Doing some vonage research

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 3

First let me start off by thanking for any help that I get, and if you answer anything forgive me if I sound stupid with my questions.

Background: I have a friend that is moving to Lima Peru. She has family in Miami Florida and I live in Missouri. Now for the questions.

1. I hear that she can sign up for vonage and pick a USA number and use that number in Peru like she was still in the states. Is this correct.

2. Since most of her family is in Miami, she would choose a local Miami phone number if the above question is true. If she calls her family in Miami or if any of them call her in Peru using that Miami number, this would be like if they were living right next door to each other. Is this correct?

3. Along the same lines, since I live in Missouri if I call that local Miami number I would be charged just the normal long distance rates, unless I use my cell phone with free long distance. Is this correct? What if she calls me, can she call any number in the US for free (if it is in her plan she chooses)?

4. Now here is the stupid question. There would be no hidden charges for anyone if this setup is used? Again I know bad question. Are there any restrictions with this type of setup?

Again thank you for any help that is given. It is greatly appreciated.

Posts: 879 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 879

1. Yes. She can pick any US area code even though she will be physically located in Lima Peru. If someone from Lima called her or if she called someone in Lima, it would be an international call for the party who initiated the call.

2. Yes, you are correct. When she calls her family in Miami or when her family calls her in Lima Peru, it will be just like a local call.

3. Correct...you would be charged the standard long distance rate for a call from Missouri to Miami unless you use your cell plan with free long distance. She can call any number in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico for free. If she goes with the unlimited plan, she can make free calls to some European countries. But even you can use your landline to call your friend for free with Vonage. Vonage has two great features, "V-Access" and "Vonage Me". Here's a link to the two features:
http://vonage.com/features.php?feature=v_access
http://vonage.com/features.php?feature=vonage_me

4. No hidden charges, only taxes. If she plans on using more than 500 minutes per month, I would recommend the Residential Premium Unlimited Plan for $24.99.

One thing you and your friend should be aware of. Your VoIP service is highly dependent upon the quality of the Internet Service Provider in Lima, Peru. If her ISP quality is sub par, the voice quality will be likewise.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 10, 2007 Posts: 20

There is one extra charge - 911 service. She wouldn't want to active 911 living in Peru. I'm not sure if she'll be charged for 911 regardless or not.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 3

thank you for the responses. This was a great help and she will be signing up once she gets down there.

Posts: 43 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 43

all the answers are yes......except the last: no, there are no hidden charges.........only what she lets a sales person talk her into, if she is a push over for sales. BTW: she can have that miami number and attach (for $4.99 per month) a virtual local Missouri phone number..if you expect to pay more than $5 per month calling her miami number in peru you might want to consider it

Posts: 879 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 879

If she is going to sign up with Vonage, I would recommend getting the Vonage adapter while she's still here in the States and verify the equipment is working correctly. Vonage will not ship the device to Lima, Peru. It has to be shipped to a US address.

Posts: 879 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 879

jrsshore wrote:

BTW: she can have that miami number and attach (for $4.99 per month) a virtual local Missouri phone number..if you expect to pay more than $5 per month calling her miami number in peru you might want to consider it

The "V-Access" feature would accomplish this without having to pay an additional $4.99 plus applicable taxes. Bigmo, does your area code fall within 314, 417, 573, 636, 660 or 816 in Missouri?

Posts: 427 · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

You may have to list the 9-1-1 address as to where the US credit card statement is mailed. Makes it simple and less of a problem.

Just a thought.

Posts: 1322 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 1322

I don't believe you are required to input the address for 9-1-1 service. Why would you want the 911 active for an address in the states if you are in another country?

Also the 911 fee is dependent on the state or province you live in. Here in Canada I don't have any 9-1-1 fee on my Vonage bill. I just pay taxes, provincial and federal.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Sep 10, 2007 Posts: 20

Absolutely do not list a 911 address for a location where you are not physically present.

The point of a 911 address is solely for emergency responders to locate you when you actually dial "911" on your phone.