Keep regular phone also?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 2

I have several issues with the prospects of using VOiP-- I need a new phone number because I use dsl, and 911 and power outages are issues; does anyone use VOip for outgoing calls and keep their regular landline service ALSO for incoming calls and emergencies on a basic plan? Why not have both services?

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 20

menton1 wrote:

Why not have both services?

Cause they cost money obviously.

Posts: 98 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:46 am Post subject:

menton1 wrote:

Why not have both services?

I believe there are plenty of people who do just that. They keep a basic, no-frills added local calling only line and add VoIP for long-distance. This makes wiring the whole house for VoIP more complicated and expensive (if you want two-line phones all through the house), but I've seen lots of posts (here and on www.broadbandreports.com) where people have done just that. There are also many, like myself, who are using only VoIP, throwing caution to the wind (and keeping a cell phone for back-up) while literally cutting the cord to the local phone company.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 2

Actually, the major issue for me is that since I use DSL, I will have to lose my phone number because Vonage can not use that phone number.

I wonder if you can do a few tricks, e.g., move the existing number to Vonage and get a new number with the landline company for DSL. Has anybody elso sorted this out?

Posts: 17 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 10, 2005 Posts: 17

When I got my Vonage service a few months ago I did exactly as you descirbed. I took the SBC line down to the bare minimum and I forward incoming calls from SBC to Vonage and then use Vonage for long distance and the some of the cool calling features.

I have business customers that call frequently and it would be a real disaster if Vonage had a meltdown (and they have had a few) and they could not get through.

Now if there is a Vonage problem all I have to do is stop the call forward on the SBC line and wait for Vonage to fix the problem. I don't worry about outgoing calls..I can use my cell for those or use the SBC line.

When I factor in the calling features etc. that I get from Vonage I am still saving money if not just breaking even.

Posts: 50 · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject:

My brother and his wife couldn't get a phone number from Vonage that was a local call within their area. So, they had all added features removed from their POTS line, and added a second line from Vonage for long distance use. They still save, substantially, over their past monthly phone expenses.

Posts: 17 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Mar 10, 2005 Posts: 17

If i was just using for personal instead of mixed personal/business use I would definately get rid of SBC...all of my friends/family have my cell number anyway.

Posts: 41 · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:47 am Post subject:

I did have a SBC basic line for DSL, and Vonage for all outgoing and incoming calls. I used to have cable, but could get a better deal for DSL and a measured phone line + Vonage. Then my DSL started cutting off every 15 min. for 30 sec. at a time. SBC would not even acknowledge that there was a problem, so I went back to Cable (Road Runner). Now everything is working great!

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 4

I have vonage, and the lowest priced land line SBC has available in my area, I use the land line for my fax, and DTV tivo(eliminates all the dial in problems). Im still saving almost 20 bucks a month compared to when I had just the land line with all the bells and whistles