Switching from AT&T to Vonage

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 1

[align=justify]I am switching my voice line from AT&T to Vonage for the same reasons that everyone else is. I have a few questions, but I'd rather not ask AT&T because they're likely to say just about anything.[/align]

1. I currently have AT&T's DSL "Extreme 6.0" service and I would like to keep that service for my browsing needs, as well as to run Vonage with. Willl AT&T allow me to keep the DSL without voice service?

2. I use a small Netopia router here in my office. One port is my DSL, and my computer is plugged into the other port. My daughter's laptop uses the router, too, but wireless. To run Vonage, would I just need to run an RJ45 cable from the Vonage box to the router?

3. As a writer and photographer, I do huge file transfers (300 MB at a time) regularly. Could those transfers create performance issues with Vonage?

Thanks for any info that you can provide!

Posts: 1178 · Member of the Week Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 1178

Attsucks wrote:

I am switching my voice line from AT&T to Vonage for the same reasons that everyone else is. I have a few questions, but I'd rather not ask AT&T because they're likely to say just about anything.

1. I currently have AT&T's DSL "Extreme 6.0" service and I would like to keep that service for my browsing needs, as well as to run Vonage with. Willl AT&T allow me to keep the DSL without voice service?

2. I use a small Netopia router here in my office. One port is my DSL, and my computer is plugged into the other port. My daughter's laptop uses the router, too, but wireless. To run Vonage, would I just need to run an RJ45 cable from the Vonage box to the router?

3. As a writer and photographer, I do huge file transfers (300 MB at a time) regularly. Could those transfers create performance issues with Vonage?

Thanks for any info that you can provide!

Answers to your questions in the order asked.

#1: I have heard that AT&T does provide naked dsl but I'm not sure if they would offer the extreme service in that package. Hopefully others can chime in on this.

#2: Yes that would work. You just need to treat it as another network device.

#3: This very well might be a problem unless your Netopia router has good QoS (Quality of Service) capability. Having QoS will control your traffic out of your network to your dsl service. If not, then your requests for large downloads and most likely large uploads will clearly disrupt your vonage service. I have not looked at the users guide for a Netopia router. I encourage you to do so.

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 22, 2008 Posts: 1

Attsucks wrote:

[align=justify]I am switching my voice line from AT&T to Vonage for the same reasons that everyone else is. I have a few questions, but I'd rather not ask AT&T because they're likely to say just about anything.[/align]

1. I currently have AT&T's DSL "Extreme 6.0" service and I would like to keep that service for my browsing needs, as well as to run Vonage with. Willl AT&T allow me to keep the DSL without voice service?

2. I use a small Netopia router here in my office. One port is my DSL, and my computer is plugged into the other port. My daughter's laptop uses the router, too, but wireless. To run Vonage, would I just need to run an RJ45 cable from the Vonage box to the router?

3. As a writer and photographer, I do huge file transfers (300 MB at a time) regularly. Could those transfers create performance issues with Vonage?

Thanks for any info that you can provide!

You should have no trouble with your downloads.If your on the phone it will slow the download a bit. If your not on the phone it will go as normal. The Vonage router makes sure it has the bandwidth to operate. I download gig of files a day and no problem.

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

As a former AT&T Local and LD customer, it took me 4 months to get a zero bill from them.

When I ported my number, AT&T ended my local service, but not my LD. So I started getting bills for 'minimum usage' and fees. They kept on insisting that it was my responsibility to cancel LD.

In the end Vonage provided me with the PO (portability order) number which indicated that the service transfer was for local and LD. Once I gave AT&T that number they went 'oh... ok'.

My .02...

Posts: 14 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Aug 23, 2004 Posts: 14

aptozi wrote:

You should have no trouble with your downloads.

Not necessarily true. If the Vonage adapter is the first device connected to your DSL modem, then its QOS will prioritize the calls and you should not have problems while transferring files. However, if the Vonage adapter is connected to your router as described, its QOS settings cannot control traffic on the other devices on the router, and you may have stuttering during file transfers.

You will likely get better service if you connect the Vonage adapter between the DSL modem and the router. Vonage site has instructions and diagrams on how to do this.

However, if you need the router to have direct to the internet connection (for example, if you host servers, like I do), I found it best to get multiple static IP addresses, put a simple network switch (not a hub) off the DSL modem, and configure the router with one IP address and the Vonage adapter with another IP address. It also helps to get a broadband booster like this

Hope this helps