Internet Phones / Optimum Phone are they any good? [Archive]

Reephdweller

03-16-2004, 03:42 PM

I see these ads for replacing your regular phone with a cheaper phone service like Optimum Online's Optimum Phone or other internet phone service providers (http://www.netphonenow.com/vonag/index.cfm).

The rates on the commercials and on websites always offer prices like $34 a month for unlimited calls, dirt cheap long distance rates, etc.

Does anyone use one of these services, or know if they're any good or not?

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Horde King Forever!! <strike>The Oracle Never!!</strike></center>

<center>Check out The Ron and Fez Show Logs...UPDATED!!!!! (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)</center>
<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>

Tazz

03-16-2004, 04:15 PM

I got the information sheet from Cablevision for the Optimum Phone service.

Basically, you have to change your phone number, which becomes unlisted anywhere. The service offers no directory assistance or phone books. You also need to be an Optimum Online subscriber. Also, the service will not work if there is a power outage.

Basically, it seems like it would be a good deal for a second line. I don't know how much I would want to depend on it for my main line though.

<img src=http://tazz1376.homestead.com/files/homersig.gif>

newport king

03-16-2004, 04:19 PM

SatCam

03-16-2004, 05:02 PM

Also, the service will not work if there is a power outage.

The only reason I didn't have this. I had the guys over my house (on Long Island) a few years ago, and when they got there, they told my mom that if there was no power, there was no phone. I'm still with Verizon. Back in August when we had that blackout, we had some neighbors come over to make phone calls.

<img src=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/sc_sig.jpg align=right><A HREF=http://www.satelitecam.tk>Ron and Fez Drops and Bits</A> | <a href=http://www.oldronandfezpages.tk>WNEW Ron and Fez Pages</a> | <a href=http://www.robanddan.tk/>RobandDan.tk</a> | Thanks Monsterone![color=white]

methos

03-16-2004, 06:37 PM

I got packet8.net service last month and it's worked fine. With that, and my cell phone, I've decided to get rid of Vermizon once and for all. Phone quality on the VoIP line is great, and I liked the ability to pick my area code.

Hottub

10-18-2004, 03:13 PM

Ok, why should I NOT get the new Optimum Triple Play.
The local sales rep just came by, offered me;

The aforementioned optimum phone. 24-7 local, long distance... (but a new number)
Digital IO cable. 250+ channels of digital programming rivaling my current Dish Network.
And Optimum online cable internet.

All for 29.95 each per month for one year, and a guarentee of no more than $15 increase for the 2nd year.(total package, not each)

He offered free install to 3 tv's, a $20 credit to my account, and one month free.

Why should I not do it. It sounds, as they say, Too good to be true!!

<img src="http://artemis.gamedaemons.net/hottub.gif" border=0 align=right>

"Ahh, Beer. The cause of, and answer to all of life's problems"
Big A.S.S.#22127
The Cruising Vessel (http://www.silentpix.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Myalbums&file=thumbnails&album=41)

This message was edited by Hottub on 10-18-04 @ 7:28 PM

badorties

10-18-2004, 04:01 PM

've had vonage for the last three years and it's great ... buy a better phone and the voice quality's not bad at all ...

for two years i had the 19.99 plan with 500 minutes, and never had a problem ....

now i have the unlimited plan at 39.99 and it's still cheap as all shit ...

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=badorties"> 

+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+

newport king

10-18-2004, 04:19 PM

The aforementioned optimum phone. 24-7 local, long distance... (but a new number)

They don't work when the power goes out, AND you can't dial 911.

Digital IO cable. 250+ channels of digital programming rivaling my current Dish Network.

I have it...trust me there isn't anything on any of the channels. besides about 100 are music channels.

And Optimum online cable internet.

This I have and yes i agree it's better than DSL.

<img src="http://hometown.aol.com/bonedaddy5/images/newportking.jpg">

JustJon

10-18-2004, 04:43 PM

they suck. and it's not because i work for verizon but i've seen them and they aren't that good. voice quality is king of shitty. just wait like 2 years when we bring fiber to the premise we're upgrading everything in north jersey right now. it'll take awhile but everything i read about it seems like it's going to put cable modems and even our current DSL output to shame.I read about this in the latest Maximum PC. It sounds badass. Huge speed increases for about what we pay for cable/dsl now.

