The VoIP Revolution »
It appears that the Associated Press has started a three-part story on the offerings of the Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) world. I'd have to generally agree with the points they make. While there is an occasional issue with my Vonage service, it's usually just a "blip" - a word, or more often a part of a word - that doesn't come all the way through.
Moreover, such occurences are very rare. So much so that I don't think of them as issues - they just don't happen with enough frequency. I can only imagine things getting better, though Cringely may disagree with that assessment. We'll have to see how it goes, though Bob's point that ISPs could "tag" their own traffic to give it priority may make some amount of sense.
Nonetheless, some Bellsouth survey-takers came by yesterday. During the conversation, they seemed to assert that I could have two phone lines with umlimited long distance for $71 per month. I wonder why I would want to take advantage of such an offer.
First, I get that for nearly $20 less with Vonage. Second, Vonage doesn't give me the boatload of fees that Bellsouth does, inflating a bill from a cost of $44 to well over $60. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, why would I want to go with a company who apparently only sells their best plans in a door-to-door manner to unsatisfied customers, rather than offering that plan to everyone on their web site? That just makes no sense to me.
I've been landline-less once before, when I relied on my cell phone. For the last six months or so, we've had a Bellsouth line. That should end shortly, when the number is ported to Vonage. Then we'll all too happily go our own way from the company, and get back to the pleasure of an uncomplicated bill, without all the add-ons, fees and headaches provided so generously - at extra cost - by Bellsouth. I can't wait.
As a reminder - anyone looking to try Vonage, please let me know. I will send you a referral email that provides you with one month of free service if you sign up using the link in the email, and if you do continue as a customer, I get a credit, making my own service even cheaper!
