It's over, I'm out...

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 24, 2006 Posts: 10

Since Virgin Media bought out my broadband providerTelewest their pricing has become very competitive. I'm now able to return to them for a fixed price unlimited call package (uk lines) with a significantly upgraded tv deal at the same price as my previous deal + Vonage.

I've been with Vonage for nearly a year so will allow the anniversary to pass before cancelling in order to avoid the £24.00 discontinuation fee.

The service has been more than acceptable. The clincher as ever though is price. I don't much care how I get my phone service provided it is cost effective. Call voice quality is still nigglingly just under par on Voip in comparison to a conventional line.

Vonage are now offering cheaper deals to existing UK customers in return for agreed usage limits. I was offered one and have taken it up simply to reduced my costs before cancellation. As a home user and not someone who wants to port the service around with me or use softphone, Vonage is simply no longer competing on price or service. Bye

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Apr 08, 2007 Posts: 5

First of all telewest:ntl rebranded to Virgin Media, telewest:ntl have the right to use the virgin name after ntl:telewest purchased virgin mobile.

What package are you joining on Virgin Media because I don't under stand how they are cheaper than Vonage. Infact it works out cheaper by taking Vonage via the virgin media rather than taking the virgin media phone package.

You can take the TV+Broadband offer via VM for £20 and then just use Vonage for £8 extra, keep in mind VM phone service is a extra £10 and you don't get unlimited calls and all the features that come with Vonage.

Also VM bundle offer is only for the first 12 months.

I would call VM and cancel your phone line and you will save £10/month.

Thanks.

John.

Posts: 10 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: May 24, 2006 Posts: 10

Quote:

First of all telewest:ntl rebranded to Virgin Media, telewest:ntl have the right to use the virgin name after ntl:telewest purchased virgin mobile.

Thanks for correcting me there.

Quote:

What package are you joining on Virgin Media because I don't under stand how they are cheaper than Vonage. Infact it works out cheaper by taking Vonage via the virgin media rather than taking the virgin media phone package.

You can take the TV+Broadband offer via VM for £20 and then just use Vonage for £8 extra, keep in mind VM phone service is a extra £10 and you don't get unlimited calls and all the features that come with Vonage.

Also VM bundle offer is only for the first 12 months.

I would call VM and cancel your phone line and you will save £10/month.

On the face of it the maths are quite simple, however I'm happy to elaborate on the detail of the VM deal. A year ago I was paying £60 pcm for 4mb BB, talk unlimited and the basic TV deal with Telewest. I signed up for Vonage and called TW to cancel my phone line. There was a charge for cancellation and an obligation to end my TV deal and upgrade to a costlier version. I was however offered a 12 month deal to keep the original package with a basic talk weekends phone. As this was to cost £35 pcm I agreed. I wanted the insurance of being able to return to TW (VM) with no cost penalty should things not work out with Vonage. In essence I now had all the benefits of the TW deal at a cost when combined with Vonage of £42 pcm. I was saving £18 pcm. With me so far?

The now rebranded VM recently announced a reduction in phone line costs. They called me and I explained my reasons for using Vonage. They offered this new deal - 4MB BB, Talk Unlimited plus upgrade to XL TV pack. This for a shade under £42 pcm and importantly no 12 month tie in. It is written into my customer details that this is indefinite until I renegotiate terms at a future date. This deal is not only marginally cheaper than running VM + Vonage but gives me a better TV deal. I have to say that VM customer services shine over Vonage. I waited 15 minutes late one evening to speak to a Vonage rep. I will have to call them again at the end of May to cancel my contract, they do not offer a customer call back facility.

This deal is not advertised on the VM site and appears to be on offer direct to customers who aggressively pursue best price deals. I have no regrets in using Vonage but I reassert that in my own case they are no longer competitive on cost. To their credit Vonage have tried to keep me on board with a reduced cost deal but one with limited minutes. Competing with VM is impossible when offering only one strand of the competitors package. I accept that Vonage has a number of free services that VM makes a charge for (eg, caller display) and has other unique services (softphone etc). I have no need of these and therefore my decision is unaffected by these other aspects of the Vonage service.

Posts: 21 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 06, 2006 Posts: 21

Be aware there are a number of softphones that work happily with broadband and offer very good value for international calls.
Provided you have a tel package that suits your useage yes VM can offer better overall value than Vonage