With Opt Voice, your phone is ties into your cable modem. If you need to reset your modem, your phone is out for that amount of time.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon11.gif"> <A href="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com">Chaotic Concepts</a>

Reephdweller

05-09-2005, 02:27 PM

I'm contemplating getting Vonage, if anyone in addition to Badorties has it or tried it, if you like it or don't. It wouldn't be my main phone, but rather because my cellphone barely works in my house and it's very frustrating. The Vonage site says there is no contracts which is interesting me as well.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">

Reefy's website... (http://www.osirusonline.com/)</center>

<center>Check out The Ron and Fez Show Logs...UPDATED!!!!! (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)</center>
<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee>

furie

05-09-2005, 02:32 PM

voice quality is king of shitty. no it's not. I have it and the sound is just fine VOIP works just fine for me. 

<img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/furie1335/rfsigs/ghostrider2.jpg" width=300 height=100>

<a href="http://fallingtowardsapotheosis.blogspot.com/">mental vomit</a>

DESERTEAGLE.50

05-09-2005, 02:37 PM

I use SKYPE and SKYPE-out.Skype-to-Skype is free.Skype-out to any landline or cell number worldwide about $.02/min. 
Pay as you go, no flat monthly fee whether you use it or not.  <a href="http://www.skype.com" target="_self">www.skype.com</a> 

What?
Yes I Am.
All This Time.

mothershucker

05-09-2005, 02:43 PM

I got it as soon as they offered it in my area, and at first, it blew monkey ass. One out of four calls had to be disconected because the call sounded like you where under water. They also would do software updates, and you would lose service for hours on end. But, in the last two years, I have to say, they got there shit together. The only time I lose service is when the electric goes out (which is hardly ever, not like back in the 70's when the electric would go out every 6 weeks or so), and the software issue has been resoloved. For a little over $100 a month, I get my phone, cable and high speed internet, how the fuck can you beat that? I am no fan of Cablevision and the Dolans, but Verison and the Dish people can not touch the value and service.

I shucked it, and I shucked it, and I shucked it, i'm quite the mother shucker

Swift Boat Vet

05-09-2005, 06:26 PM

I've had Vonage for about two years and it's just as good as my old Verizon service.  The first couple of months were crappy because Vonage was going thru some growing pain.  But now I have no issues.  I got to keep my old number, I have unlimited calling and a seperate fax line for $39.99 and not a penny in taxes and "universal connectivity charge."  For 18 months my phone bill has been exactly $39.99.  I also switched my business lines over to Vonage.  That's how confident I am with the service.  If anyone is considering making the jump, PM me and I'll send you a referral.  You'll get a break and I will too.  Two buddies helping each other out.  Nothing gay.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/rossljr/rnfsig2.jpg<IMG src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/sarcasmik/Stop%20Ashlee%20Dot%20Com/stopashlee-tearaway.gif">

TheGameHHH

05-09-2005, 07:00 PM

you people still use land lines?

<IMG SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/hhh3_sig.gif">

torker

05-09-2005, 07:07 PM

you people still use land lines? you people ?<img height="185" src="http://www.buzzpics.com/pff_03/difranco/difranco_0957.jpg" width="149" border="0" />

[center]<IMG SRC=http://home.comcast.net/~rmfallon/RFnettorker1313.jpg>[center]
[center]Enemy to those who make him an enemy.
Friend to those who have no friend.
[center]

FUNKMAN

05-09-2005, 07:19 PM

my peeps<img height="97" src="http://www.peepsville.com/images/about/peeps_all_seasons/bunny4.jpg" width="124" border="0" /><img height="97" src="http://www.peepsville.com/images/about/peeps_all_seasons/peep5.jpg" width="124" border="0" />

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwAdA7AVvz2ldnjw80kRVwsu1c7UdrOs1GKJquk79iea0IKr4 RwxKGkJq4aNu7X76!GDtJL9!ZyRCMozmii00zoSpuchIJSY5R8 A1slffKxYEslSCzLIEA/FUNK2.JPG?dc=4675521715404891557">

a 'scardillo' creation

furie

05-09-2005, 07:42 PM

quote:you people 
 <img width="290" height="300" border="0" src="http://ap.grolier.com/images/cache/026/pl384.jpg" /> 

