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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tmx on 03 January 2009, 14:31:45

Title: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: tmx on 03 January 2009, 14:31:45
Just noticed there ad on TV and its a scam heres why:

There service uses VOIP and you still have to pay BT Linerental and ADSL charges as there service uses ADSL! and then vonage want a £20 connection fee and £8 a month for nothing!

Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 03 January 2009, 14:42:19
Lets face it in the current economic situation many individuals and companies are going to get more ruthless in trying to obtain extra profit out of you and me! >:( >:(

This could be one good example of it! ;) ;)

I am just going to stay with my current, generally reputable, utility companies 8-) 8-)
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: tmx on 03 January 2009, 15:03:40
yes i think your right lizzy i expect my lovely employers will be filling for a complaint with the ASA on monday anyway lol
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: TheBoy on 03 January 2009, 18:43:24
Quote
Just noticed there ad on TV and its a scam heres why:

There service uses VOIP and you still have to pay BT Linerental and ADSL charges as there service uses ADSL! and then vonage want a £20 connection fee and £8 a month for nothing!

Whats wrong with that?  Vonage are one of the respected VOIP companies, and provide a premium VOIP service.

As a heavy VOIP user myself, though not with Vonage, I can't see what the issue is?  Most VOIP suppliers are looking at £5 per month anyway.
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: philhoward on 03 January 2009, 22:51:49
I guess if they're running with the tack that "that's all you pay", then they're misleading you (unless you're getting totally free internet access somehow - no phone line rental, no ISP charges).

Not seen the ad though...
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: Vamps on 03 January 2009, 23:12:00
Can I just ask what VOIP means please...... :-[
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: Entwood on 03 January 2009, 23:13:29
Voice Over Internet Protocol

basically chatting on a phone but connected by a 'puter/internet/broadband not a phone line as normal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: Vamps on 03 January 2009, 23:16:59
Quote
Voice Over Internet Protocol

basically chatting on a phone but connected by a 'puter/internet/broadband not a phone line as normal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol

Thanks, I think, bit technical for me, I can use Skype, which is phone but still need bt for internet unless I use my dongle..... :)
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: Entwood on 03 January 2009, 23:20:04
Skype is VOIP ... just under a different name ... :)


Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: TheBoy on 04 January 2009, 18:24:36
Quote
Quote
Voice Over Internet Protocol

basically chatting on a phone but connected by a 'puter/internet/broadband not a phone line as normal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_Internet_Protocol

Thanks, I think, bit technical for me, I can use Skype, which is phone but still need bt for internet unless I use my dongle..... :)
Skype is a form of VOIP.  A pretty piss poor form mind - non standards based, and reliant on computers being switched on.  Also, no links with other VOIP providers, so unless Skype-Skype calls, you pay.

Vonage (and others) use standards based SIP to call, and there are hundreds of SIP hardware phones, such as Cisco 7000 series, and cheaper options from noname companies.  I use a Linksys hardware adapter that plugs straight into my (analogue) Norstar, so my 2 real lines and 2 VOIP lines are presented at every phone.

I used to use one of the VOIP lines for fax, but now use fax-email services.

Now I use one of my VOIP lines to call VOIP enabled family (free) and my relatives in Canada (too old to use technology) at 1ppm.

The other VOIP line - an 0845 number - I give to people who would be long distance, so they can call me at lower rates from their BT landlines.


Other advantage, those lines follow my linksys adapter - so if I stay with family for a few days, I take the adapter with me, and the lines are with me (just plug a phone into adapter).
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: stuart30 on 04 January 2009, 19:07:14
Isnt Skype pretty cheap too use though when calling non skype.
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: TheBoy on 04 January 2009, 19:10:38
Quote
Isnt Skype pretty cheap too use though when calling non skype.
yes, but not as cheap as some others.

skype seems to be most well known, so cant be discarded, but there are other providers worth considering...
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: stuart30 on 04 January 2009, 19:12:36
Quote
Quote
Isnt Skype pretty cheap too use though when calling non skype.
yes, but not as cheap as some others.

skype seems to be most well known, so cant be discarded, but there are other providers worth considering...

Would they be as easy too use...skype does seem very straight forward.
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: TheBoy on 04 January 2009, 19:13:17
Oh, there is a reason why Skype rhymes with Hype ;)

Skype was originally envisaged to hide/prevent blocking of their other product, Kazaa (a P2P file sharing system)
Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: iggy21uk on 04 January 2009, 20:39:34
Sipgate VOIP works for me, got local tele number - 01442 81xxxx.
No line rental using Grandstream adapter with normal phone.
Cheaper calls worldwide  :)


Title: Re: Vonage Telephone Line Scam
Post by: TheBoy on 04 January 2009, 20:43:23
Quote
Sipgate VOIP works for me, got local tele number - 01442 81xxxx.
No line rental using Grandstream adapter with normal phone.
Cheaper calls worldwide  :)


yes, i use sipgate.  not quite up to the vonage standard, but as a freebie.......