Vonage vs Pakect8

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 20, 2003 Posts: 16

Because I plan to get a dozen or so lines in the near future, i have decided to test Vonage and Packet8 at the same time.

I have them hooked into the exact same network and will be using both alternately on line one and line 2 of the same phone to see which is the all around better service.

i thought the community might want to know what I learn:

First Impressions.

Advantages of Voange:
way more features
clearer sound
911 support

Advantages of PacketB
ATA smaller and easier to work with
Customer service in under 5 minutes.
Cheaper

If anybody is interested i will continue these post as we play with things like moving bif files over the network as calls are made and other such mischief.[/list]

Posts: 61 · Full Forum Member Joined: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 61

Please do.

Thanks.

Posts: 433 · Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 5:27 pm Post subject:

I am glad for the comparison.

I had read that Packet8 had limited Customer Hours and days; whereas Vonage was 24/7. The wait time for Vonage Customer Service may be longer, but I have noticed a fast answer if I call when most people are asleep.

Just a thought.

Guest

I don't think Packet8 let's you keep your existing phone number

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 20, 2003 Posts: 16

1. I dont know if you can keep you existing phone number. My local phone company (SBC) is fighting this mess in court so It is moot to ma at this point)

2. I have been using Vonage for about 4 months. Yesterday I stared rotating my outgoing calls so every other one was on Vonage/Packet8. I had my first call dropped mid stream in the 4 months. It was dropped by packet8.

There voice quality on Packet 8 is either perfect or crap. There seems to be no in between.

I have bad incoming call problems on Vonage. Local people cant get a hold of me. Vonage tech support failed miserably with that answer "Have all the people who cant get a hold of you call their phone companies and fix it. I have none of those problems with Packet8

To Sum up New info

Advantage Vonage:
No dropped calls yet
Voice quality iffy but always legible

Advantage Packet8:
No incoming call problems

If we were playing tennis the score would be Vonage 30/Packet8 15

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 20, 2003 Posts: 16

Anybody know any other carriers that are national (I need area codes across the country) If so mention them and I will test these on the same network simultaneously with the two Im already testing.

Guest

Please continue your evaluation postings of Vonage vs. Packet 8. We're considering introducing these Voip offereings to our broadband customers, and don't want egg on our face. Having spent my entire after college career in the computing, networking and telephony space, I've seen the next new, new thing come and go, so I realize nothing is set in stone.. more of a moving target. Smile

I've seen some disturbing postings about Packet 8's finances, with respect to current and future earnings, current product sales, etc.. Apparently they are the "loss leader" when it comes to providing their CPE as far as their bottom line is concerned. This may get subscribers in the door and recurring revenue faster, but may also prove to be their undoing.. Anyone's thoughts?

CJ

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 17, 2003 Posts: 3

What type of network connection do you have? Are you using Cable? DSL? T1 The reason I ask is that I'm interested in what your upstream bandwidth is.

With that many lines, I'm assuming you have a small office with multiple phone extensions. Will you be connecting these lines into a phone system, such as the Merlin system I have at work?

I'm curious because depending on your internet connection, if you order a dozen or so lines, and they are being used simultaneously, you may run the risk of saturating your upstream bandwidth.

A T1 line would be plenty sufficient, but most cable/DSL carriers only give you 384k upstream, if you're lucky.

As having 12 lines in use simultaneously would require multiple ATA's, This may all be a moot point if you only plan to answer one call at a time and have the rest go to voicemail.

Just a thought...

Let me know how it goes though. I do freelance network consulting, and I plan to start a business when I graduate next quarter. If it goes well for you (and for my residential phone), I may use Vonage for business lines if you have good luck with them in that capacity.

-NW