WiFi Phone by Vonage - how does it work with pay hotspots?

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

I am interested in using the new Vonage WiFi phone when I travel overseas. However, if my hotel does not offer wireless, then I have to find a wifi spot like at a starbucks. Question: how does the wifi phone (handset) work when you have to sign up and pay for the wireless access? I've done it lots of times with my laptop while traveling, but how would I execute the payment using only the phone or needing a logon ID and password?

Also, any experience out there with traveling with your Vonage account to Russia?

Thanks.

Posts: 329 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 329

The WiFi phone does not work directly with pay hot spots. You can use internet connection sharing on your PC (plenty of posts on how that works) if also travel with a small AP that can give your laptop 2 WiFi connections. That type of AP can also be used in hotel rooms where there is a LAN jack and no WiFi.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

howiewifi wrote:

The WiFi phone does not work directly with pay hot spots. You can use internet connection sharing on your PC (plenty of posts on how that works) if also travel with a small AP that can give your laptop 2 WiFi connections. That type of AP can also be used in hotel rooms where there is a LAN jack and no WiFi.

Thanks. I was afraid that was a limitation. Looks like using the softphone on my laptop would be the best solution for now. don't need the service within the US since my cell phone is the better solution. But overseas, especially in some of the countries I have to travel to this year, cell costs are out of sight ($5.99/min in Russia!). Looking for a cell replacement, even if limited in functionality, for international travel.

Thanks

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 15

The wifi phones work excellent really. Are there no wifi routers anywhere in Russia? I find open APs everywhere....

My only complaint with the wifi phone is the volume level.....too quiet.

Posts: 329 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 329

When the phone is "too quiet", do you know if you have the volume turned all the way up? The default on the phone is "3" out of 5. You can increase it using the right arrow on the "WiFI" rocker button at the top of the keypad WHILE TALKING (the phone is connected and the call timer is running).

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 09, 2006 Posts: 3

sksguy wrote:

The wifi phones work excellent really. Are there no wifi routers anywhere in Russia? I find open APs everywhere....

My only complaint with the wifi phone is the volume level.....too quiet.

There are wifi hot spots, just don't want to rely on my primary phone's success resting on finding open hot spots. Plus I'm looking for a solution that will also work in other countries. I have trips to Russia, Spain, China, Indonesia lined up this year. Since I know I can probably find a pay spot, I'll use the soft phone on my laptop since I can use the browser to purchase time if needed.

Thanks

Posts: 15 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 15

Ya, I do have the volume all the way up. Its still a little quiet. Fine if you're in a quiet place, but not quite loud enuff in anything noisier than the library.