Using Vonage in Egypt - But Setting up in UK

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 06, 2007 Posts: 4

I am in the process of looking into Vonage and setting it up in the UK, but using it to keep in touch with family (and vice versa) from Egypt.

I am unsure about how to go about it (in terms of what is the best package, the required equipment etc) so perhaps it is best to keep it simple in terms of what I want to do:

I want to be able to call my family and friends in the UK using Vonage for free.

I want them to be able to call me (on a UK Code Virtual Number that I would subscribe too) for free.

That is it. What package (prices) and equipment would be suggested (to keep it as easy and as simple as possible)?

I have not yet set anything up, so any other advice is appreciated - our DSL internet speed is 256, though we can upgrade this to half a meg if 256 isn't enough?

The other question I had is that our internet connection is shared in our building where we live - we have a 2 MB connection that is shared between 8 people (which can be doubled to 4MB so that it would be half a meg if needed, as above) so our connection is simply a cable from upstairs giving us our internet connection - so how would that work with sorting out Vonage? Would we need an extra piece of equipment (router) or not?

I appreciated any input and feedback - what I didn't want to do was buy everything at the start and mess it up, which I have a habit of doing. I wanted to get it right for my families sake.

Thanks

Posts: 4777 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 4777

First, understand that Vonage does not support this activity and won't help you with it. That said, a lot of people do it.

A lot depends on the equipment that you have in your building. The best situation for you would be if the distribution is being done with a router using DHCP (automatic addressing). If that's the case, and if you have more than one connection available to you, then all you need is the simplest Vonage adapter, like the D-link VTA. The adapter would plug in to one of your connection ports and your computer into another. If only one connection is available to you, then you need a router if you want to use your phone and your computer at the same time. In that case you might want to choose one of the Vonage adapter/routers like the VT2142 or VT2442.

If distribution in the building is not by a router, or if DHCP is not being used, then life gets more complicated. It's important that you find out exactly how things are being handled before you proceed. In any case, keep in mind that you'll be competing for bandwidth. To get solid phone service, you really want distribution to be via a router that can be set to favor your Vonage device. Without that, someone involved in heavy duty internet activities can screw up your phone service, regardless of how much bandwidth you have.

Posts: 24 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 24

I will be trying to do the same thing next month and would very much appreciate learning of your experience. Thanks.
Eric