<img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/furie1335/rfsigs/ghostrider2.jpg" width=300 height=100>

<a href="http://fallingtowardsapotheosis.blogspot.com/">mental vomit</a>

PapaBear

05-09-2005, 07:45 PM

Ewe People...<img height="324" src="http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/auckland02/pictures/sheeppeople.jpg" width="464" border="0" />

<center><img src="http://www.geocities.com/pauleight/pb_sig.gif"></center>
<center>Please refrain from tasting the knob</center><center>KARMA IS</center>
<center>Thanks Monsterone for the sig!</center>

TheGameHHH

05-09-2005, 07:46 PM

that's right.......i'm calling all of you people, you people

<IMG SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/hhh3_sig.gif">

FUNKMAN

05-09-2005, 08:10 PM

how about peebles?  <img height="100" src="http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/contrib_pix/m/a/hds/mario_van_peebles.jpg" width="100" border="0" />

<img src="http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwAdA7AVvz2ldnjw80kRVwsu1c7UdrOs1GKJquk79iea0IKr4 RwxKGkJq4aNu7X76!GDtJL9!ZyRCMozmii00zoSpuchIJSY5R8 A1slffKxYEslSCzLIEA/FUNK2.JPG?dc=4675521715404891557">

a 'scardillo' creation

angrymissy

05-10-2005, 05:51 AM

I set my family up with the Optimum Voice Package about 2 years ago.  Initially they had some problems with outages and dropped calls, but for the past year and half it's been working perfectly.  It's easier for them to have that one bill for cable/phone/internet.We only use cell phones at my house so I won't be getting it anytime soon, although we did look into Vonage at one point.

 <img src="http://www.ronfez.net/imagestorage/tiggy.gif" width="300" height="100" border="1"> 
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." [ Theodore Roosevelt ]

PhishHead

05-10-2005, 08:23 AM

We had it in our NJ home before we moved.  Not quite sure why they tell you, you need to get a new number as we kept the same phone number, and yse you are not able to use 911 which i guess would suck in an emergency but then you could always just use your cell phone.  Never heard the thing though that you had to change phone numbers, doesnt seem to make much sense to me as it comes through the same wiring.

<IMG SRC="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=Phishhead">
thanks to fallon and monsterone for the sigs.

newport king

05-11-2005, 04:50 AM

no it doesnt.

<img src="http://hometown.aol.com/bonedaddy5/images/newportking.jpg">

Keotok

05-12-2005, 04:13 PM

I have vonage.  No problems so far.  Sounds fine, and I am able to dial 911.

Hottub

05-12-2005, 04:26 PM

Got the optimum Triple Play in Dec.Rockin' 4 TV's now (only one HD- Digital)Smokin' online ( Both up and down)And the phone is amazing. Perfect sound quality. Never a dropped call. Full 911. Up to the minute phone usage and voicemail from the PC. US, Can & PR unlimited 24/7.I am going to order the Motorola PB1000 for about $40. Battery back-up 8 hours standby - 6 hours talk-time. In my life, I have not been w/out power for 8 hours, so I think I'm good.After 5 months... No- Brainer. Order now!!

<img src=" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/artemisentreri/hottub.gif"border=0 align=right>
so does that mean that it was
"THE ORANGE BOWL OF FAILURE?"
Staples
See The Cruising Vessel (http://www.silentpix.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Myalbums&file=thumbnails&album=41)
Check out silentpix.com

yarpwizard

05-12-2005, 10:48 PM

I've had Vonage for three months and love it. A great value for $28.00 a month. Great sound and I can tell every call I make or comes in. Another great feature is I can look up every call on their website. 

<img src=http://yarpwizard.50megs.com/images/a_ron_and_fezaholic.gif>

A mind is a terrible thing to dyworf.

furie

05-19-2005, 06:31 PM

<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/05/19/national/w080235D40.DTL">911
to come to VoIP</a> 


  <img width="300" height="100" border="0" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/furie1335/rfsigs/ghostrider2.jpg" />  

<a href="http://fallingtowardsapotheosis.blogspot.com/">mental vomit</a>

 

This message was edited by furie on 5-19-05 @ 10:32 PM