone line (unlimited local, caller ID and call waiting), replaced their LD with Pioneer Telephone at 1.9 cents/min. Got a $20 credit through Citizens Utility Board. Took a little work with the switch, but worth the effort. Online billing waives monthly fee. Saving $25/mo.

Re: Vonage Question

syplatt — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:00:04 GMT

Rick,

Very true. The quality of Vonage service rests primarily on the quality of your internet connection.

But that defeats the purpose of Vonage for me. I have the triple package making the Verizon Freedom phone plan about $15 more per month than Vonage. If I cancel the phone service now, three negative things happen. The cost of broadband and cable rise because I'm unbundling the package and I also lose an additional discount for a set top box. In addition I may have to pay a penalty for breaking the yearly contract. And when the electricity fails, I have no phone service. The only advantage would be if I needed another phone line; which I don't.

Re: Vonage Question

Rick Hamilton — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:22:53 GMT

Sy wrote:

When the Verizon crew (very nice people) installed the system, they hinted that if I ever went back to Vonage that the reception would be much better because of the Fiber Optic lines in the house.

Very true. The quality of Vonage service rests primarily on the quality of your internet connection.

When I first started with Vonage, I had Time-Warner Roadrunner internet service, which was very fast. Now I have Fios internet service, which is very, very fast. So, I've enjoyed good service from Vonage with two internet service providers.

Rick

Re: Vonage Question

syplatt — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:06:27 GMT

I used Vonage for 2 or 3 years and enjoyed the cost effectiveness, but too many people complained about the inferior quality of the sound and echo on their end, although I didn't notice it. Also, our electricity goes off quite often during bad weather. Whenever that happened, our calls got routed to my daughter who didn't appreciate the inconvenience.

A couple of years ago, Verizon came into the neighborhood with FIOS and I went for the Freedom Triple threat package. I get good phone service now, and fast broadband speed for the computer. I have one landline connected directly to the wall so even if the electricity goes out we still have the phone. Plenty of good movies and interesting TV channels to choose from, but it's a little pricey.

When the Verizon crew (very nice people) installed the system, they hinted that if I ever went back to Vonage that the reception would be much better because of the Fiber Optic lines in the house.

Re: Vonage Question

Rick Hamilton — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:02:57 GMT

Vonage knows how to keep customers, as well.

I've had great service with Vonage, but like everyone else, I look for ways to cut my bills. So, I called up to cancel my fax line.

Vonage changed my billing to $4.99/month for a year on my fax line, and gave me two free months on my house phone line, effectively giving me almost a year's worth of free fax line service. I can live with that, easily.

I'll just have to remember to call again when the twelve months are up. ;-)

By then I expect companies will be paying us to use them.

Rick

Re: Vonage Question

Rick Hamilton — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:39:05 GMT

With Vonage you don't have to have your PC on at all, it works over the internet just like your PC, not THRU your PC. If you have a router, you will use a port off it, if not, the Vonage equipment will have a router/adaptor in one piece.

IF you remove the connection from your TELCO at your network interface device, you isolate your inside wiring from the TELCO.

Make sure your inside wiring remains isolated from the TELCO wiring, otherwise you can damage your phones.

Then, you can use your house wiring to distribute phone connections wherever you have a jack, or you can use a base station w/cordless extensions. Obviously a base station with cordless extensions is the easiest, you can put the phones where you want, as no jack is needed. The base station plugs into Vonage's TA (telephone adapter).

The Vonage web site explains in detail.

Rick

Re: Vonage Question

Dooper — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:17:03 GMT

With Vonage, do you need the computer on to talk or receive calls? And then you hook the Vonage box to 1 wired or cordless phone. No extension phones then I assume.

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

allanj103 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:57:05 GMT

Sasol/Solly, Both of your names caught my eye, even though the spelling of "Solly" is not what I'd expect. Did you work at Sasol?

I did, but the name and owner were different when I accepted the buyout back in 1995.

I won't mention the name of the city but I will give a couple clues: Barrel House. Also, I worked in the I & E Dept.

Any of that familiar?

Whether we know each other or not, I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hey, that goes for the rest of you guys and gals too, whatever holidays you celebrate.

Allan J

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

sasol — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:29:27 GMT

Rossby,

This must be the best post I have read this year! I am just recuperating and burst out laughing as I read your post. I thought such people, as your beautiful, #10, lady, were restricted to NYC with an ankle bracelet!

Thanks for sharp sense of humour.

Best regards,

Solly

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

Bulllwinkle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:58:18 GMT

Joisy. I can only imagine your accent! Bull

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

GardenGirl — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:43:39 GMT

Bulllwinkle:

Which shore? I lived near the shore of Lake Michigan when i was a kid - Chicago. I was surrounded by the "shore" twice on islands - The Azores & Okinawa. Now i live near the ocean shore (Atlantic) - the Hampton/Newport News area of VA.
Understand if you don't want to give location. Max might try to find you! Bull

GG is from the Garden State of NJ!!

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

srevnal — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:39:10 GMT

Since I’m from France, I’m quite aware of that great system that we can’t have in the USA. I guess “the invisible market hand” must be a work here to pick into our pockets.
The best US alternative to that great deal can be found here , the phone/internet bundle consists of DSL service and voice over IP and cost me, after taxes, about $96 a month…

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

norbertc — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:23:42 GMT

In Europe we have ADSL packages costing 30 € per month that include:

high speed Internet access
worldwide unlimited VOIP phone calls using a normal phone
cable TV

The computer may be left off for TV and phone use.

I've been a customer for years and am very satisfied. Our provider's web page is HERE. The reliability is very high.

Since the technology is there, I'm wondering if something similar exists in the US? If not, are there regulations preventing its use?

Re: Cheap Long-Distance Service

jageorge72 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:05:30 GMT

Skype users.....

Look into MagicJack...... it is like talking on Skype (voip), only you use your actual phones. ...and it costs next to nothing. I officially dropped my regular landline service and use this. See my post above.

All you do is plug your phone into the MagicJack/USB device, then into the USB port on your computer. I have a cordless phone with 2 other satellite phones. So far it has been great.

We got our hours cut back to 32 at work, and had a layoff.... so money is a little tight, and I am a little nervous. So.... this MagicJack thing is really going to save me some money. Also cut my internet speed doen to 768 (DSL), so my phone/internet bill should be slightly around $25 month.