Advertising w/ call waiting when you put your caller on HOLD

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 61

So my wife is the big phone talker in our house.

She had a few people say that when they were on hold (when she had invoked call waiting) that they heard voices...

We initially thought that maybe the people on hold could hear the other caller? But no, it's even worse.

Apparently, (and I need to verify it tomorrow from work...) when you put someone on hold via call waiting, the person holding is exposed to advertising?!!!

Again I have not verified it, but based on a few people that have told us this, it seems like what's happening.

SHAME ON YOU Vonage.

Posts: 64 · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

I just tried it by calling a cell phone, then putting that call on hold and calling another cell phone (pretend 3-way call without connecting the two). Then I also called in with a cell phone while the Vonage line was connected with a cell phone. Didn't happen here, only silence.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

This will be a BIG deal if that wasn't a fluke. I hope they aren't trying out what might seem to them to be a good idea, 'cause it is NOT. Let us know what you find out.

Posts: 12 · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 12:38 pm Post subject:

What's the big deal? (so long as it's not the Vonage hold music when you call tech support!) I could not care less if my "on hold" callers have to listen to Vonage ads.

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 61

You should have the option to turn it on/off.

I think it's a deceptive and scummy thing to do. I think of it as a type of spyware almost.

(Still need to verify that it's happening)

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

xianman wrote:

What's the big deal? (so long as it's not the Vonage hold music when you call tech support!) I could not care less if my "on hold" callers have to listen to Vonage ads.

I disagree. If Vonage wants to pump ads to people on MY phone line, I expect to be compensated for it. No WAY would I want my friends to have to hear commercial noise when they're on hold, sorry.

But I'm the kind of guy who always removes the car dealer's advertising license plate frame or other "embellishment" when I get a new car. MY car, MY phone, I decide. And I decide NO ads.

Posts: 110 · Vonage Forum Senior Joined: Mar 06, 2004 Posts: 110

dynastar wrote:

You should have the option to turn it on/off.

I think it's a deceptive and scummy thing to do. I think of it as a type of spyware almost.

(Still need to verify that it's happening)

Ummm... don't you think you should have verified it first!??!?! Before you write that something "IS", as opposed to "WOULD BE"...

My god.. people can't wait to jump all over something. Where's a mod to lock this thread until we know what's going on?!?! I don't have it. And I really doubt Vonage would do that without telling us.

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 61

Look, I've had 2 people tell me they heard advertisements. Maybe it's picking up the radio or something.... I don't know. I'll try to reproduce it tonight and see what happens....

relax plyons.

Posts: 64 · Posted: Mon May 17, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

dynastar wrote:

Look, I've had 2 people tell me they heard advertisements. Maybe it's picking up the radio or something.... I don't know. I'll try to reproduce it tonight and see what happens....

2.4 GHz wireless transmission is probably the culprit, not Vonage. There's a lot of traffic of all types in that band.

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

Here comes the tinfoil hats!!!