Only Softphone

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 21, 2005 Posts: 1

I am really disappointed that Vonage does not offer SoftPhone as an exclusive feature. I have been using Skype for a while and don't have a regular analog phone line at home. Only use a USB HeadSet to my sound-card and use the software driven Skype. However, recently I found the quality of Skype to be quite bad for local in US calls. So I decided to try Vonage. Only after signing up for the service did I find out that the SoftPhone can only be added to a regular account. Well now I have to pay the 9.99 for SoftPhone on top of the 15.00 bucks I pay for the monthly Vonage account for which I have no use.

Wish the mgt. at Vonage would wake up and realize that they need to offer the softphone as an exclusive feature if they are to compete with Skype (and GoogleTalk soon).

Anyone else have these same concerns?

-Sam

Posts: 164 · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Only Softphone

skapoor2 wrote:

I am really disappointed that Vonage does not offer SoftPhone as an exclusive feature. I have been using Skype for a while and don't have a regular analog phone line at home. Only use a USB HeadSet to my sound-card and use the software driven Skype. However, recently I found the quality of Skype to be quite bad for local in US calls. So I decided to try Vonage. Only after signing up for the service did I find out that the SoftPhone can only be added to a regular account. Well now I have to pay the 9.99 for SoftPhone on top of the 15.00 bucks I pay for the monthly Vonage account for which I have no use.

Wish the mgt. at Vonage would wake up and realize that they need to offer the softphone as an exclusive feature if they are to compete with Skype (and GoogleTalk soon).

trying to run a USB headset through your sound card may explain your voice quality issues.

Passing up quality service to save a few bucks explains your provider issues.

Anyone else have these same concerns?

-Sam

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 28

This thread started in 2005 and it is now 2007 and Vonage still does not offer softphone service only. I do not use the 14.99 a month service at all. I use the softphone on my Pocket PC that has wi-fi.

Posts: 1327 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1327

You can use the V-phone option. Google Talk hasn't spread like Skype has with the Skype IN and Skype Out features.

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 28

I have the v-phone as my 14.99 account. The softphone with my ppc is what I use the most, even though the whole setup is not that great on a ppc. The sjphone needs a lot of work.

Also, I do not call other computers; generally cell phones, so google talk is out.

The skype software for ppc requires a 400Mhz processor, unfortunately mine is only a 300Mhz.

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 28

I am just adding another comment so more people will see this thread.

I emailed Vonage customer service to inquire about the Softphone being an individual product instead of a feature but they never replied back.

I would be willing to pay $14.99/ a month for the softphone and not have to have another number that I do not use. Now having two numbers puts me at $36.00 a month, which is what I paid for my cell phone.

Why can't the Softphone be a main number instead of a feature only???

SAVE ME JEEBUS!!! - H.S.

Posts: 102 · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Now having two numbers puts me at $36.00 a month

since an account cant remain active with a softphone only, the best that you can do is have your mainline downgraded to lowest plan that they have, thats the basic 0 plan which is 4.99/month. your bill would now be 4.99 for the mainline and 9.99 for the softphone, thats 14.98 plus taxes

hope that helps

Posts: 28 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 28

Ahh! One of those secret plans you can only get if you call customer service. I will call tomorrow when I have more time available (i.e. at work) but this is terrific news.

My other option was going with a Voip competitor, which would be $9.99 a month but they needed a $40 activation fee and of course I would've got the dx fee from Vonage.

Thank you very much!!

You know, you ARE a very nice girl, thanks!

Posts: 102 · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:37 am Post subject:

you're very much welcome spacezero! only account management can give you that offer though. just ask customer service to have your call transferred to them.

too bad softphone didnt work for me when i tried it out before Sad